02/13/12

Lose a charger for your cellphone? The AC power adapter for your laptop? Or maybe your iPod's USB cable? Cables and chargers are some of the most frequently forgotten items at hotels, and often hundreds sit in storage before being discarded. If you need a new charger or a missing cord, ask for one the next time you check into a hotel. You might be surprised how often the hotel will give you one. This will give the stray cord a home, keep it out of a landfill and save you a few bucks, too.

02/12/2012

Who knew something so greasy could be so clean? The company Further uses waste grease collected from restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area to make hand soap. The by-product of waste grease is glycerin, which is the main ingredient found in liquid soaps. Further mixes the recycled glycerin with essential oils like bergamot and olive and exotic grasses to make great-smelling, green soap. And the company takes their eco-commitment -- um, further -- by using recycled plastic packaging, too.

02/11/12

Most decorators agree that a simple change of paint color in a room is the fastest and most dramatic way to freshen up your space. But what color to choose? If you paint the walls the wrong color, it can be a costly mistake. Make use of technology and paint your rooms virtually online before you make a commitment. Websites like bhg.com and benjaminmoore.com offer free virtual painting, so upload your photos and see what different colors look like in your home. Daffodil yellow, anyone?