 Harmful and toxic matter is all around us. Certain things may seem beyond your control but you still retain a firm grip on your household. Wouldn’t it be nice to walk into a clean, fresh, and green atmosphere knowing that you’ve created it yourself? It’s as simple as it is effective and nothing extraordinary is required of you, only a few minor adjustments. Below are must-haves and must-dos for an eco-friendly home:
· Place filters or aerators on all your faucets. This simple technique will keep harmful foreign substances at bay and block their interaction with you and those you love. At the same time you will also be generating purer grey water from the usage of appliances, making it easier to recycle for future use. Stop drinking bottled water from plastic bottles! This contributes to waste and you’re no healthier for it. Purified, filtered water from the faucet is more sanitary and much better for you than water which has been packaged into plastic bottles and left in the sun for too long.
· Purify your air in your house and car with air purifiers. Stop Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), aka airborne chemicals from invading and polluting your personal space. The cleaner the air, the fewer allergies and respiratory problems to contend with and you certainly won’t miss those dust mites, which will be forced to take up residence elsewhere.
· Biodegradable/compostable trash and food storage bags. Made from renewable resources, these bags help reduce the amount of plastic in landfills as well as conserve trees and energy, which paper bags gobble up. Biodegradable bags are considered a wonderful solution to many a problem since they decompose faster thereby assisting with the environmental conservation and recycling processes.
· Substitute regular lamps for LEDs and CFLs. LEDs are preferable but either one is superior to and more energy-efficient than the regular light bulb. If you’re feeling really eco-conscious, try keeping the use of light and other electric appliances to a minimum. Read in natural daylight (which is more beneficial to your vision), do not open the refrigerator door unless preparing a meal, use a fan instead of the air conditioner, keep warm in the winter time with a corn stove (corn is a renewable resource!) instead of a traditional heater or wood fireplace.
· Every home, no matter how well-kept or beautiful, is subjected to the occasional pest invasion. Instead of poisoning the unwanted guests, along with adding pollution to the environment, why not switch to eco-friendly pest repellants? Better ways to “exterminate” the problem exist that actually safeguard the creatures which have as much right to be here as we do. Humane, reusable traps do not use toxins or poisons and are the perfect alternatives to harmful sprays, chalks, and torture-like devices causing their captives unnecessary pain.
There are many more green ways to run your home, vacation house, and your garden. Start implementing new ideas today! The answers are there, we just need to act quick, think eco-friendly and drive home decorators green with envy.
**By Diana Kaganovsky** |
