7/13/09

A dishwasher can be eco-friendly if you follow this tip: run yours only when it's completely full, but not overloaded. If you have an energy-saving option, use it -- and skip the drying cycle; instead, when the dishes are finished, open the door and let the hot, steamy air evaporate off the plates.

7/12/09

Ever wonder what to do with all those annoying Styrofoam packing peanuts? Try something a bit fun: Buy an empty beanbag chair cover and fill it up! If you don't have enough peanuts to fill up a chair, ask friends, family and co-workers. They are sure to have packing peanuts that they'll be glad to contribute to your chair-building project.

7/13/09

Lots of shirts come with a small packet of spare buttons just in case one comes loose. The problem? Many of us toss the buttons into the junk drawer and never end up using them. So grab all those buttons, some strong adhesive glue (like Krazy Glue) and a bunch of thumbtacks. Glue a button to a thumbtack and let it dry. Stick them on a cork message board to decoratively keep memos, invitations and other important papers nice and neat.