7 Easy Steps to Declutter Your Closet Posted by → February 14, 2016 at 9:31 PM under Home Living Tips If you are like most people then you probably have a lot of organizing and declutter that needs to be addressed. One of the main problems is knowing where to start and how to begin. Clutter is definitely not your friend. Clutter leads to disorganization, which can and does lead to stress and an overall lowering of one’s quality of life. Avoiding clutter is a must. For most people, that means tackling areas such as the garage and closets. Let’s take a look at some of the leading ways that you can get your closet organized and decluttered so that you can improve your quality of life. 1. Take Inventory Before any discussion of closet organizing specifics, tips and tricks, we truly do have to start with the basics. When it comes to organizing your closet, you’ll want to begin by taking inventory of what is actually in your closet. Start thinking about what you want to keep, what you want to store somewhere else and what you need to get rid of immediately! Most people have at least a little “pack rat” in them, and that means you likely have stuff you don’t need cluttering up your home and, in particular, your closets. The time you spend deciding what to keep and what to donate or store elsewhere will be time well spent. Trying to keep too much stuff is likely part of what created your closet clutter in the first place. So get rid of the clothing you don’t wear in one way another sell it, donate it or give it away but whatever you do, don’t keep any clothing or other items you are not using in your closet. Conquer this step and you’re truly ready for the decluttering big leagues! Install More Shelves No doubt this tip sounds simple and it is. But this tip is also the cheapest and most effective route towards achieving greater and long lasting decluttering. Most closets don’t have enough shelving. If you think you have enough shelving, you are probably wrong. Older homes are notorious for lacking shelving. Even newer homes and apartments can be lacking in this territory. You know how you want to live and you know your lifestyle. That, of course, also means that you can look at your closet and your “this stays” pile and get a pretty good idea of where you might need some extra shelves. Now the next step is to use shelving to maximize every square inch of the closet wall space. If you have a few inches to spare, “shelve it!” Even reality small shelves will get used and be useful once you begin living with them on a daily basis. Conquering clutter has many parts and shelving is one of your greatest tools. Shoe Racks Solve Headaches When it comes to great closet decluttering tools, it is pretty hard to beat the simple, but oh-so-effective shoe rack. Multi-level shoe racks are, in fact, the best. Look for shoe racks that are three levels high or even higher. Don’t worry about losing some floor space, unless you only have a couple of pairs of shoes. You will easily regain your floor space once you slide in a shoe rack! Hooks, Hooks and More Hooks Adding a little extra closet space can often be as simple, easy and inexpensive as installing a few coat hooks. This tips is often overlooked, but it’s a winner. A word of caution: don’t go overboard on this tip. The end result is that your closet will begin to look and feel cluttered, just in a different way. After all, you don’t want to walk into your closet only to feel as though you are totally surrounded by your stuff. Slide-in Baskets and Narrow Laundry Baskets are a Real Space Saver The idea that a closet decluttering has to be an expensive affair is just plain wrong, wrong, wrong. Slide-in baskets and narrow laundry baskets are an easy way to store items such as sweaters, sweatpants and sweatshirts and do so on the cheap. Of course, such a method doesn’t allow for instant identification of items, but this approach is a great way to organize bulkier, less used items that you don’t have to worry about wrinkling. Organizing items that don’t wrinkle easily with items that do wrinkle easily can often lead to the lose of precious “prime” closet organizing real estate. Follow this cheap and easy tip and you’ll be rewarded! Considering Adding a Closet Hanging Rod Another pro-tip is to simply add another rod. Many organizing experts simply add a second lower rod below an existing rod. This approach works very well when combined with pants folded across coat hangers. Use this tip, and you’ll suddenly feel as though you’ve doubled your closet space and done so on the cheap. 7. Stackable Boxes Can Work Wonders A few stackable and labeled boxes can work wonders for reducing closet clutter. Like the other tips in this article, this declutter tip is cheap, easy, quick to implement and works! By following these tips you’ll achieve a new level of closet organization. A well organized closet is about more than looks, as it is also about function. A well organized closet can help you save time and reduce stress. So explore your options today! 0 Comments
4 Effective Ways to Clean Your Bathroom without Chemicals Posted by → January 18, 2016 at 10:25 PM under Home Living Tips The number of chemicals found in bathroom cleaners can be a little depressing. What makes this fact all the more shocking is that for virtually all homes and businesses harsh chemicals are not needed to achieve an effective cleaning. Over the years cleaning product manufacturers have worked hard, and spent lots of money, in an effort to convince us that our homes are remarkably filthy and only they can save us from ourselves. In most cases this is an overreach, as simple cleaning products will work just fine for cleaning homes. The issue of chemicals in bathroom cleaning products is no small issue. Not only are the chemicals potentially dangerous for human health, but also they are also bad for the environment. Not only are chemicals used to create these products, but the chemicals also make their way into the water supply harming both humans and wildlife alike. So let’s explore some of the best ways to clean your bathroom without chemicals. Option One-Soap and Water Just Like Grandma or Grandpa Would Have Used Soap has earned a good reputation over the years for one simple fact: it works! Soap and water are great cleaners, but somewhere along the way most of us started to believe that we needed something more “powerful” as though the germs that grandma and grandpa faced were somehow completely inferior to today’s modern super germs. No doubt there are places where the supergerms do reside such as hospitals, but the odds that your home has MRSA or some other supergerm is probably very low. Powerful cleaners have their place, but often good old fashion soap and water will areas such as kitchen countertops, toilets, bathroom sinks and showers clean. Option Two-A Water and Hydrogen Peroxide Mix Hydrogen peroxide is a very effective cleaner and is far safer than many of the well marketed and shiny bathroom cleaners that are on the market. This mix is great for periodic cleaning of toilet bowls, countertops and more. If you are cleaning with soap and water and feel as though an area might not be as clean as you would like, then a hydrogen peroxide and water mix will do the job. If you are cutting meat, fish or poultry on your countertops, then it is a good idea to go with a cleaner that is a little stronger than soap or water, or play it on the safe side and use a cutting board that you then toss in the dishwasher. Option Three-Vinegar What Can’t You Do? Vinegar is something of a household cleaning superstar. Vinegar and baking soda combine nicely and make for a great, all-natural cleaner. Vinegar wipes out mold, removes soap, stains and a great deal more. Simple, run-of-the-mill vinegar can be used to keep your entire home clean and best of all it is very cheap. When you dilute vinegar in water, it is possible to stretch a single bottle of vinegar for weeks or even months. While vinegar is, of course, very acidic, it is still far easier on the environment and far safer for people than virtually all mass producer chemical cleaner options. Those looking for a safe way to clean everything from bathroom showers and tubs to countertops and toilets will find that vinegar does a great job. In addition to being very cheap, the vinegar and baking soda combo can be used for a wide variety of bathroom cleaning chores and can even help unclog sinks. So don’t reach for chemical drain cleaners when a clog comes your way, instead try this time honored option. As always, test a small area before using any cleaning product across your entire bathroom or kitchen area. Option Four-Other Options for Tackling a Clogged Drain One of the most dangerous chemical mixes that most people ever bring into their homes is when they need to unclog a drain. Clogged drains are a nightmare and that is why it is vitally important to periodically clean them out with our vinegar and baking soda mix. However, eventually you will run into some drain problems that vinegar and baking soda just won’t cut. When that day comes, first try to remove the u-shaped pipe under your sink. This area traps a lot of debris and build up. There are plenty of “how to” guides available online that can guide you through the process, and you might just save a small fortune over hiring a plumber. Another big reason to tackle a clogged drain yourself and without chemicals is that drain cleaners put a lot of toxic chemicals directly into the water supply. Additionally, these products are quiet dangerous to have around especially if you have pets or small children. The bottom line is that chemical bathroom cleaners are unnecessary, dangerous to people and pets, harm the environment and are expensive. You simply don’t need them for most household cleaning situations. If you feel that you need to “call out the big guns” then turn to simple rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Keep in mind that most hand sanitizers, cleaning wipes and even hospitals use alcohol. Good old-fashioned alcohol is an amazing cleaner and cleans even the dirtiest and scariest germs. Don’t be afraid to clean like grandma and grandpa once did; after all, they survived just fine with soap and water and a little baking soda and vinegar and so will you! 0 Comments
The 3 Most Effective Building Heating Systems Ever Devised Posted by → January 02, 2016 at 2:51 PM under Alternative Energy During the cold winter months, it is impossible not to think about indoor heating, unless, of course you are living in a warm, sunny and tropical climate. For the rest of us, wintertime heating is a frequent thought, especially when it comes time to pay utility bills. Today, there are more options than ever when it comes to heating one’s home. Over the years, there have been many novel and highly effective ways to heat both homes and businesses. In this article, we are going to explore some of the most effective ways to heat buildings. The world of heating goes well beyond heaters and heat pumps. Geothermal Heat Pumps Geothermal heat pumps have a lot going for them. The concept of a geothermal heat pump is fairly straightforward, in that they work to concentrate heat naturally found in the earth. Pipes are buried a few feet under the earth, where it is warmer. Then that heat is transferred through the heat pump. This approach saves both energy and money. While businesses both small and large can receive their power from geothermal energy, increasingly homeowners are realizing that they can benefit from the same approach. There is a substantial upfront investment to get your geothermal heat pump up and running, but in the near future the system should pay for itself. The Wonders of Passive Solar and Solar Heating Solar power is quickly becoming a reality. In fact, solar power technology is moving forward so quickly that regional monopoly power companies are scrambling. The idea that millions of people may soon be putting solar panels on their roofs has become a true reality. Solar home heating is a spectacular option for those looking to save serious money while at the same time help the environment. Solar energy utilizes the sun to great effect, turning sunlight into energy and then into heat. Adding passive solar to the solar heating equation makes for a powerful one-two combination. Those looking for the most impressive way to heat one’s home using today’s technology are turning to solar power and passive solar. It is no accident that large corporations are beginning to place solar on the rooftops of their stores, warehouses, factories and beyond! The simple fact is that passive solar is quite incredible. Passive solar, as the name indicates, is about taking advantage of what the sun has to offer, passively. Passive solar is all about thinking ahead and designing a home so that it takes full advantage of sunlight. The sun’s energy is used to heat a home and in sunny locations such as Colorado for example, passive solar can do wonders in both saving energy and cutting down on electric bills. Of course passive solar does have some requirements. Just how good can passive solar homes be? Some proponents of passive homes and builders state that passive solar homes can heat and cool so efficiently that little or even no additional heating or cooling sources are usually needed. Of course this depends on factors such as region and the availability of sunlight. That stated, this approach to solar energy is remarkable in that it can help homes stay warmer and cooler without any additional energy use. Every dollar spent towards passive solar will save a tremendous amount of money in the long run. Those looking to substantially lower their carbon footprint may want to begin with looking at the passive solar options. Frequently people feel that taking advantage of passive solar is something that one must do in the initial building stages of a home; however, it is often possible to take advantage of passive solar in existing homes. A good example would be building a sunroom or adding a skylight or windows in the optimal location. Beyond making sure that a home has enough strategically placed windows, passive solar also benefits greatly from a home being well insulated. Adding high quality insulation to your home in the attic and insulating spaces such as crawl spaces and wall interiors with blown in insulation helps to make passive solar more effective. A well insulated home is a must for any home regardless of how it is heated and that is why passive solar is a true “no brainer” when it comes to heating your home. Underfloor Radiant Heating Underfloor heating can be seen as being one of the most energy-efficient methods of heating a home. Heat is spread throughout a home from underneath piping installed under floors. If you love having warm cozy feet, radiant heating may very well be something you want to consider. The idea is that the warmth not only heats up your feet, but that it spreads to your whole body. While this may seem like a new and novel approach, the truth is that it has been around since the days of the ancient Romans. A common practice was to have people fan small fires under their marble floors. The only drawback to this highly-efficient system is that it must be installed when either a home is being built or remodeled. The good news is that the cables are very thin and don’t raise the height of the floor at all. Often this type of heat is installed where people will appreciate it most- bathrooms, mudrooms and kitchens. A Promising Future for Efficient Building Heating Approaches You may not feel that the systems outlined in this article are right for your immediate needs. That’s okay, but just remember that there are steps you can take today to decrease your energy usage and put more money in your pocket. If you do buy a new HVAC system, look for an energy efficiency one or consider a heat pump which is a more energy efficient way to heat and cool your home. Geo heat pumps may be more expensive but they can dramatically reduce your overall heating bills for decades to come. Insulating your home with eco-friendly insulation such as wool or blue-jean insulation is another way to start seeing a return on your money from day one. As soon as you invest in insulation, you start saving, which helps to make insulation one of the best home improvement options around. In the future, a combination of solar, passive solar and geothermal heat pumps will likely play a huge role in heating and cooling around the world. These technologies and building approaches have a vital part to play in lowering carbon footprints and helping the world avoid potentially dangerous climate change. 0 Comments
How to Wash Clothes with Poison Ivy Posted by → November 19, 2015 at 8:53 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry Home Living Tips The bad news is that you’ve been exposed to poison ivy. Obviously this is no fun; poison ivy is a truly unpleasant and painful experience. Its ability to negative impact your life goes beyond the rash. Once exposed to poison ivy, you’ll want to wash all exposed clothing to reduce the chances of experiencing yet more pain! You are most likely to come into contact with poison ivy or poison oak while hiking or in the woods. One of the easiest ways to avoid poison ivy or poison oak is to stay on pathways, but the simple fact is that when it comes to enjoying the great outdoors you might not always want to stay on the “beaten path.” Understanding “The Enemy” Adventuring out into the best of the great outdoors comes with a little poison ivy risk, but there are steps you can take to reduce that risk. At the top of the list is wearing clothing that will protect your skin such as long pants and long sleeve shirts and in some cases even gloves. Of course, knowing how to spot poison ivy and poison oak is an excellent form of prevention. A picture is worth a thousand words. Using an image search tool such as Google Images or Wikipedia to see images of poison ivy and poison oak is very prudent move. Time for Cleaning Once you have come in contact with poison