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25 ways to live green at home 25 ways to live green at home
25 ways to live green at home ofpage 1 Being environmentally friendly doesn't have to mean sacrificing your sense of style. Smart choices can ensure that you do your part, all the while looking (and feeling!) good about your contribution to our planet's wellbeing. Here are 25 ways that you can live green at home and be a better friend to the environment. 1 Buy for the long-term. Save toward a quality sofa, for instance, rather than a series of cheapies that you'll be throwing out every five years. A well-made sofa can be recovered several times over the course of its decades-long life.2 Pack a litter-less lunch. Make sure your food storage containers are free of harmful bisphenol A Built NY's Lunch Tote, which is perfect for office brown bagging (in cooler colours, though!), fits the bill nicely.3 Lower your thermostat a few more degrees and cosy up with your sweetie under an eco-friendly bamboo throw! Click here to check out executive editor Laurie Grassi's fave new bamboo throw.4 Buy cotton mesh produce bags and take them to the market instead of using plastic bags for your fruit and veggies. They will help keep them fresh in your crisper drawer, too, and are washable when needed. 5 Renovating? Add character to your home with reclaimed and salvaged items. Top hits: re-plated chrome bath fixtures, re-enameled vintage bathtubs, reclaimed barn board flooring and salvaged architectural accents like columns, corbels and mantels.6 Switch to eco-friendly cleaning products. Look for products that are biodegradable, phosphate-free and not tested on animals. Seventh Generation, Ecover, President's Choice Green, Method and other brands are widely available at supermarkets, health food shops and drugstores across Canada.7 Or just check out your cupboards: Vinegar diluted with water is great on windows and floors; baking soda is great for gently scouring and deodorizing kitchen and bath surfaces.8 Use reusable shopping bags when grocery shopping. Executive editor Laurie Grassi shares her pick of reusable bags in her Natural Chic blog. page 2 9 Reduce your use of paper towels. Use re-useable, washable cloths whenever possible.10 Get an energy audit and find ways to improve your home's energy efficiency. Common to-dos include improving insulation, upgrading windows, installing weather stripping, trading up to a high-efficiency furnace and installing a programmable thermostat.11 Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) orlight-emitting diodes (LEDs). If you really, really don't care for them, just change your porch light, laundry or utility room light to CFLs. You won't notice the difference, but CFLs use 75% less energy than standard bulbs. 12 Recycle and compost.13 Consider reading your daily newspaper online instead of in paper form.14 Plant a tree on your property. Or more, if you have space. Trees provide wildlife habitat and help cool the planet.15 Help clean your indoor air with houseplants; studies have shown that they can clear toxins like benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from the air (these baddies lurk in paint, varnishes, particle board, foam insulation, cleaning products and other common household materials). Philodendron, dracaena, spider plants and peace lilies are particularly good clearing the air.16 Eat organic. Pesticide residues harm wildlife on land, and with rain, run off and pollute lakes and rivers. Fertilizers can produce fatal algae blooms that destroy fish stocks. Further, many common agricultural fertilizers are known to have negative effects on human health. page 3 17 In the market for new appliances? Buy Energy-Star certified products. Visit FrigidaireEnergySavings.com to find out if it's time to upgrade your appliances by calculating how much you would save if you did so by using their handy tool.18 Stash reusable shopping bags so you'll have them where you need them: in your bag or briefcase, at home, in the car, in your office desk, etc.19 If your lawn languishes without lots of fertilizer, herbicide, pesticide and regular watering, consider letting it die and replacing it with moss or a drought-resistant groundcover like creeping thyme, clover, or a grass species native to your region.20 Put a rain barrel by your downspout to collect rainwater to use in your garden later.21 Eat local. Less travel equals fewer fossil fuels used for shipping. (And food tastes fresher, too!)22 In the housing market? Consider a property within biking or walking distance of your office, so you're more likely to leave the car in the garage. (Look for good connections to public transit, too.)23 Install aerators and low-flow showerheads so you can save water without sacrificing water pressure.24 Put your dryer on vacation and use an outdoor clothes line or indoor drying rack whenever possible.25 Eat better-quality meat (organic, hormone-free, free-range), but save money – and your heart – by eating it less frequently. Work vegetable protein into your diet with tofu, beans and nuts. Vegetable protein uses less water and land to produce than meat.- Credit
- Yuki Hayashi
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Eco-maniacally Hollywood Eco-maniacally Hollywood
Eco-maniacally Hollywood ofpage 1 The fastest route to celebrity credibility these days? Conscientious living. By embracing a cause and using their star power for something positive (read: instead of vacuous), celebrities are able to back up their style with substance. And worthy causes get the public's attention in a way that, in many cases, celebrities wouldn't be able to otherwise. By far, the biggest lure to celeb activism today is the environment. From A-listers to who-was-that?'s alike, celebrities both big and small are pulling their Priuses up to the curb and being counted. Here's our roundup of who's saying what, our cynic-o-meter rating for each (Is he really likely to even know what a carbon offset is?), and, most important, around-the-house tips that real people can use to earth-save like a star!Star: LEONARDO DICAPRIOCause: The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (www.leonardodicaprio.org) was established in 1998 to raise awareness about the environmental crisis and to help fund projects like the documentary, The 11th Hour (www.11thhouraction.com ), and Eco-Town, a series currently in production for the Discovery Channel. Cynic-O-Meter Rating: Low. With extensive links and resources on topics ranging from government policy to grassroots action and Q&As ("What can I do about toxic yoga mats?"), plus a fun kids' site, this is anything but a vanity project. Hit the website for info on global warming, fresh water, biodiversity and sustainability issues. And seriously: he's so hot he doesn't have to use media spin to bolster his image.An easy Leo-inspired act for the Earth: Go to http://www.leonardodicaprio.org/pledge/ and sign Leo's Pledge To Be Plastic Bag Free. And then start toting your canvas bag everywhere.Star: CHRISTINA AGUILERACause: Organic food. She's also a supporter of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Cynic-O-Meter Rating: Medium. A recent concert rider that said only organic soy milk and organic food should be placed in her dressing room proves she knows natural is best…but will she ever use her considerable fame to take a public stand? How to eat (and feed) smart like Xtina: Opt for organic produce, dairy and meat products. That means less pollution in our groundwater, healthier working conditions for migrant farm workers, more humane treatment of animals and fewer pesticide and antibiotic residues for you. Star: BRAD PITTCause: