Do Just One Thing

If you have an older home, take a look at your refrigerator and dishwasher to determine if they need to be replaced based on age. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a dishwasher made before 1994 is likely to add an extra $40 a year to your utility bill and waste more than 10 gallons of water each time you use it. If you have a fridge from the 1980s, you could save $100 a year by replacing it; if your fridge is from the '70s, you can recoup more than $200 a year. Replacing these items now with energy-efficient models can help you save money and the environment.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Who knew that one of the best ways to refresh the air isn't spray air fresheners loaded with chemicals, but rather with plants? The Sanseveieria plant is a succulent that NASA discovered could absorb more than 107 air pollutants, carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide. This easy-to-grow plant can absorb up to 80% of air pollutants inside a home. Buying a few of these can go a long way to help detoxify and freshen the air inside your home, and they look great, too!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Here's a Hall of Fame tip from the Do Just One Thing archives: Save newspaper to deodorize your shoes. Newsprint paper is designed to absorb ink, but it does an excellent job of absorbing excess moisture and odors as well. Just stuff newspaper into your shoes and let the paper do its job. Even the smelliest of sneakers can be freshened up with the help of newspaper. When the job is done, the newspaper can be flattened and recycled.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION