6/22/13

Household plants can be a natural and efficient way to purify the air inside your home. But if your plants get sick with white or black mold spores on the leaves, they can contribute to an unhealthy air environment. For sturdy plants, wipe the leaves with a damp microfiber towel to pick up the mold spores; wash the microfiber cloth in hot water to sanitize the towel. For more delicate plants, rinse them clean with cool water in a deep sink or bathtub; let the plants drain and air dry, then return them to their sunny spot in the home.

6/21/13

Ever wonder how to recycle old electronic waste like wires, cords, cables, remote controls, toner cartridges, rechargeable batteries, CDs and even the plastic cases CDs come in? Best Buy makes it easy with free recycling bins at the entrances of their stores. Simply deposit your recyclable electronic waste into the right slot in the bin, and it will get recycled properly and made into new products. The stores even takes old gift cards (from any store) and recycle them for free.

6/20/13

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) can last a long time and save you a lot of money on your electric bill, but CFLs aren't an alternative for all light fixtures, just for open-air lighting, like lamps and pendant light fixtures. Since CFLs are sensitive to heat and can burn out quickly if they get too hot, don't use them in recessed can light fixtures or airtight enclosed fixtures (like those typically used outdoors). The airtight nature of these fixtures can build up heat and dramatically shorten the lifespan of the bulb. Instead, opt for LED bulbs for those fixtures -- while they cost a bit more, they don't create heat and are even more energy efficient than CFLs.