If you find a great deal on a huge quantity of dishwashing tablets, you might want to pass on stocking up. The reason is that modern dishwashing detergent tablets are effective because of grease- and grime-fighting enzymes. But as an active ingredient, the enzymes' effectiveness deteriorates over time, making the tablets less effective. This is why it's imperative to buy the tablets in smaller quantities and to make sure they are always sealed up in their original container when you store them at home.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you're installing new environmentally friendly solid-surface countertops in your home, you might wonder: What can I do with the remnant pieces? Remnants are leftover material from trimming a slab down to size to fit your kitchen or from a cutout to accommodate something like a sink. They don't need to go to the landfill. Your fabricator can take the remnants and do simple finishes on the edges to make things like small tabletops, cheese boards, trivets and windowsill ledges to give your windows a luxurious upgrade.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It's a no-brainer that you can put things like vegetable peels, grass clippings and raked leaves into a compost pile, where they'll eventually break down into beneficial mulch. But you might be surprised to learn there are some weeds that shouldn't immediately be put in the pile after they've been pulled. Stubborn, prolific weeds like dandelion, kudzu and even fast-growing ivy seem to thrive in any condition, and your nutrient-rich compost is no exception. If you have weeds or fast-growers like these, place them on a tarp in the hot sun to "bake" for a few days before adding to your compost. Otherwise, they could actually regrow and thrive in your compost pile.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION