9/14/11

If you are planning a dinner party for a group slightly larger than the actual number of place settings you have, there's no need to use flimsy disposable products. You can rent instead. Many people think renting fine china, glassware and linens is only for large banquet groups or wedding parties; on the contrary, rental companies make their wares available for any party, no matter the size. It's also surprisingly affordable and an eco-friendly and elegant solution for your next bash.

9/13/11

This tip comes from reader Larry Gaso, who found another use for outdoor solar-powered light fixtures: Bring them indoors! When the power goes out and you need a little light, grab your solar lanterns and place them throughout your house. They'll light up as if outdoors and can be recharged the next day by bringing them back out in the sun. Great tip, Larry!

9/12/11

Buying concentrated cleaning products and adding water to dilute them not only saves on bulky plastic packaging, but can save you money, too. But adding tap water can mean adding hard minerals, which lessens the shelf life of your DIY all-purpose cleaning mix. So collect clean and pure rainwater, which is mineral-free, and use it instead.