Do you know what a “snag” is? A snag is a dead tree left to decompose standing upright, and snag trees are vital to keeping the delicate ecosystem thriving in your backyard. According to the National ... more

Did you know the shelf life of dried spices is about two years? It can be hard to remember when you bought herbs and spices, so be sure to mark the month and year on the jar when you bring home new co... more

If you’ve purchased a new washing machine, listen up: Don’t use DIY laundry detergent for your machine. While handmade detergents are a good all-natural alternative, they have a tendency to clog moder... more

Here’s one tip to save money and help save your eyes, too: Reduce the brightness on your computer, phone and TV screens. Our digital screens are often set to the highest levels of brightness; the brig... more

You might be surprised to know that more than $5 billion dollars loaded onto prepaid credit card gift cards never gets used. If you have a stash of gift cards with a small balance on them -- even just... more

If you have a credit card that has cash-back bonuses on it that give you a percentage of your charges back in the form of credit or cash, here's some good news: The bonuses are not taxable income, acc... more

We all recycle, but there are ways to make it easier and more efficient. Labels on glass bottles and jars do not need to be removed; in fact, they help keep the bottles intact and prevent breakage. Wh... more

When you explore the beautiful natural landscapes of another country while traveling abroad, be sure to have your hiking boots cleaned before you head to the airport for your return flight. The deep t... more

When in doubt as to what to give someone as a gift, think potted plants. Some easy-to-grow plants that are nearly impossible to kill include snake plants, jade plants, peace lilies, succulents and, of... more

Can padded envelopes with plastic cushioning embedded inside be recycled? Yes! The next time something fragile is mailed to you in a padded mailer, feel free to toss it into any recycling bin that acc... more

Yes, it really matters what kind of vacuum you use in your home. Ironically, using the wrong vacuum can make your home dirtier. When you have a vacuum that does not have a HEPA filter integrated in it... more

After you've brewed a cup of morning joe, don't toss the used grounds down the drain. Try soaking an old cotton T-shirt in cold coffee, then use it to wipe scratched tables and see the small nicks, de... more

Did you know an outdoor sprinkler can put out up to 300 gallons of water per hour? It’s incredibly wasteful. To save water outdoors, invest in a good hose nozzle that can be turned on and off easily. ... more

It’s easier than ever to find organic cotton bedding in big-box stores and shopping sites online. But other than helping farmers who grow cotton organically, what’s the real benefit of sleeping on org... more

It’s no surprise that one of the easiest ways to keep your home as healthy as possible is to leave your shoes at the door. Shoes can drag in pesticides, chemicals and dirt, so going barefoot inside is... more

Particleboard is a common material made of compressed wood chips, resin and adhesives, and it's used in furniture and to build walls, floors and cabinets inside our houses. The problem? Most particleb... more

If you dread ironing clothes, here's a simple tip to speed up the process and help you save energy: Remove the fabric cover from your ironing board and cover it with a few sheets of aluminum foil. The... more

Having a mouse in the house is more than a nuisance; it can be hazardous, since they can chew through wires and start a fire. Prevention is the best thing, so install door sweeps on exterior doors to ... more

Buying vintage blankets, T-shirts and fabric is a great way to reuse and keep textiles out of the landfill, but you might wonder: Are they really clean? Instead of washing these items when you bring t... more

That delicious chocolate bar is obviously a no-go treat for dogs, but have you thought about the plastic wrapper that encased it? The residual smears of chocolate could be irresistible for a dog to ea... more

There are a billion reasons why you should choose a more eco-friendly toothbrush; that’s the number of brushes that are thrown into landfills every year in the United States. Instead of plastic, look ... more

If you want to keep your home warm without using more energy to heat it up, remember this fact: A naturally warm home is also a humid one, because humid air retains heat better than dry air. One easy ... more

Invited to a potluck dinner party, and cooking or baking isn’t your strong suit? Offer to be the “green” participant who brings reusable plates, napkins and utensils to the party. At the end of the ev... more

Do you want the freshest eggs? Get them from a farm or farmer’s market. Conventional eggs at the supermarket are often up to eight weeks old before they reach consumers. When you buy direct, they are ... more

A lighter suitcase has a huge impact on your carbon footprint when you fly. A recent study shows that reducing your carry-on by just 15 pounds on a 10-hour flight equals a reduction of 80 pounds of em... more

Warm, sunny days are a great time to harness the power of the sun to help deodorize, disinfect and dry items inside your home. Obviously, hanging towels, clothes and sheets on a clothing line is an en... more

If you’re lucky enough to have your own backyard in-ground pool, you know one of the most expensive costs is heating the water. An eco-conscious investment that will pay for itself is a solar-powered ... more

Do you have room in your yard to grow something for your local fauna to enjoy? Go with flat-leaf parsley. It’s easy to grow and prolific, and it’s a favorite for wild animals to eat. Unlike other type... more