Be kind to your TV when moving
When moving to a new home, one of the more delicate items that needs to be wrapped up securely is a television. Purchasing the cardboard box, wrapping and other packing materials needed can not only be expensive, it’s also wasteful, since you will end up discarding them. Since there is a good chance someone in your neighborhood is purchasing a new TV, ask around for their old box and packing materials. It may securely hold your TV, and it’ll be absolutely free to obtain; plus, you’re reusing packaging that was likely destined for the landfill.
SUPERMARKET SAVINGS
Wednesday may be your best time to stock up on the least expensive organic fruits and veggies. Supermarkets traditionally release circulars and sale prices on Tuesday nights for sales that start the following day. When store managers check inventory on Tuesdays and mark down prices on sale items, they also note which perishables need to sell. Overstocked items — like organic produce — are often marked down to diminish their overstock. If you combine manufacturer coupons with these sale prices, you’ll save even more on Wednesday.
STOCKING UP
When one of your favorite organic food items is at an irresistible price at the supermarket, do you ever wonder how much you should stock up on? When something like organic pasta sauce, cereal or other shelf-stable pantry items are on sale, go for about 12 weeks’ worth as your maximum supply when you want to stock up. Twelve weeks is about the length of the
average sales cycle for most items at the store. So if you use about one box of cereal per week, go with 12 boxes of cereal when it’s discounted at the lowest price.
VINEGAR RINSE
Calcium and lime deposit stains on the insides of coffeepots and tea kettles are among the most stubborn things to clean. Getting a sponge or scrubby brush inside can be next to impossible, so try this nontoxic solution instead. Simply fill the pot with equal parts very hot water and vinegar, and let it sit overnight. The mild acid in the vinegar will break down the deposits. Thoroughly rinse it out the next morning, and your coffeepot or tea kettle will look as good as new.
CHECK FOR LEAKS
If your car is leaking fluids like motor oil, it’s important to get it repaired by your mechanic as soon as possible. It can be hard to tell if your car actually has a leak, so try this trick: On a clean, dry floor, place newspaper underneath and around the car overnight. Check the newspaper the next day to see if there are any wet or oily marks. Keep in mind that small drops here and there may be the damp garage environment or air-conditioning condensation rather than leaks from the car. But any significant markings are reason enough to have the car checked by an auto shop.
PET HAIR SQUEEGEE
Does pet hair seem permanently trapped in your carpets where no amount of vacuuming can free it? While a vacuum can do a great job at suctioning up dirt, the weight of the vac can actually compress the fur more deeply into the fibers of the carpet. To free trapped pet hair, head to the shower and grab a squeegee. Running the squeegee across the rug creates static electricity that can draw up the pet fur. As it comes up, it’ll clump and make collection easy, leaving you with a truly clean rug.
SUN-BLEACH PLASTICS
Plastic food-storage containers are a good reusable solution to keep leftovers fresh, but they can often stain. Even with tough hand scrubbing in the sink or using a dishwasher, they can still retain odors and stains that seem impossible to remove. On a very hot, sun-intensive day, try using the sun’s rays to deodorize and brighten your plastic containers instead. Wash them clean and place them on top of a towel in the brightest spot in your yard. The natural UV rays from the sun will do their magic and leave your containers smelling fresh and looking cleaner.