To keep things clean and disinfected at home, there’s no need to buy wipes when you can make your own. Just cut old cotton T-shirts into squares and toss them into an old plastic container with a lid. Then add 1/2 cup of white vinegar, 1/4 cup of distilled water, 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol and just a few drops of liquid dish soap. Seal the lid and shake. When you need to clean up a spill or disinfect a spot, just ring out a towel and wipe away. The wipes are machine washable, so you can use them over and over again.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you have a home office or sit near a laser printer at work, consider moving it far away from you. When a laser printer prints out documents, it works by passing paper over hot printer rolls, which have chemicals. As the warm printouts come out of the printer, tiny particles called volatile organic compounds are also emitted into the air. These ultrafine particles contribute to an unhealthy air environment and can be potentially harmful because they can be breathed deep into your lungs. To prevent this, keep laser printers away from you and in a well-ventilated space. And avoid standing over the printer when using it; wait for it to finish printing before retrieving your documents.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Who doesn’t love the smell, sound and heat from a crackling fireplace on a cold winter’s day? While it may not be the most efficient way to heat a home, it sure is nice. To maximize the potential of your fireplace, consider investing in something called a C-shaped metal tube grate. It holds the firewood, but it’s designed to draw cool air from the room into the tubes and circulate hot air from the fire back into the room. There’s no special assembly to use it; it comes fully assembled, and you simply place it inside your fireplace.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION