Did you know that buying a used kitchen knife from a resell site like eBay can save as much as 90% of the energy costs needed to make a new knife? You can sanitize a used knife in seconds at home. If the knife does not have a plastic handle, place it in boiling water for 30 seconds. Turn off the heat and let the knife sit in the hot water, then slowly pour the boiling water out; allow it to cool to room temperature. If the knife has a plastic handle, fill a pot with the hottest water that comes out of the tap and let it soak for 15 seconds. Remove with tongs and scrub with an old toothbrush to remove any debris.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Dog owners, listen up: Be sure to give your dog the right haircut for its breed. You may be burning up in the hot summer months, but trimming your dog's fur too short to help them cool off can actually do more harm than good. The naturally long, thick fur on some dogs has a purpose; it helps block harmful UV rays, preventing overheating and sunburns. In the winter months, letting the coat get too long can actually cause your dog to overheat, even if the temperatures outside would suggest otherwise. A good rule of thumb: Ask for a groomer's advice to make sure your best friend is comfortable and protected.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know more than 552 million plastic bottles that once held shampoo end up in landfills every year? Even with recycling, over half a billion end up thrown away, and it all could be prevented with one simple switch: a shampoo bar. Like a bar of body soap, a shampoo bar uses the same moisturizing and cleansing ingredients found in shampoo, but without the addition of water. You lather up with a shampoo bar in the shower and it magically turns into shampoo. By switching to a bar, you can cut out plastic bottles altogether.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION