True tea connoisseurs say the best way to enjoy tea is to brew loose-leaf tea. When storing tea, be sure to keep it in airtight containers and away from heat and light. But also make sure to choose the right container. Wooden containers or those with rubber seals can actually impart unpleasant odors into tea leaves. Choose ceramic containers to store your loose-leaf tea so it doesn’t absorb other scents. If you store it this way, the quality should remain consistent over time.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When composting, the general rule of thumb is no cooked foods go into the pile. But that isn’t always the case if you have leftover cooked vegetables and grains. If you sautee or fry vegetables using pure vegetable oils, you can easily compost the leftovers; if you use butter or have other animal products like cheese on top, don’t. The same rule applies to cooked grains like rice, pasta and even bread if they’ve been prepared without any animal fats whatsoever: Go ahead and compost them.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When smoke detectors in the home need to be replaced, don’t toss the old safety devices into the trash: Recycle them. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the majority of smoke detectors in the U.S. contain a minute amount of americium-241, a radioactive element that can take 432 years to decompose safely in the ground. First Alert, the leading manufacturer of all types of detectors, will recycle old ones free of charge. Get an account number by calling toll-free, 800-323-9005, and be sure to write “FOR DISPOSAL ONLY” clearly on the packaging when sending in your detectors. First Alert will recycle the plastic and remove the radioactive material for safe disposal.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION