Is the forecast calling for a hot, dry, sunshine-filled day? Use the opportunity to harness the natural deodorizing properties of sunlight and give your hard-to-clean items a freshening up! Sunlight contains ultraviolet light, which can destroy the DNA of odor-causing bacteria. Letting things like pillows, blankets, towels and even clothes lie out in the sun for a few hours can help clean them. The key thing is to make sure it’s a very dry day. Humidity in the air can actually worsen the problem, as bacteria loves a moist environment.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Have you ever needed just a little bit of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, but you didn’t want to waste a whole lemon to get it? Here’s a simple hack in which you only need a toothpick. First, press the lemon with the palm of your hand while rolling it on a countertop to break up some of the juice sacs inside. Then pierce the lemon with a toothpick in the non-stem end, and squeeze out the juice you need. The small hole will allow fresh juice to be extracted without having to cut the lemon open, and the lemon will remain fresh longer, so it can still be used the next day.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Household plants can be a natural and efficient way to purify the air inside your home. But if your plants get sick -- developing white or black mold spores on the outside of the leaves, for instance -- they can actually contribute to an unhealthy air environment. For sturdy plants, wipe down the leaves with a damp microfiber towel to pick up the mold spores; wash the microfiber cloth in hot water to sanitize the towel. Rinse your more delicate plants clean with cool water in a deep sink or bathtub. Let them drain and air dry, then return them to their sunny spot in the home.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION