Fresh flowers are a nice and easy way to keep your home cheery. But when the flowers begin to wilt, what do you do with them? Whether you grew them yourself or brought them in from the store, all flowers are fully compostable. But one thing isn’t: The water used in the vase. That little packet of flower feed that came with your store-bought flowers is actually a biocide that kills bacteria in water, and that chemical can kill the good bacteria in your compost. It’s best to pour that water mixture down the drain.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Buying organic and natural personal care products is the right step toward living a greener life, but it can also cost a little more. Before going to the store to stock up, check out sites like RetailMeNot.com, RedPlum.com and SundaySaver.com, all of which can help you find the best deals at national chain stores and offer coupons that can be redeemed at over 100,000 stores. Combine coupons with retail chains' customer loyalty programs and you can save big on your favorite eco brands.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Do you chew gum to help keep your breath fresh? You might want to think again. Almost all gums have something called a “gum base” that makes them chewy, and it turns out it’s a mix of plasticizers, fillers, resins and other unknown chemical substances. This also makes chewing gum non-biodegradable. To keep your breath fresh naturally, try this: Drink lots of water. Keeping yourself hydrated helps maintain saliva production, which keeps your mouth healthy and fresh because your saliva has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION