7/25/11

Before donating toys to charity, make sure to give them a good cleaning. Most children's toys will go through the washer and dryer quite easily. If you're not sure that the toys are safe to use in your appliances (such as toys and dolls with fuzzy, acrylic fur), air-dry them on a hot, sunny day to avoid the possibility of the fur melting in the dryer.

7/24/11

When buying carbonated beverages from the supermarket, the greenest choice is to choose aluminum cans of soda packaged in a cardboard box with no plastic six-pack rings. The cans are completely recyclable and most communities will also recycle the cardboard box. This means the entire purchase is 100 percent recyclable. While plastic soda bottles are technically recyclable, their demand as a recyclable material is waning.

7/23/11

An easy way to wrap a present is to place it inside a reusable shopping bag. Use the handles to tie a knot around the gift and then make a giant bow. It's a gift that gives twice: Not only does it wrap the present, but the recipient can use gift bag again.