Healthy Living

The 4th of July is always the event of the summer, but things are a little different this year. Maybe we can’t go to parades or fireworks celebrations, or have a giant neighborhood block party, but we can still have a good time. Here’s are some ways to celebrate the 4th during a pandemic. Freshen Up Your Flag You may have already been proudly displaying your American flag, but preparing for the Fourth is the perfect reason to freshen it up a bit. Most  dry cleaners  will clean flags for free, so give them a call to ask about their policies. A flag can get a bit grimy and even moldy after swaying in the breeze through all sorts of weather, so you should have it professionally cleaned at least once a year. If it’s a big flag, you should take advantage of a  free dry cleaning delivery service  in your area. Plan a Picnic With Your Family You may not be able to have a giant backyard BBQ this year, but you can still plan a fun picnic with your family. Now would be a perfe...

Laundry is one of those chores that can be resource intensive and a significant polluter, but it doesn’t have to be. Yes, you can go green and get your laundry clean. There are a few simple things you can do to make wash day more eco-friendly. Do Full Loads A full load uses less energy and water than two half loads. Save water, energy, and time. Use Eco-Friendly Detergent Choose a laundry detergent without added dyes, fragrances, and petroleum-based chemical compounds.  Some dry cleaners offer  eco-friendly wash, dry, fold service  that uses custom detergent, formulated to be eco-friendly and boost cleaning power. Use Less Detergent Pay attention to the amount of detergent you use, too. Read and follow the directions on the detergent box. Too much detergent not only dumps more soap into the water, but also reduces the washer’s efficiency. Use Non-Chlorine Bleach Chlorine has many damaging effects on the environment, and you don’t really need it to get your laundry white....

Gardening season is here! After the last few months we’ve had, spending time outside with our hands in the dirt is incredibly welcome. While gardening is a great hobby to have, it also helps to be prepared. Here are some gardening tips you may not have considered. Prep for the Bugs Bugs are inevitable when it comes to gardening, it comes with the territory. But with a couple of precautions, you can be ready for those creepy crawly gardening buddies. Your  local drugstore  or pharmacy will have all the  insects sprays  you need to keep protected, including kinds for sensitive skin. Be sure to look for calamine or aloe lotion to soothe itchy insect bites. Protect Your Skin From the Sun Even if you’re just spending a few minutes outside watering your plants, it’s essential to protect your skin from the sun. If your skin is on the pale side or you tend to burn easily, look for  sunscreens  at your  nearby pharmacy  with an SPF of at least 50. Be...