Stinky carpets? CARPEt DIEM! Sprinkle carpets with a healthy does of baking soda, let sit for a few hours, then vacuum the smell away!

Santa Spotlight: water filters! A water filter pitcher or one on your tap is cheaper than plastic bottles and more eco-friendly!

Don’t be a square root - the best time to water your lawn is early morning or evening. In the heat of day, evaporation keeps water from reaching the roots.

I’m a leftist—brained, that is. ORDERLY. When trying to organize right-brains (ARTY), find creative solutions & use lots of color!

WD-40 removes crayon from walls and TV/computer screens. Now getting your elves to stop coloring on that stuff...yeah I got nothing.

Viva la vinegar! Soak your athlete's foot in 1 part vinegar and 5 parts water solution for 30 minutes per day. (Works for non-athlete's too.)

Enlist your elves when it's time to clean the playroom. Store toys in clear plastic bins, then store bins in cabinets or cubbies.

Does your wooden furniture have scratches and scrapes? Nuts to that! No, seriously. Rub a walnut over them and watch them disappear.

Replacing your air filters monthly keeps particulates out and cash in! Too much dirt in the filters can stress your HVAC...and your wallet!

It's called a junk drawer for a reason...dump the contents to see what's actually in there and toss what you don't need!

Healthy elves love healthy snacks. If you like popcorn, pop the kernels yourself in a plain brown paper bag. Less chemicals and less money!

Tweezers taking cover? Scissors secreted away? Post a small magnet inside your medicine cabinet and they’ll always be at your fingertips.

When washing your car (or sleigh), wash from top to bottom – it wastes less water when rinsing by letting gravity do its thing!

Healthy elves love tidy touch screens! Disinfecting tips: use a screen protector and wet cotton ball or swab (sparingly) with rubbing alcohol.

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! it’s…your ceiling? A super way to save space in tight bathrooms: hang a multilevel fruit basket for storage.

Clear clutter and save a stamp - see if your utility and service companies offer online and automated payment options!

Doing dishes? Pack tomorrow's lunch (leftovers yum!) and fill the coffeemaker.  You're already in the kitchen so save yourself a trip!

Special thanks to Linda Schweigart for this week’s Help Heidi Friday tip, which I hope won’t be critically panned.  Linda’s tip: when buying a non-stock pan, be sure it doesn’t have polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which releases toxic fumes above 500° F. Find an eco-friendly, PTFE-free version instead! Thanks, Linda!

Bring reusable, cloth bags to the supermarket. Cuts down on waste and your wallet - many markets give you a little discount!

Use just one cup and glass a day - it saves clutter on the kitchen counter, water for cleaning, and time! 

Sealing air leaks = sealing your wallet! Use caulk or foam to seal holes drilled into your home for pipes & cords.

Have TIVO or DVR & want to watch a show in real time? Record it & start watching 15 minutes into it - fast forward through commercials!

If you use a dishwasher, make a habit of presorting utensils AS you load it.  Saves time and makes unloading a snap! 

GLASS JARS as garage rockin’ storage? Nail or glue a glass jar lid to the underside of a work bench, fill jars with goodies, and do the twist!

Love Spider-Man, hate spiders. Clean cobwebs with a yardstick or broom handle covered with a tube sock. Works under stoves & fridges too!

BBQ tip! For ketchup and mustard stains, wet the spot with cold water, cover with foam shaving cream, let sit, then rinse.  It's condimentary!

I love the 4th of July but fireworks and elves don’t mix. Don’t let your elves play with fireworks and always keep a hose or bucket of water handy!

I love the Fourth of July but fireworks & four-legged friends don’t mix. Bring your cats and dogs inside, to a quiet room if possible. (Reindeer too.) 

I’m not a beach gal – again, elf here – but if you’ve spent too much time in the sun, freeze Aloe Vera in ice cube trays for sunburn-sicles. Ahh!

I’m not a beach gal – come on, I’m an elf – but if you dig the sun and sand, baby powder gets sand off your skin nice & easy! As for that sun….