When shopping for pet toys, there are no added health benefits when choosing organic vs. conventional cotton toys. But there is comfort in knowing that no harmful herbicides, fertilizers or pesticides were used to grow the cotton when you do choose organic. One thing to avoid is toys made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can be harmful to pets if they tear apart the toys and accidentally ingest small pieces. Look for natural rubber or recycled plastic "indestructible" toys.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

While not printing anything is the greenest option, there are times when you absolutely must print documents. So what can you do to save paper and ink when you have to print? Try decreasing the margin size to 0.75 inch instead of using the default mode, which is typically 1 inch. You can also select “draft mode” in your print options, which reduces the amount of ink used. And choosing ink-efficient fonts like Century Gothic, Times New Roman and Calibri can help extend the life of your printer cartridges.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

What’s the best time of year to paint walls inside a home? You should schedule your home improvement project for the months when it’s mostly dry outdoors, which is in spring and fall. Eco-friendly or low-VOC paints still have odor, so it’s a good idea to keep windows open to allow for proper airflow and ventilation. Even the “greenest” of paints can benefit from ventilation, as it helps them to dry quickly and evenly. A total of two to three days is suggested to keep windows open after painting, so be sure yours are screened to prevent wild animals and insects from getting inside your home.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION