In the average home, even when major appliances like TVs, DVD players and VCRs are turned off, they are using electricity if they're still plugged in. This is called a phantom load. Instead of plugging and unplugging your appliances, plug them all into a surge protector and just turn off the strip. No more wasted electricity.

5/30/09

Save old toothbrushes and add them to your bucket of eco-cleaning supplies. Toothbrushes are great for scrubbing away grime and mildew on tile and scouring limestone off sinks, fixtures and showerheads. You can even use them to groom small pets, too!

5/29/09

A loofah sponge can be a great way to buff off dead skin in the shower, revealing softer, newer skin. But a loofah can also be a breeding ground for bacteria that over time can infect something as simple as a paper cut. To keep your loofah as clean as can be, rinse it thoroughly after each use and take it out of the shower to dry completely. After about a month of use, replace it and throw it away. (Because a loofah is made from a dried gourd, it's biodegradable, so toss it into the compost bin.)

5/28/09