Sleep sacks are lightweight sheets for travelers that pack into a very small space. They provide a clean “cocoon” to sleep inside, when your bedding is questionable. Many European hostels actually require that you bring one along. In warm weather, you can also use sleep sacks as replacements for sleeping bags. The healthiest sleep sack… [Continue Reading]
The Pocket Survival Pak
April 17, 2006 by 1 Comment
These are the best pocket-sized “survival kits” we’ve seen. They are a collection of minimalist survival tools packed into a tiny case — handy to have during wilderness travel or any other time a emergency situation could arise. They also include “Survival Instructions” with 33 illustrations printed on waterproof paper. The packs were designed by… [Continue Reading]
Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
April 14, 2006 by Leave a Comment
Dimmable compact fluorescents are available, they are usually made with “cold cathode” technology. You can find dimmable bulbs here on Amazon. There’s a 12 pack available here, and a dimmable compact fluorescent spotlight here. 1000 Bulbs also sells a wide range of dimmable compact fluorescent bulbs
Inexpensive, Non-Toxic Solvent: Washing Soda
April 12, 2006 by Leave a Comment
Washing soda is an efficient substitute for conventional toxic solvents. It cuts grease, cleans petroleum oil, removes wax, and neutralizes odors in the same way that baking soda does. Washing soda is sodium carbonate — it is in the same family as baking soda, but it has been processed differently. It is much more caustic/alkaline,… [Continue Reading]
Portable Pen For All Environments: The Inka Pen
April 11, 2006 by 2 Comments
The Inka Pen attaches to a keyring and has a lightweight, stainless steel design. Using a pressurized ink cartridge, it writes at any angle, temperature, altitude and even underwater. The pen is made in the U.S. and has a lifetime warranty. Available from Amazon for $11.
Efficient Repurposing: Twist & Spout
April 10, 2006 by Leave a Comment
Here’s a way to reuse virtually any soda or water bottle with a screw-on cap. It’s called the Twist & Spout, and it comes in two varieties. Use the Garden style to create a watering can. Use the Kitchen style to make those two-liter soda bottles easy to handle. A set of two is available… [Continue Reading]
Efficient Power Adaptor: PowerSquid
April 8, 2006 by 3 Comments
This piece of electrical cordage is called a PowerSquid. It lets you connect multiple devices, even with big power converters, to a single outlet. It even has its own home page. They also have version that incorporate surge protection and other electrical interference. Available from Amazon for $11.99
Steam Cleaning Washer For the Home
April 6, 2006 by 1 Comment
This washer from LG Electronics uses steam to clean your clothes. Steam washers are common in the industrial world, but this is the first one available for the home. LG says the washer “remove creases from your garments, eliminating the need for ironing” and steam-cleaning “reduces shrinkage and extends the life of your threads”. They… [Continue Reading]
Now Available: Very Efficient: Toilet Lid Sinks
April 6, 2006 by 3 Comments
These sinks are finally available in the U.S. They sit atop your toilet and replace the lid. When you flush the toilet, the clean water that would go straight down the toilet is first routed up through a spigot to dispense pure water for hand washing. The sink shut off automatically when the toilet has… [Continue Reading]
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