It may seem like no big deal, but don't flush common household toiletry items like cotton balls, cotton swabs and even dental floss. Even though it may seem harmless, the reality is these small things can create massive problems. Dental floss can wrap itself around other objects in the sewage system and cause clogs (think of it like fishing line). And cotton items can swell up and get lodged in the bends of pipes, creating blockages that can cause clogs -- and major pluming repair bills.

Laptop computers are convenient because they have an integrated rechargeable battery that lets you work anywhere without having to be near an outlet. But if your day-to-day computer is a laptop, is it better to keep it plugged in the whole time or disconnected until you need to recharge the battery? According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, keep it plugged in whenever you can -- AC power is 20 percent more energy-efficient than using the battery. If you have a laptop with an easy-to-remove rechargeable battery, you should remove the battery and plug in the laptop if you plan to work from one location for extended periods of time for the maximum in energy savings.

Are you sending a care package or mailing a letter to a faraway destination? There's a good chance the label or envelope could get wet and cause whatever you wrote on the label to fade or wash out. Instead of using plastic tape to create a barrier to waterproof the address, reach for a white candle. When you rub the candle over the label or envelope, you create a waterproof shipping label or envelope. Plus, because you didn't use tape or a plastic pouch cover, the whole thing is still recyclable.