Building eco housing for Hurricane Katrina survivors. Pitt founded Make It Right (makeitrightnola.org), an organization dedicated to building 150 subsidized, energy-efficient single family homes using sustainable building materials in New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward – the predominantly working class, African-American community most devastated by the hurricane's aftermath. International architects designed several dwellings (both modernist and traditional) that qualifying families can choose from. Potential homeowners will be selected for their ability to help finance their homes and for their willingness to attend financial counseling where needed. Also, visit Style at Home executive editor Laurie Grassi's blog, Natural Chic, for info on Brad's eco-partnership with Kiehl's.Cynic-O-Meter Rating: In the negative integers. One, he's one half of Brangelina, the planet's most famous crusading couple, and two, he's famed for his love of architecture and interior design, so this project isn't such a stretch for him. Plus, he gets bonus points for understanding that families in the Lower 9th Ward want assistance, not handouts.What you can do: Go to the website and help sponsor a home. Or buy a spacious pink Make It Right tote bag ($25 US) to carry your groceries home in. The bags are made from eco-friendly materials and fund the nonprofit organization Lighthouse for the Blind. page 2 Star: WOODY HARRELSONCause: He's known for being a champion of hemp (a more eco-friendly alternative to conventional cotton or paper pulp) and once joined a group of activists to unfurl an anti-logging banner on San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. He's also a committed vegan and starred in the eco-doc Go Further, where he travels America in a hemp and solar-powered bus spreading the eco gospel. He and his wife started a non-profit called Voice Yourself with a focus on forest protection, renewable energy, hemp and clean air and water. Cynic-O-Meter Rating: Low to moderate. He is earnest and clearly feels strongly about the issues, but unfortunately, the website is pretty lightweight. You can read Woody's poetry, yet the promised recipes and tips on living "off-grid" are nowhere to be found. Woody, please give your fans some concrete tips, info and resources to we can go from inspiration to action, since, you know...that's what you promised us!WWWD? (What Would Woody Do?) Which you can do, too: Test your toilet to see if it leaks. Put some vegetable dye into the tank (don't flush) and check it 30 minutes later. If coloured water made it into the bowl, the toilet leaks and is wasting water all day and all night! Replace the leaking parts. Also, if the toilet predates 1994 (when toilets became more water efficient) consider adding a displacement device (such as a water-filled bottle) to the tank so it uses less water to flush. Or, install a water-conserving new model (many Canadian municipalities will reimburse you for a portion of the cost). Stars: CAMERON DIAZ & GWYNETH PALTROWCause: Conserving energy and reducing oil use. Cameron and Gwyneth are the celeb eye candy fronting Act Green (the website actgreen.com is coming soon: http://www.actgreen.com), a series of public service announcements for eco-orgs Union of Concerned Scientists and Environmental Media Association. The PSAs are geared at young people.Cynic-O-Meter Rating: Low. They're A-List stars and don't need the attention. But the cause they're schilling for does, so kudos to them.Conserve like a star (or, more realistically…): Paltrow and Diaz both drive hybrids. If you can afford one, consider it, too. If not, replace your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents to save energy -- and money. Also, schedule an energy audit; your utility company may do it for free, and you'll find ways to cut energy costs throughout your home.Star: ED BEGLEY, JR.Cause: Conserving energy and preserving resources at home. And promoting Begley's Best cleaning products. Begley does all the right things, like riding his bike and driving an electric car and he lives in a solar-powered house and all, but a whiff of self-aggrandizement permeates his website. His TV show is called Living with Ed, his new book is called Living Like Ed, he's plastered his mug all over his cleaning products and he calls himself "an environmental leader in the Hollywood community for many years."Cynic-O-Meter Rating: Low to moderate. He's been walking the walk since before tofu became the protein du jour. However, am I the only one freaked out by how self-obsessed the tone of this book is? I read it cover to cover and now know a lot more than I ever wanted to about his personal life, his TV career, his wife and how no one listened to him in the beginning but how he was right all along. Must he toot his own horn so loudly? Is his swelled head contributing to global warming?How you, too, can (sigh) live like Ed: Cut the waste coming from your house. Switch from paper towels to rags for cleaning duties. Don't throw out old cotton shirts – just roll them up and use them to polish wood or wash windows. Use eco-friendly, no-VOC, biodegradable cleaning products not tested on animals and recycle the bottles afterward.- Credit
- Yuki Hayashi
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Energy efficient home Energy efficient home
Energy efficient home ofPAGE 1 Saving energy is top-of-mind for homeowners and renters alike. Energy costs continue to rise, as does awareness of environmental issues. As we head into the heavy-usage winter months, finding ways to conserve is a big priority. Here are our top 15 to-dos to make your home more energy efficient for winter.1 First off, book an energy audit. An accredited energy advisor can perform an energy evaluation of your home, identifying energy-wasters and suggesting improvements and upgrades. Under the federal government's ecoENERGY Retrofit initiative, if you implement the suggested changes within 18 months, you can qualify for up to $5,000 in reimbursement grants.2 Pump up your insulation. It's an effective way to reduce heat loss so you don't have to work the thermostat so hard. Improving your attic insulation can earn you back up to $400 in grants through ecoEnergy. 3 Weather-strip your exterior doors. It's inexpensive, easy, and keeps warm air in -- and chilly drafts out.4 Load up on stylish cardigans and hoodies and chic throw blankets. Use them to stay snug when you lower your thermostat by 1°C. Each degree lower you set your thermostat, you'll save 3% on your heating bill. Turn it down another three degrees when you leave the house or go to bed.5 Install an inexpensive (from $30!) programmable thermostat. That way, maintaining the correct temperature throughout the day and night is a no-brainer. 6 Switch to a high-efficiency heater. It's another opportunity to cut energy use while cashing in with ecoEnergy rebates.7 Buy new furnace filters. Keep your furnace filters clean and regularly replace old ones so your furnace can run more efficiently -- thus cutting costs. If your filters are disposable, replace them once a month. If they're washable or reusable, clean them every two or three weeks during high-use season and only replace them when they become damaged. Image courtesy of Pottery Barn. page 2 8 Caulk your windows. Cut drafts around minute window cracks. Use an interior formula caulking indoors and an exterior formula outdoors for best results. 9 Shrink-wrap the windows with a dedicated plastic film from the hardware store. It's fast, cheap and adds an insulating thermal layer that can reduce heat loss through the window by 25 to 50%!10 ... Or replace them altogether. Older windows can be upgraded with EnergyStar-rated windows that will reduce heat loss in winter (and heat gain in summer). 11 Turn on your ceiling fans. Reverse them from the summer setting, and you'll push warm air back down from ceiling level into your living area. Fans use less energy than the furnace.12 Vacuum the coils at the back of your fridge. Consider this seasonal maintenance. The coils disperse heat taken from inside the fridge and when they're covered in a layer of dust, they disperse the heat less efficiently, meaning your fridge uses more energy to keep its cool. And that's not cool.13 Switch to heavier drapes. Velvet drapes will cut drafts, and a change of window treatment always provides a nice transition between seasons anyway. Be sure to keep the drapes of south and west-facing windows pulled back on sunny days, so your home can absorb plenty of ambient heat.14 Wrap your air ducts and hot-water pipes to reduce heat loss. Use pipe insulation wrap or polyethelyne or neoprene pipe sleeves. 15 Close heat vents in guest rooms, attics, store rooms and other unused spaces. Why divert heat and up your energy consumption for rooms that aren't in use? Close the vents, then close the doors to these rooms. Just don't forget to open the ducts when guests stay over (unless you don't want them staying too long!) Image courtesy of Pottery Barn.- Credit
- Yuki Hayashi
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Eco products for your kitchen Eco products for your kitchen
Eco products for your kitchen ofeco products page 1 Ultra efficientFagor's Energy Star-rated Tall Tub dishwasher is equipped with an "eco sensor" to monitor water quality and adjust consumption, conserving water (the tub is filled with fresh water only when necessary) and energy. And the tall tub interior means you can squeeze in bigger items and fit everything in one load. $1,400 US, Fagor, fagoramerica.com for retailers. Live lightlyCrafted from bamboo, the Calvino pendant from Propellor Design is one of the bright eco options in the company's Furrow line of custom light fixtures. The pendants are finished with 100% nontoxic walnut oil and lit with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. $295 (one pendant), $560 (two pendants), Propellor Design, Vancouver, 604-682-6665; propellor.ca. Renewable resource Woven bamboo flooring from EcoTimber is formaldehyde-free and can be sanded and refinished like hardwood. The bamboo used in it is sustainably harvested, renewable and grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. $6 per square foot, Ecotimber, ecotimber.com for retailers.Tip: Bamboo swells when damp, so a great way to care for your flooring is to place a nonslip area rug in front of the sink or refrigerator, where spills may occur. eco products page 2 Eco oven The Diva 365 Induction range provides double the energy efficiency of a conventional oven by combining a 36-inch stainless-steel electric convection oven with an induction cooktop. The cooktop includes a large 3,600-watt centre burner and four smaller side burners. $9,995, Diva de Provence, 888-852-8604 or divainduction.com for retailers. Sustainable shuttersRecyclable Envirogreen shutters from Maxxmar are made of VOC- and formaldehyde-free PVC. Resistant to stains and moisture, they’re produced using a sustainable manufacturing process that includes taking advantage of outdoor temperatures as part of an energy-saving cooling process. From $895, Sun-brite Drapery, Toronto, 416-741-9430; Sunbritedrapery.com Can’t touch this!Kohler’s Wellspring Traditional Touchless electronic faucet reduces water waste by running only when an object is in front of the sensor, plus it stops automatically after two minutes, even when activated, to prevent overflow. The faucet is powered by a recyclable lithium-ion battery, and temperature is controlled by a valve below the counter. From $1,033, Kohler, 800-456-4537 or kohler.com for retailers. Have a fabulous eco product? E-mail naturalchic@styleathome.com.- Credit
- Sydney Loney
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Eco-friendly design Eco-friendly design
Eco-friendly design ofEco-friendly design Downtown Toronto may be the last place you'd expect to find blossoming with green ideas, but Daniel Libeskind has planted a seed that's soon to grow into a 57-storey testament to eco-friendly design. Libeskind, an internationally-renowned architect, is the visionary behind the L Tower, a condo development that will sweep gracefully skyward from the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts at Yonge and Front streets. The goal? Gold candidacy for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) -- North America's green building rating system. The structure will house 496 suites -- all with low off-gassing carpets, paints and adhesives, and kitted out with low-flow plumbing and Energy Star appliances. STYLE AT HOME sat down with Libeskind to talk about what it means to be green, and how environmentally conscious architecture is just as important to a home as eco-friendly interiors.STYLE AT HOME: What are some common misconceptions about green design? DANIEL LIBESKIND: That it's expensive, uninspired and conventional looking. Buildings can be very stylish, sophisticated, elegant and contemporary, as well as be responsible to the environment. S@H: Was it a challenge to incorporate the criteria for LEED Gold certification into your vision for the design of the L Tower?DL: No. I saw it as a fantastic opportunity. Promoting sustainable, high-density living in the downtown area -- an area where people can use bicycles and mass transit, saving energy that they might normally use by commuting from the suburbs -- in itself makes a huge statement. Incorporating elements into the design, like reducing wasted energy with high-performance glazing, capturing and re-using rainwater for non-potable applications, purchasing greenpower, dual-flush toilets, water-conserving front-loading clothes washers, low-flow showers and the use of local materials in construction instead of importing them from far-flung regions combine to make for a very responsible building that meets LEED standards.S@H: The selection of a location for the L Tower also carried with it some added environmental responsibilities. For instance, you made sure the existing green spaces surrounding the tower -- Berczy Park, for instance -- wouldn't be adversely affected by the tower. DL: That's a key component of the design. First of all, we located the tower in the corner of the site that was farthest from Berczy Park. And then the shape of the tower, the curvature, was designed in response to angles of light so that the tower wouldn't throw any shadows that interfered with the park. The curve isn't just a shape that's aesthetic, but one that's environmentally friendly in terms of thinking of public spaces. Responsible design also means taking responsibility for the existing green spaces.S@H: Going beyond interior appointments -- low off-gassing carpets and paints, energy-efficient appliances, and water-saving plumbing -- what are some environmentally sound construction options for a home or condo? How do you get green bones?DL: A green building is one that doesn't take the environment for granted. It considers the quality of the materials used and their sustainability, and the long-term durability of the structure. An architect has to ask, "Are we going to craft the building in a way which will make it still habitable 20, 30 or even 50 years from now?" Again, I think building a high-density condominium in the downtown core such as the L Tower is itself a new response -- locating the structure so that people can walk or use public transit -- collectively sharing more of the responsibility, rather than building a house in the country where you still need a car, which wastes gasoline and pollutes the environment.The L Tower, units from mid-$200,000, 877-577-2533, Toronto, 416-777-2533; Ltower.ca. Studio Daniel Libeskind, New York, 212-497-9100; daniel-libeskind.com.Developers: Castlepoint Realty Partners Ltd., Fernbrook Homes and Cityzen Urban Lifestyle.- Credit
