Do you want to prevent soap scum and hard water deposits from marking up your glass shower doors? There are chemical sprays that can create a siliconelike surface on them, which makes water bead and helps the doors dry more quickly. But you can also use an item from your pantry to get the same results: a potato. Simply cut a potato in half and rub it all over the inside of your shower door. The natural starch from the potato will act like an invisible barrier and help keep your shower doors clean.

Plastic binders can be very difficult to recycle because most curbside recycling programs don’t accept this unusual grade of plastic. Instead of tossing your heavy-duty binders in the trash, take them to Office Depot or OfficeMax for free recycling. The stores have partnered with TerraCycle to separate all the materials in the binders for recycling. And when you take in your old binder for recycling -- regardless of where you bought it -- the stores will give you $2 off the purchase of a new one.

Waterproofing fabric and material used for things like boots and tents may help keep them dry during inclement weather, but there are concerns the chemicals in waterproofing sprays can have serious health effects on one’s respiratory system. To avoid chemical sprays, try all-natural solutions like beeswax, linseed oil and jojoba oil. Wipe the wax or oil using a cloth to create a quick, water-resistant surface. The layer of protection may not be long-lasting, but it’ll do the trick when you need it for a rainy day or weekend camping trip.