Pull the plug on idle electronics
Did you know leaving your TV, cable box and Wi-Fi router plugged in all day can burn through $150 in electricity costs every year? It’s even worse if no one is home during the day to use any of these devices. Because these electronics use energy even when inactive, a simple solution is to plug them into a surge protector with an easy-to-access on/off switch. When you leave for the day, turn it off so it’s not wasting power for eight to 10 hours, then turn it on when you get home. The inconvenience of waiting a few minutes for everything to reboot is worth it.
ENERGY SIPPERS
If you’ve gotten into the habit of unplugging things like chargers, small appliances and electronics when not in use, congrats to you. But not everything always has to be unplugged. Older appliances that lack all the bells and whistles of modern electronics are energy sippers, not hogs. Old and simple alarm clocks, lamps and even washers and dryers that lack LED screens and monitors can be left plugged in. Always focus on the actual energy hogs to save costs, and save yourself the hassle by leaving the old-fashioned ones plugged in.
TREE WIZARD
Do you want to plant a tree in your yard, but have no idea which one is right for you and your home? Finding the right tree is critical, because a wrong choice can wither and die quickly. The National Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Wizard makes it easy to find the perfect tree. Just enter your ZIP code, the type you’re interested in (e.g. fruit, evergreen), the type of soil you have, sun exposure and what your overall goal is (e.g. height, growth rate), and it’ll list all the options that would be perfect for you. Use the wizard at arborday.org.
CLOTHES AND CHLORINE
Summer season means visits to the pool to cool off. After taking a dip in the pool, be sure to rinse off with fresh water to remove residual pool water from your bathing suit. When you get home, wash your swimsuit and any other clothing you brought to the pool, including T-shirts, cover-ups and socks. Even in the low levels found in pools, chlorine can still be oxidizing to fabrics, causing them to fade, stiffen and wear out quickly. Immediately laundering will help protect them after a fun day in the sun.
WINDOW RAYS
Many of us wouldn’t think twice about wearing sunscreen if we’re spending a day at the beach, but what about in your office? If you spend a lot of time by a sunny window at work, you’re exposing yourself to harmful ultraviolet rays all day long, even outside the peak hours of sunlight. Not only is this harmful to your skin, it also can fade interior furnishings as well. Instead of slathering on zinc oxide or covering up the window, consider investing in a UV protection film that coats the inside of the window. It will block 99% of the UV rays and is virtually invisible.
BONSAI ALLERGIES
A bonsai tree may seem like a beautiful and exotic plant to bring to your home as household decor, but think twice if anyone in your house has allergies. Bonsai trees are usually well-groomed miniature juniper and cedar trees. For many people, these two types of trees can trigger serious allergies. And even those who aren’t allergic can still be bothered just by touching them. A prick from a bonsai tree can leave an irritation on the skin.
STEAM CLEANING
Do you want to extend the life of a face mask or use a nonchemical means to sanitize reusable face masks? A study by the Journal of Medical Virology tested the idea of just using steam to sanitize surgical masks and N95 respirators. It was simple: A used mask was placed in a plastic bag and steamed over boiling water in a regular kitchen pot. After just five minutes, the masks were completely sterilized, with no damage whatsoever. At home, you can use a handheld steamer to sterilize masks when washing and drying isn’t an easy option.