Excess avocado rinds can ruin your compost
If you’re an avid composter, it may seem like a no-brainer to toss avocado skin and pits into the compost bin. And why not? They’re totally organic and biodegradable. But the reality is avocado waste is very slow to decompose and can ruin your compost if you have too much rind in the mix. If you want to compost it, cut the peels into small strips or squares. And for something adventurous, toss a pit into rich, finished compost. It actually could grow into a mini avocado tree.
PLANTS AND LIGHT
Plants need light for photosynthesis and to thrive and be healthy over time. You might think placing a plant near a lamp is just as good as placing it near a sunny window, but the reality is sunlight has red and blue spectra light, which is what plants need most to grow. Traditional light bulbs lack the spectra light plants need, and while “full spectrum” lights are available in light-bulb form, they are expensive and use energy to work. Why buy special bulbs? Use free sunlight instead.
FROZEN CHEESE
If you have leftover cheese, the good news is that you can freeze it and use it later. But most cheeses do not freeze well, and freezing them can result in a separation of the water and oils, turning a thawed-out cheese into one that’s more chalky than creamy. So why do it? Because a thawed-out frozen cheese can be heated up and used as the perfect ingredient to make a cheesy dip, a macaroni and cheese or anything that calls for a rich, melted cheese. Just be sure to thaw it out completely before using.
PLASTIC RECYCLING
Have you ever ordered something online and opened the package to find air-filled “pillow pockets” were used to help protect your purchase? The inflated plastic cushions prevent your item from getting damaged inside the box during the shipping process. The good news is they are recyclable. All you have to do is “pop” the air out and drop off the plastic material at any recycling bin that accepts clean plastic shopping bags. You can find those receptacles at almost any supermarket in America. You can recycle bubble wrap and clean plastic sandwich bags in those same bins, too.
OLD PHOTOS
It seems everything can go into a paper recycling bin: scrap paper, newspapers, magazines and junk mail. But often what seems like paper isn’t actually recyclable, and that includes old photographs. While technically printed on paper, old photos have a thin polythene coating on top (which gives them a glossy or matte finish). This is a synthetic material that can clog paper recycling machines when the photos are pulped. Rather than trying to recycle them, save the photos or toss them into the trash.
CORN STARCH
When a drip of oil from a greasy slice of pizza ends up on your clothes, there’s no reason to panic. Instead of dousing the garment with laundry detergent, try a pantry staple instead: corn starch. The powdery substance is super absorbent and will soak up the oil stain. Just cover the stain with corn starch and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Then toss the garment into the washing machine and wash as normal to eradicate that grease stain for good.
POTTED PLANTS
A lot of outdoor potted plants can’t be brought indoors to protect them from the harsh, cold winter months. When you leave your potted plants to fend for themselves, give them a little extra security using bubble wrap. Wrap the pots with a few layers of bubble wrap and use tough shipping tape to secure it in place. The air pockets act as insulation and will help keep the pots from cracking, and the wrap also will help protect the pots from things like snow shovels. Remove the bubble wrap in the spring and watch your plants come to life.