10/31/12

Running to the store to get the latest iPhone? Not so fast, if scientists at the Ecology Center have their way. Scientists recently tested 36 of the most popular smartphones currently on the market -- including the new Apple iPhone 5 -- and found significant levels of lead, mercury, cadmium and other hazardous ingredients linked to brain damage, thyroid problems and learning disabilities. The good news? The iPhone 4 had fewer chemicals than the newest model, which means if your older phone is in good working order, it is a greener and healthier choice.

10/30/12

Bar soap often gets a bad rap because many of us assume it can become a breeding ground for bacteria, but that is true only if you leave the soap in a dish that does not drain water. To maintain fresh soap, always have a soapdish that drains water so it can dry out. Your soap will remain fresh and bacteria-free whenever you reach for it to wash your hands or body.

10/29/12

After uncorking a bottle of wine at home, there are lots of ways to upcycle the wine cork. Soak genuine cork in rubbing alcohol and use it as a slow burning fire starter for the grill or fireplace. Steady an uneven chair with a slice of cork glued to the shorter leg. Insert pins and needles into a cork to keep the sewing tools stored and ready to go for a quick fix.