If you ever buy used books from a library book sale or a garage sale, you might wonder how to disinfect them. Musty books can be a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria and even for dust mites, but you can easily get them clean-smelling and germ-free. Use a damp towel with a little white vinegar to wipe the covers; the mild acid from the vinegar will disinfect, and the towel will wipe away dirt and smudges. To clean the paper inside, keep books away from humidity and heat. Instead, place smelly books in a freezer bag, and let them chill inside the freezer for 24 hours. They’ll smell fresh and clean in no time.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When it comes to dry-clean only garments like silk, wool and cashmere, you don’t have to waste money -- or use chemicals -- to keep them clean. They can be washed at home by hand in cold water with gentle detergents like baby shampoo or delicate laundry detergent. Once you soak these garments, never ring them out to remove excess water. Instead, toss a piece into a salad spinner and spin away; it’ll force excess water out of the fibers without ruining the shape. Then lay the item flat on a towel, fold the towel over, roll it up and press. Lay the garment flat or hang it to dry and voila! -- a clean “dry clean only” piece done at home.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

The next time you go clothes shopping, think less about how you look in the new garments and more about how long you’ll wear them. It turns out that the average person in the United States tosses about 90 pounds of textiles per year into landfills or donation bins. Much of it is barely worn -- and a lot still has tags! When shopping, consider two things: Will you wear the piece at least 30 times, and is it well-made enough to stand up to 30 washings? If the answer is yes, then it’s a good investment piece. If it’s not, steer clear from buying this “disposable” fashion.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION