ArcaMax

When you’re watching your favorite shows on a streaming platform, the way you watch it can have a profound impact on how much energy you use for your entertainment. Start by watching at a lower resolution; instead of the super-high res 4K or 1080p, try for 720p to reduce energy usage. If you watch shows on your phone, always stream over a Wi-...Read more

With nearly 1.3 billion gallons of paint mixed and sold every year in the United States, a lot of paint ends up wasted because we chose the wrong shade. It can be hard to choose the perfect hue from paint chips, and when we pick something we like, it often appears too bright, too dark or just wrong on our walls. To help avoid this financial and ...Read more

You probably have a box of old baking soda in your refrigerator that needs to be replaced, but don’t toss it -- you can use it to help clean around the house. Add 1/4 cup of baking soda to your empty coffeepot and fill the rest with cool water, dissolving the mixture, then run it through your coffee maker. The baking soda mixture will help ...Read more

If you live in a climate that has freezing cold winter days, one of the biggest challenges for wildlife is to find fresh water to drink. You can help give birds and other animals a drink of water by investing in a solar-powered fountain that has a feature called a “water wiggler.” This prevents ice from forming and keeps the fresh water ...Read more

Did you stock up on too much hand sanitizer during COVID lockdown? The good news is there are myriad uses for it other than keeping your hands germ-free. One of the most ingenious is deodorizing smelly feet by simply rubbing a small amount of sanitizer on the soles; the alcohol kills the odor-causing bacteria. You can also clean digital devices ...Read more

For many of us, the idea of leftover wine seems like an oxymoron, but if you do have a little extra vino from a party, you can use it to help your plants. The nitrogen content in wine is beneficial for plants, gardens and compost bins. Just pour the wine directly into a compost bin or dilute it with water if you are feeding it to plants to give ...Read more

There are a number of creative uses for used coffee grounds, but did you know you can also use them on your dog? Fleas detest coffee, so instead of using a harsh chemical flea shampoo or spray on your beloved pet, just gather some used grounds to keep the fleas at bay. The next time you give your dog a bath, massage a handful of grounds into the...Read more

If you love to craft with kids, it’s important to stock up on supplies that are free of harsh chemicals. Many products like ink pads, markers and craft paints can contain asthma-triggering chemicals or have high levels of volatile organic compounds. The basic rule of thumb is, if the product has a smell, it’s likely chemical-based. How do ...Read more

Oranges have one of the largest carbon footprints of all fruits and vegetables, but it depends on where they come from. The majority of oranges come from Brazil, which means they are transported from far away to the United States. If you purchase domestically grown citrus from California or Florida, the footprint is much lower. Growing, ...Read more