Dimmer switches help save money
One decorating trick designers love is to install dimmer switches in homes to create mood and atmosphere lighting. But dimmer switches do more than let you control how bright a room is: They can also save you money. A dimmer switch saves energy because it reduces the flow of electricity to a lightbulb, resulting in less light output. Halogen bulbs on a dimmer can actually use 20 percent less energy when dimmed. Energy-efficient LED bulbs can save even more energy when dimmed. And since there’s less stress on a bulb, the lightbulbs last longer, too.
FROZEN BUTTER
Many people keep sticks of butter at room temperature, so the butter is easily spreadable at a moment’s notice. But over time, the oils in butter can go rancid. If you keep butter refrigerated, it should last at least two weeks past the expiration date after you open it. And to extend the life of butter even longer, freeze it: It’ll last almost nine months. To soften butter to room temperature, microwave it for 15 seconds at 30 percent power. It’ll be soft and spreadable in seconds.
PASS ON LEGOS
Have your children outgrown their love of building things out of Legobrand building blocks? While the bricks are technically recyclable, it can be hard to find a recycler who will take them. But why recycle when you can make cash from them? The website Decluttr (decluttr. com) will purchase bags of Legos from you. Just fill a bag and weigh it, and Decluttr will automatically calculate the value of your bricks. The site also takes old CDs, DVDs, video games and even printed books for cash. Decluttr is a great site to use to get rid of clutter and make some cold, hard cash.
FLOWER-POT FIX
A crack does not mean the end of a terra cotta pot. On the contrary, it’s an easy thing to fix in two easy steps. First, scrub away excess dirt and debris and give the pot a rinse in soapy water, then let it dry completely. Then use an outdoor-safe silicone caulk to fill in the cracks from the inside of the pot; this will fill the cracks and make the pot more water-resistant. To make the seal set, wrap copper or metal wire tightly around the pot and twist it; this will create enough tension to essentially “clamp” the pot together and squeeze it until the silicone sets. Remove the wire in 48 hours and voila! New pot!
SPONGES FOR PLANTS
Are you more of a brown thumb than green when it comes to taking care of houseplants? Here’s an easy trick to help keep your plant alive: Use an old sponge. At the bottom of the pot, place an old kitchen sponge and pot your houseplant. The sponge will prevent excess water from spilling out of the bottom of your pot by absorbing it. As the soil dries out, the sponge will provide a slow drink to your houseplant. So if you ever forget to water your plant, the sponge may give your plant an extra day or two of life!
WAX-PAPER HACKS
Did you know you can do more than wrap with a sheet of wax paper? Take a sheet and give your bathroom fixtures a polish; the wax will buff the metal and create a barrier to prevent new water spots and stains from forming. You can also free up a stuck zipper by rubbing wax paper over it; it’ll release just enough wax to lubricate the zipper. Doing the same trick with a candle could leave a big mess and stain on your clothes. And save used wax paper to use as a fire starter; the paper and wax are perfect for creating a slow burn to get your fireplace or grill going in seconds.
CANDLE WAX
When you’re done burning a scented candle at home, do you ever wonder how to clean out the bottom portion of stuck-in wax? For any container holding a candle — glass, metal, ceramic, etc. — all you have to do is pop it in the freezer overnight. Freezing the wax forces it to shrink and pull away from the container. Just remove the container from the freezer, place it upside down and tap the bottom firmly with your hand. The disc of wax will pop out to reveal a virtually clean container ready to be upcycled into whatever you want.