It doesn't get any greener than junk, according to Sue Whitney and Kimberly Melamed. In "Junk Beautiful: Outdoor Edition" (The Taunton Press; $21.95), they encourage junk fans, like you, to reuse and repurpose old items found in backyards, flea markets and even trash cans. All this junk can be used to give patios, outdoor kitchens, pools and gardens a makeover, without going broke. Other pointers include how to bring home junk without turning your home into a junkyard.

BAKING SODA SPRUCE-UP

ONE PRODUCT, MANY WAYS TO CLEAN UP

How grand cleaning would be if one product were all we need. Arm & Hammer Baking Soda comes close to that. Sprinkled or scrubbed on as a paste (three parts baking soda to one part water), it helps rid grills of grime and freshens outdoor patio and pool furniture. Add half a cup to the rinse cycle for fresher beach towels and use a quarter-cup solution in one quart of warm water to remove mildew and odors from plastic and vinyl pool tools. Use a sponge or wire brush if needed.

— Martha Phifer, McClatchy-Tribune News Service