DO JUST ONE THING

5/22/23

When it comes to saving electricity at home, appliances that involve water or keeping things cold account for nearly 25% of the average household's energy use. Choosing energy-efficient dishwashers and refrigerators is a good way to start, and opting for cold water whenever possible when washing clothes really adds up. If you're buying a refrigerator/ freezer, select the smallest one possible that will meet your household's needs.

5/23/23

It's no surprise that the least ecofriendly fabrics are the ones that are humanmade. These include polyester, acrylic and rayon, because they are made from synthetic materials and can take hundreds of years to break down in landfill conditions. But the list of least-sustainable fabrics also includes a natural fiber: conventional cotton. The reason? The tremendous amount of insecticide and water involved in manufacturing cotton. And the amount of chemicals used to make cotton T-shirts and jeans is worse. If you love cotton, go with organic.

5/24/23

Some of us might avoid light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs when lighting our homes because we're afraid that the light will feel cold and clinical. But LED bulbs are highly energy-efficient, and finding the right bulbs can make all the difference in keeping your home warm and inviting. When shopping for LED bulbs, key words to search for are “warm white” or “soft white” on the packaging. But more important, look for the Kelvin rating -- a metric to measure color temperature -- on the packaging. LED bulbs that are 3,000 Kelvins or less cast a yellow light; any higher, and it'll likely be a cooler, bright white light.

5/25/23

If you've ever found the smell of gas annoying while at the filling station, you're not wrong to be irritated: It's not only obnoxious, but it could be toxic. The fumes you smell are likely benzene and toluene fumes, which can lead to health problems. When pumping gas, the proper way to fill up is to insert the nozzle into your gas inlet and use the “hold-open latch,” which snaps into place on the nozzle handle and allows the gas to flow continuously without the need for you to hold the nozzle. Stand a few feet away to avoid the fumes, and be sure to not top off the tank, which can release additional fumes into the atmosphere.

5/26/23

When traveling, if your destination is less than 300 miles away, it's best to avoid short-haul flights and opt for a different mode of transportation. According to the World Wildlife Fund, short-haul flights are the least fuel-efficient way to travel. Choosing to drive or going by bus or train are the most ecofriendly ways when you don't have too far to go. And when you do have to travel far, choose planes with the highest possible occupancy rates: This means they are the most fuel-efficient for that fleet of planes.

5/27/23

Mulch made from recycled rubber sounds eco-friendly, but it's not a good option for your garden. While this variety of mulch does make use of a waste product that's notoriously difficult to recycle -- tires -- the reality is that rubber does not biodegrade, and recycled rubber mulch slowly leaches chemicals into your soil. It's also highly flammable, making it unsafe for your home. Opt for greener and more natural options instead.

5/28/23

Tea lovers know that you should never store tea leaves in the spice cabinet. The reason? Strong spices like cinnamon actually can be absorbed into tea leaves, which can change their flavor profile. But because tea leaves are absorbent, they can also be used to deodorize around the house. Sprinkle dry tea leaves all over a rug or carpet and press them into the fibers. Let them sit for as long as possible (at least 15 minutes) and then vacuum them up. The leaves will absorb odors and leave your carpet odor-free.