Green at Home

Eco-friendly and Safe Ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Even though they are tiny in size, mosquitoes can be the biggest annoyance you have to deal with during the summer. Many people are bitten by the tiny pests several times throughout the season. It is important to protect yourself from these insects the best you can, as they can carry several different diseases. Below are some green living tips that can help you avoid receiving a wealth of mosquito bites. Dealing with Water around your Home The best way to get rid of mosquitoes around your home is to remove any standing water. Any small amount of water can has collected can be a breeding ground for the tiny insects, even if it is just a plastic container filled with one inch of rain water. Clear out the front and back yard of anything that could hold water, and frequently soak up any water from things that cannot be removed. Keep gutters clean to avoid clogging and back up of rain in them. If you have a pond, you may feel that there is no way to truly avoid being bitten by a mosquito. While the critter will love the abundance of water in your yard, there are steps you can take ...

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10 Benefits and Uses for Castile Soap

Castile soaps are popular brands of environmental-friendly soaps that are now making the rounds of homes which are able to use them in a variety of ways.  Some people who have heard of this soap have also taken to using it as an alternative beauty product.  Its flexibility in use is also contributing to a number of benefits for all users.  A Castile soap is either made from a vegetable oil, olive oil, jojoba or other natural plant extracts. Its natural ingredients are considered its primary appeal to many users who are more open to using alternative materials that are less harmful to the environment. Castile soaps either come in the white solid bar or liquid form but their uses and benefits are basically the same.  Its origins is said to be from Spain in the 16th century era where it was then known as "jabon de Castilla".  Its many benefits and uses: Bath soap.  It is known to be a favorite of people with sensitive skin as its gentle and natural ingredients works against acne, blemishes, and dry skin.  The olive oil ingredient is also best for eczema and psoriasis.  It also works as a natural moisturizer. Best for babies.  It is also ...

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How to Choose Eco-Friendly and Toxin-Free Paint or Wallpaper for Your Nursery

Preparing your baby's nursery can be a wonderful time of planning and dreaming.  Many times, that means choosing a paint color or wallpaper (or a combination of both), furnishings, and flooring. Today, many people are aware that the fumes from paint, wallpaper and carpet can be toxic.  Babies, with their tiny, developing systems, are especially vulnerable to toxins in the air and on surfaces they touch with their delicate skin.  In order to avoid these poisonous substances, you may choose to decorate baby's nursery with eco-friendly items. Here are some things to keep in mind as you seek to create a non-toxic environment for your little one. Paint Generally speaking, paint is less expensive than wallpaper.  When you look for paints, there are many green options available.  The first thing to look for in an eco-friendly paint is a lack of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.  These are the chemicals that create the fumes and subsequent headaches and respiratory problems that many people experience with conventional paints. Look for water-based paints with labels that say things like "biodegradable," "phosphate-free" and, of course, "VOC-free."  While these types of environmentally friendly paints are more expensive, they generally only require one coat due to their rich pigmentation. Choosing paint ...

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Green Living: Tips to Conserve Water

Today, it is not hard to find people talking about green living, but many people focus on conserving energy and while this is vital, it is just as important and maybe more so to conserve water.  People can live without electricity, but they cannot live without water.  Therefore, conserving water is living a green lifestyle.  You can do little things that make an impact on saving the planet from drying up. First, take inventory of your faucets in your home and your toilets, if you have a leaky faucet or toilet, the water is literally being wasted and it can also cost you more in water bills when you have a leaky faucet.  Most leaky faucets just need a simple washer to stop the leak entirely. Only run the washing machine when you have a full load.  When you wash small loads, you use more water than a full load does.  It also saves on electricity, so you are helping not only to conserve water, but you save on electricity costs. Take shorter showers.  Everyone knows how great it feels in the cold winters to take those long hot showers, but taking long showers is literally water down the drain.  Even if you ...

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What to Look for When Buying a Green Home

More green homes are showing up on the market these days than ever before.  This is because the whole world is becoming more concerned about energy use today and leaving a carbon footprint.  But the buyer needs to be careful because not everything advertised as green is just that.  There are some things to consider before buying one of these houses. Try to find a real estate agent that knows about green houses for one thing.  Not all of them understand everything they should.  If you can find one that has been certified by the NAR (National Association of Realtors), that would be ideal.  The realtor that has gone through this certification process can acquaint you with the green features of the home along with explaining any tax credits you can get or other information you need to know in conjunction with the house. If you can't find a NAR realtor then you can tell if a house is totally green by looking for certification from a third party.  There are several organizations out there that do this Energy Star is probably the best known one.  This certification shows the house has been tested and inspected for it better using energy than ...

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