Those little disposable hand warmers that are activated by exposure to air may not be recyclable or rechargeable, but there is a use for them after they’ve given you some warmth. While the hand warmers may be non-toxic, they sadly are disposable. Before tossing your hand warmers into the trash, consider using them to deodorize the inside of your shoes. One of the main ingredients in the warmers is activated carbon, which is also a natural deodorizer. And since the mesh pouches let air through, the carbon can easily absorb odor.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

A clothing dryer at home takes up about 6 percent of your home’s total electricity usage. A very easy way to reduce that and save electricity is to line-dry your clothing. But that doesn’t have to mean running a line in the backyard at all. For smaller loads, wash clothes and spin-dry them to remove as much water as possible. Then simply hang the clothing on hangers and let it air-dry overnight inside. During the winter months, the warm, arid atmosphere inside expedites drying. One benefit: Most clothing will air-dry wrinkle-free.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you do just one thing this spring, spend $100 and plant a shade tree in your front yard. This one thing can help your curb appeal and landscaping look better over time, but it also cuts down on cooling costs during the hot summer months. Spending a little more on a mature tree to plant will mean you’ll recoup your costs more quickly. A mature shade tree can cut your air conditioning costs by as much as 40 percent. And every home looks better with a large, beautiful tree in the front yard!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION