We found 52 results tagged with "around the house"
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Easy Green Home
Here’s an eco-friendly fact that’s easy on the wallet, too: The makings of a greener home are things you already have around you.
Sustainable Living Made Simple
Looking for fresh ideas to go green at home? Start with these simple tips.
50 Challenges
50 Challenges found
Challenge
Put some spring in your cleaning
As days get warmer and longer, it’s time to prepare your household for the season shift, de-clutter, and clean house. This year, why not tackle the project head-on instead of procrastinating and enjoy a shiny new home? Today, challenge yourself to have a good attitude about spring...
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Buy some baking soda
Who knew this simple household cooking staple could clean a kitchen or bathroom so well? If you aim for natural home cleaning, buy a box of the white stuff next time you’re at the store. By mixing one cup with a teaspoon of liquid soap, a little water, and a few drops of an essential oil with...
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Organize your summer vacation photos
Is proof of your fabulous summer getaway still languishing on your camera or computer? Photo albums are a thoughtful and much-appreciated holiday gift for family and friends. (Grandparents adore family photos, and friends you shared time with last summer will appreciate the gesture, too.) Today...
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Decorate your home with travel treasures
Picking up memorabilia while traveling is a universal pleasure, but knowing what to do with it when you get home is a different matter. The key is to impose broad themes on your collections: Do they tell a story? Do they represent a dying art? Do they hail from a particular geographical area? Do...
Challenge
Step up vacuuming
HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) vacuums are a boon to those who want to reduce indoor pollutants and allergens. However, most of us don’t take full advantage of their capabilities to clean our homes. HEPA filters trap smaller particles than conventional ones, so they don’t recycle...
Challenge
Recycle a centerpiece
No need to recreate the wheel to decorate your holiday table this year—just leverage items that most of us have lying around, or reuse last year’s decorations. Mini pumpkins from Halloween, gourds, healthful edibles (apples are colorful), small musical instruments, candles (candle...
Challenge
Give the gift of green living
This year, instead of buying someone a gift, offer her a “greening” certificate! Design and print out an actual certificate redeemable for a few hours of greenification in your pal’s home. Today, challenge yourself to come up with an exciting greenification game plan. Here are some...
Challenge
Make a holiday welcome banner
What clearer way to welcome friends and family your holiday home than a banner strung across your entryway or gathering room? Banner-making is a fun activity for parties, and you can use the same banner year after year. This year, challenge yourself to buy a cloth or paper banner and gather...
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Transition your linen closet
Areas with distinct seasons demand a rethink of your (probably cluttered) linen closet come November. As fall transitions to winter, take nature’s shortening days and thinning daylight as an opportunity to purge what you don’t need and declutter your life. Today, challenge yourself to...
Challenge
Separate spring blooms
Dividing up spring-blooming perennials before the first ground freeze allows them to spend more energy putting down roots before next spring, promoting blooming. It’s not a complicated job, but it is wise to observe best practices when it comes to the transfer. Today, challenge yourself to...
Challenge
Winterize your garden
Preparing your garden for winter is essential in wintry climates, where extremely cold air can freeze and dry out even the toughest plants. Today, challenge yourself to prepare for the season and honor the hard work you’ve put into your garden. Here are some tips for keeping your garden safe...
Challenge
Rake leaves
Raking fallen autumn leaves is a great way to get outdoors, get some exercise—you’ll burn calories too (about 150 per 30 minutes)!—and keep your yard looking fine. Today, challenge yourself to pick up that rake and get out there. (Tip: Make sure you compost the leaves.)
You may...
Challenge
Refurbish a piece of secondhand furniture
Who hasn’t gazed with admiration on a stunning piece refinished by loving hands? Unfortunately, for most of us, that’s where the impetus to reuse and recycle ends when it comes to furniture renovation. If you’re intimidated by the idea of making something old new again, challenge...
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Get rid of VOCs naturally
Ever opened a package containing something like a new vinyl shower curtain, only to reel at the strong odor of chemicals? Welcome to the world of VOCs. Volatile organic compounds are gases released by many common home products (paints, printers, cleaning products, cosmetics, vinyl floors, etc...
Challenge
Buy better sheets
It’s hard to rest easy when you read statistics like this one: Cotton, the number-one ingredient in most bedsheets, accounts for 25% of the world’s pesticide use. Furthermore, conventional petroleum-based dyeing to color linens causes chemical run-off that negatively impacts the...
Challenge
Stock up on sustainable jewelry
If pretty is as pretty does, then most of us need to take a second look at our jewelry boxes. Some of the most popular gemstones come from the world’s poorest countries, where working conditions are dangerous and mining takes a terrible toll on the environment. Buying antiques, specially...
