1/29/11

Dry cleaning can be wasteful because many cleaners still use harsh chemicals, clothes get wrapped in plastic and hung with disposable hangers, and it can cost a lot of money to keep your clothes maintained this way. Take a moment to look at the labels of your clothes and separate those that read "Dry Clean Only" from those labeled simply "Dry Clean." The ones marked "Dry Clean Only" should be cared for by a professional, while those marked "Dry Clean" can be washed at home in a delicate cycle and hung to dry.

1/28/11

The Natural Resources Defense Council says a typical refrigerator uses around 10 to 15 percent of a household's energy bill each month. Since you can't plug and unplug a refrigerator, the next best thing is to increase the temperature of the fridge to between 38 and 42 degrees, which is enough to preserve food and help you save energy at the same time.

1/27/11

Many of us will take on easy home repair projects, like re-grouting tile in the bathroom or using spray foam to insulate a crack in the wall. Often, we'll have leftover material that will dry out if stored, so it ends up in the trash. Offer the leftover home repair supplies to friends or neighbors, or post it on your local FreeCycle page to see if someone can use the rest of it.