When caring for a home, you can never have too many helpful hints. Read below for some great helpful hint ideas !

1. For musty smelling books, use a mix of baking soda and baby powder to dust the pages of the book. Wrap the dusted book in an old cloth or towel; allow to set for a few weeks, then open.

2. For musty smelling trunks, place some clay cat litter or baking soda in the trunk for several days. Afterward place dried potpourri or sprigs of lavender in the trunk.

3. Keep leftover rolls of wrapping paper together with a rubber band or hair elastic or tie them with string. A tall kitchen trash can, (clean of course), works well to keep the wrapping paper in order and easily accessible.

4. You can also put wrapping paper rolls in old pantyhose, 4 to 6 rolls will fit in each leg. For shorter rolls of wrapping paper, an old wine rack may be used.

5. Store guest room linens and towels in a suitcase under the guest bed. Place an unwrapped bar of fragrant-smelling soap in the suitcase. You will always be ready for your guests and free up some space in your linen closet.

6. To keep squirrels out of your bird feeder, smear some petroleum jelly on the bird feeder pole. There is no way a squirrel will get to the bird seed.

7. If your glass coffee pot has gotten very cloudy looking, make some tea in it. The tea contains tannin which will remove the coffee film.

8. Wrap colored candles separately in wax paper, twist the ends and store. This will prevent the colors of the candles from running together.

9. You can save 20,000 gallons of water a year by showering for 5 minutes instead of 10 minutes.

10. To remove rain spots from suede shoes, hats or purses, rub them gently with an emery board.

11. To prevent syrup or cooking oil from sticking to a measuring cup, rinse the cup with hot water before using.

12. Cut old mismatched socks open and sew them together to make dusting or car washing cloths.