If you like to grow fruits and vegetables from seed at home, what’s the best way to avoid genetically modified seeds? The good news is that most GMO seeds are limited to larger-scale farming, and those crops are mostly things like corn, soybeans, cotton and crops for sugar production. For home gardeners, the only chance you’ll buy GMO seeds is for corn or squash, so to be extra sure, look for certified organic seeds. Otherwise, the likelihood the seeds at your store are GMO is very low. You can also look up seed companies that have signed a Safe Seed Pledge, which lists seed brands that have promised not to sell GMO seeds.

Your washing machine is probably one of the hardest-working appliances in the house, so it makes sense to have it be as fine-tuned as possible. One important thing to check is to make sure your machine is balanced, meaning it’s on the ground evenly and does not wobble -- especially if you have uneven floors. Take the time to adjust your washing machine in the corners so it doesn’t shift or move easily. When you have an unbalanced machine, not only can it be loud when spinning clothes, it can also force your appliance to work harder and waste energy. This creates wear and tear, and it means the washer will break down faster.

When your headphones need to be replaced, the last place you should send them is in the trash can. The metals and plastics that make up headphones are recyclable. The company Think Sound accepts any brand and any style of headphones -- from the small in-ear pieces to the large on-ear style -- and recycles them free of charge. And for your good deed, the company will give you a coupon to take 15 percent off the purchase of new headphones from its site. To learn more, visit thinksound.com.