How to Perfectly Wash a Wool or Cashmere Sweater: Step #1, The Washing Process: While filling up a sink with cool to lukewarm water, drizzle in some laundry detergent (any brand will do), and splash the water around to encourage suds. Knead your sweater up and down and all around in the sudsy water for a couple of minutes. Rinse well, then squeeze out the excess water (don't wring). Step #2, The Blotting Process: Lay a towel on the floor, and lay the sweater flat on top of the towel. Roll the towel and sweater up together, and then fold the rolled-up towel in half. Carefully jump up and down a few times on it. I'm not kidding -- the jumping part blots out a lot of the excess water! Drape the sweater over your bathmat, which is hopefully already draped over your shower rod (bathmats kept on the floor don't stay as clean as bathmats draped over the shower rod) and let dry.

Avoid the Often Unnecessary Expense (and environmentally unfriendly process) of Dry Cleaning: Many garments that say "Dry Clean Only" can be hand-washed with no harm whatsoever. Actually, hand-washed clothes come out cleaner and fresher than if you had dry-cleaned them. In addition, hand-washing saves money, doesn't use weird chemicals, and prevents the waste of thrown out hangers, paper and plastic. Anything made of cotton can be hand-washed in lukewarm water with little risk of fading or shrinkage. Wool and cashmere sweaters can always be hand-washed in cool to lukewarm water (see process above), with little risk. Silk garments are also hand-washable (except for silk charmeuse, which will sometimes fade and/or streak). Metallic fabrics are fine being hand-washed in cool water. Be careful with rayon: some rayon garments are hand-washable, yet others have been known to shrink at times. Washing by hand is sometimes a calculated risk, but with all its benefits, it's a risk I often take.

Remove Annoying Tags Sewn on the Inside of Clothes: It looks déclassé to have a tag sticking out of your shirt, and also, I find tags annoyingly scratchy. I remove the tags from all garments, regardless of the brand name. To remove sewn-down tags, use an Exacto knife with a fresh blade. Carefully slip the point of the blade under a few stitches to get it started, then gently pull up the tag as you hold down the shirt, and merely touch the blade to the stitches to undo them. To remove tags sewn under a collar, use a small, sharp scissors, and cut as close as possible, being very careful not to nip your shirt in the process.

Fear Stains No Longer: Lestoil (the piney-smelling stuff) is a miracle stain remover. Dampen the area of the stain and apply some Lestoil to it. Roll up the garment and leave it sit somewhere overnight. In the morning, check the progress of the stain. If necessary, use an old toothbrush and some laundry detergent to help the stain along. Repeat this process if necessary. When the stain is gone, wash the garment thoroughly. Lestoil tends to leave its piney smell on clothes, but washing thoroughly will remove it. Caution: Don't use Lestoil on metallic fabrics (it dulls the shine) or on white silks. Another product great for stains -- and brightening -- is Oxyclean. Soak garment in Oxyclean for 3-4 hours for brightening; use a paste of product and some water on specific stains. Let sit as with Lestoil process.

A Better Way to Iron: Always iron clothes inside-out. If you don't, shiny "iron marks" will often show on the outer side of your clothes. Also, it's easier to iron seams and pockets flat when your garment is turned inside-out. Yet another reason to iron inside-out: If you happen to accidentally leave a scorch mark, chances are it won't show up on the outer side.

Less-wrinkled Clothes at Laundry-time: When removing damp clothes from the washing machine, take pieces out individually. Give each one a few quick "snaps" in the air to get them out of their crunched-up stage. Pile up as you go, paying no heed to the nasty looks you might get from others around you if you're at a laundromat (admittedly, the loud snapping noise creates a bit of commotion -- sorry), then drop the mound in a dryer. Fold the clothes before putting them in your laundry bag. Note: This method loses all effectiveness if you just shove your unfolded stuff into your laundry bag or basket after it's dry.

In Case of Loss, Have Your Phone Number on Favorite Things: On sentimental, valuable or favorite things I carry with me (my camera, sunglasses/case, etc.), I've put a small label on them saying: "Reward. Please call 212---" Having this label on them makes me feel more at ease carrying them around, because if I lose something with my phone number on it, at least I'll have a chance of getting it back rather than no chance at all.

Chipping in Your Share of the Bill Made Easier: Before I meet friends for a meal out, I try to remember to carry an assortment of small bills with me. (Breaking a $20 bill on an inconsequential item beforehand works great, but your cashier won't be too thrilled.) This way, I'll have the necessary small bills to easily chip in my share.

Works-Every-Time Cure for Hiccups: Cut a wedge of lemon. Dip it in sugar and eat it (not the rind, of course). Not only does it taste really good, it also makes hiccups miraculously vanish! This is a much better method than holding your breath or drinking a glass of water while pinching your nose -- those don't really work.

Precaution When Wearing New Shoes for the First Time: Bring a couple band-aids with you in case the shoes bother a spot on your foot before they get broken in. This way, you won't have to suffer and get a blister.

Another Shoe tip: Innersoles: Every variety of shoe can be made more comfortable if you put in innersoles. For dressy shoes, choose a thin variety; for others, the standard foam ones. Gel innersoles work great, too -- especially for high heels.