Ten Steps to a Greener Home
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Most of us would love to leave a healthier planet for our children. But how to live a greener life? Its easier than you think. We asked top eco-consultant and raw food chef Renee Loux -- actor Alicia Silverstone calls her the "green Martha Stewart" -- to help us take those first few steps towards reducing our carbon footprints.
Renee believes that forging a more environmentally friendly existence doesnt require a dramatic, overnight transformation. It can start by switching to nontoxic cleaning products or introducing houseplants into our lives. "A few simple changes really add up," says Renee. Read on for her easy tips.
1. Use Green Cleaning Products
Common cleaning products are filled with toxic chemicals -- compounds that are directly linked to cancer, reproductive disorders, lung and skin damage, and other serious health concerns. Kids are especially vulnerable. Cleaning chemicals are a major contributor to indoor air pollution -- and keep in mind that inside the house is where the average family spends 90% of its time. Whats more, cleaning products end up in the environment, devastating the eco-system and contaminating our water.
Switching to green cleaning products is easy:
Eco-conscious stores such as Whole Foods stock their shelves with non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning products for every surface. Thats great news for your familys health and, best of all, these green cleaners really get the job done.
2. Install a Water Filter
Clean, safe water without all of the waste. This is a simple home improvement that is smart, easy and cost-cutting: no more plastic water bottles, no more fossil fuels used to deliver the H20, and no more water delivery bills, either.
3. Use Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
Did you know that 90% of electricity is lost by heat in incandescent (regular) bulbs. Energy-efficient bulbs produce the same amount of light using about 25% of the energy. There are energy-efficient light bulbs for every kind of fixture, providing a spectrum of watts, hues and ambience. There are even light bulbs that last 20,000 hours thats 5 hours a day for 11 years. Just one of them will replace 26 store-bought light bulbs. So smart!
4. Use Recycled Paper Products (Unbleached or Naturally Bleached)
Every year, more than 900 million trees are cut down for U.S. paper and pulp mills. More than 40% of landfill is paper office and residential paper dominates it. Whats more, the bleach used on most paper products has toxic chlorine-based chemicals that destroy the ecosystem, cause cancer and birth defects.
Recycled paper just makes sense. Go for recycled content that has been naturally bleached. Toilet paper, tissue, feminine products, coffee filters, paper towels, printing paper, envelopes, stationary, notebooks and more are all available with recycled content.
5. Purify Air with Houseplants
The EPA estimates indoor air to be two to 10 times more polluted than the air outdoors. Building materials, furnishings, carpet backing, cleaning products, computer circuitry and printers continuously release pollutants. Plants are not only nice to look at, they are also great, natural air purifiers. While opting for non-toxic products will help control indoor pollution, populating the house with plants is a fantastic way to "grow" fresh air every day.
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