Yes, even a broom needs to be cleaned periodically. In the winter months, you can make the process quick and easy by taking your broom outside whenever fresh snow has fallen. Sweep the broom through t... more
Any grease stains on a cardboard pizza box make it impossible to recycle, so do this to make your takeout eco-friendly: Ask for a sheet of aluminum foil. Have the pizza shop put the sheet of foil in t... more
If you have a problem with rabbits and other small animals digging up freshly planted flower bulbs from your garden, start collecting used plastic and cardboard berry containers right now. Dig a hole ... more
When you invest in fine jewelry, consider the eco-options of your purchase. Mining for new gold, for example, is an incredibly destructive and non-sustainable practice that involves massive amounts of... more
Take advantage of the opportunity colder weather offers to detox the things in your home. When the temperature dips below freezing at night, lay out a clean tarp in your unheated garage and put items ... more
Who knew? Liquid laundry detergents actually have a shelf life! The whitening agents in liquid detergent degrade and break down over time, making them less effective at getting your clothes clean. The... more
With the chill outside, central air conditioning may be the last thing on your mind, but this is actually a great time to consider replacing yours if your home needs it. In the hot summer months, not ... more
Got a little leftover shampoo or body wash? Or maybe you have a stash of little hotel bottles of these things in your junk drawer? You can use them for a few things around the house! One handy way to ... more
If you can plan ahead, one easy way to help reduce carbon emissions is to opt for ground shipping of purchases made online. Ground shipping may take a bit more time, but it usually does not involve ga... more
During the holiday season, many of us get gifts that are wrapped in tissue paper. And while tissue paper is technically recyclable, it can be hard to find a recycler that accepts it. When it comes to ... more
Believe it or not, one of the most dangerous things your pet can eat isn’t a food at all: it’s the bag your favorite chips or snack foods come packaged in. When you’re done eating your BBQ potato chip... more
When sealing up cracks around the house, resist the urge to use only rubber or silicone caulk. While these materials do seal up holes, they also can be easily chewed through by wild animals like mice.... more
Some of the most common entry points for mice entering your home include where outside utility pipes or wires come in, if there’s any rot or deterioration of your home’s siding or if there are cracks ... more
If you’re battling to keep hungry squirrels from completely emptying your bird feeder, the nonprofit Humane Society of the United States has a solution. One of the key ways to stop squirrel poaching i... more
Weird but true: Your kid’s favorite beverage can actually clean your toilet. The citric acid in orange-flavored beverage mixes is strong enough to break down stains inside a toilet bowl. Just sprinkle... more
Are those gift boxes that have the thin plastic “window” on the front recyclable, or not? The good news is yes, they are. But you have to do just one thing to prepare them for recycling: Peel off the ... more
Here’s one more all-natural thing to keep by your kitchen or bathroom sink: a small bottle of essential oils. If you want to avoid the chemicals in antibacterial gels or liquid hand soaps, natural oil... more
When it’s cold outside, one way to help reduce heating costs is to close air registers in rooms that are rarely occupied so the heated air can be redirected to rooms you do use. But if you end up clos... more
Yes, canned soup can be a fast and convenient way to have a warm meal in minutes, but many tin cans are lined with a nonstick coating called Bisphenoal A, or BPA. This coating is necessary to prevent ... more
It may be more of a moral question, but with many supermarkets now offering self-checkout at the register, be sure to always weigh and mark what produce you actually get. Generally, conventionally gro... more
Did you know that from the moment you finish a beverage in an aluminum can and toss it into a recycling bin, it takes just three months for it to be shredded, melted and molded back into a brand-new c... more
If you read Do Just One Thing on a regular basis, you know my love for all-natural white vinegar. But there are some things you should never clean with white vinegar. Natural stone countertops like gr... more
We all know that dish soap is great at cutting the grease on frying pans and tableware, but did you know you can also use it in other places in the house? If you have stubborn grease stains on concret... more
When it’s time to get your backyard vegetable garden going, consider giving the tiny transplants a little nutritional boost. Save (or collect from friends) expired multivitamins as something nutritiou... more
One of the easiest ways to “green your stay” at hotels is to simply hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door. This stops housekeeping from changing your sheets, using water and wasting natural reso... more
More than $750 million goes unspent every year from gift cards, and it’s a shame, because the unused balances could be used to do some good. Many charities will accept your unused cards from almost an... more
According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s website fueleconomy.gov, one of the easiest ways to maximize your car’s fuel efficiency is to simply follow the speed limit. While, yes, aggressive d... more
When it comes time to wrap gifts during the holiday season, think reusable, reusable, reusable. One easy idea is to wrap gifts using a new kitchen or bath towel so that it can be reused after the pres... more
Many mattresses today feature something called “no-flip” technology, which means you never have to flip or rotate the bed once you put it down. But it’s still a good idea to rotate the bed to have eve... more
Many of us donate money to charities during this time of year, which is a great thing to do! But do one more thing when you open your wallet: Be sure to tell the charity that you would like to opt out... more