When it comes to tissues, napkins and paper towels, what do you do with them after they’ve been used? The good news is that used paper products like napkins and towels are compostable; they just need to be layered as “brown” matter in a compost bin with “green” material like kitchen trimmings and grass clippings. But don’t forget the paperboard boxes and tubes these items are packaged with; they can be added to paperboard recycling. And even the plastic film on the outside of paper towels can be recycled in the same bin as plastic shopping bags at the store.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

As temperatures dip in the fall months, your warm and cozy home becomes a desirable place for rodents and insects. To prevent them from coming into your home, consider some nontoxic preventative measures. One is to place a screen inside your kitchen vent; this large hole is a popular entry point for insects. Also, trim weeds and overgrown plants that are near the front door of your home. These are excellent hiding places for mice, and they’ll wait to dart into your home when the front door opens.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

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