Monthly Archives: November 2011

The Environment and You: Eco-Friendly Cleaning
One of the simplest ways to help the environment and possibly improve your home environment is to clean green. There are many green cleaning ideas as well as healthy products that still leave your home looking spick-and-span. If you’re looking to make a change, here are some tips to get you on the road to going green. Use green cleaning products. Most cleaning solutions are petroleum-based. Instead buy products made from renewable, non-toxic resources. Green cleaners are often derived from plants and contain essential oils like palm kernel or coconut oil. You can find products that are pH-neutral as well as scented or fragrance free. You know that these natural cleaners won’t harm you or damage your home’s surfaces. Improve the air in your home. Typical cleaners can emit harsh chemicals and scents that bother your eyes, sinuses or skin. This does not even take into account the natural pollutants that travel freely through the air. In many cases, when you add the spray of an air freshener, for example, you’re only making the problem worse. As an alternative you could choose natural air sprays or even boil a pot of some of your favorite spices or herbs. Baking soda is also an effective odor-eliminator for refrigerators as well as on carpets when vacuuming. Plants like Peace Lilies or others with broad green leaves are great for filtering air even though they don’t necessarily freshen it. Keep toxic substances off your floors and out of your home. It can be hard to keep floors clean with constant foot traffic. The toxins and pollutants that can be tracked on the bottom of shoes can create an unhealthy environment as well as making a mess. A good way to help the problem is to have quality doormats at your doors. Having a no-shoe policy in your home is an even better idea, or designate some shoes for only indoor use. There are numerous other ways that you can go green at home. Limiting your use of antibacterial cleaners and getting rid of toxic cleaners safely are just a couple of ways to make a difference. There is an abundance of eco-friendly information out there if you want to learn and do more. It’s your choice of how eco-friendly you want to live, but it’s all beneficial and easy to find and understand. Green cleaning simply means using more of what nature has to offer to clean your home rather than harsh synthetic chemicals. If you want to clean and be green, it’s a good way to start.

Going Green the Easy Way ? Simple methods to save energy, money and the environment

There can be many challenges in trying to live a greener and more eco-friendly life. Reducing energy use, resorting to natural methods and buying eco-friendly products can all come with costs in both money and time.

But saving energy and living green doesn’t have to be hard work, costly or resort to us doing things the hard way; there are some really simple but effective things that you can do for little cost that can make a huge difference to the amount of energy you use.

Insulation

Okay, insulation does cost a little bit of money but if you have a badly insulated loft it can be costing you a fortune in wasted heat and energy; spending just a few hundred pounds to ensure you are properly insulated will soon pay for itself.

And lofts are not the only place where heat escapes. Cavity walls can be insulated, and now, you can even buy insulation paint.

This paint is inexpensive and will prevent heat from escaping through the walls or ceiling.

Ensuring draughts are covered will also prevent energy loss. Draught excluders for badly fitting doors should be fitted and you should also fit letterbox draft excluders if heat is getting out that way.

Efficiency

By getting more out of the energy we consume is another method for saving energy, money and the environment. One of the first areas we can make a difference is in our lighting. By replacing conventional filament lightbulbs with energy saving bulbs you will make quite a big reduction in the amount of electricity you use.

You can make your radiators even more efficient by installing radiator panels.

These will radiate the heat from the rear of the radiator back into the room. You should also ensure they are bled regularly and you can get automatic radiator valves to do this.