If you haven't grated cheese on that box grater for as long as you can remember, here's another creative way to make use of it. Grate a bar of soap into finely shredded soap flakes. Spoon some into a running bath and voila! Instant bubble bath.

7/24/09

If you need to replace the sponges you use to scrub the dishes clean, think cellulose instead. Unlike synthetic sponges -- which come from a non-renewable petroleum source -- cellulose comes from trees. There are lots of reasons to choose cellulose sponges: They are biodegradable, hold a tremendous amount of water, and are durable in cleaning all types of surfaces. Plus, they're easy to find: Just look for cellulose sponges in the cleaning section of any discount retail store.

7/23/09

(Bonus tip: If you buy a new set of Calphalon Unison cookware at Williams-Sonoma, Calphalon will recycle your old pots and pans for free. Learn more at calphalonrenew.com.)

7/22/09