When it's time to replace an old kitchen sponge, don't toss it. Old sponges are a perfect growing medium to use as seed starters for flowers and vegetables. It's easy: Just place seeds inside the natural holes of the sponge (or make small slices with the tip of a knife) and mist the sponge well with water. Place it in a dish with a little more water and be sure to keep it moist. In a few days, you'll see the seeds sprout. When the seedlings are strong enough, you can transplant them into a growing medium or just trim the sponge and plant the seedling with the remaining sponge material still attached.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Is your teakettle in need of a good cleaning to remove mineral deposits inside? It's important to not use harsh products like bleach or chemical cleaners, since you'll be sipping tea using water you've boiled in the pot. Instead, fill the teakettle with citrus peels from lemons, limes and oranges. To clean your kettle, fill it with citrus peels and water, and bring the mixture to a boil. Then turn off the heat and let the kettle sit for an hour to give the mixture time to work. The natural citric acid helps break down the mineral deposits.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know a full refrigerator runs more efficiently than one that's empty? It's because the items that are already cool inside the fridge help to keep the internal temperature down, thus it uses less energy to maintain a consistent cool. If you don't have enough groceries now to fill your fridge, fill some jugs from the recycling bin with water. The jugs will provide enough of a chill to help make your fridge as energy-efficient as possible.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION