ArcaMax

When shopping for a reusable water bottle, there's one material that stands out: stainless steel. Unlike hard plastic, which can scratch and harbor bacteria, or glass, which is fragile and breakable, stainless steel is durable, nonporous and easy to care for. Look for 18/8 stainless steel, a high-quality grade that resists corrosion and won't ...Read more

Before cold weather arrives, use a candle to check your windows for sneaky drafts. Slowly move the flame or smoke around the edges of the window frame. If the flame flickers or the smoke suddenly wavers, outdoor air may be finding its way inside. Seal small gaps with caulk or weatherstripping to keep warm air in and cold air out. According to ...Read more

Do you want your clothes to dry more quickly, and use less energy in the process? It might be time to shorten the dryer vent hose. That long, metal, accordionlike tube that connects from the wall to the dryer is often too long when it's installed in your laundry room. Simply shortening the hose so it still reaches the dryer can significantly ...Read more

When you get your fresh produce home, it's not a good idea to rinse it if you're not planning to eat it right away. Wet fruits and vegetables are more prone to bacterial buildup, and excess moisture can cause them to go bad more quickly. Instead, give your produce a good rinse in cold water when you are ready to use it. If you want to go one ...Read more

You might wonder: Why clean your coffee grinder, if the only thing you're using it for is coffee? Over time, the natural oils and leftover particles from whole coffee beans can turn the inside of your coffee grinder rancid and also affect its performance, so it's important to clean it. But soap and water are not the answer. Instead, take 1/4 cup...Read more

When you get a cut or scrape, it's imperative to keep it clean and protect it by using a bandage. But did you know the majority of bandages are made from plastic and are not biodegradable (and obviously not recyclable)? When shopping for bandages for your first-aid kit, consider alternatives like bamboo fiber, natural latex (actually tapped from...Read more

When shopping for clothes, skip virgin polyester whenever possible, along with other petroleum-based synthetics, such as acrylic and nylon. These fabrics are made from fossil fuels, don't readily biodegrade, and can shed tiny plastic microfibers into waterways when washed. Nylon production is also energy-intensive and can generate potent ...Read more

Buying secondhand clothing at thrift stores or consignment shops is easier on your wallet and can be up to 95 percent more energy-efficient than buying new, since it eliminates much of the energy required to produce, dye, manufacture and transport a new garment. For an even smarter secondhand strategy, when you find a pair of pants, jacket or ...Read more

Spare change that accidentally ends up in a load of laundry may seem harmless, but a few coins can cause surprisingly expensive damage. During the spin cycle, a washing machine's drum can reach hundreds of revolutions per minute, and loose coins can become lodged in the drain pump, filter or other moving parts. In some machines, a coin can even ...Read more

If you're registering for gifts for a major event like a wedding or a housewarming, consider registering at a landscaping center for plants. Large balled trees, flowering bushes and other landscaping plants can be expensive. But over time, they'll mature and add beauty to your yard and also help provide a habitat for wild animals. Plus, think of...Read more

Do you enjoy drinking hot green tea? Before you toss those used tea bags, give them a second life as an easy at-home spa treatment. Green tea is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, including EGCG, which have soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm irritated skin and leave it feeling softer and refreshed. After brewing your...Read more

If you've squeezed the last few drops of toothpaste out of the tube, grab some scissors and cut it open. You can use the residual paste inside to help with a myriad of household tasks. Stains on the carpet? Just rub the paste on top and scrub away with an old brush to help lift the stain and brighten the fibers. Watermarks or coffee stains on ...Read more

Don't let completed jigsaw puzzles collect dust in a closet. Instead, trade them with fellow puzzle lovers through the Jigsaw Puzzle Swap Exchange, an international community where members send puzzles to one another and receive a new one in return. The exchange has a library of more than 5,000 puzzles and has facilitated more than 13,000 swaps....Read more

Got a smelly fridge? Upcycle a squeezed lemon and place it cut-side-up on a small plate inside. The citric acid can help neutralize some odor-causing compounds, while the lemon's natural oils provide a fresh citrus scent. It won't replace cleaning up spills or spoiled food, but it's an easy, natural way to freshen things up. You can leave it ...Read more

If there are airlines or hotels you don't use often but have accumulated a small stash of frequent-flyer miles or hotel points, consider donating them to charity. Many airlines and hotel loyalty programs allow members to donate miles or points to nonprofit organizations, which can use them for flights, hotel stays and other travel needed for ...Read more

Windows are some of the biggest culprits in bird deaths. When birds fly, they don't always see a window; instead, they see the reflection of trees or the sky. This confusion can lead to birds thinking it's a clear path to fly, causing them to hit the window at high speed and mortally injure themselves. If you find a certain window is prone to ...Read more

Smoke alarms are essential, but when yours reaches the end of its roughly 10-year life, consider replacing it with a photoelectric model. Unlike ionization alarms, photoelectric alarms use a light sensor to detect smoke and contain none of the radioactive americium-241 found in older models. They're a cleaner choice that provides excellent ...Read more

If you give money to nonprofit organizations or charities, why not see if your financial donation can be doubled in just a few easy steps? Many corporations have little-known matching programs that match the money you give to charity. All you have to do is ask your human resources department if it has such a program. It usually works like this: ...Read more

Before freezing temperatures arrive, bring your garden hoses indoors for the winter. Leaving them outside can cause water trapped inside to freeze and expand, leading to cracks, splits and leaks. Disconnect your hoses, drain them completely and store them somewhere dry and protected, such as a garage or shed. A little effort now can help extend ...Read more

The automatic dishwasher is the most energy- and water-efficient way to clean dishes when you wash a full load. But did you know that pre-rinsing plates and utensils isn't just a waste of water -- it actually can harm your glassware? Modern dishwashers and dishwashing tablets are designed to work with soiled plates. The detergents are activated ...Read more