Outdoor solar lighting is very common to see in people's front lawns, backyards and gardens. It's convenient because you don't need to install electrical wiring, and it's eco-friendly since the lights harness the power of the sun. But over time, the lights may seem less brilliant and powerful. To give your solar lights a tune up, do two things: First, wipe down the integrated solar panels on top. Dust, pollen and dirt can block the panels from absorbing the sun's rays, which prevents the integrated batteries from charging. Second, if the lights are more than two years old, replace the internal rechargeable batteries with new ones. Then recycle the old rechargeable batteries in a free Call2Recycle box you can find at stores like Lowe's, Best Buy and The Home Depot.

While recycled paperboard egg cartons are the greenest choice, sometimes plastic foam cartons are your only choice at the supermarket. The good news is that plastic foam is recyclable, and many communities are now accepting it in curbside recycling. But if your community does not accept it, you might find uses for the egg crates around the house. Try storing holiday ornaments in the individual compartments, or use them for crafts to sort paint, glitter or beads. You can also collect the containers and send them to be recycled by mailing them to Dolco Packaging, P.O. Box 1005, 2110 Patterson St., Decatur, Indiana, 46733-5005.

A natural way to keep fleas at bay from your dog -- and your home -- is to use essential oils like cedar or lavender. The scent from the oils is pleasant to us, but for fleas, not so much. But rubbing essential oils all over your dog's coat can be messy and difficult. One easy way to deliver the benefits of essential oils when playing outdoors with your dog is to use an old bandana. Dilute five drops of essential oil with 1/2 cup cool water. Soak the bandana in the oily mixture and gently wring out. Tie it around your dog's neck, and it'll act like an all-natural -- not to mention stylish -- flea collar.