Thinking about giving the outside of your house a fresh paint job? The color of paint you choose can have a big impact on how energy-efficient your home can be. Lighter-colored homes in warmer climates have a higher light reflective value (LRV). Pure black measures zero percent LRV, and pure white measures 100 percent LRV. By choosing a lighter tint, you reflect light away, and your home uses less energy to stay cool. For homes that are in more predominantly colder climates, a darker color can help absorb heat and reduce heating costs.

Do you use mouthwash on a regular basis and feel weird spitting it down the drain? Take advantage of the disinfecting properties of the mouthwash and do this instead: Spit it out into the toilet. Let it sit in the water for about 30 minutes and then flush. The disinfecting properties will neutralize germs and leave a fresh, minty smell, too. If you want maximum cleaning power, pour 1/4-cup mouthwash into the toilet and swish it around with a brush. But if you're already using it, why not let the mouthwash pull double-duty?

When wildlife rummages through your garbage, it can be more than just a nuisance -- wild animals can choke, get trapped and die. To help them, it's key to make trash as unenticing as possible and nearly impossible to get into. To wildlife-proof your trash bins, start by minimizing the odors. That means rinsing non-recyclables and placing food scraps inside old plastic bags or containers that you plan to toss. You can also use bungee cords: Wrap them around trash cans to keep the lids on tight.