How To Go Green At Home

Do you want to make changes to incorporate Green into your life but you don't know where to start? Here's a guide to lighten your carbon footprint at home.

Give up plastic bags: Invest in some canvas bags. Most stores offer bags for as little as .99 so it is a wise investment. So you never are without your canvas bags, make it a habit to put them back in your car after unloading your goods. A few times of this and it will become a habit.

Clean Green: In the two most often-cleaned rooms, eco-friendly cleaners make a big difference. Be careful though; some products say they're "green" in reference to packaging only. If nothing else, vinegar and water clean most anything.

Give up plastic water bottles: Invest in a reusable stainless steel thermal bottle and stop contributing to the more than 60 million plastic water bottles that are thrown away each day in the US. Most end up in landfills or incinerators, and millions litter America’s streets, parks and waterways.

Purchase EnergyStar rated appliances: Look for the EnergyStar sticker. Also, change all faucets, toilets and showerheads to low-flow fixtures.

Unplug appliances when not in use. Think toasters, coffeemakers or hair dryers for starters. Electricity flows even when they're not turned on.

Save water: Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth. Use the sink basin for rinsing dishes, rather than running constant water.

Insulate the basement: There are wonderful alternatives to fiberglass. Recycled denim is a new, popular choice.

Stock your workbench with nontoxic supplies: Choose water-based or plant-based caulks, sealers and stains. Also choose paints w/low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).Green your kitty litter:

Replace strip-mined clay litter with Swheat Scoop or Feline Pine, made of wheat and pine chips, respectively.

Plug computers and printers into a power strip and switch off when not in use. A lot of devices go on stand-by and use a lot of energy.

Furniture: Consider eco-friendly furniture such as those that use sustainable-wood frames and soybean-oil fill foam made from soy-based products.

Shade glaring sun to cut your energy bill.

Choose sustainable bedding.Use rechargeable batteries.

It's not as tough as it used to be to go green at home. So incorporate some of these changes into your everyday life and be one of thousands that are doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint.

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