Over 6 million Americans are affected by foodborne illnesses every year; one common culprit is the unsanitary sponge used to clean dishes, pots and pans. In a study in the Journal of Environmental Health, researchers took sponges and soaked them in a cocktail of raw wastewater containing fecal matter, viruses and bacterial spores. Then the wet sponges were microwaved on high for two minutes. The result? Ninety-nine percent of all the living pathogens and bacteria on the sponges were eradicated. Using the microwave to disinfect your sponges before you wash the dishes is a surefire way to protect yourself and your family. Just be sure to use a wet sponge and microwave for no more or less than two minutes for maximum results.

Have a bottle of wine that's gone bad? Some people believe you can use it as a fertilizer for plants, since vino is made from fermented organic ingredients. But hold off on giving your ferns a glass: Wine still has alcohol in it, which is a known herbicide that can dry out a plant. On top of that, if the wine has spoiled and started to turn into vinegar, that is also an herbicide. Instead, pour old wine on top of your compost pile, where it will have a chance to decompose and turn your table scraps and garden waste into beneficial mulch.

Did you know Monday and Tuesday are the best days of the week to fill up on gas? Statistically, gas prices rise by Wednesday as demand is calculated and prices are changed to reflect it, so get to the pumps at the beginning of the week. While you're at it, don't fill up when you're nearly out of gas. A gas tank that is half-full has less air inside the tank, so it helps minimize evaporation as you're filling up. Less evaporation means more fuel staying inside the tank, so you get the real value of the gas that you're paying for.