ArcaMax

Ever see those woolen laundry dryer balls and wonder if they actually work? Turns out, not only do they speed up the drying time, but they have a whole host of other benefits. Depending on what you’re drying, using dryer balls can decrease drying time by as much as 50%. They fluff fabric as it’s being tangled and help lessen wet spots, ...Read more

Leaving your home for several weeks or months means you should take steps to reduce waste while you’re away. This is a good time to unplug energy hogs like refrigerators and freezers; just be sure they are empty, and leave the doors open so they dry out completely. Turn off the main water supply; it may not save you money, but it’ll give you...Read more

A dual-flush toilet is a great way to save water at home, because it lets you decide if you need a full or partial flush. But if you have a perfectly fine single-flush toilet, how can you save water? You can convert your toilet into a dual-flush simply by switching out the toilet flapper. For less than $10, you can add an adjustable flapper that...Read more

When it comes to buying eco-friendly wines at our local shop, many of us look for organic or biodynamic varietals. But you also should consider geography when it comes to picking the perfect vino. Just like produce, purchasing domestically grown/made wine is far better than buying varietals from faraway places like South Africa, France and ...Read more

Cold winter weather is around the corner for many of us, which means warm coats become part of our everyday wardrobe. Start by cleaning your coat at the onset of the winter season, either by laundering it at home or taking it to a professional. Remove stains on the outside by dabbing with a damp towel. And be sure to hang your coat in a well-...Read more

Laundry detergent sheets are all the rage now, replacing heavy plastic jugs as an eco-friendly way to add detergent to your washing machine. Since the soap is activated in water, it’s imperative to make sure the stack of sheets does not get wet or even come in contact with trace amounts of water. Remove the sheets from the existing paperboard ...Read more

This is a staggering statistic: Two billion disposable plastic razors are thrown away in the United States alone every single year. There are steps you can take to cut back on this waste and save some money, too. First, always dry your razor after use, since residual water on the blades can rust them and make them dull. Or, better yet, invest in...Read more

Yes, your canvas reusable shopping bags need to be washed on a regular basis, but the good news is, it’s easy. Just wash them in the washing machine in cold water with detergent. When the bags come out of the machine, they're likely to be very wrinkled and crumpled up, but don’t worry. Just unfold them (tug to get the wrinkles out) so they'...Read more

Here’s a “Do Just One Thing” Hall of Fame tip. There are many unusual and clever tricks to keep squirrels from raiding the bird feeder in your backyard. But one simple item really works: red pepper flakes. Rodents like squirrels hate the spicy, sharp taste of red paper flakes and quickly learn to avoid stealing the seeds. Our feathered ...Read more

Here’s a simple way to save water: Stop pre-rinsing your dishes and cups before you put them in the dishwasher. Modern dishwashers are designed to be as energy- and water-efficient as possible, so they are a much greener option than washing by hand. And the dishwashing tablets we use today are also far more effective than detergents from the ...Read more

Adding mulch is a great way to lock in moisture and block sunlight so weeds don’t overtake your garden, but avoid over-mulching. If the mulch is too deep, it can create too sterile of an ecosystem that is normally fed by things like fallen leaves and other debris. Plus, birds often look for food like insects in the soil, and too much mulch can...Read more

It may seem odd as trees and shrubs lose their leaves, but fall is the ideal time to start planning for spring. While plants lose their vibrancy, the root systems actually are quite active underground. The National Wildlife Federation says fall is a great time to plant new trees and bushes (which are also usually steeply discounted at gardening ...Read more

Single-use plastics are a growing concern when it comes to pre-sliced cheese sold in supermarkets. To cut down on your plastic usage, try buying your cheese from the deli counter instead of from the refrigerated dairy section. You can get cheese cut from blocks and wrapped in wax paper to take home. At home, separate the cheese into smaller ...Read more

Yes, hardcover books are recyclable in most curbside recycling programs, but you have to do one thing before you discard them. Since books are made from 100% paper, all of the inside pages are easily recyclable, but the hardcover binding needs to be removed before you recycle them. Just tear the covers off and toss those into the trash before ...Read more

Every time you deposit a load of freshly washed clothing into the dryer, make it a habit to empty the lint trap. This one simple act actually improves the efficiency of your dryer by .5%. While this may not seem like a lot, it does help you save a little money and time. A clean lint trap means it takes less time to get your clothes dry. And it ...Read more

When you slice open an avocado, don’t toss the skin into the trash or compost just yet. Turns out the skin (which still has residual fruit) is rich in natural oils and is a fantastic beauty treatment for your skin. Just rub and massage the remnant avocado fruit and oils onto your face. The vitamin E and potassium help nourish dry skin. Even ...Read more

When a refrigerator stops cooling, you may automatically think it means you have to invest in a brand-new appliance. But before you take that pricey plunge, check a few things inside your refrigerator. First, is the gasket around the door of the fridge sealing properly? If cold air is leaking out, your appliance has to work harder. Is the ...Read more

If you’re planning to take a family vacation or travel with a group of friends, is it better to hop in a car and drive to your destination or go on a plane? It depends on how big your group is. According to carbon-offset company Terrapass, if your group is three or more people, driving is the most eco-friendly way to do it. It’s even greener...Read more

Do you have a lot of trophies, plaques and medals collected over the years? Parents who have children who compete in sports often have a plethora of them and aren’t sure what to do with them when they are no longer appreciated. You can recycle them. AwardsMall.com has a trophy recycling service that retrofits donated trophies and rebuilds them...Read more

We all know that planting a tree is a simple act to help combat climate change. But not all trees have the same impact. Choosing a “broadleaved species” tree is the most efficient way to go, because the large leaves generate more photosynthesis. Species like oaks, beeches and maples are all good examples of this. The best time to plant trees...Read more