Healthy and Green Living » Household Hints

7 Ways to Make Your Living Space Smell Nice

Megan, selected from Intent.com — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:20:19 +0000

Rather than spraying chemical-laden air fresheners, choose one of these seven natural ways to make your living space smell a little nicer. 1. Invest in houseplants. Have your favorite plants and herbs growing in your kitchen, living room and bathroom in small pots. The presence of green plants will help reduce indoor air pollution and keep [...]

50 Great Uses for Mason Jars

Megan, selected from Planet Green — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:18:32 +0000

I take Mason jars for granted. I grew up with them in the house and they have been part of my kitchen since I was married in 1980. So, I was surprised when someone saw my extensive collection and wondered why I had so many. It is a little obsessive, I admit. I have about 300 [...]

How to Preserve the Colors of Fall Foliage

Annie B. Bond — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 12:00:41 +0000

I saw the most beautiful peach-red leaf today, one of the most beautiful fall foliage colors I have ever seen. This is a leaf I want to keep!

How to Remove Stains and Pet Odors from Rugs

Annie B. Bond — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:01:54 +0000

Soon we will be closing our homes up for the cooler weather, leaving us face-to-face with rugs and carpets that look and smell less than fresh: a wine spill here, a pet accident there--and you can end up with a real mess underfoot. But commercial carpet cleaners and fresheners can contain synthetic ingredients that can harm you and your pets.

Feng Shui Organizing Tips for Fall

Betsy Stang — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:00:33 +0000

This fall Feng Shui primer will help you nurture yourself and bring more prosperity into your life while you get back to work or school. The organizing guidance is rooted in honoring the seasonal changes, clearing out the old and bringing in the new, and as such connects you more deeply to yourself and the natural world around you. Welcome in the new season and get organized, too, with these fall feng shui tips:

Get Rid of Pests Naturally

Melissa Breyer — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:40:42 +0000

Recently I was at a friend’s house when I noticed a giant carpenter ant crawling across the wall. The master of the house promptly squished it under his thumb, to my squeamish protests, followed by his description of a crunch and a squirt. Bleck. When love-all-creatures me groused about the kill, he said, “but it [...]

Out with the Mold

Terri Hall-Jackson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:13:59 +0000

Returning from vacation recently, my family was welcomed back by an unwelcome house guest: mold. Our basement, which is usually aired out through open windows, had been shut tight for a little over a week. A funky smell hit our noses as we went downstairs, and we discovered the creepy, whitish fuzz on the back [...]

4 New Ways to Use Lemons

Mel, selected from Delicious Living — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:02:16 +0000

Antioxidant-rich lemon adds zest to culinary dishes. Outside of the kitchen, its antiseptic qualities shine. Here are four modern ways to use this versatile fruit. Lemon juice Because lemon juice is highly antibacterial and antiseptic, it can help treat acne. Mix 2 teaspoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice with 1/2 teaspoon rose water. Soak a cotton ball in the [...]

First Aid For Trees

Melissa Breyer — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:03:51 +0000

In the aftermath of a major storm, the initial impulse of property owners is generally along the lines of “let’s get this mess cleaned up.” But hasty decisions can often result in removing trees that could have been saved. Doing the right things after trees have been damaged can make the difference between giving your trees [...]

Odor Removing Secrets

Annie B. Bond — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 19:02:38 +0000

Have you ever wanted to get the smell of perfume out of something and not been able to get rid of it? Cat pee? The new smell in a car?