Do just one thing
DON’T STORE VITAMINS IN FRIDGE Unless the packaging or bottle specifically calls for it, the refrigerator is not an ideal place to store your vitamins and supplements. While vitamins do well in a cool, dark place, a refrigerator isn’t just too cold, it’s very moist, too. This environment can actually degrade the efficacy of the supplement and lessen its shelf life. A simple drawer is the best place, and always be sure to seal the bottle tight every time you take a vitamin.
BUG-FREE TREE
Nearly 33 million fresh-cut evergreen trees are sold every year in the United States during the Christmas season. And while a real tree is a much more environmentally friendly choice than an artificial one, you do risk bringing invasive insects into your home that could be living in the tree. To make sure your fresh-cut pine is bug-free, you can generously sprinkle a chemical-free powder called diatomaceous earth all over it. It’ll dry out the insects, and you can easily shake it off before bringing the tree indoors.
SQUASH THE LANTERNFLY
The spotted lanternfly may be an exoticlooking and even beautiful insect to see, but if you spot one in your yard, do one thing: Squash it. This invasive insect can wreak havoc on crops and fruit trees and can quickly multiply. In addition to killing individual flies by hand, you can deploy natural DIY sprays and kill the bugs en masse if you see a cluster on a tree. Fill a bottle with white vinegar and spray away; vinegar is effective at killing without doing too much harm to your plants.
THERMOS FOR FOOD
Many people now use a reusable thermos for their morning fix of coffee to help keep their java hot longer and cut down on disposable cups and other packaging. Here’s another use for your thermos: Use it to keep hot foods hot longer. Think homemade mac and cheese, soups and other items you can store in an airtight thermos so you can enjoy them for lunch at work (or your kids can enjoy them at school). If a thermos keeps coffee nice and warm, it will keep food toasty for hours, too.
THROW UNTENSILS AWAY Generally, reusing items is one of the greenest things you can do that is simple and beneficial. But when it comes to disposable plastic utensils like forks, knives and spoons, it’s best to use them once and throw them away. While it’s tempting to rinse plastic utensils and reuse them, they really aren’t designed to be used more than once. When you wash utensils, microscopic spaces are created that can harbor food particles that eventually will foster bacterial growth. So if you must use plastic utensils, use them once; but try to opt for reusable utensils (like stainless steel) whenever possible.
COMPANION PLANTING Smart planning for your flower beds around the house can lead to significant water and time savings when caring for your gorgeous flowers. According to National Geographic, consider “companion planting” by grouping certain plants together to help them mutually grow. By planting taller, sun-loving plants in the back with shorter, shade-loving plants in front, the two varieties can help each other thrive. The taller plants block the sun’s rays and also help reduce evaporation for the shorter plants. This symbiotic planting will help your flower beds thrive and grow almost all on their own.
MUG THE LEAK
Do you have a small leak in your home you think is no big deal? For example, do you have a faucet that just drips a drop here and there? Do this: Place a coffee mug where the drip is, and come back in 10 minutes. According to the World Wildlife Fund, if the mug is full when you return, you’re wasting about 3,000 gallons of water per year from that itty-bitty drip. Look up how to fix the drip (you’d be surprised how easy it is to do with a few tutorial videos you can watch online) to help save some H20.