3/2/09

Stash your winter gear -- mittens, scarves, children's snowsuits -- by reusing the heavy-duty zippered plastic packaging your comforter came in. The waterproof packaging will keep everything protected. Add a bundle of chalk to help absorb excess moisture, and store your winter gear away for near year's annual snowball fight.

Pick up a bottle of essential oils, available in health food stores and some beauty supply shops, and place a few drops of the oil into the sink when washing dishes. As the warm sudsy water hits the oils, it'll diffuse into the air. Choose scents you love. Lavender is a good option to help soothe the soul. Who would've thought washing dishes could be spa-like, too?

3/1/09

On laundry day it pays to be lazy. Doing several loads of laundry and then drying them batch after batch saves energy. The residual heat from the first batch will help dry the second one faster. Also, pull heavier items out of the dryer while they're still damp to air-dry, like towels, jeans and sweaters. Just hang them over chairs or a banister. Your favorite clothes won't shrink and you'll save electricity, too.

2/28/09