Vacuum cleaners can last a long time if properly maintained and used. One way to prolong the life of yours is to remember that vacuums are designed to suck up dry debris, like dirt, dust, crumbs and other paper. If a spill in the kitchen includes any damp items like chopped-up salad, use a broom rather than the vacuum to clean it up. Introducing any moisture inside a vacuum cleaner can lead to mold and mildew buildup, which can result in a vacuum exhaust that literally spews mold spores into the air the next time you turn it on.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Take a look inside your freezer: Is it full or half-empty? If it's the latter, fill a freezer bag or two with ice. Bags of ice cubes in the freezer take up space and help keep the overall freezer temperature down. The colder the freezer, the less energy it uses to maintain the appropriate temperature. Even filling old ice cream containers with water and letting them freeze into blocks of ice can go a long way to improve your freezer's efficiency.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

The bulk bins at your local supermarket or health food store are already a great way to go green during your grocery shopping, as they reduce the waste and costs associated with packaging and marketing. But did you know you can make bulk bin shopping even greener? By bringing your own reusable food storage containers, you can eliminate the need for plastic bags or boxes at the store. The key is to find an employee who can weigh your containers before you fill them, so you are paying ONLY for the bulk item. And always make sure your containers are very clean when bringing them to the store.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION