"Green" is the color of choice today. As global awareness and gas prices rises everyone is looking for alternatives and going green is in. But many people fear that creating an environmentally friendly home could mean a major lifestyle change. To dispel that concept here is a list of twelve ways to green your home without changing more than brands of cleaning products and your mindset.
Reduce
The mantra for a green home includes the three Rs, reduce, reuse and recycle.
Reducing the amount of waste that your home produces is a great place to begin "greening" you home. Waste is considered to be any inefficient use of materials or products. One large source of waste comes in the form of packaging. When at the grocery store add packaging to the list of things that you check before deciding on a purchase.
If you can look for whole foods that generally have little to no packaging. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables that are naturally better for you and your family as well as the environment. If you find that there are products you can't live without that come in bulky packaging make sure the packages can be recycled.
Reuse
This is one of the easiest of the three Rs. Reuse anything that you can. Bags from your local grocer can be transformed into liners for a cat litter box or a lunch sack. Today many grocers go the extra mile and offer a small financial incentive for customers who bring their own shopping bags.
Use up old plastic ones or recycle them and purchase canvas ones. Some food items come in glass jars that can be cleaned out and used to store small craft items or equipment such as nails and screws. Clothing has a great capacity to be reused. Local charities are generally always willing to take donations and you just might find a great new pair of pre-worn jeans while you are out.
Recycle
The last of the three Rs is by far the most important when you are thinking about reducing garbage waste. Recycling should be a priority in every green conscientious household. Glass, cardboard, office and newspaper as well as aluminum and specific plastics are recyclable. If you do not have curbside pickup recycling can be more difficult. But by contacting your local waste authority you should be able to determine where the closest recycling drop off is. And if you do have curbside pickup there is no reason why you should not be recycling.
Most recycling services offer a convenient and sanitary plastic bin to keep recyclables in at no cost. But other items can be recycled beside common household goods. There are a number of electrical items that can be recycled such as computers and cell phones. Again contact your local waste authorities to find out more information about recycling options in you area.
Cut Back On Energy Consumption
One of the biggest ways you can make your home a green one is to reduce energy consumption. Turn off lights and electrical appliances such as the television when you leave the room and always unplug rechargeable after you have refurbished a battery such as the one in your cell phone
or laptop computer.
These are small lifestyle changes that will have a dramatic affect on the environment and your annual power bill. But if you are ready for a few more changes begin replacing burnt out light bulbs with energy efficient ones. These bulbs, which are produced in sizes, shapes and wattage for most any fixture, use approximately one-fourth of the energy that a conventional bulb does.
These bulbs are more expensive than regular bulbs but they last longer and use less energy which will bring long term energy prices down.
Clean Up Your Cleaning Routine
Conventional cleaning products are seriously toxic. Indoor air pollution is cause almost in entirety by conventional cleaning products. And it is small children and animals that are the most sensitive to these polluting chemicals. But it isn't just children and pets that suffer.
Chemicals used in a majority of cleaning products are bad for humans, household pets and the environment. When these cleaning products go down the drains and into the sewage system they are then introduced to the local watershed. This means that the chemicals that are used to clean your floors are then introduced into the local environment as it gets leached into the soil from watershed.
Animals that graze on grass that grows in that soil is then exposed to the chemicals as well. This process creates a chain of events that will ultimately result in chemical exposure for everyone. That is why it is very important to support green cleaning. And although there are a large number of products out there, Seventh Generation being the most well know and reputable, you do not have to look down the cleaning aisles to find the best green cleaning products. Many ordinary household items will get your home spic and span and sanitary without costing you additional money purchasing additional products.
For example lemons are not just for lemonade. The common citrus fruit is also a great cleaning agent for greasy surfaces such as the stove. The acidic juices will cut right through the grease and leave a nice lemon smell behind.
Conserve Water
Conserving water, like reducing energy consumption, has a lot to do with making healthier choices and cultivating conservation habits. This means simple changes such as turning off the water while brushing your teeth and only running the dishwasher with a full load. Conserve water by using a common sense approach to water usage. Leaky faucets waste an unbelievable amount of water and money. Fix leaks around the house as soon as possible.
As part of your home care routine look for leaks regularly and be prepared to stop any leaks that you find. Other water conserving ideas includes taking more showers. A five to ten minute shower uses much less water than the average bath.
For the truly conservative there are a number of new innovative appliances that are made to conserve water. For example a WaterSense labeled toilet generally used about 60 percent less water than an average toilet made before 1993.
But for those with a normal toilet put a cup or plastic bottle in the tank to displace some water which will prevent the tank from filling completely.
Author Resource:-
Start saving money right now by making your home Eco Friendly. Contact an Eco Eco Consultant: Beth Koritz - Author of ECOnomi$101- Simple and Inexpensive Solutions for Greening your Home. For more information call 314-933-4733 or go to Green It! Eco Solutions.
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