2/23/13

One of the biggest threats to homes comes from termites. Eliminating the threat of termite damage can be remedied with this simple, natural, DIY solution. Combine 1 teaspoon Borax, 2 cups water and 10 teaspoons white sugar. Soak pieces of wood -- firewood chunks or thick twigs, for example -- overnight, and bury the wood near areas where you suspect you might have or have previously had a termite infestation. The treated wood will attract termites immediately, and they will bring the poisoned wood back to the nest and help eradicate the colony. You can also spray the solution on wood outside your house as a preventive measure.

2/22/13

If you drink carbonated beverages, which are better, plastic bottles or aluminum cans? The answer is simple: aluminum cans. According to the EPA, aluminum cans are one of the most commonly recyclable materials today. In less than 60 days, a typical soda can goes from the supermarket to the recycling bin to the recycling facility and back to the shelf as a new can. This recycling process can be done indefinitely because aluminum is durable, unlike plastic, which can be recycled only a few times before being sent to the landfill.

2/21/13

When cooking at home, be sure to match the size of the burner to the size of the pot you're cooking with. According to Recyclebank, a 6-inch pot on an 8-inch burner actually wastes 40 percent of the burner's heat. Simply moving the smaller pot to a smaller burner can help save energy and get the job done. And when reheating food, skip the oven and opt for smaller users of energy, like a countertop toaster oven or microwave. They have less space to heat up and can work just as well in a jiffy.