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Question:what are some simple ways to make my home more enviroment friendly? besides those lightbulbs.
Answers:
:):)) For me, instead of using the costly dryer, I use a solar dryer - 4 clotheslines outside! This is run on the power of the wind, and sun. And the clothes have a wonderful refreshing scent! :):)
Turn your thermostats down a bit in winter, and up a bit in summer (if you have a/c). Run appliances like washers, dryers, and dishwashwers at non-peak times (I try to wait until late at night), or do dishes/laundry by hand and dry on the clothesline - even better! Compost whatever you can instead of sending it to the landfill. Every little bit helps!
WE TEND TO WASTE TOO MUCH WATER , IF YOU CAN SAVE WATER THAT WOULD HELP , PLACE A BRICK IN THE TOILET,TANK YOU USE LESS . IF YOU CAN RE USE WATER , THAT WOULD SAVE TONS
Use cleaning products that are home made instead of buying them. It is safer and cheaper to make your own out of baking soda, vinegar and such. Don't use scented candles and especially don't use air fresheners, particularly the ones that have liquid in them. They are pretty toxic.
As for laundry, don't buy products that need dry cleaning, as they are all chemicals next to your skin. Wash everything before you wear it, as chemicals are in the sizing that make products look new.
Indoor air pollution is a danger to us all. When you bring something home, like a plastic shower curtain, for example, notice that it has a plastic smell. Leave it outside, opened up, for a day or two to "off gas" the odor outside instead of inside. Don't bring anything inside that has a bad odor.
Plants release oxygen and take in carbon dioxide. So they need the stuff we exhale, and they give us back the oxygen we need to breathe.
Carpets can be dusty and hold odors, etc. Go to hardwood if you can, or vacuum regularly. Good luck! You are doing yourself and your health a favor!
have all grey water (from the shower, sinks, washing machine, etc) run into a cistern. Use this for watering lawn and plants.
Do not leave the water running while brushing your teeth.
Shred leaves and use them as mulch.
Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
allow both dishes and clothes to air-dry.
Use cloth napkins and wahscloths.instead of paper towels and wet-wipes.
Recycle all plastic bags and ask for paper at your local grocery store. (plastic does not deteriorate in land fills, while trees are a renewable resource)
Better yet take a cloth tote with you every time and use it.
Use baking soda and vinegar for most of your house cleaning. Recycle newspaper to use for cleaning.
Buy products made from recycled packaging.
Hope this helps. :)
One facet of environmental friendliness (beyond energy conservation, which is huge) is consumerism... the things we buy and throw away.
Evaluate the groceries you buy, and buy stuff with less packaging. Just think about Lunchables and how much packaging that adds! My family drinks mostly water, some milk, and a little bit of juice. We generate a lot less trash and recycling from drinks than most families.
And if you can avoid the habit of picking up new plastic junk toys for the kids every time you go to the store, even better!
Find ways to recycle more. Bathroom trash seems to collect too many recyclables (shampoo bottles, soap boxes, kleenex boxes, etc.). Put a 2nd trash can in there for recycling.
Reduce the number of plastic sacks you use. I've got a bunch of canvas bags I take to the grocery store, and I'm trying to get in the habit of taking them to other places (Trader Joe's, Rite Aid, Target) I shop. My canvas bags have lasted a very long time. You might try the 59 cent IKEA blue bags if you get the chance.
I recycle gift boxes, within reason. My family is fine with it, and we don't have any running gags. But I've got a couple of spiffy cardboard pop-up packages that I manage to save from recycling every year, and all they need is a little ribbon.
Evaluate your holiday decorating habits. Are you decorating for every holiday on the calendar, and generating trash? Be a minimalist and save the time you'd spend shopping, decorating, taking down, and throwing away. Celebrate time with your family, instead.
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