Wash darks without damage
If your wardrobe is made up of mostly dark colors like navy blue and black, turn your clothes inside out before they go in the washer. Deeply dyed clothing has an outer-surface dye that can fade and wear quickly when it rubs against other clothing in the wash. By turning clothing like jeans and shirts inside out, they won’t rub, and they’ll still get clean. Using energy-efficient cold water also helps prevent bleeding and fading of colors — especially important for newer clothes, as dyes are more likely to bleed in the first few washes.
PARK IT
For every hour you spend circling a parking lot or idling while waiting for a spot to open, you waste 1/5 to 7/10 of a gallon of gas. That may not sound like a lot, but over time and combined with other motorists, it results in a lot of wasted fuel and CO2 emissions going into the atmosphere. The app ParkMobile wants to eliminate those issues by helping you find open spots in real time on your phone. The app also lets you pay for the spot with your phone if it’s metered. So no more searching for loose change to pay for parking.
SEND DIGITAL GIFTS
Say you forgot to send a gift to a faraway relative, and you need to get one there ASAP. While the option of overnight shipping may seem like a solution, it’s an environmental disaster. Overnight shipping involves myriad problems, including significant CO2 emissions from gas-guzzling planes, layers of protective packaging and the trucks needed to get that package to the recipient. Instead, consider sending digital gift cards or contacting local businesses near your relative to hand-deliver a gift. It may take a little more work, but it’s more personal and less environmentally destructive.
WASH WINTER WEAR
Before you pack up your winter accessories, give them a good wash or have them professionally cleaned. These items rarely get washed but are often worn the most during the cold, harsh months. Dirt, body oils, germs and bacteria accumulate on the items. Storing them unwashed can lead to deterioration and odors that you’ll discover when the winter months come around again. Most items can be washed in the washing machine and then hung to air-dry.
RECYCLING CELLPHONES
There are an estimated three dead cellphones in the junk drawers of every American home today. It’s believed that more than 500,000 phones are replaced every day in the United States, which means one thing: This technology should be recycled. The company EcoPhones wants to help solve this issue and help charities, schools and churches raise money, too. The company pays for every old phone it receives, no matter if the phone works. It also accepts inkjet cartridges and tablet devices for recycling. To learn how to end e-waste and raise money, visit recyclingfundraiser.com.
FIGHT FROST
Even with warmer temperatures outside, in some parts of the country there may still be some nights when freezing temperatures could affect potted plants and seedlings in your vegetable garden. To protect your plants at night, upcycle old bubble wrap into mini greenhouses. Since the air bubbles in the wrap help retain heat and allow sunlight in, you can insulate your plants by simply running sheets of bubble wrap on top or around the base of the plant. When you’re done with the wrap, pop the bubbles and toss the sheet into the same bin that accepts plastic shopping bags for recycling.
CLEANER VACUUM
Yes, even tools designed to keep your home clean need to be, well, cleaned. Take a few cotton balls and isopropyl alcohol and disinfect the bottom of your vacuum cleaner. Over time, your vac can accumulate dirt, germs and bacteria, and a simple cleaning can fix this. If you have a housekeeper, ask them to use your own vacuum at home instead of one they may bring. Their vacuum is used in a variety of different homes and can drag in things like pet dander and other allergens.