- Brett Walther
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Eco-friendly designs, decor and more Eco-friendly designs, decor and more
Eco-friendly designs, decor and more ofEco-friendly design ideas With so much emphasis on "green living" and environmentally friendly products in our lives these days STYLE AT HOME is your all-in-one stop for eco-friendly style, designs, and environmentally friendly decor for your home. Find the most stylish ways to add eco-friendly decor and environmentally friendly products to your home with this great source guide. Eco-friendly shopping: Environmentally friendly shopping onlineIt's easy to incorporate green living into your life. Shopping online for environmentally friendly products and eco-friendly decor items has never been so easy.Eco-friendly designVisionary Daniel Libeskind turns green into gold with eco-friendly designs and interiors.8 eco-friendly green home office ideasOften the most wasteful room in the house, follow these simple tips to make your workspace more eco-friendly and green.Eco chic10 ways to make your home -- and the planet -- a more beautiful place to live.Environmentally friendly cleaning productsEnvironmentally friendly cleaning products abound on store shelves. Check out some of your options.Easy green livingStylish decor makes green living and being environmentally friendly easy. Check out these eco-friendly decor tips.Eco-friendly flooring optionsFor style, pricing and availability in Canada, your top eco-chic flooring choices are bamboo, linoleum, cork and reclaimed hardwood.- Credit
- StyleatHome.com
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Eco chic Eco chic
Eco chic ofTips 1-5 You don't have to build a straw-bale house from scratch to show Mother Earth you care. Turning your home into a haven of environmentally conscious design is doable if you take a gradual approach. Here are 10 small ways to make your home –- and the planet -– a more beautiful place to live. 1 Colour your world "green"Freshen up your walls with eco-friendly paint. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in conventional paints are bad for your health and contribute to global warming, so opt for low-VOC or VOC-free lines instead. Other options: milk and biodegradable paints, which are nontoxic, and recycled paints, which reduce landfill waste.2 Go au naturelIf privacy isn't an issue, leave your windows unadorned. The airy look lets in light, which can warm a cold room, and also means you have one less item to dispose of when a drapery style becomes passé. If direct sun makes the room too hot or you're feeling shy about naked panes, select window treatments that are made of natural textured materials, like linen, bamboo or seagrass.3 Say no to PVC Instead of buying a vinyl shower curtain, choose a cloth one. The polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in most plastic varieties emits carcinogens (bad for your health) and is non-biodegradable (bad for the earth). If you're about to embark on a bathroom reno, consider designing a shower area with a glass door or partition, so you don't need a curtain at all. 4 Watch what you tossTake eco-friendly waste disposal beyond the recycling bin and compost heap: keep your renovation garbage and old furniture out of landfill. First, consider reusing items: Do you need new cabinets or just doors? How about reupholstering that chair instead of discarding it? If you can't use an item, donate it to a charity or used-building-materials supplier like Habitat for Humanity's ReStores. For unwanted refuse, it's surprising what's recyclable these days: most metals and plastics, yes, but did you know asphalt shingles, concrete and sometimes even drywall can find new life? Contact your local sanitation department to find out more.5 Grow your decorNot only does a little greenery make a room look more homey and lived-in, but plants also filter out harmful airborne chemicals. Add palms, ferns or potted gerbera daisies, which all have high ratings for their ability to remove chemical vapours, throughout your home and you'll find you'll breathe easier. Tips 6-10 6 Tread softlyChemical dyes, stain-resistant treatments and heavy-duty adhesives in some carpets off-gas harmful toxins. Instead of noxious pile, roll out alternatives like sisal, seagrass or coir (made from coconuts), or rugs with recycled content. Carpet tiles are a smart choice, too: you can replace only the worn or stained sections, reducing the amount that goes to landfill.7 Sleep soundlyEver wake up feeling a little stuffy? Your bed could be the culprit. To alleviate the problem, choose bedding made of organic cottons or linens; they're harvested responsibly and expose you to fewer allergy-inducing chemicals than ordinary cotton or wrinkle-free sheets. When it's time to replace your mattress, purchase an all-wool or natural latex model.8 Furnish with care More retailers are taking up the cause, making it easier to find earth-friendly furniture. Look for pieces containing reclaimed wood or wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and organic fabric and upholstery fill. Avoid particleboard, plywood and other wood composites, which often contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. Also consider buying vintage or antique furniture; you may even find a gorgeous piece in a now-endangered wood, like African afrormosia, that you wouldn't dream of buying new!9 Lay down friendly floorsThere are plenty of options underfoot; for instance, salvaged wood has a beautiful patina, and fast-growing bamboo comes in a variety of looks to suit different tastes. For new wood flooring, look for FSC-certified products. Other options: sustainably harvested cork, polished concrete, stone, recycled-glass tiles or old-fashioned linoleum.10 Be label consciousFor each new product you buy, look for certification from these reputable programs: Energy Star (energy-efficient appliances), FSC (wood from well-managed forestry operations), Green Label Plus (low-emitting carpets and rugs), Green Seal (paints), Greenguard (low-emitting interior products), Rediscovered Wood (forest operations that use reclaimed or recycled wood materials) and Scientific Certification Systems (recycled content and biodegradability). Eco-smart design has come a long way from rustic hippy chic -- these days you can outfit your home in the latest fashions while showing the earth some TLC.- Credit
- Corinna vanGerwen
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8 eco-friendly home office ideas 8 eco-friendly home office ideas
8 eco-friendly home office ideas ofEnergy efficiency and recycling options Shop online for environmentally friendly products for your home.From solar rooftops to kitchen composting to bamboo flooring, Canadian homes are rapidly changing to become more sustainable, more eco-friendly, energy-efficient and less toxic places. But step into the home office and behold: cultural devolution! Computers and gadgets stay on day and night; toxic batteries, ink cartridges and old electronics get thrown into the garbage and pretty paper made from old growth forests lands itself in the printer. Chris Winter, executive director of the Conservation Council of Ontario, says while each home is different, we tend to fall off the green living and eco-friendly wagon when it comes to our home offices. "On the whole, the trend of home offices is good from an environmental perspective: it eases gridlock and brings balance and common sense back into our lives," he says. But the power demands of home computers, internet, cellphones, printers, fax machines and myriad other home office materials still take their toll. "Multiplied by four million homes in a given community, this is a significant energy drain," says Winter. What can we do?Winter says the top three home office problems are energy wastage, paper consumption and hazardous wastes i.e. batteries, ink cartridges and toner. Here are 8 solutions for a greener home office. 1 Purchase a power bar and turn everything off"It's a bad rumour that you shouldn't turn your computer off at night," says Winter. "Yes, it peaks on startup, but the base operating load of the computer for 24 hours far exceeds the startup." Not to mention everything that connects to your computer continues to drain energy even when not in use: speakers, printers, scanners, PDAs, etc. Turning everything off with the single flick of a power bar makes it easy to save energy (and money!). 2 Think laptop, not desktopBesides being sleeker, portable and far cooler, laptops consume one-eighth the power of a traditional desktop. If everyone in the house had laptops they could be downloading music and updating their blogs all at the same time and still not be using as much power as one clunky desktop!3 Embrace the flatscreenFlatscreen monitors, or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screens, use less than half the energy of traditional CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors. LCD screens are lighter, more adjustable, and cause less eye strain as they don't flicker plus their sharp display makes it easier to read text.4 Reuse materials as much as you canPrint documents and recipes using on the back of used paper; save paper clips, push-pins, elastics, sticky flags; make a point to buy rechargeable batteries and refillable toner cartridges. 5 Recycle! Recycle! Recycle!Buy a handy basket to throw all your old inkjet and toner cartridges, dead cell phones, PDAs, and finished rechargeable batteries and bring them back to any STAPLES Business Depot location across Canada. STAPLES will now accept any of these items and will send them off to be refurbished and recycled. "You no longer feel you have to keep grocery bags full of cell phones and PDAs. You can bring them to us and know they're not going into the landfill," says Leigh Pearson, STAPLES manager of facility services. Alternatively, your municipal recycling and waste disposal depot will also take these off your hands.Plus, no paper should ever find its way into the wastebasket. Have a couple of trays on hand for paper piles: one for re-use and one for recycle. Batteries, paper, light bulbs PLUS chic shopping ideas Shop online for environmentally friendly products for your home.6 Do NOT throw out batteriesHow many dead batteries are rolling around in your home? We all know they contain corrosive metals and acids which poison the environment, but it's too easy just to throw them out. However, even if every Canadian throws 2 batteries out per year -- that's over 70 million batteries. "These metals need to be recaptured and recycled, but this stuff can also be reused," says Winter. Take your non-rechargeable batteries to your municipal hazardous waste depot for safe disposal -- and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done! For future electronic use, purchase rechargeable batteries. 7 Use only 100% recycled or FFC-certified paperA lot of paper we use to scribble to-go lists and print Google maps is still coming from old-growth forests. Be a smart consumer and read the label before purchasing. 100% recycled is best, but FFC certification means the paper was made from trees grown in a sustainably managed forest. 8 Switch to fluorescent bulbsCompact fluorescent lightbulbs can be used anywhere a traditional incandescent bulb is used, but use 2/3 less energy. That saves you about $30 per bulb! Do the math and replace the most-used lights in your home for incredible savings. In the end, it's quite easy to green your home office -- we intuitively know what to do. "It's worth it to do a mental check and ask, 'Am I doing the right thing?'" says Winter. "Let your conscience guide you." Green home office decor ideasMake recycling fun!Don't sacrifice style. Visit your nearest bookstore, flea market, craft or furniture store for chic, stylish trays to contain re-usable and recycling paper. Don't forget smaller containers for re-using paperclips, push-pins sticky flags, etc. Image: Desk organizer from Linens 'N Things, $29.99Hide away the ugliesA small basket can contain or hide altogether an unsightly power bar. Image: Alkov basket from IKEA, $35.Lighten upEnjoy your new fluorescent bulbs with a fresh lampshade or light cover (recycling/donating the old one, of course!) Image:- Credit
- Colleen Tully
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Green ways to clean your jewelry Green ways to clean your jewelry
Green ways to clean your jewelry ofSilver-plated jewelry and rhinestones A visit to almost any flea market, thrift shop or junk store will usually result in boxes or drawers jam-packed with a variety of vintage jewelry. While the more expensive diamond and precious stone pieces get passed down generation-to-generation or sold in pricey antique shops, you can usually find all types of older costume charms, pins, rings, earrings, and bracelets for next to nothing. Vintage also means age, but that's no reason to pass on jewelry simply because of dirt or tarnish. Try these Simply Green ways to revive vintage jewelery.Silver-plated jewelryThis tip is like magic: You can magnetize the tarnish away. Simply line the bottom of a bowl with a sheet of aluminum foil and fill the bowl with warm water. Add a generous amount of salt -- about 4 tablespoons -- and a squirt of liquid dish soap. Place the tarnished jewelry on top, and voila! You'll see the tarnish begin to disappear -- a natural chemical reaction that actually magnetizes the tarnish right off. No buffing or rubbing needed. Wipe clean and dry with a terry towel. This also works wonders on tarnished flatware and silver-plated home accessories. RhinestonesIf that cubic zirconia gemstone ring is beginning to look more faux than fierce, give it a good cleaning. Fill a bowl with warm water and add liquid dish soap. Let the jewelry soak for a bit and use an old toothbrush (the older and more worn, the better; newer brushes will be a bit too abrasive) to loosen dust and dir away. If you need a bit more help getting them clean, add a tiny bit of ammonia to the water and soak and brush again. Excerpted from Simply Green Giving: Create Beautiful and Organic Wrappings, Tags, and Gifts from Everyday Materials by Danny Seo. Copyright 2006 by Danny Seo. Excerpted with permission by HarperCollins. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced without permission in writing from the publisher. Watches and copper pieces WatchesOver time, wristwatches with metal bands can collect dead skin, dust, and dirt in between the links, hinges, and mechanical parts. If you have a waterproof watch, a quick way to keep it clean is to soak it in the bathroom sink with sudsy water, rinse clean, and then use a Q-tip to pick up dirt in between each link. If you have an espresso maker with a steam nozzle, you can use that to steam away the dirt, too. Just be sure to use something to protect your hands from the hot steam, like miniature tongs or extra-strong tweezers. CopperGourmet cooks have used salt and lemon juice to keep their copper pots gleaming; the citric acid from the lemon helps neutralize the tarnish away, and the salt acts as an abrasive. You can try the same technique when cleaning large copper pieces like a chunky bracelet. Just cut a lemon in half and squeeze lemon juice all over the copper piece. Sprinkle with salt (the juice will help the salt adhere) and use the lemon wedge to rub the salt all over the piece. Rinse clean under warm water in the sink. For smaller copper pieces, try the magnetizing trick used on silver-plated pieces; you'll get similar results.Excerpted from Simply Green Giving: Create Beautiful and Organic Wrappings, Tags, and Gifts from Everyday Materials by Danny Seo. Copyright 2006 by Danny Seo. Excerpted with permission by HarperCollins. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced without permission in writing from the publisher.- Credit
