Yes, appliances designed to clean things actually need to be cleaned, too. Your automatic dishwasher needs a thorough cleaning once in a while to deodorize the inside and prevent your glassware and dishes from picking up an unpleasant odor. To clean your dishwasher, liberally sprinkle baking soda all over the interior. Then fill a large dishwasher-safe glass with white vinegar and place it right-side-up inside. Run it through a hot cycle (empty) to remove grease and grime and deodorize all in one run.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Ever wonder what butylated hydroxyanisole or potassium bromate are when you see them listed on the side of grocery store items? They, along with dozens of other chemicals, are considered food additives that are designed to help boost flavor, retain color and texture, or extend the shelf life of products. If you want to learn about and avoid what the Environmental Working Group calls the "dirty dozen additives," visit EWG.org and check out the list. Not only will it tell what to avoid, but the website offers tips on safer alternatives to look for when shopping.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Those with backyard gardens often face a dilemma: what to do with a bumper crop of tomatoes. It may seem like summer fruit all ripens at the exact same time, but that doesn't mean you need to eat it right away, or make a giant pot of time-consuming sauce. One thing you can do is grate tomatoes on the largest side of a box grater and freeze the juicy, pulpy mixture. The coarsely grated tomatoes can be frozen flat in freezer bags, and when you need fresh tomatoes for a sauce, soup or stew in the future, just retrieve the frozen mix and use right away.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION