The next time you squeeze a lemon, don't toss the fruit away. You can use the residual juice to clean things around the house. The natural citric acid in lemon juice helps break down stains, and it disinfects, too. Rub cut lemons over laminate countertops to remove stubborn stains. Rub lemons and salt over cutting boards to scrub them clean and sanitize them. If you have clothing with rust stains, soak the stain with lemon juice and cream of tartar, then launder as usual. It should get the stubborn stain right out.

If you've got a stack of playing cards that are beat up or missing a few cards, you might be tempted to toss the whole deck into the recycling bin. But you shouldn't, and here's why: They aren't recyclable. Even though they feel like regular paper stock, playing cards are coated with a thin sheet of plastic to give them durability. This plastic makes them non-recyclable. Instead of contaminating a load of recyclables, throw them away in the trash, or upcycle them into a fun craft project.

While the most energy-efficient way to dry freshly laundered clothing is to line dry it, it's not the most practical for all of us -- especially as it gets colder. If you do use the dryer, one way to speed up the drying process is to throw in the towel -- literally. By adding a dry bath towel, excess moisture is absorbed from the wet clothes. This also helps freshen stale-smelling towels that may have been in the linen closet for too long. Also, be sure the lint trap is clean: A clogged trap isn't just a fire hazard, it also prevents air from circulating.