One of the most effective ways to protect the life and battery longevity of your smartphone is to simply regularly power it down. Think of it this way: Would you leave your computer on for weeks or months at a time without ever turning it off? Many of us leave our phones on, charging or on standby for weeks at a time. This can take a toll on your phone’s speed and effectiveness. Think of your phone as a mini-computer and treat it the same way. Powering down at least once a week can have a big impact.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Are your outdoor solar lights not looking so bright? This is usually a very easy fix and may involve just replacing the battery. Solar lights use rechargeable batteries that are charged from the sun’s rays on integrated solar panels. Those batteries can be recharged about 1,000 times before they wear down or die out. To replace, remove the old battery and replace with a new rechargeable battery. Then recycle the old batteries for free in collection boxes at almost any hardware store. Also, wipe down the solar panels, since dust and pollen can make them less effective.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you have a backyard swimming pool, it can feel wasteful to not make use of some of the water in the pool (especially when watering the lawn or garden). You can use chlorinated water for watering plants by following these two simple steps: The first is to fill a bucket with pool water and let it sit, untreated, for several days to allow the chemicals and chlorine to dissipate. Then use a simple DIY test (which most pool owners have) to measure the PH balance of the water. Once the PH level reaches a 7 or 8, it’s safe to use.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION