When you’re peeling oranges, save the skins! Here’s an easy and bright-smelling DIY natural cleaner that uses just white vinegar and orange peels: Place orange peels inside a large glass jar, and fill it with white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for a few days so the natural oils from the citrus peels permeate into the vinegar. Strain and pour the liquid into a spray bottle. The white vinegar is a natural sanitizer and degreaser, and the citrus oil adds fragrance and boosts the cleaning power. Use it as an all-purpose cleaner all over the house.

A crisp shirt may be one reason to use spray starch when ironing your clothing, but it also can be a tasty treat for insects like silverfish. The reality is spray starch is a food source for pests; when you use spray starch on fabrics, it attracts bugs. Over time, these insects will nibble away at your clothes and leave tears, holes and damage. If you must use starch, keep your clothing in airtight containers -- or give it up altogether. Modern irons can freshen, remove wrinkles and give crisp lines using just water and heat.

When it comes to DIY or crafting, choosing the right nontoxic glue or adhesive is important. One ubiquitous glue -- rubber cement -- may be a childhood staple, but it should be avoided. Ingredients like acetone, heptane and trichloroethane found in rubber cement make it dangerous when it’s inhaled. The easy alternative is to use white craft glue or all-purpose glue sticks instead of rubber cement. You can even make your own totally nontoxic craft glue at home using pantry staples; just search online for the easy recipe.