Appliances are not built to last forever, and eventually they need to be replaced. Think about your washing machine or dishwasher: They are some of the biggest users of water in the home and can become less efficient and technologically outdated the older they get. The rule of thumb is this: If either of these is more than 10 years old, consider getting them replaced. New appliances feature new technology that not only uses significantly less water, but also does a better job at cleaning your clothes and dishes. Just switching to a new model dishwasher can save you as much as 25 gallons of water per load.

A new report from the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene has found that one appliance at home designed to keep things clean could actually be making us sick. With a movement to only use cold water when doing laundry, we haven't changed the way we sort and wash clothes. The study found high levels of bacteria in washing machines and clothes since the cold water does little to eradicate the illness-causing germs. Bacterial like E. coli and staph were found in 83 percent of the laundered samples. The researchers suggest sorting clothes by usage, not color, and said everyday items like clothing can be washed in cold water. But items like undergarments and bedding should be separated and washed in hot water to eradicate germs.

Fall weather usually means deciduous trees shedding leaves. It's a chore to rake them up, but it's a chore you may want to avoid doing altogether. The National Wildlife Federation says many butterfly and moth species (along with a host of other beneficial insects) hibernate as pupae in leaf piles. If these leaf piles are raked up and taken away, it also means you're ridding your yard of butterflies come spring. And just like in the circle of life, many birds depend on insects in leaf piles to feed their babies. If you can, leave the leaf piles to give Mother Nature a helping hand.