Did you know you can unshrink a wool sweater? If you’ve ever accidentally washed a sweater and it shrank, don’t panic -- you often can restore it close to its original size. Soak the sweater in a large bowl of warm water mixed with about 1/3 cup of hair conditioner. Let it sit for 15 minutes to relax the fibers. Gently press out excess water between two clean towels, then carefully stretch the sweater back to the desired size. Lay it flat to air-dry, and it should look (and feel) good as new.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you sprinkle Epsom salts into the bathtub to help relieve sore muscles, save a few tablespoons to help give your plants a boost, too. Epsom salt is made up of hydrated magnesium sulfate, which is a mixture of magnesium and sulfur. Plants love these minerals, and giving them Epsom salt helps boost the color of their leaves and creates stronger and fuller flowers. Just add two tablespoons of the salt to 1 gallon of water, allow to dissolve and water away.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you’re looking for another reason to quit smoking (beyond your health and wallet), here’s one: It’s a detriment to wildlife. It’s estimated that nearly 25% of all roadside trash is cigarette butts. Many of these butts end up in aquatic habitats, where they leach chemicals into the water. When fish get the chemicals into their bloodstream, they get transferred to the wild animals that eat the fish. Research also shows that cigarette butts are among the top risks of poisoning to household pets. For help quitting, visit tobaccofreelife.org.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION