Archive for 'Around the Home'
Home Office Goes Green
Posted on 22. Mar, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
If you’re concerned about the environment, there are a lot of reasons to think about working from home. If you already have a home office, you may be familiar with some of them. But read on anyway to find out how working from home can make your lifestyle even greener.
Right from the start, working from home helps you save on fuel costs, and benefits the environment. If you commute 60 miles roundtrip every day, for 48 weeks out of the year, you drive over 14,000 miles. So by using your home office, you are significantly reducing the carbon dioxide that your vehicle contributes to air pollution. And even if your car gets 30 miles per gallon, at the cost of $4 per gallon, you will personally be saving at least $1,800 per year in fuel costs.
You can also make green choices when you purchase office supplies. Some of the easiest green supplies to purchase are recycled ink cartridges, recycled paper and energy efficient light bulbs. Recycled ink cartridges for your printer are also usually less expensive than the brand name versions.
If you’re concerned about your printer’s warranty and you want to stick with the brand name, you can still recycle the empty cartridges. Watch for the ink cartridge recycling bins at your local office supply store. In some communities, there are even ink cartridge recycling bins in the pet stores. So keep your eye out for the retailers who are trying to do their part to be eco-friendly, and let them help you recycle.
Recycled paper is sometimes a little more expensive than the regular version. So if you’re on a budget, recycle your paper in other ways. Instead of tossing all used paper out, start a pile for paper that has been used only on one side. Keep it in a location that makes it handy to use for scratch paper. Then when you really are ready to throw paper out, be sure to toss it into the recycling bin instead of the regular trash.
Using energy efficient light bulbs in your home office can save you time and money, as well as helping you stay green. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. These bulbs use only about 20 percent of the energy that incandescent bulbs use. They last 3 to 4 times longer than regular bulbs, so you won’t have to change then as often.
Most of these tips cost very little or no money. If you’re interested in cleaning up the environment, these are easy ways to begin. If you’re already doing these things, spread the word to friends and family who are just getting started on their eco-friendly lifestyles.
Continue Reading
Healthy Indoor Paints - 506
Posted on 22. Mar, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
Indoor air pollution can be a bigger problem for some people than outdoor air pollution. The reason is that many building materials used today give off invisible toxins for years after they’re installed. Paint is one of these materials. It can off gas for several years after it is applied. And it covers all the walls and ceilings of most houses, so it can have a big effect on indoor air quality.
If you are chemically sensitive, you should never use oil based paint in your home. At the very least, use low VOC paints. VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. These are the toxic chemicals which linger and off gas. Low VOC paints are latex based and made with synthetic compounds. They’re widely available in a broad range of colors these days.
But there are also much healthier alternatives than low VOC paints. Thanks to the growing interest in eco-friendly living, it’s becoming easier to find healthier paint alternatives.
For example, there are natural paints available which use plant-based oils and dyes. They’re made with casein, which is a protein found in milk. They come in powdered form, in a wide variety of colors, and must be mixed with water in order to apply them. Natural paints have 2 drawbacks that you’ll need to consider. First, you have to apply the paint within a few hours after mixing, since it can’t be stored. Second, it only comes in a matte finish. So if you want a gloss or semi-gloss finish you would have to apply a sealer
Another eco-friendly choice for paint is a limestone wash. It has a characteristic antique white washed look. This comes from a natural process of calcium in the limestone rising to the surface after drying. It’s main drawback is that it can only be used on porous surfaces like wood and plaster because it has to sink into the surface. You can’t use it on drywall, painted finishes, or surfaces that have already been stained. Also, you have to be careful to wear protective clothing and eyewear while you’re applying it so that it doesn’t get into your eyes or onto your skin. Limestone washes are more durable than a lot of other natural paints so you can use them on outside surfaces like brick or concrete.
Clay paint is another natural choice. You can apply it to almost any surface inside your home. You can even use it to paint drywall, nonporous surfaces, and surfaces that have already been painted. But there are a couple of drawbacks to using clay paint. First, it’s only available in a limited earth tone color palette. So if you want bright orange or acid green, clay paint is not a good choice. Also, it’s not very durable when it comes to withstanding lots of fingerprints or crayon marks. You can’t scrub it clean, but you can touch it up. Last, clay paint is more expensive than typical synthetic paint. But if you like earth tone colors, clay paint is a beautiful choice.
Continue Reading
Green Cleaning With Baking Soda - 437
Posted on 21. Mar, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
Would you like to cut down on using synthetic chemical products to clean your home? Chemicals used in synthetic cleaners contribute to indoor air pollution. Studies show that the air quality inside of our homes is often worse than outdoor air, even when we live in areas that have air pollution.
This is because there are so many toxic chemicals used in processing the building materials, the walls, the floor coverings, the cabinets and the furniture in today’s houses. It’s hard to avoid them, but you don’t have to add to them when you clean. Just by making a couple of substitutions, you can keep your home a little greener. And you won’t have to spend a lot of money.
You probably already know that you can use baking soda to keep your refrigerator smelling fresh. But there are lots of other ways to use this inexpensive but versatile product. Mix it with a little water or vinegar, grab a soft cloth and baking soda can clean a lot more of your house than you ever thought possible.
You can replace chemical scouring powders that you use to clean your counter tops, stove tops, bathroom fixtures, shower tiles, and even your grungy pots and pans. Use a paste of baking soda and water on a sponge, and then start scrubbing just like you would with a chemical cleanser. The baking soda will get scum off of your bathroom tiles and even the toughest burned on food off of your pots and pans. It actually gets the grime up faster than artificial cleaners, and doesn’t leave behind any chemical residues or odors. This is especially good for kitchen surfaces that come into contact with food that you prepare.
You can replace glass cleaners with a paste made of baking soda and a little white vinegar. Use a soft cloth or old newspaper. This trick will make your windows, mirrors and glass-topped tables sparkle, and leave your rooms smelling fresh.
You can even replace your toilet bowl cleaner by adding a little baking soda and vinegar to the bowl. Stir it up and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then scrub with your toilet brush as usual. Your toilet will be clean, with no lingering chemical fumes in your bathroom.
It’s no wonder that all of the uses of baking soda are such a well-kept secret. The companies that make chemical cleansers will lose millions if people realize they’re not needed. But now that you know about baking soda, you can save yourself some money. And at the same time, you can clean up your indoor air.
Continue Reading
Remodel Your Home Green in Five Easy Steps
Posted on 20. Mar, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
The easiest ways to turn an existing house into an eco-friendly green house are to increase energy efficiency and to use green materials when you remodel. Here are some ideas to think about while you’re in the planning stages.
First, replace your old appliances with Energy Star appliances. These are specifically manufactured to save energy and lower your utility bills. Your refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, microwave, and washer and dryer are all available in energy-efficient models. While some models may cost a little more up front, the yearly savings over the life of your new appliance can be well worth it.
Second, replace your old 30 or 40 gallon hot water heater with tankless hot water heaters. These are small water heaters mounted on the wall where you actually use the hot water. They heat the water as you need it, like an electric kettle, instead of keeping 30 or 40 gallons on simmer for 24 hours a day. These devices have been widely and successfully used in Europe for more than 40 years, but they are just now arriving to the United States.
Third, replace your counter tops, shelving, interior doors and wood laminate flooring with low VOC materials. This means that the new materials do not off gas toxic chemicals into the air that can irritate sensitive eyes and lungs. Your indoor air quality and your health will both be improved.
Fourth, landscape with local native plants that will grow with natural rainwater. Consider extending the native plants into you entire yard, and eliminating high-maintenance sod and lawns. This may seem drastic at first, but more and more people will be choosing this option as the cost of watering your lawn goes higher. Some neighborhoods in drought prone regions already enforce water restrictions. By choosing to xeriscape, which means using natural, native low-water plants, you won’t have to worry about watering your lawn.
Fifth, replace your flooring with natural, renewable materials like bamboo and cork. Not only are these materials trendy and attractive, you won’t be contributing to the clear-cutting of old growth forests. Instead of synthetic wall to wall carpeting that is not biodegradable, use natural fibers like sisal, jute or hemp for area rugs.
These are just a few ideas for using energy efficient and eco-friendly products in your home remodeling projects. The good news is that more and more consumers are requesting green building materials, so they’re now readily available at most local hardware stores. If not, it’s always easy to find these types of products online.