Do Just One Thing

What can you do with a bottle of olive oil that has gone rancid? While you may not be able to cook or make a salad dressing with it anymore, that doesn't mean you can't put it to some other good use. Old olive oil is a fantastic conditioner for leather furniture. Just rub it all over the cracked, dried leather and let it sit for 30 minutes, then buff away the excess with a clean towel to reveal furniture that's supple and soft. The same can be done with leather shoes; just a little goes a long way to turn dull leather shoes into a polished pair.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

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