Feel like doing a little DIY at home? Instead of buying expensive and rarely used home improvement equipment, consider renting. Major home improvement chains not only sell products, they rent them, to... more
While placing heavy drapes over windows is a sure-fire way to keep your home cozy during the winter months, it also blocks sunlight from entering your home. An alternative idea that helps insulate and... more
If you have a wedding gown that's fewer than five years old or a unique vintage design that you'd like to donate to someone in need, consider the nonprofit Brides Across America. The organization acce... more
Have you recently finished painting your living room and wondered what to do with your leftover paint? It's actually recyclable through a nonprofit program called PaintCare. PaintCare is available in ... more
Using rechargeable batteries is the greenest choice, since they can be recharged up to 1,000 times before they lose their ability to recharge. Plus, rechargeable batteries are easily recyclable -- che... more
Here's an old but good tip about what to do with burned-out compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL): recycle them. While CFLs do last a lot longer than incandescent bulbs, they eventually die, and they ... more
If you feel like lingering in a hot shower to luxuriate and relax a little, why not take a bath instead? A typical shower uses about 5 gallons of water per minute, while a hot bath uses around 30 gall... more
The refrigerator is one of the biggest energy hogs in the house, so it's key to make sure it runs efficiently to save electricity and money. If you don't use your automatic icemaker often, consider tu... more
Whether flying by plane or driving by car, the weight of your luggage can have an impact on overall fuel efficiency. The heavier your bags, the more fuel planes and cars have to use to transport you. ... more
Everyone loses socks. So what do you do with the stray single sock you have left? Don't toss it -- you can reuse it around the house! Fill a sock with cedar shavings, tying it off at the top; since so... more
When storing leftovers in the refrigerator, it's imperative to cover the food to keep it fresh. But did you know covering your food also helps save energy? A refrigerator has something called a compre... more
For every extra 100 pounds inside your car, the overall fuel efficiency is reduced by 2 percent. While that number may sound low, it adds up to a significant amount of wasted fuel (and money) over tim... more
Want to buff out minor scratches and marks on your smartphone? Many online tech sites swear by toothpaste. Any light abrasive paste can work, including creamy toothpaste (not gel) or creams used to bu... more
It can be really frustrating when appliances like washing machines, refrigerators or stoves just stop working. Before you head to the store to buy a new one or hire a repairman, look for simple soluti... more
The strong artificial fragrances used on dryer sheets may not be a healthy choice to use in your laundry, but a few sheets can actually deter mice from entering your home. By simply placing a few shee... more
The next time you're shopping at a warehouse club, consider adding some of these items to your cart to help support your local food bank. While food is the most important item to give to shelters, oth... more
Want to brighten clothes and remove stains without using any harsh chemicals in your washing machine? Grab salt from your pantry and add it to your laundry routine. The natural chloride in salt works ... more
An infestation of spiders, ants and beetles coming into your home during the winter months could be traced back to one source: firewood. Keeping firewood stacked up or in a basket by your indoor firep... more
If you run small loads of laundry throughout the week instead of running full loads, you are wasting a ton of water. Even brand-new, energy- and water-efficient models still use a lot of water, around... more
Using an automatic dishwasher is more energy- and water-efficient than washing by hand. And it's even more efficient if you run the dishwasher during non-peak hours, which are usually during late-nigh... more
Around 40 percent of the food we have in the United States ends up in the trash -- primarily food that's gone bad at home. One way to cut back on waste is to buy exactly what you need from the grocery... more
Every little bit counts when it comes to saving energy! Here's a simple tip: Turn off the stove a few minutes before your food is done cooking. When making pasta, bring a pot of water to a boil and th... more
Old-fashioned pressure cookers used to be precarious to use since they could literally explode if the tight seal got loose. But new designs and safety latches make modern-day pressure cookers safe and... more
To fully charge your smartphone, you usually need about 30 minutes. But if you plug in your phone before you go to sleep at night, not only are you wasting energy charging a fully powered phone, you'r... more
Cardboard boxes are a desirable recyclable and should be set out for curbside recycling whenever possible. But what happens if Mother Nature has other plans and rains on your cardboard recycling parad... more
Manufacturers of printing products continue to innovate over the years. One new technology that has improved printing quality is called nanoprinting, which refers to using tiny particles in toner cart... more
When serving food, avoid plates, bowls and cups that have the look and feel of glass or ceramic but the durability of plastic. According to the Food and Drug Administration, these tabletop items are m... more
Winter weather means major snowstorms, so many of us turn to snowblowers to help remove snow from our driveways and sidewalks. When shopping for a new snowblower, look for eco-friendly models that do ... more
Imagine getting exercise and raising money for charity -- you can with the free app Charity Miles. When you download the app, you select a charity of your choice (like the World Wildlife Fund or Habit... more
When pumping gas, save money and maximize fuel by doing one thing: Hold the gas pump correctly. When you hold the gas trigger all the way down, it is the fastest way to fuel up your car. But it also c... more