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Danny Seo
Do Just One Thing
When it's time to get new pillowcases for your bed, don't toss the worn-out cases into the trash.
They are great "pockets" to repurpose in the closet to help with clothing organization and storage.
When you're switching out your seasonal clothing this winter, consider packing summertime essentials like bathing suits and shorts inside pillowcases; they'll be able to breathe but still be protected from dust and insects.
When it's warmer outside, place a few sweaters inside pillowcases to protect them. You can store accessories and shoes in them, too.
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Many decorating blogs suggest using fishing line to hang up outdoor decorations, since it can hold a lot of weight and is nearly invisible.
But that lack of visibility can be problematic, too, as the clear plastic wire can be hazardous to birds that fly through your yard.
While it may be aesthetically pleasing, avoid using fishing line to rig up lights, wreaths and other outdoor decor. Birds can entangle themselves in it, or worse, die when they fly directly into the taut wire.
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It's important to brush your teeth, but did you know your toothbrush can make you sick?
A wet toothbrush can harbor cold and flu germs, picked up when you were previously ill.
To prevent re-infecting yourself, take a few steps to keep your brush clean during cold and flu season. The easiest way is to drop the head of the brush in a small cup of antibacterial mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide; this will be enough to kill germs.
You can also toss it into the silverware compartment of the dishwasher to give it a thorough cleaning.
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If you have small packets of mustard in your junk or office drawer, pull them out and put them to good use.
Mustard is more than just a condiment; it can also combat odors. If your reusable plastic, glass or metal containers have a lingering scent inside, you can neutralize the smell with mustard.
Just squeeze a few packets of mustard into the container and then fill with hot water. Seal it shut and let it sit for a few hours, then rinse with soap and water to reveal your freshly cleaned container.
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Scrap gold is a valuable material that can easily be traded in for cold, hard cash.
But if you think pure gold can only come from broken jewelry or coins, think again: You might have some scrap gold in unexpected places.
One unusual place is old dentures! They contain scrap gold and silver that can be salvaged easily and recycled. It's not a lot of precious metal — about $25 worth, typically — but it's still worth taking old dentures to a store to turn into cash.
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If you use a pitcher with a water filter inside (like a Brita-style model), it can feel wasteful when you replace the filter every month with a new one.
The good thing about the activated charcoal filters is that they also make excellent containers to grow new plants.
All you have to do is snip off the top and fill the charcoal mixture with growing soil, then plant your seeds or starter plants inside.
The filters have natural drainage holes, so you can liberally water them without any fear. And once the starter plants are mature, just transplant and reuse the old filters indefinitely as planters.
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When a recipe calls for an unusual flour made from almonds, rice or oats, running to the store or looking for another recipe aren't your only options.
You can make these flours in your own home. All you need are raw almonds, white rice or uncooked oats.
Toss the ingredient into your food processor and put it to work. As the blades process the ingredient, they'll transform it into a fluffy flour in just seconds.
The tougher the ingredient, the longer it'll take to make, but no ingredient should take more than a minute to transform into flour.
Through his best-selling books, television programs, products and syndicated column, environmental lifestyle expert Danny Seo shares the creative ideas that have made him America's leading authority on modern, eco-friendly living.