Green Living

THE BASICS ON GREEN LIVING

#1 the best thing you can do is stop shopping and recycle what you can! The less you buy, the less you’ll throw away. Try buying used and refurbished items to create less waste.

Use compact fluorescents and be sure to recycle (your local hardware store will take them) when you’re done.

Have Mail Preference Service take you off their mail list. Keep in mind, the more sweepstakes and contests you enter, the more junk mail you’ll receive (and throw away). Stop pre approved credit card offers by visiting this link.

LAUNDRY

* Avoid dry clean only clothes or find a dry cleaner who uses carbon dioxide instead of chemicals. Try spot cleaning and just taking them to the cleaner to be pressed if it’s a difficult item to press yourself.

* Instead of fabric softeners, try reuseable static balls. They work better, save you money and create less waste.

* Use borax to give your laundry detergent a boost. It creates less of an environmental impact than detergent.

* If you’re able, dry your laundry on a line outside. Besudes saving you money, you’ll get an added boost of disinfectant (uv light is a powerful disinfectant).

FLOORING

* If you’re replacing your carpet in your home, look into carpet tiles. You can create your own pattern and when one section gets stained or worn, you simply remove it and replace it with another square. You will create less waste and save money. Many are even made from recycled materials. These are especially great in high traffic areas, kids rooms, and play rooms.

* If you want hardwood, opt for bamboo. It only take 4-6 years for bamboo to mature, vs. 50-100 for hardwoods. Look for formaldehyde free glue.

GARDENING

* Try growing your own plants. Even if you don’t have a yard, you can grow them in your home. Find a south facing window and get some self-watering containers (most plants do better with them). Some of the easiest to start with are herbs and lettuce. Grow them with a rich compost and you wont need to use harmful fertilizers.

* Create your own compost from your food waste. If you live in an apartment, look into getting an indoor compost bin.

* Use native plants.

FUMES

* Use low or no VOC paint. It only costs a little more, and is better for your health.

* Don’t use VOC filled air-fresheners and fragrances cleaning products. Boil orange peels and cloves or cinnamon sticks instead. It may help your health as well. Studies have shown people who use aerosol sprays have more headaches and are more likely to suffer from depression and infants are more likely to get ear infections and diarrhea. (New Scientist, 1999)

TO CLEAN YOUR HOME

You don’t need to spend lots of money on cleaners that are harmful to the environment and your health. Most of your home can be cleaned using safe products you have around your house.

* Just plain water will get out most stains.

* Vinegar is great for getting out what water won’t and can kill some microorganisms.

* Baking soda is a great abrasive and wont damage surfaces like many commercial abrasives will. Salt can also be used.

* Disinfecting can be done with bleach (my rule of thumb is just plain don’t mix it with anything but water), ammonia, or rubbing alcohol. None of them will eliminate all germs and can be very caustic and dangerous. Hot soapy water is your best bet.

A word about disinfecting. Most disinfectants/sanitizers can not completely eliminate microorganisms, especially certain bacteria. Most of them are harmful to the environment. Creating an environment that is too clean can create resistant bacteria which can be very dangerous. Rather than relying on chemicals, basic hygiene is your best defense against pathogens. If you must use a disinfectant, try Earth’s Power or Seventh Generation sanitizers.

* Get smart. Just because something claims it’s “natural” doesn’t mean it’s environmentally friendly. Certified organic only applies to food, no soaps or other products.

* Use what plumbers use: a snake for your drains instead of a corrosive chemical.