A fully loaded automatic dishwasher is the best way to be as water- and energy-efficient as possible. But if you have a partially loaded washer, gather these things around the house to give them a good clean and fill up your machine! Add hairbrushes and combs, which can get dirty from products and oil over time. Unscrew a showerhead and wash it in the top rack to remove mineral buildup and help it run like new when you reinstall it. And collect sponges and dish brushes to not only clean them, but disinfect them from all the grime and bacteria that builds up over time.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know billions of plastic toothpaste tubes are used globally every year, and nearly none are recycled? It's because it's nearly impossible to recycle these tubes, since most curbside recycling programs don't accept them (the only recycler is a mail-in program that's expensive to participate in). When shopping for toothpaste, there are alternatives to plastic. Look for natural brands that package in aluminum tubes. They work just like plastic tubes and are designed to get every drop of paste out, but are fully recyclable, just like regular aluminum cans in your recycling bin.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

You may make a wish when you throw a penny into a pond, but you're only creating illness for the fish that live in there. When you throw spare change like pennies and quarters into a fountain or pond, the copper inside the coins can harm the fish. The copper interacts with their blood cells and increases mucus production in their gills, which makes it more difficult for the fish to breathe and absorb oxygen. When they struggle to breathe, they gasp at the surface of the water for oxygen and ultimately could die. So if you want to make a wish, do so, but keep the coins in your pocket.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION