ArcaMax

Freezing perishables and leftovers is a great way to extend the life of food, but only if your freezer is cold enough. To check, try the ice cream test: If your ice cream is soft or scoopable straight from the freezer, the temperature is likely too warm. Lower the temperature until the ice cream is firm, and you'll know your freezer is operating...Read more

If you're lucky enough to fly somewhere and have a meal included with your ticket, there are simple ways to reduce food waste. If you've been upgraded to a premium class and plan to sleep through the flight, check your airline's website to see if you can select a "no meal" option. Since prepared meals generally can't be reused once the flight ...Read more

Did you know more than 12 million tons of furniture is thrown away every year, with much of it ending up in landfills? Sofas are among the biggest items in that waste stream, but there are simple ways to help yours last for years, or even a lifetime. Keep your sofa out of direct sunlight, which can fade and "sun-bleach" fabrics. Rotate cushions ...Read more

Keeping your jeans in rotation for just one extra year instead of replacing them can have a significant environmental impact. That simple choice can save enough energy and carbon emissions to equal the electricity used to charge a smartphone every day for 10 years. Producing new denim requires substantial resources, from growing cotton to ...Read more

If you drive an electric car, avoid making a habit of charging the battery to 100% or letting it drop close to empty. For everyday driving, keep the battery around 20% to 80% to help reduce long-term wear; save a 100% charge for longer trips when you need the extra range. Likewise, try to recharge before the battery regularly falls below 20%, ...Read more

Don't leave freshly washed dishes sitting overnight in a tightly closed dishwasher. The trapped heat and moisture can create a damp environment that encourages bacteria, mold and mildew, while also leaving dishes with musty odors and water spots. Instead, crack the dishwasher door open an inch or two before bed to let steam escape and allow ...Read more

Most dentists agree you should brush your teeth for about two full minutes to get your pearly whites perfectly clean. But if you're a multitasker who brushes your teeth in the shower, you should reconsider that morning ritual. The reason? You're standing in the shower for two full minutes, wasting water while brushing your teeth. That's a waste ...Read more

If you're looking for a highly effective and nontoxic way to control an ant infestation in your home, look no further than all-natural diatomaceous earth. It's a powder that acts like silica, but it is made entirely from fossilized marine phytoplankton. It's perfectly harmless to humans and animals, but it's deadly to insects with an exoskeleton...Read more

Ever open a bottle of vitamins or medicine and wonder why there's a giant glob of cotton stuffed in there? It's there for a specific reason: to protect the pills from breaking so you can get pristine pills in their intended form. But that sterile cotton isn't actually cotton at all; it's finely spun rayon or polyester. That's because natural ...Read more