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Your Home Made Sustainable in Five Easy Steps

By Alison Wood on Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 | No Comments

Sustainability is a concept that has been thrown around a lot lately, mainly in regard to the food industry.  With viral videos of the horrors of feedlots flooding the internet and more and more people suffering allergies from harmful pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and even fertilizers that seep into our food and water and contaminate fabrics and home items alike, it’s no surprise that people are looking for ways to protect themselves and the planet from pollution, waste, and the inhumane treatment of animals.  Luckily, there are sustainable alternatives for practically every item in your house, from the floors you tread to the shirt on your back to the food in your fridge.  Here are a few options for those of you who want to make sustainable choices, starting at home.

  1. Think twice before trashing.  Just because your jeans are SO last season doesn’t mean you have to send them to the landfill.  If you can manage, keep your clothing (and other household items) as long as you can.  Once you feel that they no longer suit your needs (or they’re simply ruined), recycle them through donation or try to think of another use for them.  Many items can be turned into something else (fabric can be used to make quilts, pillow shams, or for other craft projects, and old furniture can be reupholstered rather than scrapped).
  2. Eat right.  Whether you’re shopping at the farmer’s market to support local growers, buying organic and humanely treated meats, or becoming a vegetarian, changing your diet to support sustainable foods is as good for you as it is for the planet.  Even though pesticides and fertilizers come to you in small amounts, residual traces can cling to even thoroughly washed produce.  And the hormones and antibiotics found in feedlot animals can wreak havoc on your body’s natural hormone levels and defenses (not to mention the animal cruelty that occurs at those “farms”).
  3. Clean green.  Since sustainability means a policy of non-pollutants, you can clear your cupboards of harmful solvents and opt instead for greener cleaning with products made from all natural elements (like lemon and various oils) that scour, scrub, and disinfect just as well as the chemical-filled options.  And while all of these cleaners are non-toxic (absolutely no chlorine bleach or ammonia), many are also hypoallergenic and non-irritating.
  4. Tune out, turn off, unplug.  If you run your household entirely on eco-friendly energy (such as solar or wind power), then you number among a lucky few who enjoy a useful climate and enough money to install the necessary hardware.  But if a clean-energy overhaul is beyond your means, there are other ways to stay sustainable.  Unplug electrical items that aren’t in use (to avoid phantom drain), use natural lighting whenever possible, and invest in smaller energy- and water-saving devices like compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), energy-star appliances, low-flow toilets, and a tankless water heater.
  5. Consider green housing.  If you’re on the move, look into one of the many eco-friendly planned communities that are popping up throughout the country.  Houses are built green from the ground up, using concrete in place of wood, and outfitted with the environment in mind, using local resources and products that won’t pollute.  While they may be more expensive initially, all of the upgrades will save you tons of money on your monthly utility bills.

Daniel Lawrence is a writer for Yard Sale Search. Check out the site to find garage sales in your neck of the woods.

Why Go Green to Remodel?

By Alison Wood on Sunday, June 13th, 2010 | No Comments

If you’re looking to remodel part, or all, of your home, consider working some green ideas into your budget.  If money is not an issue, you can certainly go all out, but with eco-friendly products flooding the market due to an increase in demand over the last several years, you can often find green options that are similar in price or can even cost you less for comparable products.  And with government incentives and continued energy savings, some of these products can be the gift that keeps on giving.  Here are just a few of the many options available if you’re looking to keep the planet healthy while you beautify your home.

  1. Start on the bottom.  Green flooring doesn’t have to be concrete or laminate.  There are a wide variety of materials to choose from that are sustainable, renewable, and energy saving.  You can go with recycled materials like glass tiles or reclaimed hardwoods and stone, or you can opt for something modern like bamboo (which renews in three years, unlike hardwoods, which can take up to thirty).  Many green flooring is also engineered to provide increased insulation to cut down on heat or cooling loss.
  2. Re-use and re-use again.  If you’re looking to upgrade shabby cabinets, consider donating them to a local center that will restore and sell them.  You can also consider purchasing your new cabinets at such a store.  You’re sure to find something nicer than your current cabinets, but at a much more reasonable price than retail stores.  You trade in your car, why not your cabinets?  Plus, that’s two sets of cabinets you’re keeping out of the landfill.
  3. Go low-flow.  Installing low-flow or dual flush toilets can have many surprising benefits.  For one, you probably won’t even notice the decreased water level half the time.  And while you stand to save quite a bit on your water bill, you can also get a mail-in rebate from your water company (most will send you up to half back on your toilet purchase if you mail them a copy of your receipt).  Also, consider a tankless water heater to replace that ancient behemoth in your basement.  It takes up a lot less space and it only heats the water you use rather than wasting energy on warming water that sits all day.
  4. Get energy efficient.  Energy-star appliances will not only cut your electric bill (even light bulbs claim to save you up to $30 over the life of the product), you can also benefit from government incentives.  The federal tax credit will allow a return of up to $1,500 on qualifying items (and installation), so check to see if you can take advantage of these additional savings.
  5. Install solar panels.  These are the greenest of the green when it comes to energy.  They produce absolutely zero pollution.  They do come with a eye-popping price tag, but keep in mind that you can work the system to get some of that money back through government programs (do some research to see what your state or county offers).  And if you do it right, you will not only save the money you would have spent on electricity, you can also sell any extra energy to the power company for use in other homes, cutting down on pollution from other sources.  That’s a pretty sweet deal!

Jennifer Kardish is a communications coordinator at Kitchen Cabinet Mart. You can check out their free design tips for your kitchen and home.

Organic Pesticides That You Can Make At Home

By Alison Wood on Friday, June 11th, 2010 | 2 Comments

Why spend a lot of money on commercial organic pesticides when you can easily and cheaply make your own at home? You will be surprised to know how many items that you have around the house can be used for organic pest control in your own garden. Here are just a few ideas.

Garlic

Garlic is technically not a pesticide because it does not usually kill but it repels many pests. They just don’t like the taste or the smell. You can use garlic for pest control in two ways.

First, planting garlic around other plants will keep many pests off. Garlic planted around tomatoes can prevent red spider mite. (Salt water spray is also good against spider mite.) Around fruit trees, garlic plants can repel borer beetles whose larvae would bore into your tree trunk, damaging or even killing the tree.

Second, you can make an organic pest control spray from garlic blended with water or oil. Use the water mixture directly on growing vegetables or flowers to prevent rabbits and other invaders from snacking on your plants. Use the oil mixture to spray onto ponds. It will form a film on the surface of the pond that can kill mosquitoes.

Boric acid (known in other forms as boracic acid, borates or borax)

This was a common product found in most households until recent years and you can still buy it in drugstores or online. It is often used as an ingredient in industrial pesticides, but it is a natural product mined in the Mojave desert.

Boric acid has anti fungal properties so it can be used to get rid of mildew and other molds and fungi. In powdered form it can be very effective against ants, termites, ticks, fleas, bedbugs, slugs, earwigs, beetles, roaches and even scorpions. It will also kill crickets and grasshoppers.

Boric acid is mildly toxic to humans or pets, although not much more dangerous than table salt. A pet would have to eat a lot to suffer symptoms, and humans even more. However, do not take internally and do not use in large quantities on plants that pets will lick or eat.

Soap

Liquid detergent and other soaps can be effective sprayed onto roses and other plants that suffer from aphids or other small fly infestations. It can also work well against slugs. For extra punch, add equal quantities of hot chili peppers, horseradish (roots and leaves), spearmint and green onion tops to your soapy water.

Many home made organic pest control products do not kill the insects and other pests, but simply prevent them from coming near your plants. This will be important to you if you prefer not to kill any living beings for religious or ethical reasons – or just for good karma. However, other products such as boric acid are true pesticides. You can also find many commercial organic pesticides for sale either online o

Dorm Life Goes Green

By Alison Wood on Saturday, May 29th, 2010 | No Comments

As a college student, you are no doubt opening your eyes to the world and beginning to developing a social consciousness. As you study economics and sociology, you may start to notice the iniquities inherent in a capitalistic society. Psychology classes will make you look at your own genetics and upbringing in a whole new way. And you, like many other students, may look around in horror at the many ways humans pollute the planet that is our very source of life. But let’s face it, you’re on a tight schedule and what can one person do, anyway?

