January is National Radon Action Month, which is a good time to test your home for the dangerous and odorless gas. Radon gasses soar during the winter months, and since we spend the colder months with our windows closed, it can create a dangerous combination in a home. Most home improvement stores sell radon gas detection kits; you just open the kit and set it in place. Seal it up and mail it in to get your radon gas results. The kits are inexpensive and accurate, too. Since 1 in 15 homes have high levels of radon, this is a great way to ring in the new year.

Are you traveling somewhere far for a long period of time and need a really big piece of luggage for your journey? If it bothers you that you need to buy something new when you think you're going to use it only once, consider renting luggage. Rentluggage.com makes it easy. All you have to do is select a bag from their large assortment, book it for as little as three days or as long as four weeks and have it shipped to you. When you're back from your adventure, all you have to do is put it back in the same box it shipped in and return it. It even comes with a prepaid shipping label so you can send it back free of charge. Don't worry if you decide to travel longer than you'd originally planned: Extended rentals on the luggage can be added at a nominal charge.

It's winter, which means it's snowing and it's cold. And these happen to be the two elements you need to get your wool rugs seriously clean. Here's a trick for cleaning wool rugs from Scandinavia: Start by taking your rug outdoors and draping it over a railing. It needs to cool down and acclimate to the freezing temperatures, which will neutralize bacteria and help reduce odors. Then lay the rug facedown on the snow, beat it thoroughly with a broom, flip it over and beat it again with the broom. Brush off the loose snow and bring it back inside. Beating the rug in the snow loosens dirt, and the tiny frozen ice crystals remove particles from the rug. And since the rug is cold, the snow won't melt on it. Final result: A really clean rug without the use of any chemicals.