If you have lots of laundry to do, it might seem like an economical and time-saving idea to slightly overload the washing machine. The problem with this cleaning tactic is the weight of the excess wet clothing will eventually wear out the machine's internal drum and start to decrease the machine's overall cleaning efficiency. When clothing doesn't have room to be agitated during washing, it doesn't come out clean. And running your laundry through the cycle a second time adds up to more water and energy waste. Save time and resources by not overloading your washing machine!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

The majority of plastic cutting boards are made from a plastic resin known as HDPE, or high-density polyethylene. This is the same as the No. 2-marked plastic found in items like plastic detergent bottles. When it comes to cutting boards, HDPE boards are the preferred choice because they can be sanitized and used to keep food prep healthy. But what you may not know is that HDPE is also recyclable. When it's time to replace your plastic cutting board, simply toss it into the recycling bin. Because it's the same resin as No. 2-marked plastics, it can be recycled and turned into other products.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

There are lots of logos on the sides of beauty and personal care products, and it can be hard to discern what's legit and what's pure marketing. Two marks are definitely worth looking for: the USDA certified organic mark, which means at least 95% of the ingredients used in the product are made from organic ingredients and the rest are nontoxic or all-natural; and an "NSF" mark, which means that at least 70% of the ingredients used are certified organic. NSF International is an independent global organization that works with the USDA to provide quality assurance.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION