10 Simple Tips to Living Green
Go Green Plants
Houseplants have more advantages for your home than just looking pretty and can actually filter the air in your house and rid it of pollutants.
• Keep one houseplant per every 10 square yards to help keep the air clean
• Mix night synthesizing plants (like orchids) with regular plants to help filter your air
• Use a general mixture of plants to try to filter out as many pollutants as possible
• Philodendrons and aloe plants are especially good protection against formaldehyde
• Gerbera daisies, peace lily, and English ivy are good protection against benzene
Use Homemade Remedies
Avoid environmental issues by skipping harsh chemicals in detergent and other cleaners, and make your yard a safer place by using natural pest remedies. Make your own cleaners. Rather than buying cleaners, detergents, and other products with harsh chemicals, make your own with simple ingredients you have lying around the house.
For example, combine baking soda and vinegar, and flush with boiling water, for an effective drain cleaner; use lemon juice to remove mildew; and use corn starch to deodorize carpet. Get rid of outdoor pests naturally. You don't have to use harsh pesticides in your garden to get rid of outdoor pests.
Try companion planting, which combines plants that attract pests (like roses) with plants that pests avoid (like chives). Or, hand-pick pests off your plants – it's time consuming, but definitely a good way to get rid of aphids and Japanese beetles. You can also apply garlic juice or blended hot peppers to your plants to deter pests. Rid your home of unwanted visitors naturally, too. You don't have to spray, buy ant traps, or apply other chemicals to get rid of indoor bugs, either. To get rid of ants naturally, squeeze a lemon at their point of entry and leave the peel. Use flypaper if you are plagued with flies, or even make your own with honey and yellow paper. And don't kill spiders at all (unless your house is infested), as they will help get rid of other pests.
Be Conscious With Your Garbage
Separate your garbage, and be aware of what is toxic and should be disposed of with care. Have different cans or containers for plastic, paper, and non-recyclable items
• Buy food in bulk to avoid excess packaging
• Don't throw away toxic household waste, like paint, paint thinner, car oil, and the
call your garbage service provider to see what should be done with these kinds of wastes
• Avoid producing waste as much by using reusable coffee cups, water, bottles, pens & razors
Reuse, Reuse, Reuse
Part of green living is, of course, recycling; sometimes, though, reusing items can be just as effective as recycling. If you put some thought into what you're throwing away, you may find that some of your trash is your – or someone else's – treasure.
• Since plastic grocery bags can't be recycled, take them back to the store and reuse
• Don't throw away old books; donate them to libraries or school programs
• Get creative! Make art out of old fabric, office and school supplies, or books
• Rather than using disposable paper towels, use rags, sponges, or towels to clean
• Rather than throwing away plastic containers that take-out food comes in, wash and save
• Use rechargeable batteries to reduce hazardous waste from dead batteries
• Go through clothes and shoes periodically (every month or so) and donate items