A tea kettle is one of those items you never really think about cleaning until your fresh cup of hot tea tastes a little strange. Cleaning your kettle could not be any simpler: Fill it halfway with water from the tap, then fill the rest of the way with white vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then set aside (away from the heat) overnight to soak. Pour out the vinegar mixture and refill with water from the tap; bring to a boil to remove any trace of the vinegar smell and taste.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It's important to stop using disposable plastic cling wrap to cover bowls, since the material isn't recyclable and can be toxic when disposed of. A good alternative to look for is silicone lids, which create a tight seal around bowls that helps keep food fresh, and have the added benefit of being microwave safe, so you can reheat your leftovers directly from the fridge. And while silicone isn't recyclable, it is durable and reusable, so you can get years of good use from your lids before you throw them away.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Are you grossed out when your dog drinks out of the toilet bowl? The reason your pooch may love that water is simple: It's cold, it's constantly aerated (on average, a toilet is flushed five times a day) and there's an ample supply. If you can't stop your dog from drinking from the toilet, be sure to use nontoxic cleaning supplies to keep it clean. But to change your dog's habits, consider switching to a stainless steel or ceramic water dish. These will keep the water cool and make it more appealing to him to drink from his own dish.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION