ArcaMax

Do you have old dried-out spices that have lost their punch in the kitchen? Don’t toss them -- use them to freshen your carpets instead. Mix the spices with baking soda and sprinkle the blend over a rug or wall-to-wall carpeting. Spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, rosemary, thyme and mint work well; just avoid anything that might stain. Let...Read more

Did you get a living pine tree for Christmas so you can plant it in your yard later? Follow a few simple steps to help it thrive once spring arrives. Keep the tree indoors for no more than a week; if it stays inside too long, it can lose its winter hardiness. You might also consider decorating and displaying it on your front porch or outdoors ...Read more

If you're lucky enough to fly somewhere and have the option of a meal on the plane as part of your travel, you can take steps to reduce food waste. If you get an upgrade to a premium class and you plan on sleeping during the flight, go to the airline's website to opt for "no food" so no meal will be prepared for you. This will help reduce food ...Read more

When it comes time to wrap gifts during the holiday season, think reusable, reusable, reusable. One easy idea is to wrap gifts using a new kitchen or bath towel so that it can be reused after the present is unwrapped. You also can use things you might already have around the house: large pieces of paper that were used for kids’ artwork; old ...Read more

If you're having a hard time keeping houseplants alive, or you're going on vacation and would like them to thrive while you’re away, give your thirsty houseplant a good drink of water, then place a layer of newspaper on top of the soil and water until the newspaper is completely saturated. This helps seal the moisture in the soil so the roots ...Read more

If you're looking to send out holiday cards this season, consider two options. First, if you need to purchase cards, look for those made from the highest percentage of post-consumer recycled paper you can find; this means they're made from old paper that you and I put out for recycling. Secondly, and even better, do what I do and visit local ...Read more

Many apartments have window air-conditioning units that can be difficult to remove when not in use during the fall and winter months. The next best thing to prevent cold air from seeping indoors through the unit is to cover it. Home improvement stores sell inexpensive insulated covers that fit snugly on the interior and exterior parts of the air...Read more

Old sponges can be given a second life as freezer packs. First, wet your sponge and disinfect it in the microwave by heating it on high for 90 seconds. When it is cool, soak it in water and place it inside a freezer bag. After it's frozen, place it in your shopping bag, and it will help keep frozen food cold longer. As the ice melts, the sponge ...Read more

It may seem harmless to toss food scraps or bread on the ground for pigeons, but it actually does more harm than good. Feeding leads to overpopulation and causes birds to lose their natural ability to forage. It’s best to avoid feeding them altogether and to dispose of food waste properly so it doesn’t attract flocks to trash areas. If you ...Read more