Is your tea kettle in need of a good cleaning to remove mineral deposits inside? It's important to not use harsh products like bleach or chemical cleaners, since you'll be sipping tea using water you've boiled in the pot. Instead, fill the tea kettle with citrus peels from lemons, limes and oranges. The natural citric acid helps break down the mineral deposits. To do this, just fill your kettle with peels and water and bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and let the citrus mixture sit for an hour to work its magic.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

According to This Old House magazine, charcoal from the backyard grill can have myriad detoxifying uses around the house. When arranging flowers, place a few briquettes in the bottom of the vase to help keep the water fresh and clean. If you have smelly kitchen cabinets, place a piece in the back of the cabinet so it can absorb both odors and excess moisture, to help keep the area smelling fresh. And lay a few pieces on top of a household orchid plant to help it thrive; the flowers love the alkalinity from the charcoal.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you have a brown thumb when it comes to plants, you might be thinking that an artificial houseplant is a better alternative than none, right? The reality is, even though fake plants are looking more and more real, they come with their own issues. In addition to being dust magnets that can contribute to poor indoor air quality, they also are made using materials that aren't biodegradable, in the factories of companies that don't look out for the health of their workers. Instead of fake, try low-maintenance varieties like succulents and cacti.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION