10/19/12

Dry cleaning can be wasteful because many cleaners still use harsh chemicals, clothes get wrapped in plastic and hung with disposable hangers, and it can cost a lot of money to keep your clothes maintained this way. Take a moment to look at the labels of your clothes and sort the ones labeled "dry clean only" from those labeled "dry clean." The ones marked "dry clean only" should be cared for by a professional, while those marked "dry clean" can be washed at home in a delicate cycle and hung to dry.

10/18/12

If you're putting together a fundraiser for your favorite charity, think outside the usual bake sale or car wash by recycling bottles of perfume. Since the user never touches perfume, a sale of lightly used bottles can be a fun and easy way to raise money. Ask volunteers, neighbors and others to donate their used collection of fragrances, then have a sale where the fragrances are steeply discounted. This gives people a chance to try pricey designer scents, and it recycles half-empty bottles for a good cause.

10/17/12

Cooler weather means many of us may take advantage of fireplaces to warm our homes. Take the time today to make sure the fireplace damper is properly working and that it can fully open and close with ease. A broken damper that leaves the flue open is like having a small window open in your home all day long. By having it properly closed when not in use, you can save around 8 percent of the heated air from escaping up the flue.