An Eco-Friendly Home
Are you ready to go green? So many people are trying to be more eco-friendly, and there is no better place to start than your own home. Oh, and buy the way, it can increase the market value of your home!
Recycling
Recycling should be made as easy as possible so that it becomes second nature. Set aside a space for your own recycling center and make sure everyone in the home uses it. Remember to buy products with easily recycled packaging, and try to avoid containers that are made of combined materials (cardboard and plastic for example).
Some Helpful Tips to be Eco-Friendly
1) Stay away from products that contain chemicals like petroleum, which take a hefty toll on the environment. You can even make your own, with safe ingredients like baking soda, vinegar and olive oil.
2) Use fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs, they last three to four times longer and have a lower impact on the environment.
3) When redecorating, use paints that contain low volatile organic compounds. These paints don’t produce noxious smells.
4) Keep your heating and cooling systems clean to make them more energy efficient.
5) Weatherproof all your windows & doors to keep out drafts and lower energy costs.
6) Don’t use pesticides/herbicides on your lawn. Along with nitrogen fertilizer runoff, these are major water pollutants.
7) Lower your thermostat in the winter. Raise it in the summer. Save energy and reduce pollution in the process.
8) Dispose of old paint, chemicals and oil properly. Don’t put batteries, antifreeze, paint, motor oil or chemicals in the trash. Use proper toxic disposal sites.
9) Plant a tree. They store carbon dioxide and “scrub” the air.
10) Collect rainwater and use it to water your plants. Chlorine in tap water sometimes fades their green color, and fresh rain water will also make plants more pest resistant and healthier.
11) Use as much natural light as possible. You can always close the blinds if you want to sleep late or take a nap. Try to bring in reflected light so direct sunlight doesn’t fade or degrade materials and furniture.
12) Maintain as many plants and trees as possible both inside and outside your home. They keep you in touch with nature and help take toxins out of the air.
13) Take a canvas bag or two with you to the grocery store to cut down on wasted plastic and paper.
