Do just one thing
SAVING LEFTOVERS
We throw away about $140 billion dollars’ worth of uneaten food every year in the United States, so anything you can do to save leftovers and enjoy them within the next few days is good for both your wallet and the planet. When storing leftovers, look for portion-sized reusable containers to store individual serving sizes, which make it easy to grab one serving and enjoy it without getting into any others. Also, refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking, allowing hot foods to cool just enough and be ready for the fridge.
DON’T REFIGERATE VITAMINS
It sounds like a great idea: Store your vitamins inside the refrigerator to keep them as fresh as possible. But unless you bought your vitamins or supplements in the refrigerated section at the store, you should avoid doing this. Contrary to tips online, vitamins need to be kept in a cool and dry place, and a refrigerator is actually cool and humid; the excess moisture of a fridge can destroy the efficacy and freshness of vitamins. Instead, keep your vitamins in their containers, make sure the caps are secure, and store them on your kitchen countertop.
AVOIDING BLEACH
When you have white kitchen and bath towels, they can get stained easily. And while using chlorine bleach may guarantee perfectly white results when you wash them, it isn’t the most environmentally friendly choice. To avoid bleach, try these tips to whiten your towels. First, try soaking out the stains in a sink full of water to help dilute them before washing. Then sprinkle a little baking soda and hydrogen peroxide right on the stain and let it bubble away for 30 to 60 minutes. When you wash as normal, they should all come out crystal clean.
DON’T FREEZE JEANS
Have you ever heard the tip about freezing your favorite pair of jeans to eradicate the odor-causing bacteria? Many people do this to avoid washing their denim, in the hope that the material will keep its perfect shape and fit. But in reality, this tip does not work, because the odor-causing bacteria can survive even freezing temps. It takes just a few surviving bacteria spores to repopulate and grow when you re-wear your jeans. If you really want fresh-smelling jeans, wash them.
CLEAN THE SPONGE
Many of us use a plastic sponge in the shower or bath when using body wash, but we never wonder if we need to clean the very item that helps us get our bodies squeaky clean. Those nylon mesh sponges can be a breeding ground for bacteria over time, so follow these steps to keep them clean: Every eight weeks or so, toss your sponge into your washing machine and launder with your usual laundry and detergent. After the washer has completed its cycle, remove the sponge and let it air dry.
TOAST THE COMPOST
If your backyard compost bin has been slow to heat up and decompose all of the organic matter that’s piling up, you might want to offer a toast. Tossing leftover beer on top of the pile can help feed the beneficial bacteria that are multiplying inside. The natural yeast and sugar in beer provides a boost of nutrients that can help that bacteria bloom, speeding up the decomposition of organic matter and quickly turning your peels, weeds and leftovers into beneficial mulch.
USE BIODEGRADABLE SOAP
During the summer months, you may find yourself taking advantage of an outdoor shower that’s close to a beach or garden. It’s important to use biodegradable soap and bath products when you shower outdoors, especially if you’re close to water sources. Keep in mind that just because a product is labeled biodegradable doesn’t mean it’s good for the planet. What it does mean is that in a few months’ time, the soapy mixture will break down in the soil where the shower drains. So use products sparingly and avoid using them close to water sources like lakes, rivers, streams and the ocean.