rooms

The clasp on my favorite necklace broke.

V.A., VIA EMAIL

THE FIX: Slide a paper clip or a small safety pin through both ends of the chain and close it, says Rachel Pfeffer, a jewelry designer based in Washington, D.C. For a long-term solution, she explains, you’ll need two pairs of flat-nosed pliers and a new clasp with a round connection piece called a jump ring. (You can find these at craft or bead stores.) To remove the old clasp, grab each side of the existing jump ring with the pliers, then pull one side toward you and push the other side away from you. Once the ring is open, slide off the broken clasp. Then open the replacement jump ring using the same method as above and link it to the end of the chain. Close the ring with pliers to securely install the clasp. Need to repair a family heirloom? Take it to a pro.

Now What?!?

SMART FIXES FOR LIFE’S LITTLE DISASTERS

By Liz Steelman

I have a foot cramp!

W.B., VIA EMAIL

THE FIX: If you’re lying down or sitting, stand up. Putting pressure on the cramp will stop the muscle spasm, says James R. Christina, DPM, executive director of the American Podiatric Medical Association. If you’re standing, walk around to stretch out your lower calves. If walking doesn’t help, lie on the floor, roll up a towel (or grab a yoga strap), and place it under the ball of your foot. Pull your toes toward you, keeping your knee as straight as you can, for a deep stretch. Almost 90 percent of foot cramps are due to muscle fatigue, says Christina, so always stretch your lower body after exercise.

There are gnats swarming around my indoor plant.

E.H., VIA EMAIL

THE FIX: Ease up on watering and move the plant to a sunny spot in your home where the soil can dry out. Often gnats appear when soil has been wet for too long, so also make sure your plant has good drainage. “Gnats have no affinity for plants— just fungi and moisture,” says Christopher Satch, an in-house plant scientist at The Sill, a garden center in New York City. Gnats are mostly just annoying, but a swarm of them may indicate larvae, which can damage the roots and harm a young plant. If drying out the soil doesn’t help, Satch recommends adding diatomaceous earth, a natural, nontoxic, talclike insecticide made from plankton fossils (try DiatomaceousEarth Food Grade Powder, $11 for 2 lb.; chewy .com). Work it into the top inch of soil, then sprinkle some more on the surface.

The Only CleanersYou Need

FILL YOUR CADDY WITH THESE PRO PICKS AND YOU’LL BE READY FOR EVERY ROOM.

By Stephanie Sisco

BATHROOM

WHY THIS CADDY? A classic pail offers a compact storage solution for sprays beneath the sink.

TOILET BRUSH Looeegee Hygienic Toilet Squeegee The icky bathroom stalwart has gotten a hygienic upgrade. Silicone repels water, helping prevent drips during transfer from bowl to holder.

TO BUY: $40; looeegee.com.

SURFACE CLEANER Better Life Tub & Tile Cleaner Spritz, wipe, rinse. With no harsh fumes or chemicals, this spray does wonders on the tub, the sink, and even the toilet—inside and out. TO BUY: $8; cleanhappens.com.

SOAP SCUM ERASER Scrub Free Total Bathroom Cleaner A buildup of scum is no match for this spray, which practically eliminates the need to scrub. To help stave off buildup in the first place, use a squeegee ($10; bed bathandbeyond.com) to swipe the glass and tile after each shower. TO BUY: $3; jet.com.

RING REMOVER Pure Clean Bath Stone Cleaning Block It’s sturdy enough to tackle the ring of hard water and mineral deposits in the toilet bowl but gentle enough not to scratch the porcelain surface. TO BUY: $4; bedbathandbeyond.com.

DRAIN SNAKE Zip-It Bath and Sink Hair Snare This 20inch plastic strip slips easily into sink and tub drains to help clear clogs. TO BUY: $2; homedepot.com.

SCRUB BRUSH OXO Good Grips Extendable Tub & Tile Scrubber No more back pain from straining to reach high corners and low grout lines! This extendable pole with a swiveling head makes for easy work. TO BUY: $13; oxo.com.

GLASS CLEANER Sprayway Glass Cleaner A no-streak solution for mirrors, windows, and shower doors. The foam-like spray stays put on the surface rather than running down before you can get to it with your cloth. TO BUY: $2; target.com.

CLEANING CLOTHS General Purpose Cloths These microfiber cloths grab hold of dirt and debris instead of just pushing them around. Designate a color for each surface to avoid cross-contamination. TO BUY: $20 for 4; ecloth.com.

WHY THIS CADDY? A container without divided compartments allows for the most efficient use of space. TO BUY: Nesting Storage Caddy, $7; casabella.com.

OVEN CLEANER Mr. Clean Magic Eraser with Durafoam Use it to scrub the grimy interior of a microwave or convection oven (including the glass on the door). TO BUY: $3 for 2; mrclean.com.

KITCHEN

GOO REMOVER Eucalyptus Essential Oil This natural and effective germ killer also emits a refreshing scent. Apply it to a cotton ball to help remove sticker residue or stubborn grease stains. TO BUY: $14; ouifresh.com.

DISINFECTANT Harmon Face Values Hydrogen Peroxide Spray Buy the all-natural sanitizer in a spray bottle to spritz down cutting boards, counters, and the sink. TO BUY: $2; bed bathandbeyond.com.

DEGREASER Dawn Ultra Original Scent Dishwashing Liquid Not just for washing dirty dishes: This solution is particularly good for cleaning vent filters and removing buildup in the oven and on the stove. TO BUY: $3; target.com.

BRIGHTENER White Vinegar Dip a microfiber cloth into this pantry staple to help disinfect and shine appliances. It can also be used to revive dingy oven racks and hazy mirrors. TO BUY: Heinz Distilled White Vinegar, $2; walmart.com.

MULTISURFACE SPRAY Formula 409 All-Purpose Cleaner Hardened drips in the fridge? Spray onthis universalcleaner, let soak for five minutes, and wipe clean. It’s great for countertops and backsplashes too. TO BUY: $3; target.com.

TOOL OXO Good Grips Kitchen Appliance Cleaning Set With two brush heads and a pair of crevice cleaners, this compact tool helps dislodge debris from groutlines and the seam betweensinkandcounter. TO BUY: $8; oxo.com.

MILDER ABRASIVE Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser & Polish A no-scratch solution for burned-on messes and hard-to-remove rust stains. It helps make sinks, stoves, oven racks, and stainless-steel pots and pans sparkle. TO BUY: $2; bedbathand beyond com.

POLISH Scott’s Liquid Gold Wood Cleaner While it’s a staple for wood furniture, this polish can also shine your stainlesssteel appliances and keep fingerprints from showing up as easily. TO BUY: From $6; truevalue.com.