Dear Heloise: I’m not done with that butter knife! After making a sandwich, I like to set the knife on the edge of the sink instead of sending it straight to the dishwasher. A knife with just a light smear of butter on it often comes in handy again later for toast, another sandwich, or a quick snack. This habit keeps me from washing the same utensil twice in one day and frees up a little room in the dishwasher.

I make sure that the knife stays in a clean spot and doesn’t sit there overnight, because nobody wants old butter hanging around. It’s a simple system, but it works well. Sometimes the smartest kitchen tricks look like laziness to everyone else. — Bill Curran, in Kenosha, Wisconsin

BRING BRASS HANDLES BACK TO LIFE

Dear Heloise: A reader wrote in about brass kitchen handles turning dark after 25 years of use and that it’s almost impossible to get them shiny again. The reader asked if there was a way to restore the finish. Here’s what I recommend:

You should start by finding out whether the handles are solid brass or brass-plated because the cleaning method matters. Start by pulling off a single handle and holding a magnet to it. A magnet that clings tells you that the piece is brass-plated rather than solid brass, which means that aggressive scrubbing can strip the coating right off. Before anything else, give the hardware a good wash in warm, soapy water by using a soft cloth to cut through built-up grease.

Solid brass handles can handle more attention. Reach for a dedicated brass polish, or mix lemon juice and baking soda into a paste, then work it in with a gentle cloth using light, circular strokes. Once you’re done, make sure that each handle is thoroughly dried.

If the finish still looks blotchy, the old protective coating may have worn off, and refinishing it might help more than polishing. Try one handle at a time before tackling the whole kitchen. — Carol W., in California

BRIGHTEN DINGY GROUT

Dear Heloise: Dingy grout can make a clean bathroom or kitchen look tired, and I used to attack these stains with whatever cleaner was closest. A bleach-based toilet bowl cleaner may brighten white grout in some spots, but strong formulas can irritate your lungs, damage nearby surfaces, and discolor colored grout. Now I treat grout more carefully.

I apply a grout-safe bleach cleaner or an oxygen-bleach paste with an old toothbrush, let it sit for a short time, then scrub and rinse well. Good ventilation matters, and gloves help, too. I also test one small hidden area first because grout and tile finishes vary more than people think. This solved the problem right away without leaving me worried about damage. — J.L.O., in Dayton, Ohio

TAME STATIC ELECTRICITY

Dear Heloise: A simple fix solved the static-cling problem in my house. Just toss a ball of aluminum foil into the dryer with your laundry. The foil helps dissipate static electricity as clothes tumble, preventing fabrics from clinging. I keep one foil ball in my laundry room and reuse it for weeks before replacing it.

After one too many mornings fighting with clingy shirts, this trick saved time and frustration. You can also shake clothes out before folding them to help release any lingering static. It’s quick and inexpensive, and it works better than I expected. — Melissa R., in Dayton, Ohio

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.