It may not be possible to give the inside of your refrigerator a thorough cleaning on a frequent basis, so if you do just one thing, stick to the drawers that hold meats and vegetables. Over time, these drawers can become a breeding ground for things like salmonella, E.coli, mold and other harmful bacteria. When substances drip into the drawers, they cling onto the textured grooves and crevices in these refrigerated bins, which are an ideal location for them to thrive and multiply. Simply remove the drawers and give them a good cleaning with warm water and soap, then wipe dry.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Are you part of the movement trying to live a plastic-free life? There are easy things to steer clear of, like plastic straws, single-use bags and disposable cups, but what about some less obvious plastic you can avoid? When it comes to wine, not all stoppers are the same. Some use natural cork stoppers (which are biodegradable) and others use plastic. To know if your favorite bottle uses a real cork or fake, visit CorkWatch at recork.com/corkwatch.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Do you use a wooden block to house your kitchen knives? While it may be useful and decorative, it can also harbor a lot of unhealthy bacteria that can make you sick. If you do a haphazard job in washing your knives, any residual bacteria on the knives (especially if the blades are still a little wet) can be transferred to the wooden block. Over time, the bacteria can multiply and grow, transferring onto the blades and going into the food you're cutting up. The better choice is to invest in a magnetic strip, which allows knives to air dry completely.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION