01/11/12

Did you know it's cheaper and more eco-friendly to have packages shipped to your place of business instead of your home? Since UPS and FedEx routinely make daily stops at businesses, the shipping rates for delivering to those addresses are usually less. This is why they often ask if the address you are shipping to is "home" or "business." It also cuts down on greenhouse gasses since the trucks do not have to make an additional stop at your home.

01/10/12

When the last dill pickle is eaten, do you dump the pickling brine down the drain? Here's a clever reuse of pickle juice: use it as a weed killer. Most pickling brines contain salt, which does an effective job killing weeds and stopping regrowth. Pour the pickle juice over pesky weeds where they keep sprouting and you'll keep them away without the use of any chemical herbicides.

01/09/12

An automatic dishwasher is more energy- and water-efficient than washing by hand. But if your dishwasher isn't doing the swell job it once did when you first got it, it may be time to wash the dishwasher. Start by filling a large glass with white vinegar and propping it upright inside. Run the dishwasher as normal, and the vinegar will help break down stains and buildup inside. Also, propping the dishwasher door ajar after each use will help keep the inside free of mold and mildew.