Yes, it sounds crazy, but it’s important to wash new clothing before you wear it for the first time. The reason is that no matter the material the clothing is made with, there’s a very good chance there is excess chemical dye that can transfer from the clothing to your skin. Synthetic fibers have the most toxic dyes; they can cause rashes and skin irritation, as well as trigger other allergies. Most new articles of clothing also have chemical finishes, which are added to enhance colors and textures. Wash these out so they don’t irritate your skin.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

West Coast readers who have lemon trees know this trick: Store your ripe fruit in the refrigerator. Lemons have a long shelf life when they are chilled, up to one or two months. When you leave lemons on the countertop, they ripen quickly and can go mushy in a matter of days. Storing unwashed lemons in an airtight container in the fridge prevents them from drying out. So when you have a bumper crop of lemons, store them where it’s cold and you’ll have fresh lemon juice to use for weeks and weeks at a time.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Now you can use the power of Google to see if your home is a good candidate for solar panels. Simply enter your home address in Google’s Project Sunroof database. The site uses Google Earth imagery to pinpoint your home and gauge your roof shape; it then computes the eligibility of your home using local weather patterns. You get a personal solar analysis, options and the names of local solar panel providers, and you can even compare finance options. All with the click of a mouse!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION