A Different Kind of Green for St. Patty's Day
by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger
17 Mar 2008 04:46 PM
What does "green" mean to you? Okay, it can mean a lot of things. But for today, let's think about "green" meaning earth-friendly. A few small changes can make your home healthier for you, your family, and the environment.
- Air out your new carpets BEFORE they enter the house. When you buy a carpet, ask the showroom to unroll the carpet for two weeks before they bring it into your house. This can allow volatile organic compounds (called VOCs) to escape before they enter your home and pollute your air.
- Look for paints that carry the Green Seal -- they have low or no VOCs.
- Skip the artificial air fresheners and make your own -- add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to water in a spray bottle and you've got a healthy, safe version of those chemical-laden air fresheners.
- Choose nylon or other natural materials for your shower curtains. Close the curtain to let it air dry and toss it in the washer every few weeks. Disposable vinyl shower curtains can release VOCs for a month or more after hanging.
- Use hot water to wash bedding to kill dust mites, but cold water is good enough for everything else. You'll save household energy use that way (but protect yourself against allergy-inducing dust mites).
- Swap your gas-powered lawn mower for the push-operated kind. You'll create less pollution AND get a heart-healthy workout every time you mow the lawn. Another bonus? You're not exposing your ears to the noise of a lawn mower -- that can protect you against hearing loss.
What's so bad about VOCs, you ask? Volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde (a common VOC) can cause headaches, coughing, nausea, and breathing difficulties. VOCs are pretty common in paint, carpet, flooring, and furniture. Cutting down on the volatile organic compounds in your home can make you and your family feel better in the long run.
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