Do just one thing
DON’T PICK WILDFLOWERS
There are a lot of reasons to not pick wildflowers and use them for arrangements at home. First, in many communities, it’s simply illegal. Second, the flowers are needed by bees and insects, which feed on the nectar and pollen. And third, they actually can be dangerous for you to pick. Giant hogweed is a common flowering weed that resembles the popular Queen Anne’s lace; it would seem to make for gorgeous arrangements at home. The problem? Its sap is so dangerous, it can cause third-degree burns and even blindness if you rub your eyes after touching it. For all of these reasons, let wildflowers be just that: wild.
RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERS HELP OCEANS
There are many things you can do to help protect our oceans, but did you know being a responsible pet owner is one of them? For example, National Geographic says you should “never flush cat litter, which can contain pathogens harmful to marine life.” Also, they suggest never stocking an aquarium with wild-caught saltwater fish and also never releasing aquarium fish into any body of water, because it could potentially introduce non-native species to an ecosystem.
SET THERMOSTAT AT DESIRED TEMP
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to make their homes cooler in the summer or warmer in the winter is moving the thermostat to the highest or coolest setting. Moving the thermostat to an extreme temperature does not reduce the time it takes for your heating or cooling system to change the temperature of your home. You’re better off setting the thermostat to the desired temperature so it stops there and won’t accidentally keep overheating or overcooling the house.
COVER STUFF IN FRIDGE
Did you know refrigerators are designed to remove moisture that is inside the unit? If there is too much moisture, condensation can build up on the interior of both the refrigerator and freezer in the form of frost and ice. Before putting anything in the fridge, make sure it has a lid or cover, since uncovered containers transfer moisture into the air. Water-rich produce like iceberg lettuce and celery can be problematic; cover them in paper towels, which will help absorb excess moisture. And avoid opening and closing the fridge too many times if it’s warm inside the home. The influx of warm air can create too much moisture.
STEAMERS TO KILL GERMS
If the thought of dousing your home with chlorine bleach to keep things disinfected bothers you, you might want to try another method to kill germs, bacteria and pathogens. Handheld steamers that use water to blast away wrinkles can be effective in disinfecting surfaces. While it’s currently not approved by the Center for Disease Control as an antiviral method, many scientists agree steam can be effective to help create a healthy home. A soapy water mixture on the countertops blasted with steam can be a power method to kill germs, bacteria and, yes, viruses.
INVEST IN HYBRID CAR
Another reason why investing in a hybrid car is a smart choice: It gives you more free time. A recent study by the Ford Motor Co. showed that investing in a fuel-efficient hybrid significantly reduces the number of trips you need to make to the gas station to refuel. Over the course of just one year, the average hybrid car owner saved about 10 hours of time from refueling. What would you do with 10 hours of extra time per year?
WASHING DRY CLEAN ONLY CLOTHES
Did you know you can wash “dry clean only” garments at home? Simple garments like wool sweaters, silk blouses or linen pants can be tossed into a mesh bag and washed in cold water in the washing machine or by hand. Lay them flat on a clean towel to dry. Leave complicated garments like leather/ suede jackets, pleated pants or extremely delicate fabrics (like hand-beaded silk blouses) to the pros to handle.