ArcaMax

Many of us use a hard plastic water pitcher that has a replaceable water filter attachment. These are useful to help transform your tap water into cleaner drinking water, but there are steps you should take to maintain it for long-term use. First, never scrub the pitcher with a tough scouring sponge; the scratched areas can create a breeding ...Read more

Have you read the latest statistic that says humans may have enough microplastics in our bodies to equal that of a small spoon? It’s shocking, and it proves that plastics are everywhere. If you want to do one simple thing to significantly cut down on your consumption of microplastics, do this: Quit drinking from single-use plastic bottles. A ...Read more

What's one simple thing you can do to help your refrigerator work as efficiently as possible? Cover your food. When your leftovers or pitchers of water are inside your fridge, they release moisture, and that moisture forces the compressor in your fridge to work harder to keep everything else inside cool. Use food storage containers with lids or ...Read more

If you’re thinking of adopting a dog and really want to make sure you choose one that’s the best “climate friendly” breed, just look at their coat. Dogs with thick, heavy coats (think Siberian huskies) and those that have difficulty breathing with their short noses (like a French bulldog) do not do well in hot climates. Those with short ...Read more

If you’re fastidious about mowing your lawn, this tip might be challenging, but try it anyway: Let the last few weeks of the mowing season pass without that chore. Grasses, wildflowers and even weeds that grow wild produce seed heads, which are essential food for birds in the fall and winter months. When birds are making their annual ...Read more

It’s common knowledge that houseplants can help clean your indoor air. But did you know they can also “signal” for help? Aloe is an easy-care plant that can help purify the air inside your home, and it’s a powerhouse: It absorbs formaldehyde, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. However, when the toxicity of the air in your home is ...Read more

Modern-day paper shredders do an excellent job of finely cutting, dicing and obliterating important documents so they are impossible to piece back together. While these shredders are great for protecting your privacy, they are terrible for the environment. When paper is cut into small pieces, the fiber sizes are reduced to the point of being non...Read more

Are you a tea drinker? Your used tea leaves can give your plants a boost, too. Rip open tea bags and mix the leaves into potted and outdoor plants. They have nutrition like nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Plus, they help aerate the soil, improve the pH balance and can even deter pests like slugs and snails from eating away at your plants.

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When it’s prom season in your community, you might remember some gowns, shoes and tuxedos that are stashed in your home. There are a lot of nonprofits that collect these items and distribute them to teenagers who otherwise could not afford them; search online to find them. You could also sell them online on sites like Poshmark for a reasonable...Read more