Top Drawer

Best way to stop sweat stains

Sprinkle a little baby powder on a white shirt’s underarms and collar, then iron to prevent sweat stains. The powder forms a barrier that keeps oil and grime from seeping into the threads.

http://nando.com/16-

Best foolproof plants

Spring has sprung and our hands are eager to start planting. If you’ve had little luck with flowers before, try these hardy, “goofproof” plants that Real Simple says are sure to make you look like a pro to novice eyes. Pssst, we won’t tell.

Verbena: This new flowering hybrid resists fungus (which can cause leaves to shrivel). And, happily, it’s self-cleaning.

New Guinea impatiens: With its showy flowers, this impatiens is versatile. It can handle some sun, unlike the more common varieties that like only shade. They’re self-cleaning, too, meaning you won’t have to pick off dead blossoms to keep them blooming.

Geranium: They’re a mainstay of window boxes everywhere, and here’s why: Geraniums come in dozens of colors and flourish in many climates. Pelargonium zonale is particularly vigorous. To care for it, simply deadhead and pinch back as needed.

Coleus: Prized for its bold, variegated foliage, this two-tone stunner is easy to grow and thrives in summer. It comes in a slew of gorgeous colors. To care for it, deadhead and pinch back as needed.

Calibrachoa: This cascading beauty, covered in small flowers, makes a great hanging plant. It’s self-cleaning and resistant to disease.

Lantana: This self-cleaning plant has flower petals with multiple colors (like confetti). The strong fragrance of its leaves deters deer, and hot days stimulate it to produce more blossoms, which attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

You can view the rest of the list at http://nando.com/170.

Best dressing

Dara Finkelstein of Raleigh wrote in to share a favorite recipe for a simple balsamic vinaigrette dressing. “It doesn’t get any easier than this!” she says. You will need:

▪ 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

▪ 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

▪ 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

▪ 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

Put all of the ingredients into a screw-top jar (make sure it is well-sealed) and shake. Drizzle over salad of your choosing.

Best Mother’s Day craft

Gather the kids for a morning of crafting fun May 9 at Logan’s Trading Company in Raleigh. Kids ages 5 to 12 will be guided through an activity to paint a pot from 8-9 a.m. . They’ll also get to take home a plant in their new creation. This would be a great activity to celebrate mom for Mother’s Day (May 10) or to make a nice gift for grandma or a favorite teacher or mentor. The activity is $3 and covers all materials. An adult must accompany the child and class size is limited.

Learn more by emailing info@logantrd.com or call 919-828-5337 to register. Logan’s is at 707 Semart Drive.

Seeking your best marinade

Warmer temps and longer days mean more opportunities for firing up the grill. We’d love to share your simple recipes for flavorful marinades. Please send recipes with seven ingredients or fewer to topdrawer@newsobserver.com. Precise measurements are a must, and let us know what meats or vegetables the marinade complements best. Be sure to include your name, street address and city. Put “Best marinade” in the subject line.

Best of the tube

On HGTV

Living on the beach: Stacia and Ryan have always dreamed of living on a beach. Realtor Betty Lou Futrell will show them four potential properties on the shores of Tybee Island, Ga. Will they be able to find a place that feels like a vacation home, has room for family and is close to activities all for under $250,000? Tune into “Beachfront Bargain Hunt” at 1 p.m. Saturday to find out.

This story was originally published May 1, 2015 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Top Drawer."