ArcaMax

One of the reasons some people insist on using a plastic straw in their beverages is that it helps prevent drinks from staining their teeth. But dentists have debunked that myth: The liquid still enters the mouth and makes contact with the enamel of your teeth. The only way to avoid your teeth being stained by the liquids you drink would be to ...Read more

Got an old down feather comforter or pillow, and not sure what to do with it? Since old feather-filled home products can also harbor dust, mold, mildew and bacteria, it's best not to donate them to charity. Instead, dump the contents in your garden. Since feathers for these products are just washed (not chemically treated), they break down ...Read more

When shopping online, opt for the slowest possible shipping method to get your order. When you give an online retailer more time for shipping, it allows them to use more eco-friendly methods for getting your package to you. This means making sure the package is on a truck that is close to your home anyway and consolidating your orders in fewer ...Read more

When you’re doing laundry at home, you should always wash towels by themselves. When you wash towels with synthetic fabrics (like those that make up workout clothes), the towels will absorb all the water in the wash and make it tougher for your smelly clothes to get clean. And zippers, snaps and closures on clothes can snag on towels and cause...Read more

Sick houseplant? Make it a healthy cocktail. Try pouring a little carbonated water instead of regular tap water when watering unhealthy plants. The reason? The bubbly water has macronutrients, which include carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur and sodium. These are all vital nutrients that plants absorb quickly through water,...Read more

Imagine getting exercise and raising money for charity at the same time! That's exactly what you can do with the free app Charity Miles. When you download the app, you select a charity of your choice (like the World Wildlife Fund or Habitat for Humanity), and a corporate sponsor pledges money for every mile you run, walk, bike or otherwise work ...Read more

When storing leftovers in the refrigerator, it's imperative to cover the food to keep it fresh. But did you know covering your food also helps save energy? The compressor inside your refrigerator is what keeps the air inside cool. Moist air is harder to keep cool, so uncovered food, which emits moisture, causes the compressor to work harder, ...Read more

Ever rent or buy a home that was once inhabited by a cigarette smoker? Getting rid of that lingering smell can seem like a daunting task, but would you believe the most effective way to deodorize is with plants? Plants emit water vapor, which pulls in the stinky, contaminated air and turns it into plant food. The result is cleaner and happy ...Read more

If you use a water pitcher with a filter (Brita is a popular brand), be sure to refrigerate the water pitcher when it’s not in use. Leaving the pitcher on the countertop can lead to the growth of algae and other microbial growth in the water, and drinking room temperature water with this algae formation can lead to illness. Placing the pitcher...Read more

If you’re planning a move, one of the easiest and greenest ways to pack up your belongings is to use heavy-duty reusable crates. It’s common now with moving companies to offer these crates for rent. They’re much more durable than cardboard and help you skip the hassle of breaking down boxes after a move. And you can opt for using towels, ...Read more

Ever wonder what butylated hydroxyanisole or potassium bromate are when you see them listed on the side of grocery store items? They, along with dozens of other chemicals, are food additives that are designed to help boost flavor, retain color and texture, or extend the shelf life of products. If you want to learn about and avoid what the ...Read more

Those with backyard gardens often face a dilemma: what to do with a bumper crop of tomatoes. It may seem like summer fruit all ripens at the exact same time, but that doesn't mean you need to eat it right away or make a giant pot of time-consuming sauce. Instead, grate tomatoes on the largest side of a box grater and freeze the juicy, pulpy ...Read more

One of the easiest (and least toxic) methods for removing hard water stains from kitchen and bath fixtures is simply to use a lemon. The next time you cut a lemon to use in a recipe, save the squeezed halves and rub them all over faucets, handles and even the showerhead. The acid in lemons will break down the hard water and lime scale stains. ...Read more

It's time to stop buying tennis balls to play fetch with your dog. Turns out the fuzzy exterior isn't good for them or the environment: The soft coating is made of plastic, and when its threads are shed from the ball, they become microplastics that can end up in waterways and/or ingested by your dog. Plenty of alternatives are available, but ...Read more

They may seem small, but millions of plastic hotel keycards are made and tossed away every year. Hotels are slowly replacing the hard-to-recycle plastic with biodegradables and eco-resins, but until then, try two things. First, always return the keycard to the front desk to be reused. Second, if a hotel participates in a smartphone program, ...Read more

Your expired milk and stale bread and cereal may not taste good, but they are treats your garden will love. Dilute dairy milk with equal parts water and feed it to your plants. The calcium, vitamin D and protein work as a natural fertilizer. You can also pulverize old bread and low-sugar cereals in a blender or coffee grinder and rake the crumbs...Read more

It’s estimated a family of four can save up to $56 a week if they prevent food waste in the home. The trick is to create a list on your phone to help you shop smartly at the grocery store. Start by looking in your fridge, freezer and pantry to know what you already have. Then plan a week’s worth of meals and buy what you need for that. ...Read more

If you love to hike or camp in the great outdoors, healthy snacks like apples, bananas and oranges are easy to pack, and they have enough vitamins and natural sugar to fuel your day. When you get down to the core or peels of these items, it may seem harmless to chuck the biodegradable waste right into the woods. But the reality is, it's not that...Read more

One of the worst ways to waste gas when driving your car is to accelerate quickly when the light turns green. When you drive with a lead foot, all you really gain in time savings is a few seconds. Slowly accelerating to the desired speed saves gas, and you will get to your destination in just about the same amount of time. Also, if you do pass a...Read more

One way to take advantage of fresh produce is to make several casseroles that you can freeze and enjoy later in the year. Many food blogs and home cooks recommend investing in 8-by-8-inch glass Pyrex casserole dishes that have matching lids; these make it easy to bake, cool, cover and freeze meals all in one container. But if your budget is too ...Read more