Do you find that you keep missing stains on your clothes when you wash them? The solution may be as simple as improving the lighting next to your washing machine. Either install a brighter bulb or add a spotlight. If you can see your clothes better, you have a better chance of seeing the stains and pre-treating them before they go in the wash. Husbands: During halftime today, go do this for your wives.

Another great tip for rubberized shelf liner: Do you have wooden chairs with cushions on them? If so, you know how those cushions can slide around on the chairs. A piece of rubberized shelf liner between the cushion and the chair solves the problem. Rubberized shelf liner also comes in a lot of different colors, so that shouldn't be an issue.

What should you rub on the cut portion of a half used onion before putting it in the refrigerator? Butter. The butter, along with aluminum foil, will keep the onion fresher longer. By the way, if you've never had Brats cooked with onions, beer and butter, you don't know what you're missing. I'm hungry just thinking about it.

Here's another great tip from our wine columnist, Randall Murray: "When you clean your carpets, or have a professional do it, the shampoo always leaves a soapy residue, no matter how many times you rinse it. Next time, instead of using the rug shampoo, just add a capful of rubbing alcohol to the hot water. You'll be amazed at the stuff that comes up. Note: Try it on an area of your carpet that's generally unseen to make sure your carpet is a candidate for this. We've never had a problem.".

OK, some of you are going to think this is a gross tip. But believe me, it's important. If you're suffering from diarrhea, you need to make sure that you don't get dehydrated. People don't realize that they're getting dehydrated until they get light headed or pass out. (Passing out while suffering from diarrhea is not a pretty picture). Severe dehydration can even cause shock and can damage internal organs. What you need to do is to remember to begin drinking plenty of water at the first onset of diarrhea. WebMD recommends 1 to 2 quarts of water per hour while you're going through it. It's also a good idea to keep an emergency sports drink in your house for these occasions. I'll confess, I've always assumed that most people knew this tip. However, I recently had a friend who went through this. She couldn't understand why she passed out. Now she knows and so do you.

Remember, duct tape makes a great stocking stuffer. Have a wonderful Christmas!

Tim Thompson lives in Gainesville. E-mail Tim your ideas for tips, tools or tricks.