02/17/12

Who knew something that makes you look beautiful is so full of dirty secrets? Most hair gels contain chemical ingredients like humectants, plasticizers, polymers and potential carcinogens like panthenol. But with a few pantry staples, you can make your own styling gel in mere minutes. Just mix 1 teaspoon powdered gelatin with 1 cup warm water. Store the gel in your refrigerator, then style away.

02/16/12

If you squeeze a lime into a bottle of ice-cold Corona and the lime falls into the bottle, can you recycle it? It's a recycling conundrum many have wondered about, and the answer is yes. A small amount of organic matter on the glass is expected, and it will burn off when the glass is crushed, melted and remolded into new bottles. Party on.

02/15/12

These days, many air fresheners are advertised as phthalate-free. Phthalates are used to carry fragrance farther when the air freshener is sprayed. Phthalates have been linked to cancer and developmental and sex-hormone abnormalities. Even if a spray scent is phthalate-free, it is still manufactured with artificial fragrances, which can lead to higher levels of indoor air pollution. The solution to keep a phthalate-free, fresh home? Place charcoal in a large bowl and let it absorb odors. No smell is the best smell.