01/24/12

What kid-approved beverage in your pantry right now can also be an eco-friendly way to clean your toilet? Unsweetened orange Kool-Aid. The drink is loaded with citric acid, which can help break down stains inside the toilet bowl. Just sprinkle the powder from the packet into the bowl, swirl with a toilet bowl brush and let it sit overnight. Flush the next day to reveal a sparkling clean bowl.

01/23/12

Many landscaping centers keep hardy outdoor bushes and trees in their pots year round, even during the cold winter months. These plants are often covered in berries, which are beneficial for wild animals when they are foraging for food. If you are planning to plant new berry-covered bushes in your garden this spring, consider buying now and leaving them outdoors in your garden. The birds will enjoy them, and you can often buy them at a discount.

01/22/2012

When shopping for pet toys, there is no added health benefit to choosing organic instead of conventional cotton toys. However, there is the helpful knowledge that no harmful herbicides, fertilizers or pesticides were used to grow the cotton when you buy organic. Be sure to avoid toys made with PVC, which can be harmful to pets if they tear apart the toys and accidentally ingest small pieces. Look for natural rubber or recycled plastic toys at your local pet store.