ArcaMax

You probably have a box of old baking soda in your refrigerator that needs to be replaced, but don’t toss it -- you can use it to help clean around the house. Add 1/4 cup of baking soda to your empty coffeepot and fill the rest with cool water, dissolving the mixture, then run it through your coffee maker. The baking soda mixture will help ...Read more

If you live in a climate that has freezing cold winter days, one of the biggest challenges for wildlife is to find fresh water to drink. You can help give birds and other animals a drink of water by investing in a solar-powered fountain that has a feature called a “water wiggler.” This prevents ice from forming and keeps the fresh water ...Read more

Did you stock up on too much hand sanitizer during COVID lockdown? The good news is there are myriad uses for it other than keeping your hands germ-free. One of the most ingenious is deodorizing smelly feet by simply rubbing a small amount of sanitizer on the soles; the alcohol kills the odor-causing bacteria. You can also clean digital devices ...Read more

For many of us, the idea of leftover wine seems like an oxymoron, but if you do have a little extra vino from a party, you can use it to help your plants. The nitrogen content in wine is beneficial for plants, gardens and compost bins. Just pour the wine directly into a compost bin or dilute it with water if you are feeding it to plants to give ...Read more

There are a number of creative uses for used coffee grounds, but did you know you can also use them on your dog? Fleas detest coffee, so instead of using a harsh chemical flea shampoo or spray on your beloved pet, just gather some used grounds to keep the fleas at bay. The next time you give your dog a bath, massage a handful of grounds into the...Read more

If you love to craft with kids, it’s important to stock up on supplies that are free of harsh chemicals. Many products like ink pads, markers and craft paints can contain asthma-triggering chemicals or have high levels of volatile organic compounds. The basic rule of thumb is, if the product has a smell, it’s likely chemical-based. How do ...Read more

Oranges have one of the largest carbon footprints of all fruits and vegetables, but it depends on where they come from. The majority of oranges come from Brazil, which means they are transported from far away to the United States. If you purchase domestically grown citrus from California or Florida, the footprint is much lower. Growing, ...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

Did you know that most yoga and stretching mats are made from hard-to-recycle PVC material? They can off-gas chemicals, and they don’t degrade in landfills. Instead of plastic mats, look for greener alternatives like cork, which comes from a fully renewable resource and offers more grip to help you achieve the perfect pose. There are also ...Read more

It’s not always necessary to send your wool and cashmere sweaters to the dry cleaner to get them clean. If the reason for cleaning is odor, just spraying the sweater with vodka can help neutralize the odor-causing bacteria and freshen your clothes right up. If they’re in need of a wash, the delicate or slow cycle on your washing machine is ...Read more

While most public tap water is safe to drink, it’s always a good idea to be aware of certain red flags before you take a sip. One of the easiest ways to assess your water's safety is to use your sense of smell. If water smells musty, metallic, fishy or like rotten eggs, that could indicate the presence of bacteria, organic matter or high ...Read more

Cash is always the most appreciated donation if you want to support a local food pantry, but so are things that are considered “nonessential.” Donate cake mixes, frosting, candles and a cake pan so families in need can celebrate a holiday or birthday. You can give cookie mixes and brownie mixes, too. And consider spices to help bring flavor ...Read more

If you shop online, opt for ground shipping instead of overnight. Yes, it’s cheaper, but it’s also better for the environment because it minimizes air shipping, which uses more fuel and has a higher carbon footprint than ground transport. Even better, if you work in an office, have your items shipped there. There's a very high likelihood ...Read more

Gift experiences instead of physical items. We waste about $9 billion every holiday season on gifts that are returned or thrown away. Focus on experiences like day trips or meals in restaurants, or cover the cost of digital services they already use like Netflix, Spotify or online workout classes. And forget gift cards: Nearly $23 billion in ...Read more

If you must wrap a present, use uncoated and unadorned paper to make your present look nice. Gift wrap that has flecks of shimmer and shine from foil and glitter is nearly impossible to recycle. And shiny gift wrap in general often can be rejected as undesirable by recyclers. Instead, use brown kraft paper and tie it up with natural twine and ...Read more

Plant-based meat alternatives are all the rage now, and they can be found as vegetarian and vegan options at popular fast-food restaurants. You might wonder if these protein alternatives also are better for the environment; the Good Food Institute studied just that, and they say that, yes, these meat alternatives are more eco-friendly. Just on ...Read more

LED lightbulbs are supposed to last for years, if not decades; so why do so many burn out quickly? Other than poor manufacturing, the most common reason is that the lightbulb has been paired with an incompatible dimming switch. LED bulbs aren’t designed to be dimmable; while they may change their light output when used with a dimmer, the ...Read more

The electronics retailer Best Buy has made it a mission to collection as much e-waste as possible for recycling -- so much so, Best Buy has recycled nearly 3 billion pounds of personal electronics and appliances. The program is free, and hard-to-recycle items like printers, webcams, modems, speakers, fans, vacuums, DVD players and more can be ...Read more

It’s not just bottled water that’s part of the single-use plastic problem; it’s cleaning products, too. It’s estimated nearly 2.5 billion plastic bottles that once held laundry detergent, dishwashing soap and surface cleaners end up in landfills ever year. Even though they're recyclable, the percentage that actually gets recycled is low....Read more

Even though they look like paperboard, ice cream containers are not commonly recycled. They are composed of layers of plastic and paperboard, and it’s nearly impossible for recyclers to separate the materials for recycling, so it’s best to reuse them or put them in the trash. If you have a green thumb, you can reuse ice cream pints as ...Read more