Challenge
Clean up your mattress
We spend nearly a third of our lives sleeping, yet few of us see fit to ensure we’re snoozing on nontoxic mattresses. Conventional mattresses can contain synthetic and chemical-laden foams, chemically treated wood, and adhesives (not to mention flame retardants). Safer options include natural...
Challenge
Freshen your flowers
Cut flowers are an extravagance that should be enjoyed as long as possible. Today, challenge yourself to take extra steps to keep yours fresh naturally. Some tips:• Cut stems using a sharp knife or scissors. Run stems under cool water.• Add a spoonful of sugar and a few drops of lemon juice to...
Challenge
Switch to refillable containers
How many of your food, personal care, and household products do you store in reusable, refillable
containers? Many of us go the extra mile to reuse shopping bags and invest in natural products, but
buying stuff in bulk requires a little more pre–planning. Today, challenge yourself to make...
Challenge
Tool time, tea time?
Turns out, black tea is a talented natural cleaning agent when it comes to rust removal. It works by dissolving rust into black oxide. Today, challenge yourself to gather up your rusty gardening or auto tools, brewing a couple large pots of black tea, and scrubbing them nice and shiny-clean.
Challenge
Recast your cast-iron pan
Here’s a lovely idea from our friends at RealSimple.com: Make your cast-iron pans serve double-duty when they’re not on the stovetop. First, hang your pots and pans on a nice wall bar with hooks (great space-saver, too!). By hanging the pan bottom-forward, you can affix recipes, to-do...
Challenge
Natural odor eaters
Deodorizing your household’s stinky places doesn’t have to be a toxic endeavor! Today, challenge yourself to switch to natural tactics when it comes to the following typical stinkers:• Musty clothes — Spray lightly (spot-test first) with vodka, a naturally scent-free bacteria...
Challenge
Don't sell yourself short
If reduce, recycle, reuse is your mantra, then take your game to the next level when it comes to selling items you no longer need. Instead of saving up for your next (marginally profitable and exhausting) sidewalk sale, for instance, start tapping eBay and Craigslist for more targeted sales of...
Challenge
Take another look at tissue
Here’s a great way to reuse gift box tissue, even if it’s torn or wrinkled: Turn it into table centerpieces or party favors. If you’re hosting a summertime party, you can decorate your tables by pouring herbs, potpourri, or healthful snacks into a small cylindrical container...
Challenge
Fan the flames
Most of us think of ceiling fans as hot-weather helpers. Guess what? Fans can also save energy during winter. Heat rises, so ceiling fans that can operate in reverse at low speeds are efficient at distributing hot air, sparing you larger heating bills. Today, challenge yourself to start sourcing a...
Challenge
Aerate your tap
The average American uses — count ‘em! — 69.3 gallons of water per day. You can cut back on that figure by installing a simple water aerator on your taps. Aerators pump air into the water stream so you don’t have to run the tap at full blast. They can cost as little as $2.25...
Challenge
Drape yourself
Inexpensive cotton thermal drapes can do double-season duty as both summer heat blockers and winter warmth savers. By shutting such drapes on hotter days, you maintain a cooler environment (come evening, you can open them). By opening them all day, you trap as much daytime warmth as you can for...
Challenge
Playing ketchup
Besides making a dandy topping for frankfurters (or tofu dogs!), ketchup is a handy natural cleaning agent. Turns out, tomato’s high acid content is capable of burnishing copper and brass cookware to a fine sheen. Today, challenge yourself to give your pots and pans a new lease on life by...
Challenge
Concrete terms
In recent years, concrete flooring and even countertops have gained traction in the green building community, but controversy continues to dog this hardy substance. Why? Traditional concrete is formed by blending cement, sand, gravel, and water. Unfortunately, cement production is highly...
Challenge
Bag it
Plastic bags might be an endangered species, but it still pays to reuse and recycle alongside reducing their use. Today, challenge yourself to use old plastic bags in creative new ways. Some tips:• Wrap around hands and knees for gardening protection.• Seal up paintbrushes mid-job to prevent drying...
Challenge
Make an indoor recycling station
Piles of paper, crumpled cans, earthy-smelling leftovers—if your recycling area is anything like ours, it could use an overhaul! Recycling and composting is the right thing to do, and you can optimize your storage so that waiting for “trash” day isn’t so painful. Today...
Challenge
Everything and the kitchen sink
Does your sink area look like a rummage sale—for kitchenware? Here are some simple steps for organizing and beautifying one of the busiest areas of your home. Plus, keeping track of what you have ensures that you only buy what you need, and waste less. Today, challenge yourself to spruce up...
Challenge
Protect your produce
The crisper can be a dangerous place for tender fruit that needs refrigeration. (We like leaving it on the countertop for the most part, but sometimes weather and ripeness demands refrigeration.) Your savior? Bubble wrap! Today, challenge yourself to recycle a layer of protective plastic in your...
