When you buy a bottle of vitamins or new electronics, you'll typically find little packets labeled "Do Not Eat" inside. These are called silica packets, and inside them is a very porous natural mineral that absorbs moisture and helps preserve freshness. There's no need to throw away these packets; you can reuse them around your home to keep things like tools, photos and the contents of your dresser drawers fresh and free of moisture. And you can reactivate silica packets: Just place them on a cookie tray in the oven at 275 degrees for about an hour.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

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