December and January are the best times to find deals on new suitcases, since retailers are trying to close out old models to bring in the new ones. In fact, many stores will bundle suitcases together at incredibly low prices. There are many foster agencies that are in need of new suitcases to give to children who do not have luggage. Instead of donating a used suitcase, why not give new ones, especially when you don't need all the pieces from a new set? And if the set you are replacing is lightly used, find out from your local Department of Social Services if it can take it or recommend a charity that can.

Particleboard is a common material used in furniture and to build walls, floors and cabinets inside our houses. It’s a wood material that’s made with compressed wood chips and resin, with adhesives mixed in to create a solid material that can act like wood. The problem? Most particleboard can offset gasses from chemicals inside like formaldehyde, which can create an unhealthy home environment. Since ripping out everything made of particleboard isn’t a green or economical option, one way to prevent unhealthy fumes is to use a water-based, nontoxic wood sealer. Just adding a coat to walls, cabinets and other particleboard products can make it impenetrable and undetectable.

It’s no surprise that one of the easiest ways to keep your home as healthy as possible is to leave your shoes at the door. Shoes can drag in pesticides, chemicals and dirt, so going barefoot inside is a simple way to keep it clean. But before you take off your shoes, be sure to give them a good wipe on a doormat outside. By placing your doormat vertically at the door, you actually get better traction when wiping your shoes across it. It picks up more dirt and other grime, which helps keep your shoes cleaner.