If you do just one thing today, replace the dirty or clogged furnace filter in your HVAC system. A dirty filter makes your whole system work harder. When your HVAC system works harder to move conditioned air throughout your home, it can gobble up energy and expedite the breakdown of the system. Replacing the filter on a regular basis (every three to six months) can reduce energy consumption by as much as 15 percent, which makes it both an economical and ecological thing to do.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Instead of tossing a wad of parsley stems into the compost bin, harness their natural deodorizing properties to create a soothing spa treatment instead. Parsley is loaded with chlorophyll, which is a powerful natural deodorizer with antibacterial properties. While it’s known as a natural breath freshener, it can also be an amazing astringent for your feet. Just fill a shallow bowl with hot water and add the parsley stems to the water. Let it steep and soak your feet for about 15 minutes. They’ll come out refreshed, relaxed and clean.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Ever wonder how to recycle unusual things like rubber flip-flops, dehumidifiers and mattress box springs? When it comes to the odd and atypical, there is an online resource to help you make sure it gets diverted from the landfill. The website RecycleNation (recyclenation.com) is an online database that helps make recycling as easy as possible. This regularly updated site lets you search by recyclable and matches up your geographic location to find the recycler nearest you. Results offer contact info and hours of operation of recyclers in both the United States and Canada.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION