If your home has a septic system, there is one thing you should never use to clean your toilets: chlorine bleach. While it may seem like a hygienic thing to use to prevent germs and bacteria from building up, bleach can do more harm than good to your septic system, because it kills all bacteria, including the beneficial bacteria that are necessary to help break down waste. Without that good bacteria working inside the septic system, you may experience clogs or system failures.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It's not news that drought-resistant plants like succulents are an excellent water-saving choice to grow around the house. But have you heard of drought-resistant trees? When planting a new tree, it often needs a tremendous amount of water to settle, grow and eventually become a beautiful specimen in your yard. If you live in a location where water can be scarce, look for drought-tolerant varieties. The National Arbor Day Foundation names trees like Eastern Redcedar, Bur Oak, Northern Red Oak and Kentucky Coffeetree as great options.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

There are myriad things you can toss into a compost bin, like vegetable trimmings, eggshells and even almost all nutshells. One big exception in the nutshell category: walnut shells. Turns out walnut shells can be lethal and toxic to plants because they contain high concentrations of juglone, a compound produced by some plants to stunt the growth of other plants. Juglone is so effective as a plant toxin, it is sometimes used as an herbicide. If you toss walnut shells into your compost and use the finished compost in your garden, you could inadvertently be killing your crop.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION