8/30/11

The next time you're at a party and there are unopened bottles of cola, or if you simply can't finish that Big Gulp of bubbly, don't toss the drinks in the trash: pour them down the drain. Regular soda (not diet) contains phosphoric acid, which is a chemical that will also eat through most clogs. So instead of toxic drain cleaner, use soda to maintain a clog-free sink instead.

8/29/11

Small spiders love to build their webs in the corners of windows, which can be both unsightly and messy over time. One nontoxic solution to keep spiders away is to simply rub rosemary oil (from the health food store) onto the window frames. It will do two things: serve as a natural deterrent to spiders, which hate the bitter essential oil, and nourish the wood to look good, too. 

A dishwasher can be eco-friendly if you follow this tip: Run yours 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.

8/28/11