9/16/12

Programmable thermostats help you save on energy costs since they turn your heating or cooling on only to maintain a set temperature in the house. While most of us know that placing a thermostat near a heat-generating source -- like a stove or space heater -- is bad planning, so is placing it near a television or lamp. Any electric product that generates heat can trigger the thermostat to think it's hotter than the room is, forcing units to work longer, using more energy.

9/15/12

While lemon-lime sodas like 7UP and Sprite may not be a healthy choice for refreshment, they can be a natural choice to polish silver jewelry. Simply place your silver-plated or sterling silver pieces in a cup, and pour the lemon-lime soda on top. Let the jewelry soak for about an hour, then rinse with water and dry thoroughly. The citric acid in soda, along with the bubbling carbonation, help to remove tarnish, crud, dirt and oil buildup to reveal shiny, new-looking baubles.

9/14/12

When mineral deposits and stains build up in the toilet, it can be tempting to reach for caustic household bleach or chemical toilet bowl cleaners. But many of those cleaners are full of chemicals that create an unhealthy air environment in the bathroom and also pollute our waterways. Instead, before going to sleep, generously sprinkle baking soda all over the inside of the toilet. Throughout the night, the baking soda will eat away at the deposits and stains. In the morning, scrub and flush twice to reveal a sparkling clean toilet.