While disposable razors may not be an eco-friendly choice, if you do use them, there is one thing you can do to help lengthen the life of the blades. After each shave, simply rinse and dip the blades in a little isopropyl rubbing alcohol. This does two things: It helps dry out the razor blades, which means they won’t rust and will stay sharp, and it helps sanitize the blades, which means you won’t be introducing acne-inducing bacteria onto your face with each shave. You can also dip nail clippers and tweezers in alcohol to keep them clean.
When it’s time for new bedsheets, think about saving the old ones to help out with tasks around the house. Use a large flat sheet as a drop cloth when you’re painting or doing any other messy chores around the house. Use a fitted sheet to help protect a table when you’re working on a craft project and don’t want to damage the tabletop. And protect outdoor plants: When there’s a chance of frost, cover them with a sheet to create a protective barrier from the elements.
While rubbing alcohol is a smart way to disinfect surfaces, it’s one thing you should never use on porous materials like wood and leather. The rubbing alcohol can easily dissolve coatings and finishes on the leather and wood surfaces of furniture, which can lead to deterioration. In fact, rubbing alcohol is so powerful, using too much on leather can “burn” a hole through it. Use all-purpose cleansers or formulas meant for these surfaces to keep these furniture items clean.
When buying whole grains and flour, the general rule of thumb is this: Choose inventory that has a good “sell by” date and has no smell or odor whatsoever. If it smells musty or oily, it’s likely rancid and should not be purchased or used. When storing, keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Or, if you want to store it for long-term use, place it in the freezer. A freezer will double the shelf life of the grain or flour (oats, for example, last four months in a pantry and eight months in a freezer) and also keep it away from small insects.
In grocery stores, when certain items like beans, pasta and rice are in high demand, try to do one thing: Avoid food items that are marked as “WIC” eligible. If you can afford to purchase non-WIC items, you’re leaving available items that are eligible for purchase by people who are on federal assistance. If WIC items are sold out, people on nutritional assistance might have to go home empty-handed.
When washing your hands with soap and water, do your hands feel “slimy” after you’ve rinsed them? Or when it comes to cleaning clothes, do you have to use more laundry detergent than you have in the past? This might be a sign your tap water is too “hard.” When you have “hard” tap water, it means there’s a buildup of minerals like calcium and magnesium. And while hard water is not necessarily bad for you, it could be an indication there are things like aluminum, manganese and lead in your water, and you should have your water tested for safety.
Did you know certain items are illegal in most communities to toss away in the garbage can? These include things like latex paint (because it’s flammable), used motor oil (which can contaminate water) and electronics (because they contain heavy metals). Others items banned for trash include rechargeable batteries, prescription drugs, smoke detectors, tires and unused fireworks. The good news is that almost everything is recyclable, and there are easy solutions to properly dispose of these items when and if you do need to. The website Earth911.com can help you find local recyclers or proper disposal sites near you to get rid of these items.