When it comes to choosing a paint for your walls, don’t be fooled into thinking “low-VOC” paints are good for you or the environment. The reality is all paints are technically “low” in volatile organic compounds (the chemicals and odors in paint), so you really want brands marketed as “zero-VOC” as the cleanest option. And remember: These paints are only free of VOCs before they are tinted. Generally, the darker the color, the more VOCs it contains.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Here's something you probably didn't know you could compost: pencil shavings. The thin wood shavings with residual graphite (pencils today are lead-free) are perfectly fine to toss into the compost bin. Mix them with all sorts of degrading organic matter, and they'll break down into beneficial mulch for your garden in no time. You can even sharpen pencils over houseplants and just rake the shavings right into the soil.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

On average, we spend up to one-third of our lives in bed, so it makes sense to make the bedroom as clean and green as possible. The easiest switch is with bedding. When shopping in the store, you may see bedding with promises of being wrinkle-free. But these sheets are coated with chemicals that contain formaldehyde, a known cancer-causing carcinogen. Instead, look for all-natural bedding made from cotton, linen and other natural fibers. And if you can, go organic.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION