Looking for the Union Label

...d a highly catchy ad jingle from the roller disco era, “Look for the Union Label” (youngsters can watch it on youtube here). We looked for the union label and we were surprised to find it via a company called Union House which carries a functional, if unexciting line of apparel. Unless hipsters take to golf shirts in an ironic fashion judo move, these offerings will never be cool like the domestically made clothes made by the union busting folks o...

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A Used Tire Hose Caddy

...You’ll end up with the half cut out tire you see above. But your work is not yet complete. Drill a bunch of drainage holes in the bottom of the tire, at least one hole every three inches. This is to keep water from pooling when it rains. Incidentally, used tires combined with water make the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes (more on the tragic global consequences caused by mosquitoes incubating in tires here). With a bunch of drainage holes y...

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The Urban Homestead

...and your local indie bookstore This celebrated, essential handbook for the urban homesteading movement shows how to grow and preserve your own food, clean your house without toxins, raise chickens, gain energy independence, and more. Step-by-step projects, tips, and anecdotes will help get you started homesteading immediately. The Urban Homestead is also a guidebook to the larger movement and will point you to the best books and internet resources...

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Non-Toxic Cleaning for the Home

...ch, hydrogen peroxide is non-toxic and safe for food prep surfaces. Can be used as a general purpose spray cleaner—we like spraying it on our tile counters because it lifts gunk out of grout. Can also be used to treat laundry stains. Because of the mild bleaching effect, be careful using it on delicate or dark colored fabrics. Rubbing alcohol aka Isopropyl alcohol (EWG B rated for slight risk of respiratory irritation) Drugstore bottles of rubbing...

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A Used Tire Compost Bin

...sharp knife, but it’s much easier with an electric saber saw. We used a knife to cut a slit to get the saber saw started. Once both sidewalls are cut out you just stack your modified tires up, fill it with compost, put a cover on it (we used a piece of scrap aluminum), and fetch a beer. We’ll post another tire project soon....

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