Many of us like to donate used clothing to charity as a way to reduce waste and give back. When donating, be sure to launder clothing prior to bagging it up or dropping it off; use a fragrance-free detergent so recipients who are sensitive to fragrance won’t be affected. If you have a lot of a particular type of clothing (e.g. kids’ clothes), try to sort them to help the charity save time. Mark the bags with descriptions like “kids’ coats,” “T-shirts” and “bedding.” And be sure to check all the pockets; charities like Goodwill report many people accidentally leave credit cards and photo IDs in clothing they donate.

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The next time the weather calls for a gentle rainstorm, consider bringing your indoor plants outdoors. It’s water-efficient, since you’re taking advantage of a free water source, but there is much more than plant hydration going on here. Rainwater also helps give your plants a “bath” of sorts; dust and debris on the plants’ leaves will be gently rinsed off. And the rainwater helps do one more thing: It dissolves built-up salts and minerals from tap water on the soil of your plant.

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There’s a misconception that washing uncooked rice rinses away all the vitamins and minerals from the grains. This is not true. If anything, rinsing uncooked rice under cool water helps eliminate any excess starch, residue and impurities that may be in the bag. Many chefs of Asian cuisine also note that washing rice helps prevent clumping and leads to fluffier cooked rice. Just note that it’s not necessary to rinse rice until the water turns clear; a quick rinse is sufficient.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION