People all around the globe are becoming aware of which products in their home are environmentally friendly and which are not good for the earth. They want to take action and go green, but they are not exactly sure how to do it. It is not difficult to do once you know how harsh chemicals can harm those who live in the home as well as Mother Earth. The person who sprays disinfectant everywhere in their home probably thinks that it is the best thing to do because they are killing germs. They may not know what else to do. This article will explain exactly how to change from harmful substances to those that are safe. It will teach you how to go green. The changes that you make in your home are good for the environment and also for you.
The first place to begin making changes in your home that are environmentally friendly is to start inside. Check the cleaning products in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry area, and garage. There are probably many that have chemicals that evaporate into the air in your home. These cleaning solutions may not have a bad odor, but the harmful vapors are still there. A commonly used cleaner has pine oil, and even this has chemicals that are harmful to the environment. It is a fact that indoor air quality is far worse than outdoor air quality, and these products are part of the reason why. Strong disinfectants are not usually required unless someone in the home has a virus or an infection. There are gentle cleaners that use natural antibiotics such as vinegar, lemon oil, herbs, and other products that are found in nature. These clean just as well as chemical cleaners, and they do not harm people, pets, or the environment.
Your home has some type of flooring throughout that probably has Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are emitted from it into the air. Vinyl flooring and carpeting have VOCs, but they can be replaced with those that are environmentally friendly. Organic carpeting does not have harmful dye or VOCs. Wool carpeting that is kept organic is a good choice since wool is a sustainable material that continues to grow on sheep. There are also hardwood floor companies that plant a tree for each tree that they use. If the wood is not treated with harmful chemicals, it can be a safe option for a green home. Although it is impossible for many people to replace all of these things in their home at the same time, it can be done gradually to make the home more environmentally friendly.
As you continue to look through the rooms in your home to find ways to make it more environmentally friendly, it is important to remember to check for natural gas leaks. A gas stove and gas dryer should be checked for leaks and fixed if necessary. Laundry detergent can be changed from harsh types that contain phosphates to organic, green detergent. In the basement, it is important to check for radon, a radioactive gas that enters a home through cracks in the basement walls or floor. Radon causes 20,000 deaths in the U.S. each year because it causes lung cancer from breathing it. It is the second cause of lung cancer in the country. In the garage, if you store gasoline to operate your lawn mower and other tools, a gas can contains high levels of VOCs that are emitted into the air. The container that holds the gasoline should not be in the garage if it is attached to the house. It is a good idea to replace the gasoline lawn mower and tools with environmentally friendly tools that do not use fossil fuels at all.
There are additional changes that are needed to make your home more environmentally friendly. The natural gas or electric heating and air conditioning system can be replaced with solar panels to provide energy. Solar water heaters are effective at producing hot water without harming the environment. To help make the air in your home cleaner, proper ventilation is necessary so that you do not breathe the VOCs and other harmful vapors. A powerful ventilation system should be used over the stove to rid the home of cooking vapors and smoke that contain VOCs. Windows should be opened to allow outdoor air to come inside, even if there is only a tiny opening in freezing weather. Plumbing can be altered as well by installing low flow shower heads and fixtures on sinks that limit the flow of water. When you install motion sensitive lights in your home, you will use less electricity because they turn off when no one is there. Many changes are necessary to make a home energy efficient and green. Each small change that you make is good for the environment and for you.
The first place to begin making changes in your home that are environmentally friendly is to start inside. Check the cleaning products in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry area, and garage. There are probably many that have chemicals that evaporate into the air in your home. These cleaning solutions may not have a bad odor, but the harmful vapors are still there. A commonly used cleaner has pine oil, and even this has chemicals that are harmful to the environment. It is a fact that indoor air quality is far worse than outdoor air quality, and these products are part of the reason why. Strong disinfectants are not usually required unless someone in the home has a virus or an infection. There are gentle cleaners that use natural antibiotics such as vinegar, lemon oil, herbs, and other products that are found in nature. These clean just as well as chemical cleaners, and they do not harm people, pets, or the environment.
Your home has some type of flooring throughout that probably has Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are emitted from it into the air. Vinyl flooring and carpeting have VOCs, but they can be replaced with those that are environmentally friendly. Organic carpeting does not have harmful dye or VOCs. Wool carpeting that is kept organic is a good choice since wool is a sustainable material that continues to grow on sheep. There are also hardwood floor companies that plant a tree for each tree that they use. If the wood is not treated with harmful chemicals, it can be a safe option for a green home. Although it is impossible for many people to replace all of these things in their home at the same time, it can be done gradually to make the home more environmentally friendly.
As you continue to look through the rooms in your home to find ways to make it more environmentally friendly, it is important to remember to check for natural gas leaks. A gas stove and gas dryer should be checked for leaks and fixed if necessary. Laundry detergent can be changed from harsh types that contain phosphates to organic, green detergent. In the basement, it is important to check for radon, a radioactive gas that enters a home through cracks in the basement walls or floor. Radon causes 20,000 deaths in the U.S. each year because it causes lung cancer from breathing it. It is the second cause of lung cancer in the country. In the garage, if you store gasoline to operate your lawn mower and other tools, a gas can contains high levels of VOCs that are emitted into the air. The container that holds the gasoline should not be in the garage if it is attached to the house. It is a good idea to replace the gasoline lawn mower and tools with environmentally friendly tools that do not use fossil fuels at all.
There are additional changes that are needed to make your home more environmentally friendly. The natural gas or electric heating and air conditioning system can be replaced with solar panels to provide energy. Solar water heaters are effective at producing hot water without harming the environment. To help make the air in your home cleaner, proper ventilation is necessary so that you do not breathe the VOCs and other harmful vapors. A powerful ventilation system should be used over the stove to rid the home of cooking vapors and smoke that contain VOCs. Windows should be opened to allow outdoor air to come inside, even if there is only a tiny opening in freezing weather. Plumbing can be altered as well by installing low flow shower heads and fixtures on sinks that limit the flow of water. When you install motion sensitive lights in your home, you will use less electricity because they turn off when no one is there. Many changes are necessary to make a home energy efficient and green. Each small change that you make is good for the environment and for you.
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