When it comes time to wrap gifts during the holiday season, think reusable, reusable, reusable. One easy idea is to wrap gifts using a new kitchen or bath towel so that it can be reused after the present is unwrapped. You also can use things you might already have around the house: large pieces of paper that were used for kids' artwork; old maps or newspaper; and even just a reusable bag where you tie the top into a neat little bow. Whatever you can do to help reduce holiday waste is a step in the right direction.
FUEL EFFICIENCY
According to the Environmental Protection Agency's website fueleconomy.gov, one of the easiest ways to maximize your car's fuel efficiency is to simply follow the speed limit. While, yes, aggressive driving can create unsafe road conditions for you and drivers around you, you're also wasting gas and money. Think of it this way: For every 5 mph you drive at speeds over 50 mph, you're wasting around 18 cents per gallon in gas. So if you drive 70 mph in a 50 mph zone, that's wasting 72 cents per gallon. Follow the speed limit to save money and save lives.
GIFT CARDS FOR CHARITY
More than $750 million goes unspent every year from gift cards, and it's a shame, because the unused balances could be used to do some good. Many charities will accept your unused cards from almost any retailer. They'll either use the balance to buy much-needed items for their works - like clothing or food - or they'll sell the gift cards to raise funds for their nonprofit work. Take the time to rummage through your wallet, purse or junk drawer and give your unused gift cards away. Even a card with a few pennies left on it is better used than unused.
'DO NOT DISTURB'
One of the easiest ways to "green your stay" at hotels is to simply hang the "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door. This stops housekeeping from changing your sheets, using water and wasting natural resources to get your room clean. Many hotel chains now reward guests for going green or for opting out of housekeeping. They'll often give you a free drink at the bar, breakfast or reward points applicable toward your frequent guest account.
VITAMINS AS FERTILIZER
When it's time to get your backyard vegetable garden going, consider giving the tiny transplants a little nutritional boost. Save (or collect from friends) expired multivitamins as something nutritious and healthy to give plants. When you make a hole in the ground for, say, a bell pepper plant, pop a vitamin in the hole first. As the vitamin dissolves, it'll give a boost to the plant and help it thrive. Many gardeners who have tried this trick have found great success with prolific and overproducing plants in their garden.
DISH SOAP VS. GREASE
We all know that dish soap is great at cutting the grease on frying pans and tableware, but did you know you can also use it in other places in the house? If you have stubborn grease stains on concrete floors in the garage or basement, they can be removed with dish soap! All you have to do is cover the grease stain with a combination of baking soda and dish soap. The soap will degrease and the baking soda will absorb. Let the mixture sit on top of the stain for a few hours, scrub, rinse and voila! Gone.
VINEGAR NO-NOS
If you read Do Just One Thing on a regular basis, you know my love for all-natural white vinegar. But there are some things you should never clean with white vinegar. Natural stone countertops like granite and marble should never be cleaned with vinegar; it's too harsh and can cause etching on the surface. And the same goes for hardwood floors; the seal that keeps floors protected with a sheen can be damaged by the mild acid in white vinegar.