8/7/13

Choosing a leather sofa for your living room may seem like an eco-friendly choice -- leather is technically a natural material. But since a cow's natural skin isn't the shiny, deep brown or black you normally see in leather sofas, that means the leather has been treated, most likely with chromium. The chemical tans the leather a deeper color and treats it for wear and durability. The problem with chromium is that you can develop an allergy to it when you have leather-treated furnishings in your home. The eco-friendly alternative is to look for vegetable-dyed leather, which uses nonchemical ingredients to achieve the same look. The only caveat? You have to treat it with oils regularly to keep the leather supple and durable. If that sounds too cumbersome, skip leather and look for canvas or cotton instead.

8/6/13

Plastic toys are commonplace in most households, and they are some of the hardest things to recycle. One way to keep plastic toys out of landfills and to give them a new life is to donate them. Second Chance Toys collects lightly used plastic toys and distributes them to disadvantaged children across the United States. The organization has major toy collection drives twice a year, and it looks for toys that are clean, in working order and have no missing parts. The next drive is in December, so take the time to start collecting. Learn more at secondchancetoys.org.

8/5/13

Who doesn't love their washing machine? It makes the task of laundry so much easier. But have you ever thought about washing your washing machine? You should: Over time, dirt, grime and excess detergent can build up. Twice a year, clean your washing machine to help keep it working like new. Choose the hottest water temperature setting and pour 1/2-cup baking soda where the powdered laundry detergent goes. Run the washer empty. This will scrub away bacteria, soap scum, deposits, dirt and anything else that may be in there.