They say home is where the heart is, but homes can have offensive odors from pets, mold growth, poor ventilation, dirty bathrooms, and household waste. As a result, the global air freshener market is a booming industry expected to reach $27.7 billion by 2030, but many of these products actually contaminate indoor air and introduce toxic chemicals. According to the […]
Do you have some 5-gallon buckets that you’re not using? These heavy-duty buckets are ripe for repurposing projects. I’m sharing a few of my favorite ways to repurpose them — as a chicken feeder, a mini vegetable garden, and a worm farm to make great compost for the garden. Even if you don’t have any of these big buckets, you […]
We all love having streak-free windows, pristine mirrors, and shiny stainless steel appliances, but some commercial glass cleaners contain concerning chemicals that can pollute your home. Thankfully, there are some safer options available that will leave you with crystal-clear glass. Let’s explore why some commercial glass and window cleaners are unsafe and how to clean windows, windshields, and mirrors naturally, […]
Want to add a bit of mid-’60s sophistication to your next summer soiree? Create your very own bar cart — and related cocktail-time accessories — with repurposed materials. Read on for ideas we hope you’ll love. Bar Carts DIY Galvanized Pipe Bar Cart Photo: Life: Designed Made entirely from tool shed and hardware store materials, like galvanized pipe and plywood, […]
One walk down the laundry detergent aisle of your local supermarket can make your head spin. With so many choices — each with so many ingredients — it can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t need to be. If you’re looking for a simple DIY laundry detergent recipe, this episode of Earth911 TV is for you. Learn how to easily make […]
In the realm of upcycling, empty glass jars and bottles are definitely rock stars. Use jars to tote salads to work or as stylishly offbeat drinkware at a party. If your rolling pin is out of reach, pick up a glass bottle to flatten your dough. Even with no fuss, these glass containers are infinitely functional. They’re also well-suited for intriguing transformations, such […]
Raised dog bowls can provide health benefits to your dog and aesthetic benefits for your home. There are multiple ways to build a raised dog bowl with reusable and environmentally friendly materials. Reclaimed wooden pallets are versatile and environmentally friendly building materials. Upcycling these pallets, instead of buying virgin wood, helps reduce the market for more timber harvesting. Before you […]
Reducing travel for business and family visits is one of the most impactful choices we can make to reduce our climate impact. When we travel, we should make it count, but we can’t do that unless we understand the consequences for the environment. In this installment of our Carbon Calculating series, discover how to calculate your carbon emissions for air […]
The dozens of carbon calculators available as apps and on the web provide widely divergent estimates of your carbon footprint. Whether you choose to use one of the many calculators or want to assemble your own estimate — from finding and understanding your home energy usage to assessing a carbon calculator’s results — this article will break down how to […]
If you want to try your hand at DIY solar, a small off-grid system is safer and easier to install than a full rooftop solar system. In most places, installing and connecting a solar system to the grid requires professional licenses or certifications. And, as we covered in our previous article, many states restrict residents from connecting a DIY system […]