02/24/12

Here's something to think about the next time you're out shopping for that new pair of jeans. A New York University study found evidence of grimy things like bacteria and viruses on brand-new clothes sold in stores. The germs come from people trying on clothes in dressing rooms or taking clothes home, wearing them and then returning them to the store. When you buy new garments, one way to sanitize them is to blast them with high heat in the dryer. The high temperature will kill the germs and make your new purchases fresh and clean.

02/23/12

Do you ever wonder if your car is really getting the fuel efficiency you were told when you bought it? The app GasHog (available for iPhone and iPod Touch) will help you find out. Enter your odometer reading and the amount of fuel you add when you fill up; the app automatically calculates the fuel economy each time you buy gas and offers a historical average. Based on that info, GasHog provides tips on how you can improve the fuel economy for your car.

02/22/12

Pencils made from wood often come from clear-cut forests. To green up your writing utensils, look for traditional-style pencils using eco-friendly materials. Mainstream stores like Office Depot and Staples sell writing utensils made from recycled tires, rubber and plastic. Green pencils work just as well as regular pencils, and the prices are comparable.