03/19/12

According to This Old House magazine, charcoal from the backyard grill can have myriad detoxifying uses around the house. When arranging flowers, place a few briquettes in the bottom of the vase to keep the water fresh and clean. If you have smelly kitchen cabinets, place a piece in the back to absorb odors and excess moisture. And lay a few pieces on top of orchid plants to help them thrive; the flowers love the alkalinity of the charcoal.

03/18/12

It's common knowledge that large, plugged-in electronics -- even when turned off -- still draw "phantom power" that wastes electricity and money. But did you know that other, smaller electronics in your home draw power, too? Anything with a plug draws power, so walk around and unplug rarely used things like stereo speakers, gaming systems and printers. If you do this, you could recoup hundreds of dollars on energy costs over time.

03/17/12

If the thought of organizing a swap party with your friends to exchange old clothes, jewelry, movies or anything else you can think of sounds exhausting, turn to social media. Set up a swap page on Facebook, and invite your friends to post updates with things they're ready to trade. People can access the page on computers or smartphones, claim items and swap them for something else. It's a great way to find a new home for things that would otherwise get trashed.