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Nicotine Fix

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/3038512708/

Believe it or not, cigarettes can be a good thing.  They have beneficial uses   that go beyond clouding your lungs with smoke.

For example, cigarette tobacco makes a great anesthetic for a bee sting.  Simply rip open the cigarette, pull out a wad of tobacco, lick it, and stick it on the sting.  You’ll get quite a good numbing effect.

And if you are still battling bugs in your garden, the alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants, which includes tobacco, can also be used as an insecticide.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewbain/766040444/in/photostream/

A commonly used insecticide in the 1880s, nicotine is  toxic to insects—particularly aphids, thrips, fungus gnats, leafhoppers, and asparagus beetle larvae.

The best way to utilize tobacco is to make a nicotine tea.  Soak a cup of plant leaves or cigarette butts in warm water for about 30 minutes.   Add a dash of soap, strain through a cheesecloth, and  you should be all set.   

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wheatfields/2671524520/

But don’t drink this tea.  Put some into a spray bottle and shower the leaves of your plants.  For ground critters, pour a little of the solution around the stem of the plant.  Be careful around young plants, as it can harm them.  It’s also a good idea to avoid using toxic tea on pepper, eggplant, and tomato plants.

So keep makin’ those smokes, oh giant conglomerates!  Even if sales are diminishing due to smarter consumers,  your product may still have a future in killing bugs. 

by John Barker

Written by editor on September 2, 2010 at 1:52 pm
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DESSO Carpet Makes Air Cleaner

I get kind of grossed out when stuff gets trapped in my carpet. On any given day, I can find old dog food, Play-Doh, Doritos and other debris stuck to my socks. Ew. I don’t encourage or condone this kind of funk, but apparently, DESSO does.

The carpet manufacturer has announced a new type of carpet that actually sucks in some of that yuck, making the air much healthier. According to the announcement, AirMaster® carpet is actually eight times more effective than hard floors for trapping dust and particle matter. Who knew hard floors could suck in anything? Or maybe that’s the point – they don’t.  In my house, dog hair blows around the hardwood floor like a crop of tumbleweeds.

Of course, having all of that stuff in the air is also bad for your health.

“Miniscule dust particles end up in the lungs, the smallest particles even in the blood stream, and this could have serious consequences for human health,” says Alexander Collot d’Escury, DESSO’s CCO.

Naturally, if you spend a lot of time indoors, this could be a problem. And who doesn’t? Working, watching TV, sleeping, and even exercising indoors could have bad effects, depending on how clean – or dirty –  the carpet is.

Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t work out (in case you were looking for someone to say that). Instead, start hounding your employer, apartment owner, or other favorite manager to look into it. For now, the AirMaster  comes in a variety of colors and is available for commercial installations only. 

by Rachel Cericola

Written by editor on August 27, 2010 at 10:45 am
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The Beauty of Burning Rubber

Aahh… the smell of fresh roses and old rubber…

While that doesn’t sound like the best combination, it certainly makes for a pretty one. Re:Treads are flowerpots and containers crafted entirely from recycled tires. It sounds like a bizarre mix, but it’s actually quite beautiful.

It’s also very cool, considering the U.S. dumps about 300 million tires each year.

Handcrafted in Pakistan, these pots look awesome and are awesome eco-friendly. So even if you don’t have the best green thumb, you’ve got bragging rights!

 

“Retail consumers are clamoring for ‘green’ products right now, and we recognized that using the scrap tires as a construction material represented a unique opportunity to both capitalize on this trend and to lighten the load on our landfills,” said Alec Junge, president of River Market Pottery.

Right before these tires go to tire heaven, the company strips the tread, which gets recycled into mulch. The steel belts are also recycled. Then, the rest of the rubber is sewn up, and reinforced with some added galvanized rivets or bolts.

 

While many tires look the same, there are 68 different Re:Treads designs in seven shapes and sizes. Expect to pay about $10 for an 8-inch flowerpot. If you’re looking for something bigger, a 25-inch basin will cost $99.99.

by Rachel Cericola

Written by editor on August 10, 2010 at 10:31 am
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From the Kitchen to the Garden

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lamees-y/2486609979/sizes/o/

I make some mean salad dressing.  Really, I do.  No kidding.    

Here – have one of my recipes, on da house:

  • 1 teaspoon Oregano
  •  2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worchestershire Sauce
  • Juice of ½ Lemon
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Mix together all the above ingredients.

Now here’s where it gets dicey – add olive oil and vinegar—until it hits the right consistency/flavor for you.

You want to make an emulsion—so whisk it and taste as you go.

Then just pour it over your salad – or dump it on the weeds in your front yard.  Except leave out everything but the vinegar.  It’s much cheaper that way.

That’s right.  Vinegar is a great weed killer.  Both cider and white vinegar contain acetic acid which attacks the leaves of a plant, but not the root.  Go after the weeds when they’re young, because their root systems are not developed enough to fight off the acidic attack.  As such, they will not have enough energy to re-grow the leaves.

You can use this method of weed killing multiple times in the same area.  Each time vinegar is applied, the weed will expend energy to fight it off—until it runs out of energy and dies.

I like this method.  Vinegar is cheap—and non-toxic.  And tastes damn good in a salad.

I love multi-taskers.

by John Barker

 

Written by editor on August 9, 2010 at 10:55 am
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GreenNet

GreenNet devices are a short lesson in energy conservation for dummies.  Just my kind of thing.

Developed by TrendNet, a manufacturer of Ethernet products, GreenNet technology conserves energy by determining the proper amount of electrical power to each hardwired switching port.  A GreenNet product can detect when a port is not in use and adjust the power sent to it accordingly.  They also allot more or less power to a device based on the length of connecting cable—more power if the cable is long, less if it’s short.  Utilizing these strategies, it is possible to reduce port-based power usage by up to 70 percent!

 

Power consumption is an issue that many of us (myself included) don’t really think about when we’re tooling around on The Internet.  And TrendNet knows this.  They’ve removed all responsibility from the user by making all of the gear function automatically after installation.

Currently available in the GreenNet line are 5-port, 8-port, and 26-port switches.   The company reports that a 24-port switch is coming soon. 

Given that I’m forgetful and that my power bill is roughly the size of the national deficit, I’m all for solutions such as GreenNet.  Anything that automatically saves me money without requiring micro-management is a good thing!

by John Barker

Written by editor on August 8, 2010 at 10:10 am
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Are You Watching This New House?

This Old House sounds dusty. This New House is fresh and vibrant. Maybe it’s a sign of the times — or just a TV spin-off.

Last week, the DIY Network debuted This New House. According to DIY, the show will air every Thursday at 8:00 p.m. (EST) on the cable channel.

The idea behind the program is to showcase some out-of-the-ordinary items, from building materials to techniques to must-have home gadgets. In other words, expect to see a lot very cool items that you don’t have (or can’t afford) at home.

A perfect example of what’s to come could be found in the first episode, which featured Blu Homes, Inc., a green builder out of Massachusetts. According to the builder, the house is what’s known as a Blu|Element, which is small and very eco-friendly. Designed as a single residence or vacation cottage, these homes typically come in three sizes, with one, two or three bedrooms. Options include a fireplace and various configurations for windows, doors and walls. Two of the standards in this open floor plan include bamboo floors and a towel warmer.

Not everything old is new again; This New House features the This Old House host Kevin O’Connor. He shares the grunt work with co-host Amy Matthews. Check out the clips below –  and tune in tonight at 8:00 EST.


by Rachel Cericola

Written by editor on August 5, 2010 at 10:11 am
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Lawn Furniture

There’s something refreshing about lying in the grass. I’m talking about the fresh kind, not the kind with the big, brown patches.

Fung+Blatt Architects have come up with a little something to give you that feeling, even if patches of grass in your area are as rare as a unicorn. The company’s lawnchair is built entirely out of recycled materials, such as steel, rubber, and felt.

Well, not entirely. There’s also the green stuff. However, let’s get one thing straight: they are not recommending AstroTurf for your, well… AstroTurf. Instead, this lawnchair has a real layer of sod incorporated right into the design. This special treatment allows the chair to be as comfy as lying right in the grass — if your grass is shaped like a chaise lounge.

If you’re worried that you’ll want to move this thing into your home at summer’s end (it’s heavy, by the way; get some help) and soon have your very own patch of brown grass to lay upon, you’ll be glad to know the lawn chair requires very little maintenance to keep its green color.  A built-in “moisturizing” system not only keeps the chair hydrated, but also minimizes leakage. That’s cool, but I’d still keep it away from the white rugs.

Three bases are available, including a heavy-duty concrete base, a lightweight metal base, and a caster base, which is perfect if you want to move it around.

The one thing it doesn’t come with? A price. Fung+Blatt currently lists the product as “coming soon.”

by Rachel Cericola

Written by editor on August 3, 2010 at 12:08 pm
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EconoGreen Greens Up Your Trash

If I owned my own amusement park, I’d name it Jig-A-World. Or maybe a strip club. (A girl can dream, right?!?)

Thankfully, someone already has the name, and they saw it a completely different way.

Jig-A-World is a company that makes automotive and home improvement products. Their  latest invention is an eco-friendly line called EconoGreen Plastics™. Believe it or not, EconoGreen products include drop cloths and trash bags, which seem like the most un-Earth-friendly items imaginable. Good going, guys!

 

According to Jig-A-World’s announcement, all of the bags are made from 100 percent recycled materials and are totally oxodegradable. That means they can break down within two years. Even more awesome, the company isn’t taking advantage of the green movement by expecting too much of your green. Prices for the bags start at about $3.99.

“Now consumers have an affordable option for green bags that they can use throughout their home without paying a premium or sacrificing quality,” says said Cindy Sutton, VP at Jig-A-World USA, Inc. 

Also pretty nice: you won’t have to scour stores or the web to find EconoGreen products. Just drive on down to your local Home Depot. EconoGreen garbage bags come in all shapes and sizes, from tall kitchen bags to the ginormous contractor clean-up style. 

by Rachel Cericola

Written by editor on July 29, 2010 at 10:17 am
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Killer Newspaper

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/a-barth/2846621384/sizes/l/

Want to avoid spraying chemicals to rid your yard of weeds?  If so, consider the Sports section of your local newspaper.  Or any section, for that matter.

Unless your weeds are relatives of the Swamp Thing, they’re not gonna read the paper.  They’re just gonna die.

Placing several layers of newspaper over a bed of weeds deprives them of sunlight.  Without sunlight, they’re goners.  New weeds won’t be able to sprout for the same reason.  So, layer the newspaper over the weedy areas, leave it on for a few days, and when you lift it off,  no more weeds!

But, keep an eye on the weather forecast.  I would highly recommend using this method when you’re sure that it’s not going to rain.  We all know what a mess soggy newspaper can be.  Even when it’s comfortably rolled in the little plastic bag at the end of your driveway, a little rain turns your daily news  into a log of papier maché.

While I’m not sure how non-toxic the ink in newspaper is when compared to other methods of battling weeds (such as boiling water, corn starch, or salt), it’s gotta be safer than the ingredients in a certain top-selling brand name of weed killer.  At least newspaper doesn’t destroy embryonic, placental and umbilical cord cells in human beings. For more information about that scary little fact, read the report here.

by John Barker

Written by editor on July 15, 2010 at 9:59 am
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The Heat’s On

A few minutes ago, I almost passed out in my driveway.  Not because it’s 97 degrees and muggy,  but because I happened to open my electric bill before I made it inside.

$327.32

And that’s while keeping my A/C at 80 degrees, keeping the house dark when not home, and waiting until I have enough laundry to warrant using the washer.  It’s not like I live in a large house—it’s quite small, actually (2 bedrooms, 1 bath).  Right now I rent—so I can’t go tearing all of the window seals apart, jam new insulation into the attic, and install a more cost-effective air conditioner.

There’s been a heatwave sweeping the East Coast this week, so I’m not the only one out there with an insanely high bill.  If you haven’t gotten yours yet, it’s coming. 

  

This is the Black & Decker AutoSwitch.  While it is no solution to my problem, it’s a step in the right direction.  The AutoSwitch is a device that goes over an existing light switch and converts it into a motion sensor so that you never leave the light on in an empty room by mistake.  All it takes is a screwdriver, and you’re set—no wiring necessary.

Once installed, it requires 3 AA batteries to operate.  It can be set to turn the lights off at 1, 5, 15, or 30 minutes after activation.  A manual override is available (in the form of a switch) as well.

Stay tuned for more energy saving tips here at FIY.  And don’t worry.  I don’t mind sitting here in the dark.  Really.  Not at all. It’s cooler and cheaper. 

by John Barker

Written by editor on July 9, 2010 at 10:54 am
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