Green at Home

How to Save Money and Be Eco-Friendly in Easy Steps

One of the best things about being eco-friendly and saving money is that the two principles go hand-in-hand. Here are some steps you can take to implement both of these ideals. 1. Buy seasonal, local food. This is eco-friendly because it reduces "food miles," thus saving fuel. It saves you money because seasonal, local produce takes less effort to grow and to transport. (You have to pay for a lot of extra energy if you're buying hot-house tomatoes in the middle of January.) 2. Combine your shopping trips. This will save fuel - you buy less of it, and fewer emissions go into the atmosphere. 3. Turn off lights and appliances when you aren't using them. Conserving electricity definitely saves you money. And when you use less of it, that means less fossil fuel is used to produce it. 4. Unplug appliances and electronics so that they do not charge up all the time. This includes laptop and cell phone adaptors. 5. Reduce your water usage - and your water bill. Time your showers. Turn off the faucet when you are brushing your teeth or scrubbing dishes. Install aerators on your faucets and, if your budget permits, low-flow shower heads and toilets. If possible, set ...

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Decorate the Outside of Your Home With Solar Lighting

A great and easy way to reduce your carbon footprint is to install solar driveway or garden lights on your property. Solar lights are a great way to cut down on your power bill and can be incredibly easy to install. When it comes to what type of solar light to use, standard solar garden lights work great on the driveway or in the garden, offering many benefits to the homeowner. Installing the lights is a piece of cake, and you can find a wide assortment to choose from at your local hardware or gardening store. The solar garden lights come ready made and simply need a patch of grass to stand in. You simply stick the stand, which is pointed at the end, into the grass where you want the light to go. During the day the solar light will absorb rays from the sun and at night will use the sun’s energy to emit light. These lights are a great way to maintain a certain look around your property, as they go great all around the exterior of the house. If you’re in the market for a more permanent solution, consider using the above ground solar driveway light. These solar ...

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Repair or Replace – That’s the Question

This can be quite a dilemma. On the one hand, you don't want to be wasteful and throw out something that could be repaired. On the other hand, you don't want to repair something only to have it break again...and again. The key is always to try to fix something first, then consider other options only when repair is not feasible. Here are some ideas and items that you may be trying to decide to repair or replace. 1. Car - It's nearly always less expensive to keep your old car than to buy a new one. Of course, if your car is totaled in an accident or otherwise damaged beyond repair, it's time to replace. But you can replace it with another used car if you want to keep waste to a minimum. 2. Smoke Detector - These should always be replaced, not repaired. If you are concerned about the waste of throwing yours away, consider recycling it. There are programs for recycling electronics. 3. Computer - As long as your computer is getting the job done, just upgrade it rather than replace it. If it crashes beyond repair, or simply doesn't meet your needs, then it's time to get a new ...

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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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