3/15/09

Wash only full loads in your dishwasher, using short cycles for all but the dirtiest dishes. This saves water and the energy used to pump and heat it. Air-drying, if you have the time, can also reduce energy use. Also, look for eco-friendly dishwasher detergents free of phosphates and chlorine bleach, like Method's Smarty Dish. They're in capsule form and will make eco-washing easy as pie.

3/14/09

When baking, don't preheat the oven too soon when making a batch of cookies. Ovens can be energy hogs, so it pays to prep first, then heat. Also, if your oven needs a good cleaning, use the self-cleaning function AFTER you've baked something. It's already heated up and will take less time for the function to run its course.

3/13/09

Got a spare change jar? Bring your change to any Coinstar machine (www.coinstar.com), and you can donate your change instantly to a variety of nonprofit organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund and the American Red Cross. You'll also receive a receipt for tax-deduction purposes for your spare change gift.