Scrub the tub Mix baking soda with water for an abrasive scrubbing paste, or substitute castile soap such as Dr. Bronner’s in place of water for extra power. To disinfect the bathroom, spray with hydrogen peroxide and rinse with water.

Claim the drain Pour baking soda in the drain, add 1 cup white vinegar, and watch the volcano, just like in grade school. Flush with hot water and repeat if necessary.

All hands on the pans Mix white vinegar with enough salt to form a paste, and watch the grease slip away. Add 1 tsp lemon juice for scent and extra power. More...

If you have a political sign in your yard, you're probably wondering what to do with it right about now. Depending on whether your signs are are plastic, metal, wood, or corrugated plastic commonly called coroplast, there may be a special collection pickup or drop off location near you. Contact StopWaste, or Contra Costa residents can call the recycling hotline (925-335-1225). Obama supporters can put materials up for free at ObamaCycle to be claimed by another user.

With coroplast signs, you can make bike panniers, fenders, or handlebar bags with these guides from Kent Peterson, formerly of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington in EcoMetro city Seattle. Novice DIYers can start with the handlebar bag, while the more adventurous ecomaniacs can tackle fenders. The step-by-step instructions for panniers (pictured at right) are especially easy to follow. Recyling election signs into bike gear lets you prepare for winter weather and continue to show your political opinions. More...

After the trick or treaters have retired and brushed their teeth, your neighborhood continues to be home to little vampires. Chargers, TVs, computers and other electronics on standby suck energy without a purpose, but at a cost. Good Magazine estimates that a plasma TV in active standby costs an average $160 per year. Use Halloween as a reminder to unplug electronics on this list and give copies to neighbors.

Next, we look forward to carving this CFL shaped pumpkin from Ready Made Magazine, an especially important reminder as upcoming Daylight Savings Time means earlier nightfall. Go ecomaniac and light your pumpkin with an LED. (Image: Flickr/oskay) More...

If you drive a diesel vehicle, consider using biodiesel. The Berkeley Biodiesel Collective holds a Biodiesel 101 monthly at the Ecology Center. The BioFuel Oasis is a women/worker-owned co-op that has gallons of information on their site biofueloasis.com. More...

Teach kids what local, nutritional food looks like by taking them to the farmers market! Then send them to school with an organic lunch packed in reusable containers, as well as a cloth napkin. A typical disposable lunch, with items like single-serve yogurt, Ziploc bags, and juice boxes, can create 1-2 lbs of garbage each week. See wastefreelunches.org for tips and lunchbox options. More...

Our state is known for the number of sunny days we enjoy, and now we’re also known for leading the way in solar power. The California Solar Initiative (CSI) has dedicated $2.1 billion in solar incentives for residential homes, making it easy and cost efficient for you to install solar panels. Still need convincing? See how much CO2 your home creates at carboncounter.org. If you think sunny days are wonderful now, imagine if the rays were also generating power for your home or heating your water. More...

Your airline miles may be your largest climate impact, so until biofuel-powered planes take flight, offset your miles at carboncounter.org. More...

Looking for a hiatus from consumerism? Join others in the region through the Compact, a network of individual groups committed to not buying new products of any kind for a 12-month period. More...

Make all your own cleaners — to get started buy spray bottles and salvage washable rags from old clothes instead of paper towels. The website eco-me.com sells a basic kit and provides recipes, or get a biodegradable cleaning kit from Pleasanton-based Shaklee Company. More...