When you find vintage plates and other tableware at thrift stores or flea markets, there’s a simple step you can take to disinfect them and remove tough stains. The secret ingredient is hydrogen peroxide. But rather than drugstore peroxide that’s 3 percent strength, ask the pharmacist for -- 20 percent hydrogen peroxide for your plates. The stronger solution will remove stubborn stains and act like a bleaching agent, all without harsh chemicals. Just pour the hydrogen peroxide onto your plates, bowls or cups and wait a few minutes, then rinse and dry.

Modern-day game consoles like the Xbox and PlayStation 4 can do more than just play games. In fact, many of them can stream movies, TV shows and internet video through the console to your TV. While convenient, it is also a disaster when it comes to energy efficiency. Streaming this way makes the console eat up 30 times more energy in comparison to watching programming on your TV. Instead, opt for on demand shows and internet-ready devices for the convenience without the waste of electricity.

As technology allows us to work on the go, the idea of sitting at a desk with a desktop computer to work is slowly becoming obsolete. If you’re in the market for new technology, you might want to consider downsizing to smaller electronics. When you replace an energy-hogging desktop computer with a tablet, you reduce the energy usage by as much as 35 percent. And if you need a bit more computer speed and drive, even choosing a laptop over a desktop can be much more energy-efficient -- not to mention more portable!