Do just one thing

LEAVES FOR WILDLIFE

According to the National Wildlife Federation, fall is a good time to rake up leaves and let them become shelter for wildlife. Leave a section of your yard with raked-up leaves a few inches deep, and wet the pile down if it’s a little too dry and might blow away. It’ll eventually become the perfect shelter for small animals like salamanders, chipmunks, turtles and shrews, as well as beneficial insects like earthworms. Even caterpillars will leave their pupae there, creating a food source for birds in spring.

LAUNDRY SHEETS

Have you seen the latest innovation in laundry? They’re called laundry sheets, and they are essentially cleaning agents compressed into a sheet that dissolves in water when you wash your clothes. Since they are in a solid form, they can be packaged in easy-to-recycle paperboard boxes; their solid form also eliminates the need for heavy liquid laundry detergent sold in plastic bottles. With nearly 1 billion plastic jugs thrown away annually, laundry sheets are a much greener choice.

FALL SPRING CLEANING

Did you know that fall is actually the new season for “spring cleaning”? Home health experts agree that if you live in a climate that has cold, harsh winters, fall is a good time to detox your home. That means opening the windows to flush out airborne toxins before shutting up your home for months to stay warm indoors. This fall air flush-out will allow you to go into winter in a home free of dust, dirt and allergens, and you can do it all before the hectic holiday schedule kicks in during November and December.

WASH THE WASHING MACHINE

Who doesn’t love their washing machine for making the drudgery of laundry so much easier? But have you ever thought about washing your washing machine? Over time, dirt, grime and excess detergent can build up inside your washing machine. So, twice a year, clean your washing machine to help keep it working like new. Choose the hottest water temperature setting and pour 1/2 cup of baking soda where the powdered laundry detergent normally goes. Run the washer empty. This will scrub away bacteria, soap scum, deposits, dirt and anything else to keep your washing machine sparkly clean.

WATER BOTTLES AGE YOU

Another reason to ditch disposable plastic water bottles: They can make you look older. New reports show the pursing of the lips around a bottle of water repeatedly can form deep wrinkles around our lips. The look is similar to that of a smoker who has spent a lifetime pursing their lips around cigarettes. To avoid having older-looking lips, keep drinking water, but do it from a glass. Just another reason to invest in an inexpensive water filtration system at home and to skip the ecological nightmare of plastic bottled water.

ECO-FRIENDLY PETS

Yes, your pet should have an eco-friendly lifestyle, and it’s easy to implement with some simple choices. Aim to have a plastic-free life for your pet by investing in stainless steel bowls for their food and water. Look at their essential gear, like leashes and collars, and opt for natural fibers or recycled materials. And be mindful about toys and snacks, opting for well-made toys made from natural fibers and snacks made with organic ingredients.

AVOID HITTING WILD ANIMALS

Driving at night comes with the possibility of hitting a wild animal on the road. To avoid this, there are a few simple steps you can take when driving. The obvious is to slow down and drive the speed limit; slowing down a little bit gives you extra time to brake and avoid a collision. Look for “eye shine,” or glowing eyes, in the distance to help identify wildlife ahead on the road. And remember, many wild animals often travel in herds — especially deer and wild turkeys — so even if you avoid hitting one, there is likely another one nearby.