Actually, there’s a lot you can do when it comes to making your dorm room environmentally friendly. And you can start before you even hit campus. Instead of going to Target to get the latest offering from Todd Oldham, (or whoever they have designing for them this year) think about buying green bedding. Linens in eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton and hemp can be found online (along with towels, drapes, and even clothing). It can be more expensive than Target, but websites like Overstock (www.overstock.com) often have prices similar to discount home stores. As for furniture, the best way to be green is to re-use. Go to local thrift stores and see if there’s something unique and retro that will fit your style just as well as something new. Chances are, older furniture will be a lot more sturdy than something new anyway, and it can save you a bundle of money. If you have to have it new, at least skip the hardwoods or plastics and go with something renewable like bamboo (you can find desks, chairs, beds, and storage in this highly sustainable alternative). And don’t overlook the basics like a recycle bin and energy saving light bulbs and appliances.

The last thing you can do to help the earth is also excellent for your health: eat green. Organic, free-range, and sustainable foods will not only do wonders for the planet, they will also keep you going through those long study sessions. Unfortunately, you will almost certainly have to go off campus to find these foods, but you should petition to bring them to your cafeteria. There are probably a lot of other students who will support your cause and champion healthier dining options. You may even be able to get a local business to partner up with your school on deliveries.

You will find that going green in your dorm is not nearly as difficult as you think. And you can feel good about the fact that you’re doing your part to ensure that the world you enter when you leave college is a little better than before because of your efforts. Plus, if you do a little legwork, you can save a lot of money and still have a totally chic living environment for the next four years!

Alexis Montgomery is a content writer for Online Schools, where you can browse through various online degree programs to find a college that suits your needs.

The Health Benefits of Going Green

By Alison Wood on Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 | No Comments

We hear it everywhere nowadays, but what does it really mean to “go green?” Are there really benefits?

Scientists are constantly discovering new information about how our bodies work, and perhaps more importantly, how certain chemicals affect us. For most of human history, we lived without houses, cable TV, Slurpees or video games. Hard to believe, but it’s true.  We lived a radically “green” life compared to today.  It’s only in the last few hundred years that we’ve regularly exposed ourselves to harsh chemicals that can be harmful if not handled properly.

One of the biggest controversies concerns the use of pesticides on our food. Cheap chemical mixtures sometimes called organophosphates are used in farming, primarily to control bugs. The effects of some of these pesticides can cause cancer, ADHD in children and even infertility. Feeding your family organic fruits and vegetables, which have not been sprayed with pesticides can greatly reduce these risks. Getting to know your local farmers is a great way to verify the quality of the foods and which, if any, pesticides are used. There are many natural ways to control pests and smaller farmers tend to have a lot of knowledge about these alternatives. Another option is to grow your own! Nothing brings a family closer together than planting and tending to a pesticide free family garden.

Meat, eggs and dairy products are also receiving a lot of attention when it comes to being green.  Because so many factory farms crowd so many animals into cages or feed lots, high doses of antibiotics are given to animals preventatively. (Or, in other words, all the time.) The animals are also fed growth hormones so they grow bigger faster, meaning there are more animals on the land in less time than ever before, and that means a lot more animal waste. All of this ends up in our water, polluting our air and rendering the soil useless. This practice is extremely damaging to the environment, which has negative health effects on humans. We are also at risk of health problems such as e coli and salmonella by eating animal products not raised in organic conditions. Seek out organic sources of animal products or just skip them altogether.

Around the house we can unsuspectingly expose our families to chemicals that may be harmful to them and the environment. Bleach is a very strong chemical that can damage lungs and is particularly dangerous for individuals with heart or respiratory conditions. Chlorine is extremely caustic, damaging the environment, polluting the water, soil and air. There are dozens of safe, chlorine-free products available to clean your home with. (You can even try regular white wine vinegar for much of your cleaning needs. It works just as well and costs less than any fancy brand name chemical cleaning product.)

In many cases, going green can save you money, but even more valuable, it always saves you peace of mind.

Guest Post by Michael Krauss of DiscountVouchers.org where you can find Apple Discount Vouchers.

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