Many of us know that burning candles made from paraffin waxes can emit soot, smoke and other pollutants into the air. So it may seem natural that burning a different type of candle can improve your indoor air quality. A recent medical study revealed that burning pure beeswax candles not only provides a pleasant honey scent, it also releases negative ions into the air. These help remove pollution like dust, pollen, toxins and smelly odors. This helps purify and clean the air because the negative ions force the pollutants to literally fall to the ground -- making vacuuming even more important.

Winter weather may be months away, but as the nights turn cooler, your heating system should be given a tuneup. Keeping your home’s furnace clean and adjusted can help it run efficiently and help you save money in the long run. Your local utility company may offer free checkups by teams of technicians. Now is a good time to book your appointment, since winter is when appointments become nearly impossible to come by. These checkups will tell you if any repairs are needed for your heating system.

It’s happened to even the best home cooks: Things burn. Pots spill over and casseroles bubble, causing messes and odors inside the oven and on stovetop burners. One natural and easy way to clean up and neutralize the spill is to reach for two pantry staples: table salt and cinnamon. When the spills are still hot, sprinkle a generous amount of both spices and wait until everything cools. Rub it away using a brush or scouring sponge, and it should be clean and odorless.