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There are tons of things you can do to
conserve and use resources more economically. We'll add new tips
as we find them. If you've got one in mind, feel free to email us
using the "Contact Us" link above.
To cut back on the junk mail you receive at home (or work) visit
stopjunkmail.org to find out how to remove yourself from mailing lists.
Paper towels can be handy in the kitchen, but you can make a roll
last for months by using washable dish-towels and sponges for most
kitchen messes. I only use paper towels to oil my cast-iron pans.
Did you know that wooden cutting boards are safer than plastic ones?
Wooden ones test negative for bacteria. They kill their own bacteria-
although no one knows how they do this! Plastic cutting boards can
breed bacteria, plus little shreds of plastic can get into your
food.
Rub half a lemon onto a washed cutting board to rid it of any
lingering odors
A simple oven cleaner can be made with baking soda and water. Sprinkle
water generously over the bottom of the ven, then cover the grime
with baking soda. Sprinkle some more water on top of the soda and
leave it overnight. Simply wipe it up with a green scouring pad.
Then rinse thoroughly to remove all excess baking soda.
Pour ½ a cup of baking soda into your drain, followed by
3 cups of boiling water. Let the mixture gurgle and bubble for a
while before rinsing with hot tap water. Repeat if necessary.
To help you remember to bring your own recycled bags and bottles
to the store, keep them in a box or bag in the kitchen ready to
go. You can load the whole thing in your car or on your bicycle
in minutes. You'll get 5 cents off your grocery total per recycled
container (rather than spending money on extra containers), you'll
save money (buying in bulk is cheaper) and you'll avoid wasting
excessive packaging.
Cast iron pans are not that expensive and can last for decades if
treated right. If you have a new or dried out pan, oil the pan liberally
and bake in the oven at 200-350 degrees for about 20 minutes, then
let it cool on the stove. Always oil the surface amply before using.
After cooking, don't soak the pan in dirty dishwater unless you
have caked on foods. Rinse with a tiny bit of soap and a sponge.
Heat the pan over the stove at a low heat to dry it. Once the pan
is warm, dribble a little bit of oil (such as safflower or olive
oil) into the pan and spread it around with a paper towel, coating
the entire inner surface. Heat for a few minutes and then let it
cool on the stove. This process only takes a few minutes and will
keep your pans lasting for decades!
Fill a pan large enough to hold the silver with water. Add your
silver, 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of baking soda and few
sheets of aluminum foil. Let the mixture sit for an hour or so.
You may notice a mild sulphur smell as the tarnish is "magically"
pulled from the silver onto the foil. Then simply rinse the silver
in hot water and dry with a soft cloth.
To get rid of the intense plastic smell of a new shower curtain,
just lay it in the sun, turning every few hours. The chemicals will
outgas and most of the smell will be gone within a day.
Rub a sponge saturated with white vinegar on your shower curtain
to remove the soapy buildup and to help fight mold and mildew.
A ¼ cup of white vinegar can be added to the rinse cycle
of your wash to deter both lint and static cling.
To remove "ring around the collar", rub a little shampoo
into the stain and then launder as usual.
According to a NASA study, common houseplants help filter chemicals
out your home - the more plants in an enclosed area the better!
English ivy absorbs benzene, spider plants and boston ferns remove
formaldehyde, and aloe vera and potted chrysanthymum are said to
filter numerous toxins.
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