Many homes have their own septic tank, and it's critical to have it regularly maintained. Have it inspected every two to three years, depending on usage. Your septic inspection will show any leaks, cracks or potential problems that can be addressed before a future total breakage or failure. Failing septic tanks aren't just costly to repair, they can also leak pollutants into our waterways, which leads to groundwater contamination. One way to keep your septic tank happy is to never toss items like dental floss, diapers, cigarette butts, paper towels, paint and harmful chemicals down the drain. They can all cause clogs, erosion and other problems.

You may separate your whites from colors when you wash your clothes, but when it comes to drying them, separate according to weight. By drying heavy clothes like jeans, sweaters and thick flannel shirts separately from light fabrics like T-shirts and undergarments, you will be using the least amount of energy. Start by drying a load of light fabrics first; they will dry quickly and warm up the inside of the dryer. Then add the heavier items for a second load. The residual heat from the first load will help speed up that drying process. Since modern dryers have moisture sensors, it will automatically and accurately turn off when the batch of clothes are truly dry and ready to be removed.

Ever wonder what to do with shoes you pack in your suitcase when you travel? One way to keep your clothes free of dirt, debris and chemicals is to upcycle plastic shower caps, which you can often get for free at hotels. Simply wrap the shower cap around the bottom of shoes before packing into the bag. It will create a barrier that protects your clothes from any dirt that might be on your shoes.