Do just one thing
INSPECT POTTED PLANTS
Many of us have potted plants outdoors during the warmer months. As the seasons change, you might wonder if, how and when you should bring them inside. Before you do that, do a thorough inspection of the plant and look for any disease, insects or infestations, and determine the plant’s overall health. If it didn’t thrive in the best warm outdoor environment, it likely won’t do any better indoors. Consider taking a cutting of the plant and repotting it as an indoor plant instead.
TREAT SHOWER CURTAINS
Shower curtains can get dirty quickly from soap scum, mildew and hard water. To extend the life of your shower curtain, try pre-treating it in your washing machine. The process simply involves running it in warm water through the rinse cycle, and adding some white vinegar. This creates a light coating on the shower curtain that prevents soap scum and stains from attaching to it. And don’t forget: Wash your shower curtain periodically in the washing machine.
REPLACING PILLOWS
Many sleep experts recommend replacing your bed pillows around every two years. Your pillows absorb a lot of substances over many nights of sleep, including body oil, sweat and dead skin cells. If you can’t recall when you bought your pillows, do this simple test: Fold your pillow in half. If it doesn’t bounce back right away, or worse, stays folded in half, it’s time to replace that pillow. Also, invest in a pillow cover to create an extra protective barrier for even healthier sleep.
NOT DOWN THE DRAIN
If you’re in the habit of clipping your fingernails and letting the trimmings go down the drain, stop. While fingernails are composed of organic materials called keratin and biotin, nails really do not biodegrade, so trimmings can clog drains and cause problems over time. And because they are so strong and durable, using a chemical drain cleaner won’t actually break them down or make them go away. Instead, try trimming your nails outdoors, or just put the trimmings in the trash.
DIRTY PAPERBOARD BOXES The paperboard boxes that grocery items like cereal and frozen food often come packaged in are recyclable materials. If the boxes are greasy, soaked or dirty, they should never be put in your recycling, since they are a contaminant. Also, if the box has a small plastic window (often seen in boxes for things like pasta), just peel off the plastic and toss that part into the trash. And, of course, flatten the boxes so you have room in your recycling bin for other recyclables.
DISTILLED WATER FOR CLEANING
Concentrated cleaning products are popular today because you can use your own spray bottles and make your own cleansers by mixing the concentrate with water. But if you use tap water, you’ll find the mixture can smell funny over time, due to minerals and other trace contaminants that may be in your water. Many brands recommend buying distilled water, which is mineral-free but is packaged in large plastic jugs. Instead, collect rainwater: It’s free and totally mineral-free.
WEATHERSTRIPPING
Weatherstripping your doors is a smart way to keep drafty cold air outdoors and warm air indoors. Even a small leak around a door can be a big problem; a typical 36-inch door with a quarter-inch crack along the edge can leak as much air as a 9-inch hole in the wall. A bunch of small leaks can add up to significant heating and cooling waste and wear on your HVAC system. Your local home improvement store can show you easy-to-install options to stop that leak and save you money.