1/17/14

One of the side effects of winter weather is that deicing pellets and rock salt can wreck havoc on your leather shoes. The melted salt can leave stains and streaks on your shoes that are almost impossible to remove. One nontoxic way to clean your shoes during the winter months is to simply cut a lemon in half, and rub it on the outside of the shoe, buffing with a soft cloth as you go. The more juice you use, the more the salt will be neutralized and the stain will disappear.

1/16/14

Pet owners will inevitably face the problem of a flea infestation in their home from their beloved pets. Instead of reaching for chemical sprays or calling a pricey exterminator, try this household item instead: salt. Salt is a dehydrator and will dry out the bodies of fleas, effectively killing them without the use of chemicals. To de-flea your carpets, sprinkle a finely ground salt all over them. Use a light coating, but be even so it covers the whole carpet. Let the salt sit there for 24 to 48 hours (the longer, the better), and then use a vacuum to clean it all up. The fleas should be sucked up with the salt.

1/15/14

A wood-burning stove can be an efficient and affordable way to heat up a home, especially during cold winter days and nights. But just because something can be burned does not mean it is suitable to use in a wood-burning stove. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, you should never use household trash or recyclables like cardboard, magazines or waxy wrappers in the fireplace or stove. When burned, the inks, glues and other substances can release toxins and even damage your stove. The same goes for driftwood, plywood, particleboard or any pressure-treated wood, since they all could release toxins when burned. The rule of thumb is simple: Properly seasoned, split and dry firewood is the cleanest and most efficient wood to burn.