Challenge
When roses go bananas
Raising roses? Save on fertilizer costs by reusing something you have around the house anyway: banana peels. Roses benefit from bananas’ potassium, which helps them thrive and stave off disease. Today, challenge yourself by chopping up the peels and adding them to your compost, or just tucking...
Challenge
Rescue a piece of rubbish
From broken bookshelves and battery-less toys to ripped curtains and rundown rugs, most of our garages and closets are stuffed with damaged discards that can, with a little bit of help, be given a new lease on life! Today, challenge yourself to find something in your home that can be rehabilitated...
Challenge
Up the ante
Nobody’s happy when the ants come marching into our habitats and eating areas, no matter what season. One ant attractor, sadly, is houseplants. Luckily, there are natural ways to keep the pesky bugs at bay. Today, challenge yourself to try this concoction for keeping ants off household and garden...
Challenge
Brush away the years
Are the metal fixtures around your home looking a bit grubby? You can bring back the shine with a straightforward non-gel toothpaste. Today, challenge yourself to get out that toothpaste and polish all your metal fixtures (doorknobs, handles, etc.) back to their tarnish-free glory days—with...
Challenge
Clear the air with a plant
Houseplants not only look pretty and add a sense of life to a home, they also have the potential to filter the air you breathe. Some varieties can even remove toxins like formaldehyde, tobacco smoke, and benzene! Today, challenge yourself to invest in some flora with an eye to maximizing air quality...
Challenge
De-tangle your danglers
Earrings often end up in a tangled pile in a neglected jewelry box or drawer, unused and uncared for. You can give your ear jewelry a new lease on life by hanging each pair separately—without buying anything new. Hanging will also prevent metals from tarnishing. Today, challenge yourself to...
Challenge
Bring a bucket to shower
How much cold water is wasted while you wait for your shower to warm up? Up to five gallons, according to some sources. That’s plenty to water plants or gardens with—and it’s soap-free! Today, challenge yourself to bring a bucket into your bathroom and start saving your not-so-gray pre-shower...
Challenge
Go fog free
Want a nontoxic way to keep your bathroom mirror steam-free while you bathe? Today, challenge yourself by rubbing a small amount of shaving cream into the glass. (Tip: It doesn’t change the mirror’s appearance, but it does seem to work!)
Challenge
Dance with yourself
When was the last time you turned up your favorite music and boogied? If it’s been a while, you’ll be surprised to discover it’s more fun than you remember. Challenge yourself to indulge your secret rock star for at least one song.
_(When logging progress for this challenge, only log as many...
Challenge
Make commercials count
Drop that remote and use commercials as a stopwatch instead. Do classic jumping jacks, or mix it up by varying your arm movement or by moving your legs in a cross-country ski motion. Research shows exercising in brief intervals has cumulative benefits, so your efforts will add up. Challenge yourself...
Challenge
Find your home's inner gym
Opportunities for getting active abound right at home. So don’t wait for a convenient time or place; Challenge yourself to get moving, using your everyday surroundings as a springboard for action. Here are some ideas:
• Do a wall sit
• Do leaning push-ups every time you walk by a countertop
•...
Challenge
Spread dance fever
Are you a dancing queen? Or do you have two left feet? Either way, when you gather a group of friends or kids for an at-home dance off you’ll get your heart pumping, plus a great ab workout from all the laughter. Challenge yourself put on your dancing shoes and let loose.
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Have an exercise ball
The great thing about an exercise ball is that it’s so versatile. You can use it to strengthen your core. Or, you can tone your muscles and improve balance simply by sitting on it. Any ball you purchase should come with get-fit tips, or find ideas online. Challenge yourself to put an exercise ball...
Challenge
Hide and go seek
Where’s your best hiding spot? The great thing about playing hide and seek is that it exercises your body and your imagination. Challenge yourself to rally the young'un's and treat them to a game.
_(When logging progress for this challenge, only log as many days as you participated in the...
Challenge
Strength train instead of vegging
Feeling antsy while you’re watching TV? If a show doesn’t capture your full attention, use that extra energy to do some strength training. Get out your handheld weights for some bicep curls, or try sit-ups, squats, or leg-lifts. Challenge yourself to at least five or ten minutes of strength...
Challenge
Get your garden growing
Gardening can be a surprisingly rigorous activity, made all the more satisfying by what you have to show for your efforts. Plant your favorite flowers, prune a tree, fertilize the lawn, or just pull a few weeds. Challenge yourself to connect with nature and expend some extra energy.
_(When...
Challenge
Rev up a video
In addition to moving those muscles, workout videos can teach you new skills. Nowadays there are videos for practically any activity you’d want to try, often available online to download immediately. Burning to learn belly dancing? Salsa? Yoga? Challenge yourself to try a video and learn something...