ArcaMax

Before reaching for bleach, let the sun do the work. Hang damp or musty towels loosely on a clothesline or drying rack in direct sunlight for 1 to 2 hours, flipping them halfway through so both sides get equal UV exposure. The sun's ultraviolet rays help kill odor-causing bacteria and mold spores, while fresh air naturally eliminates lingering ...Read more

There's a viral TikTok trend that suggests mixing uncooked oats with leftover cooking grease to create a "nutritious" treat for birds as an alternative to throwing the grease away. While the intention may be good, wildlife experts say it's a bad idea. According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, cooled cooking fats can smear onto ...Read more

Sure, it's great to upgrade your heating and cooling systems at home to be kind to the environment and reduce your utility bills, but did you know those investments can improve the resale value of your home, too? According to the trade magazine Remodeling, for every $1 in annual energy savings your improvements provide, you gain up to $20 in ...Read more

If you love burning candles at home, it's common knowledge that paraffin wax alternatives like soy wax will burn cleaner and release fewer pollutants into the air. But when shopping for soy wax candles, buyer beware: If a candle is simply marked "soy wax" or "soy blend," there's no guarantee that it's 100% soy. In fact, only 51% of the candle ...Read more

You can make your home feel significantly cooler even if you don't have air conditioning. Keep blinds and blackout curtains closed during the hottest part of the day to block heat, then create a cross-breeze by placing a fan in one window facing outward while opening a window across the room to pull in cooler air. Set ceiling fans to spin ...Read more

When ordering floral arrangements, there are some simple steps you can take to lessen your carbon footprint. Since imported blooms are often flown thousands of miles or grown in energy-intensive heated greenhouses, look for flowers that naturally thrive in your region and season. In spring, opt for tulips, daffodils, snapdragons and lilacs. ...Read more

Sadly, it's not uncommon to see a landscaping sprinkler system running at full power during a rainstorm. However, it's not the mark of a wasteful homeowner; it's because the sprinkler system is on an automatic timer. To fix this problem (and save water and money), have a rain sensor added to your sprinkler system. The sensor determines whether ...Read more

Here are a few reasons from the animal kingdom to avoid setting off fireworks for special events. In addition to making companion animals like dogs anxious and causing panic attacks, they can affect other types of wildlife as well. Bees get disoriented by the loud noise of fireworks and can't make it back to their hives. This often causes them ...Read more

To help with cleanup and extend the life of your bakeware, consider silicone liners. Silicone bakeware and liners that go on top of existing metal bakeware are naturally nonstick, and they're safe -- they do not leach any harmful chemicals into your food when you use them. They are a breeze to clean, and they also allow you to bake, roast and ...Read more

A few simple habits can make your backyard barbecue more energy-efficient. Keep the grill lid closed whenever possible to trap heat inside -- every time you lift the lid, valuable heat escapes, causing your grill to burn more fuel. Maximize that heat by batch-cooking several items at once, reducing overall cooking time and fuel consumption. And ...Read more

Don't toss broken or outdated wired headphones in the trash. While they don't contain lithium-ion batteries like wireless earbuds (e.g. AirPods), they still include copper wiring and plastic components that can be recycled through specialized e-waste recycling programs. Major retailers like Best Buy and Staples accept wired headphones for free. ...Read more

Empty spray sunscreen cans are recyclable, but there's a hitch: Make sure it's truly empty so it can be recycled. Press the nozzle until all of the product and propellant have been released -- you should no longer hear any hissing or spraying sounds. Never puncture, crush or try to manually vent the can. Once it's empty, remove the plastic cap ...Read more

It may sound like a problem for "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," but if you do one thing to help our oceans, consider passing on eating caviar. Caviar varietals like beluga and wild-caught sturgeon are species that are often overfished. Caviar is a product of fish that can take many years to mature -- and when they do, their eggs are ...Read more

When possible, choose paper products that are made domestically. While recycled paper has benefits, paper manufactured closer to home often has a smaller carbon footprint because it avoids the emissions associated with long-distance shipping (where most recycled products are made in other countries). Domestic paper mills are also subject to ...Read more

Before buying something new, check a resale site first. Shopping secondhand helps extend the life of perfectly good products, reduces demand for new manufacturing and keeps usable items out of landfills. Just keep one thing in mind: The biggest environmental benefit comes when a pre-owned purchase replaces something you would have bought new, ...Read more

Here's how to have a green wedding. Skip paper waste by sending digital invitations and managing RSVPs online, or choose recycled or plantable seed-paper stationery if you prefer a printed touch. Rent reusable decor, linens, dishes and glassware instead of buying disposable items, and source local, in-season flowers -- or opt for potted plants ...Read more

Booking a morning flight can be a more climate-friendly choice. The reason comes down to contrails -- the streaks of condensation aircraft leave behind in the sky. During daylight hours, contrails can reflect some of the sun's energy back into space, helping to offset a portion of aviation's warming impact. At night, however, contrails act more ...Read more

If you enjoy sparkling water, an at-home carbonator is one of the most sustainable options available. By carbonating your tap water, you eliminate the need to manufacture, package and transport heavy bottles. Studies show that a home carbonation system can offset its environmental footprint after just a few dozen uses, making it a smart choice ...Read more

Before you hit record, consider whether a photo might tell the story just as well. Video-heavy social platforms require enormous amounts of data storage and streaming power, which translates into a significant carbon footprint. Short videos can be fun and engaging, but a single photo post uses far less data and energy to upload, store and view. ...Read more

When possible, pay with a digital wallet on your smartphone instead of relying on a physical credit card. Digital payment systems use hardware you already own, helping reduce the demand for the billions of plastic cards manufactured each year from PVC, metals and electronic components. As an added eco bonus, digital wallets often make it easier ...Read more