Do Just One Thing

It's a fact that using an automatic dishwasher can save you energy and water over time. But there's one habit you should break when loading a dishwasher: pre-rinsing dishes in the sink. Over the lifespan of your dishwasher, pre-rinsing wastes thousands of gallons of water. Instead, scrape leftovers into the trash (or compost bin, if it's compostable) and put the grimy dishes right into the dishwasher. And since modern detergent tablets need grease and grime to activate, having dirty dishes actually helps your dishwasher work better, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Replacing inkjet printer cartridges can be expensive, especially if you print a lot at home. To save money on cartridges, do two things: First, opt to only print in "draft" mode whenever the actual quality of printing doesn't matter. It uses less ink and still lets you print out documents in nearly perfect quality. And ignore the warnings when your printer says it's running low on a color cartridge. The reality is, there is plenty of ink still in the cartridge and it can still last for many more printings. Just replace it when you see a very noticeable difference in print quality.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Having a mouse in the house is more than a nuisance; it can actually be hazardous, since they can chew through wires and cause fires. To prevent mice, try a simple nontoxic tip like installing door sweeps on exterior doors. Also, look for holes on the outside where they slip in; anything larger than a nickel is enough space for a mouse to squeeze through. Plug the hole with steel wool and cover with caulk. And finally, keep firewood at least 20 feet away from the house, since it's the perfect place to nest and get easy access to run into your home if you've left the door open.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION