When transplanting young plants into your garden, they can be a tasty treat for invasive insects like slugs. Instead of resorting to plastic fences, chemical sprays or other unsightly tactics, try this instead: Save your used, wet coffee grounds, and create a protective ring around each plant. Not only will it prevent invasive insects from crossing, the grounds act as beneficial mulch and will biodegrade into the soil. Also, if your new plants came in plastic pots or trays, be sure to take them to any Lowe's store to be recycled -- even if you didn't buy them there.

In the spring months, windows are some of the biggest culprits of killing birds. When birds fly, they don't always see a window; instead, they see the reflection of trees or the sky. This confusion can lead to birds thinking it's a clear path to fly. Then, when they crash into the window, they die. If you find a certain window is prone to accidental deaths with feathered friends, attach wire or plastic mesh a few inches off the window. This still allows the light to come inside the home, but protects the birds. If they fly into the window, they'll hit the mesh and just bounce off. If you need a quick solution, you can also take a wet bar of soap and smear the window. This will prevent any reflections, giving you time to remedy the situation later.

A child's stuffed animal may be her best friend, but over time, it can get dirty and be a breeding ground for unhealthy germs and bacteria. The good news? You can usually launder it in the washing machine. Just use the gentlest cycle you have and a laundry detergent designed for cold water. Then hang the animal to dry outdoors using clips to dry it out and take advantage of the natural disinfecting properties of the sun's rays. If a stuffed animal can't be machine laundered because of delicate detailing, just place it in a brown paper bag, generously sprinkle baking soda on top and shake away. Brush off the excess and let it disinfect in the sun for a few hours.