You might wonder: Why clean your coffee grinder, if the only thing you're using it for is coffee? Over time, the natural oils and leftover particles from whole coffee beans can turn the inside of your coffee grinder rancid and also affect its performance, so it's important to clean it. But soap and water are not the answer. Instead, take 1/4 cup of dry rice and whir it up inside the grinder, which creates a powder that acts as a sponge to soak up the residual oil and coffee particles. Dump the rice and wipe the inside of your grinder with a damp towel, and you've got a clean coffee grinder.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know almost 80% of the flowers sold in the United States are imported? The carbon footprints for these flowers are massive when you factor in the refrigeration, airplane mileage and refrigerated trucks it takes to get those stems to your local store. To go green (and support American farmers), look for the hashtag #americangrown when buying flowers online, or visit americangrownflowers.org to find a listing of growers, florists and designers who specialize in using American-grown flowers and greens.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Do you want to extend the non-stick surfaces of your hard anodized and cast-iron pans for as long as possible? First, never put them in the dishwasher; the hot water can destroy the top protective layers, making the pans less reliable to cook with. And even washing with soapy water by hand can make them less naturally non-stick. The solution? Use salt. Scrub with coarse salt to help lift grime and disinfect the surface. And for truly stubborn messes, fill the pan with water, add salt and boil away on the cook top until all the baked-on mess has lifted up, leaving the pan truly clean.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION