Our cars are like a second home for many of us, so why hang artificial air fresheners from the rearview mirror? These fresheners, along with plug-ins and sprays, are loaded with chemicals and often with phthalates that contribute to unhealthy air quality. If you want to keep your car smelling fresh, reach for charcoal. Charcoal is a natural odor neutralizer, and it's long lasting, too. Fill a large tea strainer with pieces of charcoal and place it in the cup holder or hang it from the rearview mirror. The real smell of clean is no smell at all -- not "pine."

Kids are obsessed with Rainbow Loom bracelets and kits, and they love taking the tiny rubber band-like loops and turning them into custom creations. But what do you do with the loops if they break? The company has a free recycling service that will take them back. Just put the loops in a bag and mail it to the company. It melts the plastic and turns it into new products. Learn more at rainbowloom.com.

One of the easiest ways to combat pesky mosquitoes is to be vigilant about standing water. Mosquitoes need only a spoonful of still water to leave their eggs behind. While it's obvious that places like buckets, kiddie pools and inactive birdbaths are key real estate, consider less-obvious places like uneven gutters or the small trays under planters. If you do find an area that is difficult to dump or dry out, add a little vegetable oil to the standing water. It'll effectively kill the larva that may be inside.