ArcaMax

Leaving your home for several weeks or months means you should take steps to reduce waste while you’re away. This is a good time to unplug energy hogs like refrigerators and freezers; just be sure they are empty, and leave the doors open so they dry out completely. Turn off the main water supply; it may not save you money, but it’ll give you...Read more

A dual-flush toilet is a great way to save water at home, because it lets you decide if you need a full or partial flush. But if you have a perfectly fine single-flush toilet, how can you save water? You can convert your toilet into a dual-flush simply by switching out the toilet flapper. For less than $10, you can add an adjustable flapper that...Read more

When it comes to buying eco-friendly wines at our local shop, many of us look for organic or biodynamic varietals. But you also should consider geography when it comes to picking the perfect vino. Just like produce, purchasing domestically grown/made wine is far better than buying varietals from faraway places like South Africa, France and ...Read more

Cold winter weather is around the corner for many of us, which means warm coats become part of our everyday wardrobe. Start by cleaning your coat at the onset of the winter season, either by laundering it at home or taking it to a professional. Remove stains on the outside by dabbing with a damp towel. And be sure to hang your coat in a well-...Read more

Laundry detergent sheets are all the rage now, replacing heavy plastic jugs as an eco-friendly way to add detergent to your washing machine. Since the soap is activated in water, it’s imperative to make sure the stack of sheets does not get wet or even come in contact with trace amounts of water. Remove the sheets from the existing paperboard ...Read more

This is a staggering statistic: Two billion disposable plastic razors are thrown away in the United States alone every single year. There are steps you can take to cut back on this waste and save some money, too. First, always dry your razor after use, since residual water on the blades can rust them and make them dull. Or, better yet, invest in...Read more

Yes, your canvas reusable shopping bags need to be washed on a regular basis, but the good news is, it’s easy. Just wash them in the washing machine in cold water with detergent. When the bags come out of the machine, they're likely to be very wrinkled and crumpled up, but don’t worry. Just unfold them (tug to get the wrinkles out) so they'...Read more

Here’s a “Do Just One Thing” Hall of Fame tip. There are many unusual and clever tricks to keep squirrels from raiding the bird feeder in your backyard. But one simple item really works: red pepper flakes. Rodents like squirrels hate the spicy, sharp taste of red paper flakes and quickly learn to avoid stealing the seeds. Our feathered ...Read more

Here’s a simple way to save water: Stop pre-rinsing your dishes and cups before you put them in the dishwasher. Modern dishwashers are designed to be as energy- and water-efficient as possible, so they are a much greener option than washing by hand. And the dishwashing tablets we use today are also far more effective than detergents from the ...Read more