- Danny Seo
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4 myths about green building 4 myths about green building
4 myths about green building ofGreen building myths MYTH #1: Green building is for tree huggersYes, committed environmentalists do like green building. But green building is not for extremists. It's going mainstream. According to an estimate from the Environmental Home Center in Seattle, the overall market for sustainable building materials is about $20 billion a year, and it's expected to grow more than 10 percent annually. That makes it big business.Why are a growing number of consumers buying into green building? Rising energy prices are certainly a big reason. Consumers are beginning to realize that sustainably built houses mean lower heating and cooling costs.Health is another major reason: Our health and well-being are notably affected by the large amount of time we spend indoors. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, more than 38 percent of Americans suffer from allergies. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the number of asthma cases grew by 75 percent from 1980 to 1994 -- to more than 17 million. Since when is saving money and enjoying good health an issue for any particular cultural or political minority?MYTH #2: Green building is too expensiveSome green building components do cost more. But many cost less. When thinking green is part of the initial planning process, it’s easier and less expensive to incorporate features that significantly lower operating and maintenance costs.For example, passive solar design coupled with high-performance insulation can make a conventional furnace or boiler unnecessary. Orienting a house to take advantage of solar energy does not in itself cost a penny more than standard construction. Adding a few windows and investing in insulation does cost money, but the rewards on the other side of the ledger are far more substantial, initially and over the life of the house.Many builders have found that the real cost is in learning new techniques. Products themselves are becoming more readily available and more affordable as major manufacturers develop new lines to meet consumer demand. Excerpted from Green from the Ground Up by David Johnston and Scott Gibson Copyright © 2008 by David Johnston and Scott Gibson. Excerpted by permission of The Taunton Press, a division of Random House of Canada Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. page 2 MYTH #3: Green building is uglyGreen buildings do not have to look like yurts. True, a yurt can have its own beauty, but understandably not everyone wants to live in one. Uniformity or plainness of design is one factor that hampered wider acceptance of alternative building practices back in the 1970s (let's face it, some of those houses were just plain ugly). But a green home can look like any other house: colonial, modern, southwest, ranch -- you name it. Even on the inside, green homes can be just as varied in design, just as stunning, as any conventional home.On another level, green buildings are inherently more beautiful because builders and homeowners take the time to understand how the house works and what materials will work better than conventional products. Reclaimed wood, recycled glass, certified lumber -- the list of beautiful green materials is very long indeed.MYTH #4: Green building doesn't workThe list of consumer concerns about how well a green building works is long: "The low-flow showerheads leak." "Bamboo flooring warps easily." "Zero-VOC paint doesn’t cover walls as well as the paint I've always used." "Compact fluorescent lights give off a weird bluish glare.” Some complaints have been justified, but these concerns tend to focus on exceptions rather than on the big picture.In general, sustainably built houses tend to be more energy efficient, more durable, and less costly to maintain. That said, some green products have had quality issues. But keep in mind that conventional products have also had quality concerns, not to mention unacceptable effects on our health and the environment.Many green products were designed to do something better than a conventional product, not specifically because they could be considered "green." Inevitably, if a green building product does not work, market forces will force it off the shelves, just as under performing conventional products are gradually abandoned in favor of something else. Today, manufacturers of low-flow showerheads, bamboo flooring, and low-VOC paint are creating reliable products. Although the industry has had some growing pains, in the end green building is simply better building. Excerpted from Green from the Ground Up by David Johnston and Scott Gibson Copyright © 2008 by David Johnston and Scott Gibson. Excerpted by permission of The Taunton Press, a division of Random House of Canada Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.- Credit
- David Johnson & Scott Gibson
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An eco-friendly Christmas An eco-friendly Christmas
An eco-friendly Christmas ofpage 1 Wondering if material excess and the true spirit of Christmas go hand in hand? You're not alone. Between concern over the environment, a global food crisis and worries over a possible recession, why not make this year your most eco-friendly, act-local, think-global Christmas ever? Here are five ways to maximize this season's green quotient without minimizing its fun or elan.1 FIND THE RIGHT TREEThere are eco pros and cons to both real and fake Christmas trees.Real trees come from tree farms, not virgin forest, so they are, in fact, a sustainably harvested product. However, fossil fuels are used to harvest them and get them to the lot where you buy them, and then, to your home -- unless you're dragging them via dogsled!If you buy a real tree, make sure you follow your city's post-holiday pick-up rules and schedule, so the tree gets wood-chipped and reused as mulch, rather than being landfill-bound as part of the regular garbage stream.Fake trees use large amounts of petroleum in their manufacturing process. However, if you buy one now and use it for decades to come, you are you're reducing the volume of fossil fuel used to buy real trees each year. If you go faux, commit to your tree. Don't change trees every few years.Potted trees are great if you understand the commitment they require. Most potted Christmas trees actually end up dying. Potted trees need to be kept outdoors. Being moved into an unseasonably warm indoor climate isn't good for them and they won't recover when returned outside. But if you're open to having your tannenbaum on your front porch or back deck full-time until it gets planted in the yard come spring, this might be a good option for you.2 ECO-UPGRADE YOUR GIFT GIVINGRethink your giving. Look for gifts that:• Use natural resources in a sustainable fashion• Have an extended shelf life • Are non-material objectsHere are some ways to update some common gifts with this ethos, keeping these things in mind.Candles Skip conventional petroleum-based candles in favour of natural soy or beeswax candles with all-cotton wicks.Kids toys Look for toys that encourage “open-play” -- like FSC-certified hardwood blocks and construction sets, art supply sets, or books and costumes, instead of battery-operated items. Better yet, consider a museum membership or coupon for a movie or children's theatre performance.Clothes PJs, T-shirts and workout gear in organic cotton, hemp, bamboo or recycled fleece are an eco-friendly way to give the gift of wardrobe. Nibblies Give those calorific stocking stuffers a greener shade by replacing conventional chocolate with the organic, fair-trade kind. And treat the java hound on your list to shade-grown, organic, fair-trade coffee beans. You can find both at health food stores, fair-trade shops like Ten Thousand Villages, online, and increasingly, at conventional food shops. Wine Interest in organic wines is increasing and many liquor stores carry both whites and reds from organic vineyards. Image courtesy of Pottery Barn. page 2 3 BAG ITIt can be hard to break out of a wrapping paper addiction (it's so pretty after all!) but it's incredibly wasteful, particularly if the paper you buy isn't made from recycled paper stock, or if your recipient doesn't recycle. A better solution is reusable shopping totes. When you present your present inside a canvas, nylon, polyester or recycled polypropylene bag, the presentation is part of the gift! Another idea: present your gift in an already decorated box so that it can be used for chic storage afterwards.4 REUSE, REPURPOSE If you are going to use gift wrap, buying recycled gift wrap is better than buying virgin paper or foil wrap. However, reusing existing packaging supplies is better still. Think about it: even if you buy recycled paper, the paper still had to be collected, processed, printed, packed and then shipped to the store where you got it. A better option? Give new life to existing wrap or paper bags, whether it's one last hurrah before the recycling bin or an indefinite run in the recipient's house. Or, try some of the following ideas.Wrap and packaging ideas we love• Magazine pages: Oversize fashion mags and edgy music mags will pass muster with any teens on your list.• Children's artwork: Finally a use for those watercolours and drawings that come home every couple days. Doting relatives will be thrilled!• Reusable tins and canisters you have lying around, possibly from previous gifts you received.• Flea market finds like Pyrex or Fire King food storage containers or tin countertop bins.• Wooden wine crates. My local liquor store sells them for $5 each to raise money for charity; if yours doesn't, ask a clerk – they may keep them in the back.5 LIGHT UP SMARTLYDeck your interior and exterior with LED lights. They're an incredible 90% more efficient than their incandescent counterparts. They also stay cool and are less of a fire hazard. Use a timer to limit your outdoor display to six hours. (No one's going to enjoy your lights at 3 a.m. anyways.) Indoors, turn tree lights off when nobody's in the room. If your room lights aren't already on a dimmer switch, consider installing a few before the holidays so you can dim overhead lights while entertaining. That will save energy and allow you to enhance the ambience with candlelight from soy candles.Have a very merry green Christmas! Image courtesy of Pottery Barn.- Credit
- Yuki Hayashi
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Combat common household allergens Combat common household allergens
Combat common household allergens ofHome allergens 101 It comes on like an itch -- the need to turn your cosy winter home into a breath of fresh air, and for good reason! As our tightly-sealed homes kept the cold air out for months, many of us have been bottled up with indoor air contaminants all winter long. Think that itchy skin was just the dry air? How about the weird "cold" your kid has every morning, or your mystery migraine after a few hours of TV in the basement? According to Art Robinson, president of Sick Building Solutions (sickbuildingsolutions.com) these all could be symptoms of allergic reactions to contaminants in the air. "Other symptoms vary as the response of the individual varies to given stimuli," he explains. Home allergens 101Air contaminants can enter the home from the outside such as dust, pollen, vehicle exhaust, mould and mildew. But they can also come from inside your home: VOCs ("volatile organic compounds") emitted from elevator motors, office equipment, paint, furnishings and even cleaning products. Is your health in danger? Keep a close eye on strange symptoms that appear when inside areas of your home. "Reactions of the body to the allergens is probably the most accurate predictor of problems," says Art. "If symptoms clear up within 20 minutes of leaving the building, a BRI is usually the problem (Building Related Illness)." While he says preventative measures are often case-specific -- depending on the home itself and sensitivity of the inhabitants -- the lack of fresh air and fresh air exchange is often the culprit of home allergens. So crack open those air-tight windows and invest in a Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system if you own your own home. "HRVs are an energy-efficient way of improving your 'Indoorvironment'," says Art.Keep it cleanIn general, keeping your home dust- and mould-free using natural, fragrance-free products is a step in the allergy-free direction. For the best protection in new homes and renovations, Art highly recommends treating surfaces with Forsite-Pro -- a natural, non-allergenic formula made with anti-microbial silver ions. "It's non-toxic, environmentally safe, has no odour and the only thing on the market guaranteed to keep the mould out for 20 years," he says. Next: Home allergen hot spots >>Related articles:Clutter control: Get your home organizedStorage magic in 3 easy stepsTips and tricks for home organizingPage 1 of 2 Allergen hot-spots How clean is your bathroom? Take our quiz to find out.Home allergen hot-spotsIn your home, be wary of common allergen hot-spots. Art outlines the top four: 1 Condos: "Any room that has a small fan coil unit. These units are notorious for mould in the insulation," he says.How to fix it: Clean the unit referring to manufacturer's instructions, watching for dust, dirt and water build-up -- or call a professional for help. 2 Basement: "This is the worst room due to poor air exchange and water ingress. (Each room gets better going up floor by floor)" says Art. How to fix it: Control the moisture. Purchase a hygrometer at the hardware store to measure the humidity levels. If needed, invest in a good dehumidifier and fix any leaks right away.Check cement walls for mould, especially near the floor, ceiling and windows. Art recommends using Moldex, a dye- and fragrance-free spray solution to clean any signs of mould.3 Bedrooms: "Bedrooms are often a problem [for allergens] as many people sleep with the door closed and no window open," says Art.How fix it: Encourage air flow and control the dust. Clean or change the filter in your air-conditioner regularly. Wash pillows and flip and vacuum your mattresses every so often. 4 Bathrooms: "Bathrooms can be fine as many have fans connected to lights [to encourage air flow], but they often have mould due to the high moisture levels from showers," says Art.How fix it: Art encourages fans be left on for 20 minutes after a shower, with the door closed, if no window is opened. Ventilation is key to keeping this room dry and toxin-free. Scrub any signs of mould around grout or tiles. When it's time to call in the prosSome older or poorly-maintained homes are beyond a little bleach and elbow grease. Art recommends calling in professional services as soon as allergic symptoms do not seem to improve after improving ventilation and a good cleaning, or if extensive mould growth is found. Sick Building Solutions is located in Toronto, Ontario. They provide mould inspections and cleaning, growhouse inspections, remediation and indoor air quality control. For more information on Forsite-Pro or to book a building inspection, contact Sick Building Solutions: sickbuildingsolutions.comRelated articles:8 rules for buying containers5 tips for organizing a home officeOrganizing the bedroomfunction fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;} html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?51:26981) no-repeat top left; }Share on FacebookPage 2 of 2- Credit
