Some trees are better at fighting climate change
One of the easiest ways to help combat climate change is to plant a tree. But did you know that some trees are better at absorbing and storing carbon dioxide emissions than others? The U.S. Forest Service did a study in 2002 that researched which trees in an urban environment were the best at absorbing CO2. Trees like black walnut, ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, red oak, bald cypress, and red and white pines topped the list. These trees are also easy to maintain.
HOUSEPLANT CARE
Household plants can be a natural and efficient way to purify the air inside your home. But if your plants get sick — developing white or black mold spores on the outside of the leaves, for instance — they can actually contribute to an unhealthy air environment. For sturdy plants, wipe down the leaves with a damp microfiber towel to pick up the mold spores; wash the microfiber cloth in hot water to sanitize the towel. Rinse your more delicate plants clean with cool water in a deep sink or bathtub. Let them drain and air dry, then return them to their sunny spot in the home.
HINT OF LEMON
Have you ever needed just a little bit of freshsqueezed lemon juice, but you didn’t want to waste a whole lemon to get it? Here’s a simple hack in which you only need a toothpick. First, press the lemon with the palm of your hand while rolling it on a countertop to break up some of the juice sacs inside. Then pierce the lemon with a toothpick in the non-stem end, and squeeze out the juice you need. The small hole will allow fresh juice to be extracted without having to cut the lemon open, and the lemon will remain fresh longer, so it can still be used the next day.
SUNNY-DAY CLEANING
Is the forecast calling for a hot, dry, sunshine-filled day? Use the opportunity to harness the natural deodorizing properties of sunlight and give your hard-to-clean items a freshening up! Sunlight contains ultraviolet light, which can destroy the DNA of odor-causing bacteria. Letting things like pillows, blankets, towels and even clothes lie out in the sun for a few hours can help clean them. The key thing is to make sure it’s a very dry day. Humidity in the air can actually worsen the problem, as bacteria loves a moist environment.
INK STAINS
Most of us are familiar with the old trick about applying hairspray to remove an ink stain. While this hack actually worked in the past, it probably won’t when you try it today, because many modern hairspray products use less alcohol than those in years past, or are alcohol-free. So when your ballpoint pen creates a stain, what household item can you use instead? Reach for rubbing alcohol. Simply saturate the stain and let it sit for about 15 minutes; the stain will magically disappear. Use an eye dropper for targeting smaller stains!
RECYCLE RAZORS
Over 2 billion disposable razors are thrown away every year, with just about none of them recycled. The largest manufacturer of razors, Gillette, wants to change that by taking back razors (any brand) for recycling. Simply register on their website, collect razors in a box and send them in to be recycled. And if you’re a member of their subscription service, you can use their shipping boxes to send back razors (again, of any brand) to be recycled. The old razors are separated by material and recycled into new products.
NONSTICK RESEASONING
Is your nonstick frying pan sticking? It can be frustrating when a nonstick pan begins to make it almost impossible to fry eggs, but there’s no need to toss the pan into the trash! You can easily recoat the pan to make it work almost as good as new. Simply fill the pan with a mixture of water, baking soda and white vinegar. Simmer on the stove for 10 minutes to loosen the grease and baked-on particles, then rinse. While the pan is still warm, rub vegetable oil over the entire surface and wipe off the excess. This will help reseason the pan and make it easier to cook with the next time you need it.