ArcaMax

Do you have a pool and need to dispose of old water? Start by letting it naturally dechlorinate -- remove the cover and avoid adding any chemicals so the chlorine can dissipate. Test the water to ensure chlorine levels are at zero and the pH is between 6.5 and 8.5. Once it’s safe, you can drain the water onto your lawn, landscaping or mulched ...Read more

This is a good time to look at trees and shrubs for sale at your local nursery and plant them in your yard. Early fall is an ideal time for most climates, because it's an "in-between" weather season where it's still warm enough for a new plant to thrive, but not so hot that it could easily wither. Planting now will help ensure the roots are well...Read more

When choosing paint to use indoors, look for semi-gloss or satin finishes instead of flat paint. The slight sheen helps reflect more light off the walls from light fixtures, so you can use fewer lights and lower-wattage bulbs to save energy. When buying paint, you can avoid overbuying by using an online paint calculator to help you purchase the ...Read more

When it's time to collect leaves from the yard, avoid a leaf blower and use a rake. Yes, it's great exercise, but it's also better for your lawn. While you rake up the leaves, you're removing dead blades of grass. It also removes matted grass clumps, which helps create a healthier and better-looking lawn. Add the leaves to your compost pile or ...Read more

Have you ever thought about how unclean the inside of your car really is? Many of us never thoroughly clean the interior, even though our car is a second home. Some independent studies have shown that cars can harbor mold, mildew, bacteria and high levels of unhealthy volatile organic compounds (mostly due to those artificial car fresheners ...Read more

Have you ever gone to check out at a retail chain like a drugstore and been given a receipt that feels like a mile-long waste of paper? The nonprofit organization Green America recently campaigned and convinced one of the largest chains –- CVS -- to give consumers the option to skip receipts and receive them digitally or not at all instead. ...Read more

Choosing fruit as a snack isn’t just healthy for you; it’s good for the planet, too. Many fruits grow on trees, which act as natural carbon sinks by pulling CO2 out of the atmosphere and storing it. Unlike annual crops that require replanting each season, fruit trees keep giving year after year, helping reduce soil erosion, supporting ...Read more

Ever tried cleaning your area rugs with fresh snow? It really works! On a very cold day with a few inches of clean, powdery snow, place your rug right on top of it. Use a broom to beat the surface (either side works) to loosen dust and dirt, then flip and repeat. The snow clings to debris while the freezing temperatures help kill dust mites and ...Read more

Do you enjoy feeding ducks and other waterfowl? Skip the bread -- it’s basically junk food for them, lacking essential nutrients and potentially causing digestive problems. A healthier option is thawed frozen peas, which are rich in niacin and similar to foods ducks naturally forage. Just remember to avoid canned peas, as they’re often ...Read more