11/2/10

Unfortunately, most animal feed -- dog, cat and bird -- comes packaged in bags that are easily accessible for other animals to tear into and eat or, worse, contaminate. One way to keep the food fresher is to save the air-tight containers many bulk-size food products come packaged in. The next time you buy a warehouse-size jar of pretzels or candy, save it and use it to store your animal's food. The twist-on cap will prevent anything from getting inside.

11/1/10

If your dog's bed needs to be replaced, try this tip before throwing it out: Unzip the cover and launder as you normally would and discard the foam insert. Then fill the inside of the cover with Styrofoam packing peanuts you've collected from shipments or from neighbors and pack it as densely as possible. The hypoallergenic fill will settle over time, but your dog will love how the packing peanuts mold to his body shape whenever he rests on the pillow.

10/31/10

Lint should be removed frequently from the trap inside your dryer, so it runs more efficiently and safely. Instead of throwing it away, save the dryer lint when you light up the fireplace this winter by simply wadding it up into a ball and placing it under the kindling. To amass a collection of lint, stuff it in an empty tissue box you keep next to the dryer. Come blustery wintertime, you'll have plenty to get the fire roaring.