ArcaMax

Smoke alarms are essential, but when yours reaches the end of its roughly 10-year life, consider replacing it with a photoelectric model. Unlike ionization alarms, photoelectric alarms use a light sensor to detect smoke and contain none of the radioactive americium-241 found in older models. They're a cleaner choice that provides excellent ...Read more

If you give money to nonprofit organizations or charities, why not see if your financial donation can be doubled in just a few easy steps? Many corporations have little-known matching programs that match the money you give to charity. All you have to do is ask your human resources department if it has such a program. It usually works like this: ...Read more

Before freezing temperatures arrive, bring your garden hoses indoors for the winter. Leaving them outside can cause water trapped inside to freeze and expand, leading to cracks, splits and leaks. Disconnect your hoses, drain them completely and store them somewhere dry and protected, such as a garage or shed. A little effort now can help extend ...Read more

The automatic dishwasher is the most energy- and water-efficient way to clean dishes when you wash a full load. But did you know that pre-rinsing plates and utensils isn't just a waste of water -- it actually can harm your glassware? Modern dishwashers and dishwashing tablets are designed to work with soiled plates. The detergents are activated ...Read more

Want to make a difference in education? Instead of buying another gift for someone who has everything, help our public school teachers through AdoptAClassroom.org. The nonprofit connects donors directly with teachers who need everything from basic school supplies to technology and educational materials. Teachers can use donations immediately to ...Read more

Buying pre-owned shoes is an easy way to shrink your environmental footprint; extending a product's life avoids the resources, energy and emissions required to make a new pair. But if you wonder about disinfecting them before you wear them, try this: Give used shoes a fresh start by removing and washing the insoles, then lightly misting or ...Read more

When you're buying a single-use beverage, reach for an aluminum can instead of a plastic or glass bottle. Aluminum can be recycled again and again without losing its quality, and recycling it uses about 95% less energy than producing new aluminum. Cans are also lightweight and stackable, making them more efficient to transport. Glass may be ...Read more

Are you part of the movement to live a more plastic-free life? It's easy to think about skipping plastic straws, single-use bags and disposable cups, but what about some of the less obvious plastic hiding in your everyday life? Take wine bottles. Not all wine stoppers are created equal: Some are made from natural cork, a renewable and ...Read more

It may not be realistic to give the inside of your refrigerator a deep cleaning every week, so if you do just one thing, focus on the drawers that hold meat and vegetables. These areas can become breeding grounds for mold and harmful bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli, especially when juices and other substances drip onto the textured ...Read more