If you read Do Just One Thing on a regular basis, you know my love for all-natural white vinegar. But there are some things you should never clean with white vinegar. Natural stone countertops like granite and marble should never be cleaned with vinegar; it’s too harsh and can cause etching on the surface. And the same goes for hardwood floors; the seal that keeps floors protected with a sheen can be damaged by the mild acid in white vinegar.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

We all know that dish soap is great at cutting the grease on frying pans and tableware, but did you know you can also use it in other places in the house? If you have stubborn grease stains on concrete floors in the garage or basement, they can be removed with dish soap! All you have to do is cover the grease stain with a combination of baking soda and dish soap. The soap will degrease and the baking soda will absorb. Let the mixture sit on top of the stain for a few hours, scrub, rinse and voila! Gone.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When it’s time to get your backyard vegetable garden going, consider giving the tiny transplants a little nutritional boost. Save (or collect from friends) expired multivitamins as something nutritious and healthy to give plants. When you make a hole in the ground for, say, a bell pepper plant, pop a vitamin in the hole first. As the vitamin dissolves, it’ll give a boost to the plant and help it thrive. Many gardeners who have tried this trick have found great success with prolific and overproducing plants in their garden.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION