Witch hazel is a natural astringent made from distilled flowers from an indigenous shrub native to North America. Many people use it to help treat acne-prone and inflamed skin, since it has wonderful anti-inflammatory benefits. But witch hazel is also naturally antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal. By pouring witch hazel into a small spray bottle, you can harness those benefits to create an instant one-ingredient shoe deodorizing spray. Just spray inside your shoes to disinfect and deodorize them naturally.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Do you buy fresh eggs from your local farmers market? They are usually the freshest, often laid just a day or two before they're sold. (Conventional eggs at the supermarket are often up to eight weeks old before they reach consumers.) But consider this when storing farm-fresh eggs: Mother Earth News suggests not washing them; fresh eggs have a "protective bloom on the surface of their shells that keeps out air and bacteria." Washing eggs removes that bloom and can shorten the shelf life of your eggs.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Buying vintage and antique furniture is a great way to be sustainable and find stylish pieces for your home. But when considering very old furniture that's painted, be wary that it's possible the item was painted with lead paint. There are kits you can buy from the hardware store that immediately tell you if the paint contains lead, which is one way to make sure. The other solution is to brush a clear varnish on top of the piece to seal in the harmful paint.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION