ArcaMax

Did you know more than 12 million tons of furniture is thrown out every year, and almost all of it ends up in landfills? Among the biggest items are sofas; there are things you can do to make sure your own sofa lasts (almost) a lifetime. First, keep your sofa away from the sun's rays, which can fade fabrics (also known as "sun-bleaching"). ...Read more

Washing your clothes in cold water does more than save energy and money on your utility bill: It also preserves your clothes. The fibers of your clothing last longer when they're washed in cold water; they actually deteriorate when washed in hot water. The only time you really need to wash in hot water is if you need to remove stubborn stains ...Read more

If you're lucky enough to fly somewhere and have the option of a meal on the plane as part of your travel, you can take steps to reduce food waste. If you get an upgrade to a premium class and you plan on sleeping during the flight, go to the airline's website to opt for "no food" so no meal will be prepared for you. This will help reduce food ...Read more

While many of us always ask for nonsmoking hotel rooms away from the elevators, have you thought about asking for a room far away from the hotel pool? Hotel rooms right above indoor and outdoor pools may sound convenient, but in reality these are the unhealthiest rooms in a hotel. On hot days, the pool's water evaporates and turns into chlorine ...Read more

Since marijuana is legal in many parts of the country, dog owners need to watch out for the butts from tossed joints, which can end up being accidentally consumed by your dog. THC poisoning is becoming more common for dogs, and they can become seriously sick. If you suspect your dog consumed some weed, be prepared to take them to the vet if they...Read more

The phrase "don't let the bedbugs bite" is reality for many people. One way to help curtail the risk of bedbugs at home is to add mattress cleaning to your monthly checklist of household tasks. To clean your bed, simply strip it to the bare mattress and generously sprinkle baking powder and kosher salt on top. The baking powder will deodorize ...Read more

Ginger root is fast becoming a kitchen staple for its healthy digestive properties, and it's a delicious addition in all types of cooking. If you find yourself with a leftover chunk of ginger root, don't toss it in the trash; instead, grow a ginger plant from it. Fill a small pot with organic potting mix and place the ginger root in the soil, ...Read more

Since most of us don't travel with a water testing kit, there are signs you can look for that will tell you if the H20 from the tap is more like H2-NO. The obvious one is odor. A rotten egg or sulfuric smell can mean there's bacteria in the water. Metallic-tasting water can mean there are metals present, such as mercury, copper, lead and even ...Read more

Those little stickers you find on the outside of bananas, apples, avocadoes and other produce are both a nuisance and a marvel. They help keep the massive supply chain of perishable foods in check, but they can be a pain. Unfortunately, the stickers are not compostable or biodegradable. They are considered the worst offender in contaminating ...Read more

Many of us have a junk drawer full of old USB flash drives that we're not sure what to do with. They are reusable, so you can wipe them clean and use them at home or to share files with others. But if you have a lot, you can recycle them and do something good, too. The website RecycleUSB.com accepts working USB flash drives and erases them, then...Read more

One way to help extend the life of food is to freeze perishables and leftovers so they can be defrosted later to be enjoyed. But how do you know if your freezer is actually cold enough to preserve food? Do the ice cream test: If a container of ice cream is soft when you take it out of the freezer, your freezer is too warm. Turn down the ...Read more

Traditional kitchen sponges are notorious for not lasting very long; they're also made from nonrenewable resources like plastic and other synthetic materials. They aren't recyclable, and over time, as they are used to wash dishes, they break down and shed microplastics into the water. When choosing kitchen cleaning aids, opt for greener ...Read more

Another item to always buy organic: raisins. Up to 26 pesticides have been found in independent studies on conventional grapes. Fresh grapes are often plucked and dried to make raisins, but it's up for debate how well-washed the grapes are before drying. And since grapes are thin-skinned, whatever is sprayed on them is often absorbed into the ...Read more

Another reason to avoid artificial fragrances: They can confuse bees. Bees are vital to the natural world for the important work they do to pollinate flowers. They are naturally attracted to the sweet scent from flowers, but they are also attracted to artificial scents found in body washes, perfumes, shampoo, air fresheners and scented candles. ...Read more

Do you enjoy oysters when you dine out? Take the shells home with you to give your garden a nutritional boost. Oyster shells are made from calcium carbonate, which is the same material found in chalk. It's incredibly high in calcium, and plants love it. You can mix the shells into the soil whole or crush them up and rake into your garden. The ...Read more

If you apply sunscreen from a spray can, you might wonder if the bottle itself is recyclable when it's empty. Good news: It is, and it's easy. Spray sunscreen bottles are made from aluminum, which is a desired recyclable that is accepted by nearly every recycling program in the country. Just make sure the bottle is empty and remove the nozzle ...Read more

Reusable shopping bags are better for the environment, but how many times do you need to use them before there are any environmental benefits from not using single-use plastic bags? According to the United Nations Environmental Programme 2020 study, bags must be used at least five to 20 times before there are eco savings. It all depends on the ...Read more

If you use disposable coffee filters to make your morning cup of Joe, two things in the supermarket aisle can help you make the greenest choice. First, choose undyed brown filters over white ones, which are bleached using chlorine or other chemical methods. Second, look for filters made with bamboo fiber. They have the feel and function of paper...Read more

What's the greenest trash bag? One made from biodegradable materials like potato or corn starch, or one made from recycled plastic, which does not biodegrade? Go for the recycled one. While biodegradable trash bags may sound like the greenest choice, the reality is, they don't degrade in landfills. Modern landfills are designed to be airtight, ...Read more

Resealing a macadam driveway is a smart way to protect a pricey investment. But be sure to ask your resealer to use only coal tar-free sealants when working on your driveway. Coal tar is a common ingredient found in many asphalt seal coating products; it's also a suspected carcinogen linked to cancer. DIYers will be glad to know that stores like...Read more