ArcaMax

Tea lovers know that you should never store tea leaves in the spice cabinet. The reason? Strong spices like cinnamon actually can be absorbed into tea leaves, which can change their flavor profile. But because tea leaves are absorbent, they can also be used to deodorize around the house. Sprinkle dry tea leaves all over a rug or carpet and press...Read more

Mulch made from recycled rubber sounds eco-friendly, but it's not a good option for your garden. While this variety of mulch does make use of a waste product that's notoriously difficult to recycle -- tires -- the reality is that rubber does not biodegrade, and recycled rubber mulch slowly leaches chemicals into your soil. It's also highly ...Read more

When traveling, if your destination is less than 300 miles away, it's best to avoid short-haul flights and opt for a different mode of transportation. According to the World Wildlife Fund, short-haul flights are the least fuel-efficient way to travel. Choosing to drive or going by bus or train are the most eco-friendly ways when you don't have ...Read more

If you've ever found the smell of gas annoying while at the filling station, you're not wrong to be irritated: It's not only obnoxious, but it could be toxic. The fumes you smell are likely benzene and toluene fumes, which can lead to health problems. When pumping gas, the proper way to fill up is to insert the nozzle into your gas inlet and use...Read more

Some of us might avoid light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs when lighting our homes because we're afraid that the light will feel cold and clinical. But LED bulbs are highly energy-efficient, and finding the right bulbs can make all the difference in keeping your home warm and inviting. When shopping for LED bulbs, key words to search for are "warm ...Read more

It's no surprise that the least eco-friendly fabrics are the ones that are human-made. These include polyester, acrylic and rayon, because they are made from synthetic materials and can take hundreds of years to break down in landfill conditions. But the list of least-sustainable fabrics also includes a natural fiber: conventional cotton. The ...Read more

When it comes to saving electricity at home, appliances that involve water or keeping things cold account for nearly 25% of the average household's energy use. Choosing energy-efficient dishwashers and refrigerators is a good way to start, and opting for cold water whenever possible when washing clothes really adds up. If you're buying a ...Read more

While marble countertops may be beautiful and are considered a "natural" material, the environmental damage from mining marble should make it a no-go for your future kitchen. Most marble is mined far away in quarries in Europe and Africa, where explosives are used to extract it from the Earth. Huge amounts of energy and water are used to make ...Read more

Some flowers are more than just beautiful to look at -- they are also useful to help maintain the natural organic health of your garden. Plant lots of chrysanthemum flowers, which contain a natural chemical called pyrethin that is toxic to insects. These beautiful flowers are easy to grow and come in a wide variety of colors, so you can mix them...Read more

Almost all inflatable toys for the pool or beach -- balls, rafts and floaties -- have one thing in common: They are made from hard-to-recycle polyvinyl chloride, or PVC plastic. But if your old pool toys are punctured and won't inflate, that doesn't mean you have to toss them into the trash. Look for PVC repair adhesive at your sporting goods ...Read more

You only need to raid your kitchen pantry to create an easy all-natural insect repellent to keep your potted plants and freshly planted seedlings in the garden from being attacked by pests. Grab both cayenne pepper and garlic powder and sprinkle them around the plant and on top of the soil. These are perfectly harmless all-natural additives that...Read more

Think twice about buying something online that you're not quite sure is right for you. According to a story published by The Verge, 5 billion pounds of returned goods end up in U.S. landfills each year. The reason? Goods that get returned are often packaged incorrectly and get damaged during the return process, or retailers calculate it's ...Read more

Did you know that in vacation destinations like Fiji and the Caribbean, a lot of the money you spend while visiting doesn't support the local economy? It often ends up in the pockets of global corporations that run hotels, restaurants and entertainment areas. To support locals, consider dining at small restaurants, hiring guides who live at the ...Read more

Short-term homestays are very common now as an alternative to hotels when traveling. While there are many large companies that offer a wide variety of vacation rental properties, you can up your eco-friendly game by choosing one with sustainability in mind. The online platform Ecobnb.com lists vacation homes that meet criteria like being ...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, what do you do to save water? You can convert your toilet to a more efficient one by switching out the toilet flapper. For less than $10, you can add an adjustable flapper ...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 as well? According to the trade magazine Remodeling, every $1 in annual energy savings your improvements provide equals up to $20 in home ...Read more

Have some black T-shirts or jeans that have faded and could use a little re-dyeing? There's no need to reach for chemical dyes when there's an all-natural solution: coffee. Two cups of very strong, freshly brewed coffee can reinvigorate black garments. Pour the coffee right into the washing machine as the rinse cycle begins (be sure you only ...Read more

Many of us know not to flush old prescription and over-the-counter medications down the toilet, since pharmaceuticals can contaminate our water supply. But according to the Food and Drug Administration, you should also avoid disposing of old vitamins and herbal supplements this way, too. Instead, mix old vitamins with coffee grinds and use a ...Read more

Air filters are necessary components for almost all heating and cooling systems; they help improve the air quality in your home by capturing dirt, dust, bacteria and other debris. But traditional disposable filters (which are made from a polyester fiber) are not recyclable and need to be replaced often. If throwing out filters concerns you, ...Read more

When the sun's rays are at their peak, be sure to water your plants at the ground and not by spraying water all over their leaves. For one thing, it's less efficient to water with a sprayer or sprinkler; less water gets to the actual roots where the plants need the most hydration. But there's one more reason: Water droplets on the leaves of ...Read more