9/25/13

Did you know liquid laundry detergents have a shelf life? The ingredients in liquid laundry detergents, like whitening agents, break down over time and become less effective in getting your clothes clean. Do this one thing: Switch to powdered laundry detergents, which last longer and are more shelf stable. If you’ve stopped using powdered detergents because they cake up and clog your washing machine, try dissolving it in a hot water ahead of time. Simply fill a pitcher with hot tap water and add the recommended amount of powdered detergent. You'll have all the eco-benefits of powdered and the convenience of liquid.

9/24/13

For environmentally friendly and money-saving reasons, using bulk bins at the grocery store is a smart idea. According to the Bulk is Green Council, buying ingredients like nuts, flour, pasta and dried fruit from bulk bins costs about 89 percent less than buying packaged goods. Plus, with bulk bins you can buy as much or as little as you need, so there is less waste. And instead of tearing through layers of packaging when buying food, you can see exactly what you’re buying. What you see is what you get! Bulk bin food is also fresh: The dispensers use gravity-fed systems that automatically rotate product to ensure freshness.

9/23/13

If you’ve got kids, this is bound to happen: dried out markers end up being tossed into the trash. Before tossing them out, try soaking them in warm water. Just remove the caps and place the felt tip part of the marker submerged in warm water in a cup for about two hours. Remove the marker and try it on paper; it should be revived and rehydrated. If not, soak for another two hours. This trick also works for highlighters.