1. Home
  2. Business & Finance
  3. Frugal Living

How to Make Things Last Longer
Simple Tricks to Extend the Life of All Your Stuff

By Erin Huffstetler, About.com

Tired of replacing razor blades, printer cartridges and other household essentials at every turn? Here's how to make those must-haves last longer:

Clothing

A simple way to stretch the life of all your clothes? Skip the dryer. All that heat just isn't good for your clothes.

Shoes

Clean dirt and scuff marks off of your shoes as soon as you notice them to avoid any permanent damage.

Food

Food spoilage is often the result of improper storage. Learn how to store the foods that you eat regularly:

Candles

Stick candles in the freezer for a couple of hours before you use them. This will cause the wax to burn slower and more evenly.

Mattresses

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for flipping and rotating your mattress to prevent premature sagging.

Refrigerators

Vacuum the condenser coil every three months (once a month if you have pets).

Printer Ink

The simplest way to extend the life of your printer ink is to only print what you need, but that's not the only thing you can do:

Markers

Revive dried out markers by storing them vertically (tip down) for a day or two. If that doesn't work, try dipping the tips in alcohol for a few minutes.

Explore Frugal Living
About.com Special Features

Start your new business on the right foot with these helpful tips. More >

Easy steps to take control of your credit card debt. More >

  1. Home
  2. Business & Finance
  3. Frugal Living
  4. Household Savings
  5. How to Make Things Last Longer>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.