That's what the Good Housekeeping Institute wanted to find out. "Consumers are so hungry for tips that will save time and make cleaning easier," said Carolyn Forte, the Good Housekeeping Institute's home-care director. "But some of Mom's tips can do more harm than good."

Test your know-how to see if you can guess which of the seven tips below really pan out and which don't. (You can find more cleaning advice at http://www.goodhousekeeping.com.)

Does club soda remove stains better than water?

No. Club soda is water, and no, the bubbles don't help, so there's no difference between the two when it comes to cleanup. Before using either liquid on table linens, blot any excess spill with an absorbent cloth. Also, make sure the fabric is washable. You don't want to add a water stain to the mess. If in doubt, take the item to the dry cleaner.

Should I vacuum less?

No. Don't believe that old saw that too much vacuuming will wear out your carpet. You should vacuum once or twice a week. That's the only way to remove the grit that causes fibers to deteriorate.

Can I use toothpaste to clean silver?

Yes. Toothpaste will remove tarnish, but here's the catch: It's more abrasive than silver polish, so you should use it only in a pinch and only on a small area. Moisten the silver, gently rub on a little paste with your finger, rinse the spot thoroughly with warm water and dry with a soft cloth. Do not use toothpaste that contains tartar-control substances or whiteners.

Don't feather dusters just spread dust around?

Yes. These tools are good for quickly flicking dust from knickknacks, but they don't pick up dirt. For furniture and other flat surfaces, stick to a pretreated cloth or a microfiber duster.

Will presoaking my clothes in saltwater stop the colors from running?

No. Dyes bleed because they weren't set properly when the fabric was manufactured, and there's nothing you can do at home to change that.

If you're worried that a garment will lose its color, place a drop of water on an inside seam and blot with a cotton ball or white cloth. If the color transfers, wash the piece separately in cold water. The item most likely will come out a much lighter shade than it was originally.

Will white vinegar remove clogs in my iron?

No. Your iron's chambers and valves aren't designed to work with anything but water, so flushing vinegar through the iron could be very damaging. To clean most models, hold the iron over a sink and force hot steam through the vents.

Can white bread really clean wallpaper?

Yes. Wad up a piece of bread and use it to wipe small smudges off delicate, nonwashable wallcoverings. For big jobs, invest in a soft dough-type eraser (available at hardware stores).

On another matter: When women are choosing mascara, they should first decide on the look they want, said makeup artist Robert Bolanos. For plumped-up lashes, select a tree-shaped brush that has short bristles at both ends and longer ones in the middle. Get major definition with a comb-style wand that coats and separates lashes from root to tip. Lengthen lashes with a cone-shaped brush that grabs and stretches out each one. Add curl without a curler by using a curved wand, and apply light pressure to bend lashes as you coat them.