While composting organic matter is the best thing to do with food waste, sometimes you end up putting some food down the drain. For your garbage disposal to work properly, never run hot water with the disposal. Hot water can liquefy fats, and when those liquefied fats hit cold water later, they begin to congeal and can clog the drains. To deodorize and disinfect, avoid bleach. Instead, use all-natural borax powder, which neutralizes mold and mildew on contact.

Even though the holiday season is over, that doesn't mean you can't celebrate a greener, better year. When you were putting away your string lights, did you notice they've burnt out or have stopped working? Thanks to Christmas Light Source, you can recycle them and raise money for charity. The retailer works with a recycler, which splits the lights into recyclable copper, plastic and other metals and pays a small fee for the recyclables. Christmas Light Source then donates the proceeds to help local charities in Dallas. Learn more at Christmas-light-source.com.

Some of the hardest places to clean in the kitchen are cabinets and vents above the stove. Over time, grease can build up and create a sticky and stubborn mess that seems impossible to clean. Instead of reaching for harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive scrubbers, use this double-duty item: dish soap. Liquid dish soap is designed to cut through grease, so using it to clean these tough areas can do the job.