6/17/11

Dry cleaners that advertise themselves as "organic" cleaners don't necessarily mean they are eco-friendly. The term is used to describe organic chemicals (petroleum is technically organic, for example); it does not, however, mean "organic" in the way that fruits and vegetables grown without pesticides are organic. The greenest cleaners are "wet" cleaners that use perchloroethylene-free (or PERC) methods.

6/16/11

Some of the hardest places to change light bulbs can be outdoor spotlights, since they are often placed at corners of the house to bring light to dark areas at night. One way to make the changing process less frequent is to invest in LED flood lights, which use a fraction of the energy of compact fluorescents and can last for years if on for just 3 hours a day. Using motion sensors or timers on these lights may extend the life span even longer.

6/15/11

When watering outdoor plants, do so early in the morning or late at night when there's less risk of evaporation from the sun's hot rays. Also, water at the base of the plant, where water will soak into the ground and into the plant's roots. By spraying water into the air or using a sprinkler, too much evaporates, never making it to the plant itself.