January 2009 March 2009 Green Spring Cleaning Tips!
When cleaning appliances, use 1/2 teaspoon of a vegetable oil-based liquid soap in 2 cups of water. Spray on appliance surfaces using a spray bottle and wipe dry.
Mix vinegar & warm water to spray on mirrors, shower tile and tubs instead of harsh chemical cleaners.
Polish furniture with 2 parts olive oil or vegetable oil to 1 part lemon juice or vinegar and buff with a soft cloth.
Naturally purify the air by placing plants such as aloe vera, mother-in-law's tongue and spider plant in the room.
Place a few drops of liquid fabric softener on a wash cloth and use it in the laundry in instead of a disposable fabric sheet.
Most of these recipes were gleaned from "How Clean is Your House" (BBC America). Test them before using on A
NAR statistics show that home prices fell an average of 7% nationally in 2008. One silver lining in this economic downturn is the opportunity provided bygreen retrofits. Retrofitting a home to incorporate green features is a way to increase thevalue of a property when market values decrease. Such ecofriendly renovations are especially timely now that an environmental consciousness is growing among consumers and decision-makers. But it isn’t just the appeal of improved environmental quality and lifestyle that makes green retrofits so worthwhile. They can make good financial sense, too. According to www.greenandsave.com, the return on investment for a residential programmable thermostat is roughly 156.5%, paid back in a little over six months. Mid-range investments such as replacing a residential hot water heater with an energy-efficient model provide a 32% ROI on average over roughly a three-year period. April 2009 Use these green tips for keeping your landscaping (and watering) on the eco-friendly side!
Just one leaky faucet or spigot can waste approximately 2,000 gallons of water each year. Repair or replace old or damaged fixtures indoors or outdoors. If you suspect a leak, try this method to help you verify the problem: check the water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak.
Research the various shading strategies that will work best in your regional climate and your microclimate. To block solar heat in the summer but let much of it in during the winter, use deciduous trees. To provide continuous shade or to block heavy winds, use dense evergreen trees or shrubs. For more information on regional and microclimates, visit the Energy Savers Web site. Planting shrubs, bushes, and vines next to your house creates dead air spaces that insulate your home in both winter and summer. Plant so there will be at least 1 foot (30 centimeters) of space between full-grown plants and your home's wall.
May 2009 Leaving your car at home just two days a week will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,600 pounds per year. If you can work from home, you'll reduce air pollution and traffic congestion - and save money.
Compost helps improve soil so it holds more water and plants grow better. Allow grass clippings to stay on the lawn, instead of bagging them. The cut grass will decompose and return to the soil naturally. Food scraps and kitchen waste also make good compost, and you save money on fertilizers or other additives.
Check out the beach water before you go! We Americans take almost two billion trips to the beach every year, but people who swim at the beach sometimes get sick because the water is polluted. The good news is in the state where the beach is located, you can check with the state office to find out about the beach water - before you go. July 2009 Be extra aware of environmental conditions where older people live! As we age, our bodies become more sensitive to chemicals and environmental conditions. So you should carefully use products such as pesticides or cleaning solvents near areas where older adults live and sleep. Always follow the directions on the product package or label.
By their nature, many pesticides may pose some risk to humans, animals, or the environment because they are designed to kill or otherwise adversely affect living organisms. At the same time, pesticides are often useful because of their ability to control disease-causing organisms, insects, weeds, or other pests. The pesticide label is your guide to using pesticides safely and effectively. It contains pertinent information that you should read and understand before you use a pesticide product.
August 2009 Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units but not to block the airflow. Place your room air conditioner on the north side of the house. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.
Don't place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
September 2009 Installing plastic window film with a low-E coating is a good DIY project for those who can't spring for new windows. The film promises to reduce heat loss by 40 percent.
Putting a one-liter plastic bottle full of water inside a toilet's water tank can cut water usage on each flush.
October 2009 Get your car ready for the winter by checking your air filter and fluid levels, checking tires for tread wear and proper inflation, and checking the condition of your windshield wipers.
Consider using non-toxic de-icing substances such as clean clay cat litter, sand, or fireplace ash to prevent hazardous waste from chemicals. Chemical de-icers can be hazardous to pets, trees and shrubs. Antifreeze that leaks from car engines and chemical snow melters on driveways, roads, and runways can pollute surface waters and groundwater through the soil. |