10 Easy Steps to a Green Home and a Greener Environment

Everybody is talking about going green but areOthers who don't have as much time can
you actually doing it? Did you know that you don'tpurchase green cleaning products from the store
have to rebuild your house in order to have ashelves.
green home? If you can afford it, rebuilding isWindow Coverings
certainly one way to go green, but there arePlastic or vinyl window coverings are out. Natural,
smaller steps you can take to have a healthier,heat reflecting window coverings are green, as
green home that will help to save theare shades made of natural materials like bamboo,
environment.hemp and cellulose.
TrashFloors
There was a time when we just threw out theThat old shag, carpet on the floors is full of toxins
trash. You can go green by setting up a simpleand catches every bit of dirt and mold in the
recycling center in your home. All it takes arehouse. They can actually be unhealthy. Get rid of
some dedicated trash cans and some space inthe carpets and replace them with natural wood
the garage or just outside the back door, or ifflooring and some natural hemp throw rugs.
you have space, in the cabinets under the kitchenBathrooms
counter. Things that can be recycled are cans,Good for a green environment, and great for a
plastic bottles, glass jars, cardboard food boxes,greener wallet, replace your showerheads with
and newspapers. You can compost food wastehigh efficiency, water saver showerheads. Replace
and make a wonderful fertilizer for the garden,your toilets with low-flow toilets. You'll help to
and find ways to reuse some of the things thatsave our water supplies while saving on your
you used to throw away.water bill.
LightingAppliances
Get rid of those old iridescent light bulbs andWhen it's time to replace your appliances, think
replace them with energy saving fluorescent.green by looking for Energy Star energy and
Fluorescent bulbs last longer and offer a morewater saving appliances that are used in green
natural light source. During the day, turn off thebuilding today.
lights and open some windows for light and freshWater Heaters
air.You may not realize it but your old water heater
Air Freshenersis probably poorly insulated and far away from
Those aerosol air freshener sprays and allergywhere you actually use the hot water
inducing smelly things we put in the house are a(basement?). Go green with a new solar water
thing of the past. Go green in the most literal ofheater that is set up closer to where it will be
ways by replacing them with green plants. Certainused to save the energy of heating and
plants like English Ivy, Bamboo Palm, and Gerberatransporting your hot water.
Daisy will help to clean the air in your home. OpenTransportation
windows and let the fresh air in for a clean smell,Once you have a green home you may not want
and if you enjoy the scents of air fresheners tryto leave it, but unfortunately you will have to at
some natural oils.some point. When it's time for a new car, go
Cleaning Productsgreen by purchasing a gas saving hybrid. Other
Stop using toxic chemicals to clean your house.green transportation ideas include public
Many people are going green by making their owntransportation,carpooling, bicycling, and walking.
cleaning products from vinegar and orange oils.