01/25/12

Here's a fun upcycling project to do with kids: Grab old milk cartons, oatmeal containers and food boxes, and turn them into craft supply organizers. Coat the outside with two light layers of chalkboard paint from the craft store and decorate away with chalk on the front. The chalkboard paint will hide any markings on the containers and give them a uniform look to display in your kids' rooms.

01/24/12

What kid-approved beverage in your pantry right now can also be an eco-friendly way to clean your toilet? Unsweetened orange Kool-Aid. The drink is loaded with citric acid, which can help break down stains inside the toilet bowl. Just sprinkle the powder from the packet into the bowl, swirl with a toilet bowl brush and let it sit overnight. Flush the next day to reveal a sparkling clean bowl.

01/23/12

Many landscaping centers keep hardy outdoor bushes and trees in their pots year round, even during the cold winter months. These plants are often covered in berries, which are beneficial for wild animals when they are foraging for food. If you are planning to plant new berry-covered bushes in your garden this spring, consider buying now and leaving them outdoors in your garden. The birds will enjoy them, and you can often buy them at a discount.