It's no surprise that washing your car at an automated commercial center saves water. In fact, the Car Wash Association estimates automatic car washes use significantly less water than washing at home: just 45 gallons per car versus 80 to 140 gallons wasted at home. But if you must wash your car at home, do one thing: Park your car on gravel or in a grassy spot instead of on the driveway. The soapy water will then get filtered through the ground and help recharge groundwater sources.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you wash your clothing too frequently, you'll wear it down more quickly, but if you don't wash it enough, then it will just be dirty. The folks at Whirlpool have a suggested number of "wears" for items in your closet. Obviously, if something is dirty, it should be washed. For jeans, it's four or five wearings. For sweaters, it's six wearings with a shirt, one or two if worn without. Workout clothes are to be washed after every use. And dress pants can be worn two or three times before they need to be washed.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Terra cotta pots are great for container gardening and are an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic pots (plus they look better in your garden or patio). But terra cotta pots can break, so instead of tossing those shards in the trash, use them to improve your garden. In rainier climates, mix the shards in the soil under the eaves of the house where rain water can build up on stormy days. It will help with drainage, since terra cotta absorbs water, and you won't see the shards, since they are mixed in the soil.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION