The Sun Bay Paper Page 3 April 22, 2022 - May 5, 2022 It doesn’t matter if your reusable water bottle is made from glass, metal or plastic: You need to wash it every day. Reusable bottles are an excellent way to cut back on singleuse plastic while staying hydrated, but the moist environment of the bottle can turn into a breeding ground for illness-causing germs and bacteria. Get in the habit of adding your bottle to the dishwasher, where the high temperatures can eradicate germs. And never leave a bottle in a hot car or dirty environment (like a gym bag) where the growth of germs is expedited. Have leftover red or white wine? Why not pour the extra in ice cube trays so you have small cubes of wine to add to stock, sauces or even to blender drinks in the future? Or use white wine as a kitchen countertop disinfectant (but not on granite). The natural disinfecting properties of wine and the residual alcohol do a great job in cleaning, and it doesn’t stain, either. You can also use it to clean up grease stains on the floor, kitchen cabinets or appliances. The combination of alcohol and acidity is a powerful way to break up grease stains so they’re a cinch to wipe up. One of the biggest home expenses during the summer months is the cooling cost for your whole house. You can help save energy and stay cool by being smart about your central cooling system. Close the vents in little-used rooms like spare bedrooms or the dining room. By restricting the flow of cool air into unused rooms, you'll keep your heavily used rooms much more comfortable. And the cooler those rooms get, the more you can raise the thermostat and save money. On hot summer days, it’s better to use your car’s air conditioner instead of opening the windows when driving. The reason is two-fold: Air conditioners today are incredibly efficient, and keeping your windows closed helps reduce drag, which maximizes your car’s fuel efficiency. But in the first few minutes of driving, do open your windows. Turning on your car’s air conditioner immediately can cause premature engine failure. So let the breeze cool down the car for a few minutes, then roll up the windows and feel the chill of the AC. Cool A/C Do you know what time and day of the week is the cheapest for stocking up on organic fruits and vegetables at the supermarket? It’s Wednesday night! Supermarket managers take inventory of perishables at night and mark down items that are overstocked. Supermarket circulars advertising sales that begin on Wednesday are circulated on Tuesdays. Combine the weekly sale with the markdowns, and you have a chance to score organic bargains every Wednesday night. Best $$ for Produce When it comes to wines, it turns out the process of growing grapes and turning them into a fine glass of vino has a low carbon footprint. Grapes in general need very little pesticides to thrive, and the methods used to make wine are still rooted in the traditions of the past. So when does a bottle of wine become an eco problem? When you sip wine grown and made halfway around the world. The carbon footprint to import wine is extraordinary for two reasons: Cases of wine are heavy, and the distance they are transported is far. So, to sip green, try to go organic and look for domestic varietals. Local Wines Yum Ever wonder why it’s important to rest your dog’s food and water dishes on top of a floor mat? The mat does more than protect your floors; it also can protect your dog’s health. Dogs are messy eaters, and when you have a mat, food that falls out of the bowl goes onto the mat and not onto the floor, which may be covered in harsh floorcleaning product residue. The presence of the mat prevents your dog from licking the floor and eating potentially contaminated food. Always remember to wash the mat to keep it clean, too. Dogs Floor Mat Really White Wine? H2O Bottle Germs Keeping Cool
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