Do you use large shopping bags to hold recyclable newsprint, magazines and other recyclable paper? While it may seem like a smart idea, the reality is you should avoid this practice. Most shopping bags aren't easily recyclable. Many are made with glossy, shiny or colorful paper, and they often have plastic handles. These bags do not process well at recycling facilities. Instead, use cardboard boxes, unprinted paper bags (like those from the grocery store) or just old-fashioned twine to keep paper together.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Here's another reason to switch from bottled body wash to bar soap: You get more active ingredients when you switch to a bar. When you buy a bottled body wash, the primary ingredient is water. With bar soap, there is very little (if any) water in the bar, which means every ingredient is active and designed to do its job. Also, there is no plastic packaging, it's lighter (so there's less of a carbon footprint to have bars shipped to stores vs. bottles) and for you road warriors: It's TSA-friendly, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It may not be possible to give the inside of your refrigerator a thorough cleaning on a frequent basis, so if you do just one thing, stick to the drawers that hold meats and vegetables. Over time, these drawers can become a breeding ground for things like salmonella, E.coli, mold and other harmful bacteria. When substances drip into the drawers, they cling onto the textured grooves and crevices in these refrigerated bins, which are an ideal location for them to thrive and multiply. Simply remove the drawers and give them a good cleaning with warm water and soap, then wipe dry.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION