Archives

It's winter, which means it's snowing and it's cold. And these happen to be the two elements you need to get your wool rugs seriously clean. Here's a trick for cleaning wool rugs from Scandinavia: Sta... more

Have you ever accidentally put a wool sweater into the washing machine and worried you've shrunken it? First, don't toss it in the dryer -- that will set the fibers and make it impossible to save. Ins... more

The Environmental Protection Agency has multiple certification programs to help consumers find the most energy- and water-efficient products in the marketplace. A new program called the Wood Heater Ce... more

Do you have a large number of items like furniture, clothes and workout equipment you'd like to donate to charity but don't have the means to actually bring it to the donation center? The Salvation Ar... more

When it's time to discard your fresh Christmas tree after the holidays, be sure to give it a thorough inspection first. Make sure anything artificial -- string, tinsel, ribbon, ornament hooks -- is co... more

Many people use firewood as a source of heat during the winter months. While it may seem like a time-saving idea to stack large amounts of wood inside the home, it's best to bring in wood on an as-nee... more

Here's a simple habit to get into with your garage door at home: Keep it closed. When your garage is warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, you'll save on your overall energy costs. Since the ... more

An automatic car wash is the most water- and energy-efficient way to wash a car, and it's especially useful in the harsh winter months. When roads are treated with rock salt to deice them, the mixture... more

Many of us choose to buy our holiday gifts online and have them delivered in lieu of going to the mall. When buying gifts online, opt for ground shipping instead of express shipping; it's a cheaper an... more

Denim jeans are one of the most-owned items by both men and women in the United States, so it makes sense to take care of them properly so they look good for longer. First, always wash jeans in cold w... more

Sick of scrubbing your shower to keep it clean from mold and mildew? Try this easy and nontoxic preventative method the next time you shower: Using the residual water and steam from your early morning... more

Baking vs. cooking usually means just one thing: One is more precise than the other. When it comes to making homemade breads and pastries, it's important to follow recipes precisely all the way down t... more

During the holiday season, many people love to give food to their local food banks to help people who are less fortunate. But instead of emptying your pantry of food you really don't want to eat -- pi... more

It may sound like a problem for "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," but if you want to do one thing to help our oceans, consider passing on eating caviar. Caviar varieties like beluga and wild-caught... more

Did you know that close to 40 percent of holiday gifts are returned? Did you also know that 18 percent of gifts are donated to charity, 15 percent are re-gifted and a whopping 11 percent of gifts are ... more

Did you know tea is the No. 2 most popular beverage in the world, right after water? Since tea is gaining popularity for its taste and health benefits, it makes sense to wonder if the tea you're brewi... more

Naturally, it makes sense to fill your automatic dishwasher to full capacity before running a load. But did you know that many modern energy-efficient machines also have something called a "delay" fea... more

When something expensive breaks, it's easy to toss it out and get something new. But in these greener times, the worlds of both ecology and technology are coming together to make repairing items easie... more

Did you know you can cook a pot of pasta without even having the stove on the whole time? Try this energy-saving and foolproof cooking tip: Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the pasta; cook at a ... more

Tired of getting preapproved credit card offers in the mail that just end up in the trash? It's easy to unsubscribe from these offers with just the click of a mouse. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Ac... more

If you've boiled or flash-cooked a large pot of vegetables, don't toss the leftover water down the drain. Instead, let the water cool and give your houseplants or garden a nutritionally packed treat t... more

Here's an easy way to reuse plastic bubble wrap to help save energy at home: Use it in your freezer. Since bubble wrap has pockets of air that help insulate, wrapping items that need to stay frozen he... more

Many homes have their own septic tank, and it's critical to have it regularly maintained. Have it inspected every two to three years, depending on usage. Your septic inspection will show any leaks, cr... more

You may separate your whites from colors when you wash your clothes, but when it comes to drying them, separate according to weight. By drying heavy clothes like jeans, sweaters and thick flannel shir... more

Ever wonder what to do with shoes you pack in your suitcase when you travel? One way to keep your clothes free of dirt, debris and chemicals is to upcycle plastic shower caps, which you can often get ... more

Ever get a greasy stain on clothes and worry that simply washing it in the washing machine won't do the job? One might think to grab laundry detergent and try to spot clean the stain, but don't: Most ... more

After a light snowfall, take a look at your roof in the morning as the sun rises to see how energy efficient your home is. If the snow is already melting, that means heat is rising to the attic's roof... more

Just because a food item is stamped "organic" does not necessarily mean it's healthier or better for you. When it comes to liquors like tequila and vodka, there are no added health benefits in buying ... more