4/21/14

A laptop computer has an internal rechargeable battery that can be recharged about 1000 times before it needs to be replaced. One way to extend the life of your battery is to minimize the overall energy consumption your laptop uses on a daily basis. One easy way to extend battery life is to turn off the Wi-Fi when you have no need to be online. Another is to go into your laptop settings and opt for energy-saver mode, which will automatically dim or sleep your laptop after a short period of time. And even just reducing the brightness level of your computer can help extend the life of the battery.

4/20/14

Can you imagine a tree that grows soap? In Asia, a species of the lychee family grows nuts that people have been using to make soap for centuries. The soap nuts contain a natural ingredient called saponin, which is a natural surfactant that suds up and can remove dirt, grime and odor from clothes. Online sites like abesmarket.com sells soap nuts that you can use for laundry. Simply place a handful of the dried soap nuts into a sachet and toss it into the washing machine. It will make the water sudsy and get your clothes sparkling clean. After 10 uses, simply toss the nuts into the compost bin, and they'll completely biodegrade.

4/19/14

Dust in your home is more than just unsightly -- it can also be toxic. According to the Environmental Working Group, products like furniture, electronics, shoes, plastics, fabrics and even food can shed chemicals, and many are flame retardants, or PBDEs. Even in minute doses, these chemicals have been found to affect a child's development, including impacting their reproductive systems and endangering their motor skills, learning, memory and hearing. When dust builds up around the house, PBDE-laden dust bunnies can get into kids' system easily. To remove toxic dust, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, wipe surfaces with an absorbent microfiber towel and use good filters for your heating and cooling system.