Fresh-cut flowers are a simple way to add color and joy inside your home. One easy hack to keep these stems looking alive longer is to use a little mouthwash in the water. Just a few tablespoons of disinfecting mouthwash is enough to keep bacteria from growing inside the vase. Bacteria are known to speed up the decay of cut flowers, so this simple trick can help your arrangement look fresh much longer.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know water needs to be around 140 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit in order for it to be hot enough to properly disinfect your cups, dishes and utensils? That's one more reason why a dishwasher is better for your health than washing by hand, since most of us can't handle those extreme temps at the kitchen sink. For things you can't put in the dishwasher, like crystal, knives and cast iron, fill up the sink with the hottest water and let them soak. For cast iron, rinse and let it dry on a hot stove, so it heats up, dries out and disinfects itself at the same time.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Do you want your clothes to dry more quickly, and use less energy in the process? It might be time to shorten the dryer vent hose. That long, metal, accordionlike tube that connects from the wall to the dryer is often too long when its installed in your laundry room. Simply shortening the hose so it still reaches the dryer can significantly increase the efficiency of your dryer and decrease drying time by as much as 20%. A shorter distance for your dryer to have to pump out moisture-heavy air equals better efficiency.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION