When mineral deposits and stains build up in the toilet, it can be tempting to reach for caustic household bleach or chemical toilet bowl cleaners. But many cleaners are full of chemicals that not only create an unhealthy air environment in the bathroom, but can also pollute our waterways. Instead, before going to sleep, generously sprinkle baking soda all over the inside of the toilet. Throughout the night, the baking soda will eat away at the deposits and stains. In the morning, scrub and flush twice to reveal a sparkling-clean toilet.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

There have been stories circulating that single-use Styrofoam cups are actually better for the environment than paper cups because foam cups are recyclable. While technically this is true (the coating on paper cups makes them hard to recycle), this does not make foam cups better for the environment. Styrofoam is recyclable, but it's also hard to recycle, with very few facilities that can turn it into new plastic products. And at the end of the day, it's still a single-use product that could easily be replaced with a much kinder alternative: reusable containers.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you have some old tires in the garage, here's the good news: They are recyclable. And it's important to make sure your old tires go to the right place (and not the landfill). The easiest thing to do is to take them to a retailer who specializes in tire replacement; they are set up to properly dispose of old tires (there may be a small fee). Communities also have recycling drives throughout the year, so ask your municipality when the next one is. And remember: Never, ever try to dispose of them in a landfill. Tires are nonbiodegradable and flammable, making them a hazardous material to put into landfills.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION