A lot of people have window unit air conditioners to keep specific rooms of the house cool during the hot summer months. With temperatures dipping, it's a smart and energy-efficient idea to uninstall the A/C so you can properly close the window to prevent cold air from coming inside. For many people, this isn't possible, so do the next best thing: Keep it cozy. Start by wrapping the unit with fiberglass insulation (there are eco-friendly recycled varieties at home improvement stores). Then cover the insulation with plastic sheets and keep it all in place with duct tape. This will block drafts, protect the unit and prevent moisture from building up during icy winter days.

We all know that not wearing shoes inside can go a long way in keeping our house clean, since shoes can drag in dirt, pesticides and even lead. But going barefoot can be a bad choice, too. Natural oils in our skin can leave deposits on the floors, which work like a magnet to attract dirt. The solution? Take off your shoes at the door and lay them on newspaper (which absorbs toxins); wear socks inside the house. Keep a tray of clean socks by the door to offer guests who come to visit.

Yes, it really matters what kind of vacuum you use in your home. Ironically, using the wrong vacuum can make your home dirtier. When you have a vacuum that does not have a HEPA filter integrated in its design, you risk stirring up mold spores that can be sucked up and scattered around the room, making the mold problem worse. Vacuums with a HEPA filter absorb the spores and capture particles that are invisible to the naked eye.