When you pull mounds of invasive weeds out of your backyard garden, what do you do with them? Instead of throwing them away or composting them and potentially spreading weed seeds, the greenest solution is to bag them in black plastic trash bags and then compost them. Placing the weeds in a black bag and allowing them to bake in the sun is a simple way to kill the seeds. It's called solarizing. After a few days, simply empty the bag right into the compost, and you're good to go. Of course, reuse the bag for its original intended purpose: trash.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Want to brighten clothes and remove stains without using any harsh chemicals in your washer? Grab salt from your pantry and add it to your laundry routine. The natural chloride in salt works as a brightener, protector and stain remover all in one. Just add 1/2 cup of salt to your laundry (in addition to your detergent) to give it a natural boost. You can also soak stubborn stains or dull fabrics in a saltwater solution overnight and then wash as usual. Another alternative is to use hydrogen peroxide, which breaks down in water and uses oxygen to naturally whiten. Just 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide with regular laundry detergent will be enough.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When one of your favorite organic food items is at an irresistible price at the supermarket, do you ever wonder how much you should stock up on? When something like organic pasta sauce, cereal or other shelf-stable pantry items are on sale, go for about 12 weeks' worth as your maximum supply when you want to stock up. That's about the length of the average sales cycle for most items at the store. If you use about one box of cereal per week, go with 12 boxes of cereal when it's discounted at the lowest price.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION