ArcaMax

Want to brighten clothes and remove stains without using any harsh chemicals in your washing machine? Grab salt from your pantry and add it to your laundry routine. The natural chloride in salt works as a brightener, protector and stain-remover all in one. Just add 1/2 cup of salt to your laundry (in addition to your detergent) to give it a ...Read more

While placing heavy drapes over windows is a surefire way to keep your home cozy during the winter months, it also blocks sunlight from entering your home. An alternative idea that helps insulate and let sunlight in is to use stick-on window film over your windows. This self-adhering, absolutely clear product goes directly onto your window and ...Read more

It's important to take efforts to make sure our feathered friends avoid colliding with windows at our home. There are many things you can do, but one key thing when placing a birdbath or a bird feeder outside is to keep it at least 30 feet away from windows. This is the minimum distance to prevent confusing reflections in the window. You can ...Read more

If you want to save money the next time you shop for organic, all-natural, gluten-free or just healthier products at the store, one way to save is with coupons. But searching through circulars and websites can be a huge waste of time. The website mambosprouts.com makes it easy. They curate coupons targeted for health-conscious consumers, with ...Read more

A crisp shirt may be one reason to use spray starch when ironing your clothing, but the product also can be a tasty temptation for insects like silverfish. That's because spray starch is actually a food source for bugs, and when you use it on fabrics, it attracts them. Over time, insects will nibble away at your clothes and leave tears, holes ...Read more

One of the greenest ways to wrap gifts for any occasion is to forget paper, ribbons, bows and even tape altogether and use fabric instead. It's a Japanese method called Furoshiki and involves covering the gift in fabric and using the extra to create intricate knots and bows. It's easy, reusable and beautiful. Use remnant fabric you might have, ...Read more

Small things can really add up, and leaving the sink running while you brush your teeth is one of those small things. A household that leaves the water running during teeth-brushing can waste around 8 gallons of water a day. And if you shave and let the water run, that's another 10 gallons of water. Over time, the average amount of H20 wasted ...Read more

It will come as no surprise to anyone who does laundry that one of the items that takes the longest to dry in a dryer is bath towels. After washing them and pulling the damp towels out of the washing machine, opt to let them air dry. It may take all day, but it accomplishes two great things: It uses zero energy to dry, and you'll help reduce ...Read more

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) published a study that found this shocking conclusion about perfume: Emissions from sprayed fragrances rival the pollution of gas-guzzling cars. The chemical vapors from paints, perfumes and other scented consumer products, which are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), form ...Read more

If your car has been driven over 30,000 miles, it's time to replace the spark plugs. Over time, spark plugs can become covered in carbon deposits; this makes them work harder and decreases your car's overall fuel efficiency. If your car misfires (the engine stops for a brief second then keeps going), it's a sure sign your spark plugs need ...Read more

When it's time to wash your car, a professional car wash is the greenest choice. The Environmental Protection Agency says automated car washes are not only the most water- and energy-efficient method, but they also properly dispose of and recycle wastewater. If you want to wash your car at home, do it on gravel or grass; runoff water on pavement...Read more

Soda and beer in aluminum cans are a greener option than plastic bottles, since metal can be recycled infinitely. But care must be taken when recycling them. Any residual liquid inside aluminum cans can produce a strong smell that is tempting to wildlife, and the razor-sharp edges of a can's opening can also harm wild animals. Before recycling, ...Read more

The fall months are an important time to make sure your tires are properly inflated. Cold air lowers tire pressure, and if your tires don't have enough pressure, not only will they not wear properly, but your car's overall fuel efficiency can be significantly reduced. Check your owner's manual or the label in your car's driver-side door jamb to ...Read more

Rather than turning the thermostat up when there's a chill outside, insulate yourself with a cozy sweater. But opt for sweaters that are made with natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, hemp and silk, and stay away from anything made from synthetic fibers like those used in popular fleece-style tops. The reason? Microfibers are always being ...Read more

If your yard is covered with fallen leaves, and raking them up is too much work to add to your to-do list, why not just leave them be? As dead leaves break down, they help return nutrients to the soil and support healthy microbial activity. If you must rake them up, be sure to use some as mulch around flower beds, gardens and at the bases of ...Read more

When it comes to buying eggs at the supermarket, you're often faced with three packaging choices: paperboard, plastic or foam. The greenest choice is always going to be the paperboard/cardboard-style boxes. Here's why: These containers are made with what is known as "low-grade recycled paper." Essentially, it's a material made from low-quality, ...Read more

To keep things clean and disinfected at home, there's no need to buy wipes when you can make your own. Just cut old cotton T-shirts into squares and toss them into an old plastic container with a lid. Then add 1/2 cup of white vinegar, 1/4 cup of distilled water, 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol and just a few drops of liquid dish soap. Seal the lid ...Read more

Some of the most common points for mice invading your home are where utility pipes or wires enter, especially if there's any rot or deterioration of your home's siding or if there are cracks along the foundation. Take the time to do an inspection outside your home to see if you have any of these vulnerable points and seal them up. One thing you ...Read more

Believe it or not, one of the most dangerous things your pet can eat isn't a food at all: It's the bag your favorite chips or snack food comes packaged in. Even if you finish a bag of snack chips, the smell lingers in the bag. And if you leave the bag where your dog can find it, they'll naturally stick their head in. A Facebook page called "...Read more

Many of us receive gifts that are wrapped in tissue paper. And while tissue paper is technically recyclable, it can be hard to find a recycler who actually accepts it. When it comes to unbleached and white tissue paper, you can just compost it. The fibers are short and it's usually made from recycled materials, so it degrades quickly. This makes...Read more