Have you ever needed just a little bit of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, but you didn’t want to waste a whole lemon to get it? Here’s a simple hack in which you only need a toothpick. First, press the lemon with the palm of your hand while rolling it on a countertop to break up some of the juice sacs inside. Then pierce the lemon with a toothpick in the non-stem end, and squeeze out the juice you need. The small hole will allow fresh juice to be extracted without having to cut the lemon open, and the lemon will remain fresh longer, so it can still be used the next day.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Household plants can be a natural and efficient way to purify the air inside your home. But if your plants get sick -- developing white or black mold spores on the outside of the leaves, for instance -- they can actually contribute to an unhealthy air environment. For sturdy plants, wipe down the leaves with a damp microfiber towel to pick up the mold spores; wash the microfiber cloth in hot water to sanitize the towel. Rinse your more delicate plants clean with cool water in a deep sink or bathtub. Let them drain and air dry, then return them to their sunny spot in the home.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

One of the easiest ways to help combat climate change is to plant a tree. But did you know that some trees are better at absorbing and storing carbon dioxide emissions than others? The U.S. Forest Service did a study in 2002 that researched which trees in an urban environment were the best at absorbing CO2. Trees like black walnut, ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, red oak, bald cypress, and red and white pines topped the list. These trees are also easy to maintain; trees that demand the use of gas-guzzling equipment like trucks and chainsaws for maintenance can only erase any eco gains.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION