Do Just One Thing

12/6/09

Your purse may actually be a breeding ground of harmful germs and bacteria. If you place your purse on the floor in bathrooms, subways or buses, don't place it on the kitchen counter when you get home. A dirty purse may cross-contaminate the countertop and everything on it, including your supper. Instead, wipe off the bottom with a pre-moistened towelette or, better yet, keep it off the floor altogether.

12/5/09

In winter, heat lost through windows can account for as much as 25 percent of your heating bill. While it makes sense to replace single pane windows with an Energy Star-rated double-pane one, it can be expensive. A quick and temporary fix is to simply spray a drafty window with water and attach bubble wrap by sticking it bubble-side down against the window; it will double the efficiency of the window.

12/4/09

Shipping gifts to loved ones? Well, send those Styrofoam peanuts packing with these green ideas: Use dried pasta, real peanuts or fresh evergreen to protect fragile items when shipping them. The best part? The recipient can munch on the peanuts, cook up a baked ziti or toss the evergreens into the fireplace for instant kindling. Two gifts in one.