Some paper can be added to compost

Dear Martha: Can I add shredded financial documents to my compost heap?

A: The key to successful composting is maintaining a balanced mix of nitrogen and carbon. This ensures that sundry additions can be effectively transformed into the nutrient-rich soil conditioner prized by gardeners. Nitrogen sources (also called green, or wet, matter) include vegetable scraps, grass clippings and eggshells. Materials that provide carbon, such as fallen leaves, wood chips and old potting soil, are considered brown, or dry, and should make up the other half of the heap.

Paper is a suitable source of carbon. Because computer printouts, credit card statements and other processed paper decompose slowly, shredding them — or tearing them into small pieces — will guarantee that they break down more quickly. To prevent the paper from forming an impenetrable layer in the compost heap, mix in a few handfuls at a time, alternating them with other green and brown materials.

In general, though, these documents should be composted in limited quantities. Conventional recycling is a more efficient way of giving paper a second life than composting, says Jean Bonhotal, a compost specialist and the associate director at the Cornell Waste Management Institute. A few shredded bills should not be a problem. But avoid large amounts of heavily bleached sheets, which may introduce unwanted chemicals to the heap, Bonhotal says.

Other types of paper more appropriate for composting include soiled paper towels and coffee filters (preferably unbleached), shredded brown bags and newspaper torn into strips (colored pages are acceptable, Bonhotal says, as the ink is usually soy based). But do not add glossy magazine pages and newspaper inserts, as they may contribute toxins and will be slow to decompose.

Dear Martha: Can I clean the string on my strand of pearls?

A: Washing pearls with a mild soap solution is generally considered to be a safe cleaning method, but the best way to take care of a discolored thread is to have the necklace restrung by a reliable jeweler. This inexpensive process should be done yearly regardless of the string's cleanliness, as the nylon or silk holding the pearls together deteriorates over time and may break with regular wear.