ArcaMax

Thinking about giving the outside of your house a fresh paint job? The color of paint you choose can have a big impact on how energy-efficient your home can be. Lighter-colored homes in warmer climates have a higher light reflective value (LRV). Pure black measures 0% LRV, and pure white measures 100% LRV. By choosing a lighter tint, you reflect...Read more

After you've fried up a delicious batch of homemade doughnuts, what should you do with the leftover cooking oil? There's an old wives' tale that you can pour used cooking oil onto the ground because it becomes food for earthworms. In reality, the oil can seep into soil, make its way into storm drains and waterways, and contaminate rivers, lakes ...Read more

You may separate your whites from colors when you wash your clothes, but when it comes to drying them, separate according to weight. By drying heavy clothes like jeans, sweaters and thick flannel shirts separately from light fabrics like T-shirts and undergarments, you will be using the least amount of energy. Start by drying a load of light ...Read more

A worn refrigerator door gasket can quietly waste energy by letting cold air escape. Check the seal every few months using the simple "dollar bill test": Close the door on a dollar bill and gently pull. If it slides out easily, the gasket is no longer sealing properly and should be replaced. Under normal household use, refrigerator gaskets ...Read more

Salt may seem like an easy, natural weed killer, but use it with caution. It works by dehydrating plants, but it's nonselective and can permanently damage soil, making it impossible for anything else to grow there. It is an eco-friendly option to remove weeds growing in cracks between driveways, sidewalks or patio pavers -- not in garden beds or...Read more

Hydrangeas are a popular plant for landscaping, but they aren't all the same. Native varieties like smooth hydrangea and oakleaf hydrangea evolved alongside North American wildlife and provide valuable support for local pollinators. Many popular non-native varieties, such as bigleaf and endless summer hydrangeas, are bred for oversized, colorful...Read more

Beautiful trees like weeping willows, poplars and birches can create unexpected problems in the landscape. Weeping willows and fast-growing poplars have aggressive root systems that seek out water and can damage septic drain fields, sewer lines and residential pipes. Birch trees also require consistently moist soil, especially in dry climates, ...Read more

Even in an age of digital reading, printed books are still in demand and can be donated if you're ready to make room on your bookshelf at home. The rule of thumb for donating books is this: If the book was published three years ago or less, donate it to your local library, which will resell the book at a fundraiser to raise money for its ...Read more

Beauty products can still be useful in new and different ways well after they've been used up or expired. A clean mascara brush, for example, can be used to scrub between stones in jewelry or watch links to clear away dirt and debris. Unwanted nail polish (perhaps a color not to your liking) can be used to paint the stems of wineglasses to give ...Read more