With the cold winter months upon us, many of us prepare by packing up our bicycles until it's warm enough to use them again. One misconception about winter bike storage is that you should deflate the tires before putting your bike away. This is damaging to the bike since the weight adds pressure to one spot on the rubber and rims all winter long. Over time, this deteriorates and distorts the bicycle. Come spring, when you reinflate the tires, the whole bike can be totally off. Instead, before storing your bicycle, fully inflate the tires so it rests on air, not the rubber and metal.

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?