- Colleen Tully
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Environmentally friendly shopping online Environmentally friendly shopping online
Environmentally friendly shopping online ofRecycled and green products You want to do the right thing all the time -- we know. You're conscious of your global footprint and you make buying decisions based on environmental issues as much as on price whenever you can. That means two things: you have a social conscience and it can be hard for you to shop. Reduce, reuse, recycle may be stuck in our psyches, but when it comes to manufacturing, most products are still tough on the earth. Here are a few websites that can make things easier when you're in the market for home decor items.Ten Thousand Villages Canada tenthousandvillages.caA member of the International Fair Trade Association, this New Hamburg, Ont.-based store offers only items that have been made from sustainable resources. Canadian buyers can shop online but then need to call with their order number to close the deal. The prices make it well worth the extra work. Check out the ceramic pitcher in traditional Vietnamese Lotus pattern ($24). You'll also find handcrafted jewelry in silver, wood, even recycled pop cans. There's also a selection of beautiful bright stationery -- handmade with Daphne wood, embossed with rubber tree leaves or covered in batik. The choices are extensive. Grassroots Environmental Productsgrassrootsstore.comBesides personal care products (think organic toothpaste and deodorant) and household items (biodegradable garbage bags) you'll find delightful options for your bedroom. None of them are cheap -- they're luxurious with prices to match. Check out the rubber mattresses. They're naturally anti-microbial; no toxic substances or ozone-depleting agents were used to make them; no synthetic fillers are housed in them; and rubber plantations help combat the greenhouse effect. Win, win, win.Valhalla Essences valhallaessences.comThe staple here is pretty, fragrant things for your home: you'll find lots of candles handcrafted by owner Ivy Mills, who's concerned about chemical overuse in our homes. Her solution? Handmade non-paraffin candles, bath oils, salts and bombs, plus gift baskets (including customized options). Nothing has preservatives or dyes. We don't know how she does it from her home in tiny Salmon Arm, B.C., but Mills ships anywhere in Canada within three days. More eco-friendly stores The Environmental Store plovers.netYou'll find a wide selection of books (on water conservation, growing organic foods and other socially conscious topics) and some of the items are, well, a bit kitschy (briefcases made from recycled coke and beer cans, for example), but keep scrolling through these offerings -- you'll be rewarded with a few gems from this Halifax-based website. Need a stylish bag for shopping (those unbleached cotton ones are so ho-hum)? How about something in fuchsia or electric blue? Made from recycled packing tape -- so much prettier than it sounds -- these bags are perfect for the beach or shopping, $25 each. For patio containers, gardens or walkways, pick up a few solar stakes. Each one comes with two decorative toppings -- one for the summer, one for the winter (there's a Lotus flower and Santa combo that's especially cute), $45. Greenfeet.com Eco-Friendly Products for Everyday Living greenfeet.comShop by category (baby basics, pets and wellness, to name a few) or for gifts by price (there are categories from "under $10" to "over $150"). It's not the prettiest site but it more than makes up for that in practical offerings. For the kids' rooms, there are beanbag chairs with hemp or unbleached cotton, around recycled filler; naturally dyed, hand-woven hemp area rugs (from $15) are a steal. If you're looking to outfit your backyard or deck, outdoor furniture made of eucalyptus, a sustainable, plantation-grown hardwood, is worth considering -- a dusty rose colour, it ages to a subtle grey. At US$210, the two-seater Adirondack chair is steeply-priced, but so romantic!- Credit
- Carmen Taylor
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Environmentally friendly cleaning products Environmentally friendly cleaning products
Environmentally friendly cleaning products ofEnvironmentally friendly cleaning products Earth Day falls in prime spring-cleaning season, making it a perfect time to switch to environmentally friendly cleaners. I tested each of these all-purpose cleansers -- one bottle simplifies housekeeping and requires little storage space. I'd play favourites but, truthfully, all of these were outstanding, cleaning as well if not better than a brand name non-green cleanser. • Simply Clean All Purpose Cleaner: Slight citrus-y scent; sudsy but rinses well; can be diluted for big jobs like floors. (CANADIAN)• Seventh Generation Natural All-Purpose Cleaner: Great to spray on countertops and wipe clean; can be diluted in water; free of perfume for those sensitive to smell.• Fruits & Passion Art Home Ecological Heavy Duty Cleaner: A strong cleanser with a pleasant lavender-mint scent. (CANADIAN)• Citra-Solv Concentrated Cleaner & Degreaser: Very citrus-y; concentrated, so you can mix the strength you need for the job you're doing.• Shadow Lake Pure Castile Soap (Peppermint): Smells fabulous (if, like me, you love mint); very sudsy; so gentle you can even use it as bubble bath.• Nature Clean All-Purpose Cleaning Lotion: Safe even for washing produce; concentrated, so quite economical; fragrance free and hypoallergenic. (CANADIAN)• Ecover All Purpose: Lemon-scented; rinses off very well; concentrated but can also use full-strength for tough stains.WHERE TO FIND ITSimply Clean All Purpose Cleaner: Pure Source, Guelph, Ont.; 888-313-3369, simplyclean.ca; at natural food and major grocery stores across Canada. Citra-Solv Concentrated Cleaner & Degreaser: Shadow Lake Pure Castile Soap: Citra-Solv, Ridgefield, CT, 800-343-6588; citra-solv.com for retailers, or at Loblaws and natural products stores across Canada. Seventh Generation Natural All Purpose Cleaner: Seventh Generation; seventhgeneration.com for retailers. Fruits & Passion Art Home Ecological Heavy Duty Cleaner: Fruits & Passion, 800-276-9952; fruits-passion.com for retailers and to shop on-line within Canada. Nature Clean All-Purpose Cleaning Lotion: F.T. Ross and Sons, Toronto, franktross.com for info; at Loblaws and most natural food retailers; shopnontoxic.comEcover All Purpose: Ecover, at natural/health food stores or call 800-449-4925 for retailers.- Credit
- Kathleen Dore
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