Using a dishwasher instead of washing by hand is actually a more energy- and water-efficient way to clean up. But you can make using the dishwasher even more efficient with these two simple tricks. If your appliance has something called a "booster heater," turn down the thermostat. A 120-degree setting can save energy, and, since your dishwasher doesn't have to heat water, it'll save water and reduce the washing time. Also, opt for the no-heat drying feature, too. This will let you open the dishwasher to let it air-dry. You can use a soft towel to hand-dry to get glasses streak-free, too.

Ever wonder why your curbside recycler asks you put "clean and dry" recyclables in your bin? It's simple: The cleaner your recyclables, the more money they are worth. When your load of recyclables comes to the sorting facility, it is sorted first by type of recyclable. Those are sorted by quality of cleanliness, from clean to dirty. The dirtier the recyclables, the less valuable they are. By always putting clean and dry recyclables in your bin, you help lower costs in the long run and save your community money, too.

According to companies that handle curbside recycling, the worst items found in single-stream recycling bins are plastic shopping bags. They are the absolute last things you should put in a recycling bin. When they show up in loads of recyclables, the flimsy plastic has to be sorted, removed and disposed of as trash. And worse? Those that aren't caught wind around recycling machines and clog the system. Instead, bring clean plastic bags to designated recycling bins at your local grocery store.