If you want to avoid the expense (and chemicals) of dry-cleaning your clothing, consider investing in a handheld portable steamer to use at home. Using just the power of regular tap water, hot steam helps blast away wrinkles. But it also does much more. The steam is hot enough to eradicate odor-causing germs, so it helps freshen up things like sweaters and coats. You can also use it to freshen throw pillows, blankets, sofa cushions and even carpet. The key is to blast steam slowly over the item to fully saturate the fibers.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Reliable water sources for wildlife can suddenly become unavailable if you live in a climate with harsh, freezing temperatures. While an electrified birdbath is one way to help, it can be difficult and expensive to maintain, and also poses the risk of shorting out (which can hurt birds and small animals). The simplest idea: Just place a water source on the south side of your property, where the sun’s rays will be strongest during the day. It should help thaw just enough to be a source of much-needed water.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you have a backyard, you can do tiny things to help give wildlife a habitat and a source of food during the fall and winter months. The easiest way is to build something called a brush pile; just layer large fallen tree limbs, branches, grass clippings and leaves together. It becomes a safe spot to nest for small animals and amphibians. And even stacking firewood in a crisscross fashion can help; the design creates internal spaces that offer relief from the cold for animals.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION