5 Simple Ways To Green Your Home
Guest post by Veronika Novotny (BabybeeOrganic)
For many of us, the idea of going green can seem overwhelming. We are often uncertain as to where to start or what to do. Here is our list of easy ways that you can contribute to saving the earth, saving money, and feeling proud about going green!
1) Green your fridge
Surprisingly, replacing your fridge with a more energy-efficient one, can save you up to $150 per year. Our refrigerators use up the most energy in our home. If just 1 in 10 homes used energy-efficient appliances, it would be equivalent to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees.
Alternatively, you can also use a “smart” power strip for your appliances. This handy device can sense when appliances are off and cuts any phantom energy use.
Also consider what is inside of your fridge… food that is locally harvested is much more green and promotes sustainability because it does not need to be imported, therefore it cuts down on fuel use.
2) Low flow showerhead
They are not too expensive (usually around $15), and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your initial investment. A 10-minute shower usually uses about 190 liters of water and a low-flow showerhead can reduce this by half or even more.
And not only is it green, but it also helps you save the “green,” an average family will save between $80 – $100 per year. If 10,000 BC households switched to the low-flow showerhead, then the annual energy savings would power 300 Canadian homes for a year, according to BC Hydro.
3) Clean green
Protect the earth and your family by choosing natural cleaners that are not pumped full of toxic chemicals. Considering that we come in contact with all of our household surfaces, means that we are ingesting and absorbing highly toxic chemicals.
Many parents have reported that once they switched over to natural household cleaners, their children’s asthma and allergy symptoms drastically subsided. One of my personal favorites is Method (sold at Thrifty’s), and the products smell fantastic, too.
4) Choose bamboo floors
Bamboo floors now come in an array of colours and stains; they look modern, are highly durable, and Eco-friendly. Bamboo is a high-performance renewable resource as it grows in large quantities, 25-30 centimeters a day, only taking 3-5 years to reach maturity; in comparison, trees can take up to 100 years to reach maturity.
Bamboo is also a wonderful Eco-friendly option because it doesn’t require any pesticides in order to grow, therefore, it keeps harsh pesticides out of our homes and planet.
5) Paint green
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases emitted by a variety of liquid and solid synthetic materials. Paint emits odors and toxic chemicals for several months after the initial application. VOCs can cause allergic skin reactions, headaches, nausea, and liver, kidney and central nervous system damage.
Thankfully, several companies are starting to make low VOC paints. One of my personal favourites is Benjamin Moore Natura (interior waterborne paint that contains zero VOC).
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Veronika Novotny is the founder of BabyBeeOrganic – clothes for the green and hip baby
www.babybeeorganic.ca
info@babybeeorganic.ca
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