With all of the
environmental problems our world is facing today, every day people are
looking for ways that they can make a difference. Earth conscious
individuals everywhere are recycling their paper, plastic and glass,
purchasing hybrid and electric cars but what more can people do in their
day-to-day lives to make a difference? When it comes to earth-friendly
home improvement measures, you'd be surprised at the amount of "small
stuff" you can do that really adds up in a big way. Here are a few of my
favorite eco-friendly home improvement tips.
1.) Change a Light Bulb,
Change the World:
One of the smallest things you can do with one of the biggest potential
impacts is changing one, single light bulb in your home from an
incandescent to a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). According to the
U.S. Department of Energy, if every American home replaced just one
bulb, we could save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for
a year. That translates into savings of over $600 million in annual
energy costs. Additionally, by changing just one light bulb, we could
prevent the release of greenhouse gases equivalent to emissions of over
800,000 cars! That's incredible! While CFLs do cost a bit more up front,
they last up to 10 times longer and produce about 75% less heat. The
best part is, you don't need to buy all new lighting! CFLs can be used
in most standard light fixtures. While the impact of every American
switching one light bulb to a CFL is staggering, why not change a
couple? It's recommended that a CFL be installed into any fixture that
is used for more than 15 minutes at a time, including fixtures in the
living room, bedroom and kitchen.
2.) Paint The Town Green:
If you have a painting project on your list of "to-dos," consider using
low or no VOC paints. VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) are low level
toxic emissions that are released into the air during the painting
process and sometimes, for years afterward. While zero VOC paints are
ideal, these can cost on average, about $30 a gallon. If you are on a
budget, low VOC paints are a suitable option, costing about the same as
a regular gallon of paint. Many of these low and zero VOC paints are
also odor free, which is a plus. You can also purchase low and no VOC
stains and varnishes for your woodworking projects.
3.) If You Build It
Green, They Will Come: When it comes to purchasing furniture for
your home or apartment, it’s a good idea to be thorough when shopping
around. I'm not just talking about shopping for the best price - I'm
talking about shopping for the "greenest" manufacturer! Take
bedroom furniture manufacturer, Lifestyle Solutions, for example.
Lifestyle Solutions has its manufacturing process certified for
compliance by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)
guidelines for sustainable management of tropical forests. Every single
product they produce is constructed from plantation-grown imported
hardwood to help ensure a sustainable use of timber.
Bedroom furniture manufacturer Vaughan-Bassett on the other hand,
employs a One For Program, in which the company replaces every tree used
in the manufacturing process, with a new one. By shopping with a more
earth-friendly company, you feel especially good about your investment -
and let’s face it, good furniture is definitely an investment.
4.) Clean Living:
When you clean, have you ever stopped to look at the bevy of chemicals
found in most household cleaning solutions? I always go by the mantra of
"if you can't pronounce it, it can't be good." By using natural cleaning
products, you eliminate both direct contact with your skin and you help
the environment at the same time. Since most conventional dish and
laundry detergents are petroleum based (non-renewable resource), with
fragrance that contain phthalates (potentially harmful chemicals), you
should try and use "fragrance-free" products and cleaning products with
a citrus-oil base. Home-made concoctions are also great ways to clean a
more eco-friendly way. Remove stains by soaking fabrics in water mixed
with borax, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, washing soda or white
vinegar. Baking soda can be used in place of traditional cleanser for
cleaning countertops and stovetops. Try adding one-quarter cup of white
vinegar or a tablespoon of lemon juice to a spray water bottle and clean
your windows. By taking a pot of boiling water and flushing it down your
drains, you help prevent drains from clogging. If your drain is already
clogged, try a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Sprinkle one fourth
cup of baking soda into the offending drain and then pour a cup of
vinegar, letting it sit for 15 minutes. Flush it out with boiling water
and repeat as necessary.
When it comes to the day to day tasks and
basic home improvement, there are plenty of eco-friendly ways that you
can make a difference. While some of these things might take some extra
time and cost a little more money, it's probably worth it in the long
run.
