Ten Steps to a Greener Home
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6. Choose Natural Lawn Care and Stop Using Pesticides and Synthetic Fertilizers
Pesticides are intentionally toxic. Every year, 90 million pounds of pesticides are used on lawns in the U.S. alone. Our shoes track these toxins into our homes and our childrens health is the most compromised. Exposure to pesticides can lead to such health problems as birth defects, neurotoxins, and kidney and liver damage.
Synthetic fertilizers may seem like a quick fix to green a lawn but they actually weaken grass and deteriorate soil in the long run. They also kill healthy microorganisms that build healthy soil.
Healthy soil is what grows nice grass. Try adding clover seed or other nitrogen-fixing plant seed to grass seed to improve the soil and/or opt for natural and organic fertilizers.
7. Choose "Green Energy" Options through your Electric Utility
How cool is it that so many standard utility companies offer "green energy" options? For a small premium, you can elect to get your electricity from renewable sources such as wind, solar, or biomass. This is a direct way to personally wean your household off fossil fuels. Sign up and save the world!
8. Favor Cloth over Paper Products
Using cloth towels, napkins and rags instead of disposable paper goods can reduce the heaps of rubbish in our landfills and save you a few bucks in the process. Cloth dishtowels are a smart eco-choice over paper towels. Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins. The initial cost will quickly be offset by the reduced need to buy disposable paper products. Go for organic cotton -- better for you, better for the planet.
Ratty dishtowels and washcloths are great to recycle into cleaning rags. Old t-shirts also make great rags -- just cut them into squares. Use cloth grocery bags. They are easier to carry than disposable bags, hold more, and protect breakable items. Keep a small basket or crate in the trunk of your car and put them back after unloading groceries so you dont forget on the next trip to the market.
9. Be Wise with Laundry
My mom is the queen of smart laundry and taught me well.
Use Biodegradable Detergent and Oxygen Bleach: Both are free of toxins and irritants.
Wash Clothes on Cold: The washing machine performs just as well with cold water as with warm or hot. It will save energy and money and extend the life of your threads.
Wash Full Loads, But Dont Overfill: It takes the same amount of energy for a small load as a large load. However, an overfilled machine won't perform as well and may need a longer wash/rinse cycle.
Hang Dry What You Can: Nothing is better than fresh, line-dried clothes. It will save energy, money on electricity (dryers are a huge draw of power), and line drying makes fabrics smell wonderful. Your clothes will thank you, too. The dryer is rough on textiles, elastic and wears out colors quickly. In colder weather some laundry can be hung indoors; socks, underwear and lightweight clothing such as tee shirts will dry quickly. A folding rack can be easily stashed away. If you like clothes fluffy, tumble drying for a few minutes will do the trick.
Clean the Lint Screen: Do this every time you use the dryer. Simple. Air will flow more freely for efficient drying time.
Choose an Energy Efficient Washer and Dryer: They use 50% less energy and 35% to 50% less water for the same washing and drying action. Look for the Energy Star* models, which meet the strict guidelines set by the Department of Energy and the EPA.
10. Buy Organic Food Products
Going green at the supermarket is one of the most important and influential options for human and ecological health. Organically grown food simply does not contain the cocktail of chemicals used to cultivate conventional food. Buying organic is a win-win situation -- better for us, better for the planet. Of course, opting for organic does cost significantly more and such products are not always available. So allow your shopping list to evolve little by little. Start by prioritizing your purchases. The following types of products are the most important to buy:
Meat, Poultry, Eggs and Dairy: Why feed your family the hormones and antibiotics used in conventionally raised livestock? If animal products have a place on your table, then organic animal products have a more important place, especially for children. Low-fat and non-fat dairy are also a good choice, not only for your heart but because many pesticides and chemicals are stored in fat and passed along to consumers in this form.
Berries: No amount of washing or rinsing can remove pesticide residue from such produce as strawberries, as their thin skin is very permeable and offers little protection from the excessive pesticide application through the lifecycle of their growing. If fresh organic berries are not available, opt instead for frozen organic berries, or serve a different fruit. Its that important. Soft-skinned produce, such as peaches, grapes, plums, tomatoes and bell peppers.
Since the skin of such produce is delicate, any pesticides or chemicals applied to them penetrate the whole fruit or vegetable. What's more, organically grown produce tastes better try it, you'll see.
Potatoes: Theyre a favorite for children and adults. Problem is, conventionally grown spuds are contaminated with pesticides and fungicides because they are in the ground and thus, are constantly exposed to such chemicals throughout their lifecycles. The good news is that organically-grown potatoes are often relatively cheap and, best of all, they taste fantastic.
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