We know the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. But do you live by a 4th R? That’s Refuse. Recycling is important, but so is refusing to allow unwanted items in your life to begin with. Refuse that bag at the grocery store. Refuse the straw that automatically comes with a drink. Refuse a free gift with purchase or free sample you really don’t want. By refusing to accept unwanted things, you can help reduce the amount of waste created on a daily basis.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

You’ve probably vacuumed and dusted around the house before and noticed more allergens and dust seem to have been released into the air. Do this one thing to clear the air after cleaning: Turn on the AC. Turn on the “fan” setting on your thermostat; this keeps the furnace on whether you’re using it for heating or cooling. The blower then sucks air in through the vents, which means the airborne particles are sucked into the system and eventually caught in your air filter. When you’re done, turn the thermostat off and put it back on “auto” mode.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

The next time you squeeze a lemon, don’t toss the cut fruit into the trash. Instead, put the wrung-out lemon on the top rack of your dishwasher. The natural citric acid in lemon will work to leave your dishes spotless. And it also helps freshen, leaving a very faint lemon smell. When it’s time to unload the dishwasher, you can take the very used lemon and toss it into the garbage disposal with some ice; the lemon will disinfect and the ice will sharpen the blades. Triple-duty idea!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION