Knight Ridder Newspapers

The holidays are upon us, and for the next few weeks schedules will revolve around shopping, parties, baking and gift-wrapping.

Household chores may take a back seat to these seasonal activities.

Here are three products that will give you more time for the fun stuff.

Double-duty spray

Bakers know they must grease and flour their pans for success.

The folks at Crisco have simplified the multistep process with their new No-Stick Flour Spray, a combination of Crisco oil and Pillsbury flour.

The alcohol-free aerosol can be used on baking utensils, rolling pins, rolling surfaces and even hands to help prevent sticking. It retails for about $2.40 for a 5-ounce spray can and can be found in most grocery stores.

Prescription for stains

What started out as a laboratory stain-removal product is now a great household product. Invented by Cambridge Diagnostic Product Inc., Stain Rx removes all sorts of stains, from red wine to coffee to mustard to blood. Originally marketed to health-care providers, clinical laboratories and professional sports teams, it is environmentally safe. It has no phosphorous, peroxide or chlorine bleach and is pH neutral. Stain Rx is available in 3 3/4-ounce and 16-ounce bottles. The small bottle retails for $8; the large is $12.

Shipping is an additional $3.85 and $5.75, respectively.

Call (800) 525-6262 or log onto www.stainrx.com to order.

Line the pot

Cooking in a slow-cooker is a great time saver, except when it comes to cleanup. Foods often bake onto the pan and must be soaked and scrubbed off.

The new Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners take the mess out of dinner with specially designed liners that separate the ingredients from the slow cooker container.

The plastic liners will fit round or oval slow cookers that hold between 3 and 6 ½ quarts.

When the cooking is done, simply toss the liner.

Each box contains four liners for a suggested retail price of $2.49. They are available at most supermarkets.