Have you ever wondered what you can do with an apple core? Turns out you can help deodorize a room. One simple thing is to simmer apple cores in water and let the natural scent permeate the air and leave behind a pleasant aroma (you can also add a cinnamon stick to make it a more autumnal scent). But you can also just leave an apple core out to counteract a lingering odor. This trick works because when an apple oxidizes, it rapidly absorbs odors around it, too. Let it sit for a few hours, then toss the core in the compost bin.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know electrolytes do more than help your body feel and work at its best? They also can help an ailing houseplant. When you have leftover sports drinks, dilute them with water and feed them to a dying plant. The nutrient-rich mixture of electrolytes, sugar and vitamins acts like a revival elixir for plants, providing an extra boost of energy and nutrition to help them spring back to life.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you hate food waste (billions of pounds are tossed away every year around the world), you'll be glad to know your freezer can be one of the best tools to help save and preserve food. For example, if you picked up a bulk-size block of cheese, the leftover portion can be frozen. In fact, frozen cheese is easier to shred –- you don't even have to defrost it when you need it. Baked goods like cookies, muffins and bread can be frozen for up to six months, and they also defrost quickly. You should always store nuts in the freezer, too. Their high oil content can make them go rancid quickly, but the chilled environment keeps them fresh.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION