Is your closet full of neckties that you no longer wear? As our workplace attire becomes more casual, neckties can do more than gather dust. The organization Prairie Moon Quilts wants your old ties. It upcycles the ties and uses the silky fabric to make beautiful color-blocked quilts. When the handmade blankets are finished, the organization donates them to charity. You’ll even be acknowledged as of tie donor when the quilt is donated! You can donate your old neckties by visiting prairiemoonquilts.com.

A green and money-saving way to furnish your home is to look for secondhand furniture at thrift stores, flea markets and through online sites like Craigslist. But since you don’t know where or how the furniture was stored, you should consider giving it a thorough cleaning before bringing it into your home. For wood furniture, pour 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 cup ammonia and a gallon of warm water into a bucket. This mixture will remove grime and dirt and completely disinfect the piece of furniture. Just use a damp towel with the mixture and wipe thoroughly. It’ll clean and disinfect, and it won’t damage the finish of the wood.

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.