It’s important to brush your teeth, but did you know your toothbrush can actually make you sick? A wet toothbrush can harbor cold and flu germs, picked up when you were previously ill. To prevent re-infecting yourself, take a few steps to keep your brush clean during cold and flu season. The easiest way is to drop the head of the brush in a small cup of antibacterial mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide; this will be enough to kill germs. You can also boil your brush for three minutes or toss it into the silverware compartment of the dishwasher.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

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.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

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.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION