The room where food is prepared, stored and often enjoyed requires constant vigilance. Splatters, spills and errant crumbs can build up and collect out of sight, encouraging harmful bacteria.
Baking Soda and Water: Reclaim counters by sprinkling with baking soda, then scrubbing with a damp cloth or sponge. If you have stains, knead the baking soda [...]
Hardwood floors are beautiful, hygienic, long lasting and add value to your home. They are easy to vacuum, but don’t do well with wet mopping. So how do you restore their natural glow without roughing them up?
Vinegar: Whip up a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar and 30 ounces of warm water. Put in a [...]
Keeping carpets clean is less daunting than you might think, even after a season of tracked-in dirt and salt.
Beat Those Rugs: Take any removable rugs outside and beat the dust and hair out with a broom.
Club Soda: You’ve probably heard the old adage that club soda works well on carpet stains. But you have to [...]
Conventional oven cleaning chemicals are loaded with toxic ingredients, including ethers, ethylene glycol, lye (sodium and potassium hydroxide), methylene chloride and petroleum distillates. The products are harmful to skin and eyes, and the fumes are unhealthy. Instead, go natural!
Baking Soda and Water: Coat the inside of your dirty appliance with a paste made from water [...]
World Population Day was established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989 as a way to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues. It was an outgrowth of the interest generated by the Day of Five Billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.
Each year UNFPA selects [...]
Now your paint project is over, dispose of excess paint wisely. Don’t pour it down the drain as this leads to pollution of our waterways and threatens the survival of aquatic plants and animals.
Oil-based paint (and the container it is stored in) is considered a hazardous substance. To dispose of it responsibly, contact your local [...]
Instead of harsh chemical sprays, get those windows and mirrors crystal clear with a simple solution of white vinegar, newspaper and a little elbow grease. You’ll also save money and the hassle of needing to stock more cleaning supplies.
It’s simple: mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with a gallon of water, and dispense into a [...]
Here’s the truth about fashion: It changes quickly. So what do you do when you’re stuck with a closet full of barely worn shirts, dresses and shoes?
Starting in September, New York City will launch one of the largest textile recycling initiatives in the nation. The aim is to make it easy to donate clothing, almost [...]
Want to live a greener life, but don’t know where to start? It’s simple — practice the three Rs! Reduce, reuse and recycle.
Reuse
Before you toss something in the recycling bin or garbage can, ask yourself:
Can I still make use of this in some way?
Convinced you can’t?
Read on: Here are 15 tips for reusing your possessions, [...]