ivy that means you’ll want to wash all of your clothing as soon as possible. The first step is to carefully remove and store any contaminated clothing so that you don’t have to touch them. When you do touch any contaminated clothing using gloves is a smart move. Rather shockingly, the problematic compound in poison ivy, urushiol, can stay active not just for months, but for years. This factor also underscores the tremendous importance of properly cleaning any clothing, including boots and shoes that may have come into contact with poison ivy. Once you’ve removed poison ivy contaminated clothing, you’ll want to wash the clothing in a washing machine; however, it is very important to avoid cross containing other clothing in the process. This means transferring your poison ivy contaminated clothing directly from your “poison ivy bag” directly into the washing machine and then dispose of or wash the bag immediately. Don’t forget to either dispose of the gloves you are wearing or to use disposable gloves when handing poison ivy contaminated clothing and items. Use Multiple Washings When it comes to washing the clothing you should absolutely use soap and hot water. Additionally, you will want to be on the safe side and leave your clothing in the washing machine and perform at least three washings, perhaps even a forth washing for good measure. While this may seem excessive if you’ve ever experienced the irritation and pain of poison ivy firsthand, then you know just how memorable of experience it can be. In short, take every imaginable precaution. Avoid These Mistakes Next, don’t wash non-contaminated clothing with contaminated clothing. You will also want to keep the loads small as this will allow the clothing to agitate more easily and increase the chances of removing the rather sticky and persistent urushiol. You’ll want to open up the lid to your washing machine, set your machine and pour in detergent before putting on your gloves and removing your poison ivy contaminated clothing. A failure to adhere to this step could lead to poison ivy contamination of your machine surfaces. No doubt this is an easy mistake to make, but it is also one that can serve to spread the poison ivy. There are times to worry about water conservation but when it comes to successfully tackling poison ivy doing a couple of extra loads of laundry is most definitely in your best interest. If you are worried about the extra water used, simply skip a couple of showers! Keep in mind that poison ivy is an expert at lurking in unsuspecting places. Poison ivy can make its way onto your hiking gear, jackets, the bottom of joes, shoe laces, car interiors, your bike seat, your backpack, your home’s rugs, seats or just about everywhere else. This serves to highlight the importance of immediately removing contaminated clothing and then thinking, quite carefully, about any objects you’ve come into contact with while wearing the contaminated clothing. It May Be Time to Say “Goodbye” To a Few Garments If you are thinking that the precautions are quite serious, you are, of course, correct. Considering the pain involved with poison ivy, there are many that feel the best option is to simply bag up and throw away any contaminated clothing. While this may feel wasteful, there is something to be said for this logic. Ultimately the best choice for dealing with poison ivy contaminated clothing may be to simply say “goodbye” to the items and move on. If this is not a financially viable option then you may want to consider washing the contaminated clothing even more times than the 3 to 4 suggested in this article. Poison ivy is a uniquely painful experience and one well worth the price of even a favorite pair of pants to avoid. Urushiol is oil-based and quite powerful. It doesn’t come out of clothing very easily and once poison ivy gets into your skin you are in for a rough ride. Remember that poison ivy most definitely earned its poisonous name. It must be treated with respect. 0 Comments
The 5 Psychological Benefits of Decluttering Posted by → October 18, 2015 at 4:00 PM under Environment Home Living Tips Decluttering is your friend and, to be blunt, is nothing short of awesome. If you’ve never before experienced the wonders and joys of getting rid of your clutter then you are in for a real treat! Decluttering really can change your life and for the better. The simple fact is that decluttering can and will suck up a great deal of valuable time. In the “old days” decluttering was a bit simpler than in the modern era. Decluttering meant that you donated, recycled, organized or tossed out things no longer had any worth or value, such as old paperwork. However, storing digital information did serve to complicate matters a bit. Today, decluttering one’s computer is a major concern. Our smartphones, computers and other digital devices all contribute to a sense of chaos. Clutter may have become more complicated and involved but the benefits of decluttering are the same as they ever were. Let’s take a look at the five psychological benefits you’ll experience when you start to say goodbye to the mess. Benefit #1-Stress Reduction Stress is an unavoidable fact of life, but that doesn’t mean you can be proactive and find ways to reduce your stress. Some of the stress we face is fixed or virtually fixed, for example, going to work, sitting in traffic, waiting in life and so on. Yet there are steps you can take to distress and one of those steps is to declutter your workspace and your home. It is stressful to have too much stuff sitting around and getting in your way. Clutter makes simple tasks more difficult and that triggers a stress response. Many of your old items are tied to things you find stressful or unpleasant bad memories. So why are you still holding on to this stuff? As it turns, out decluttering is a great stress reliever. It can provide a tremendous sense of relief. Benefit #2-Improves Your Focus Improving your focus can improve your life and mental health in a variety of ways. Clutter is amazing distracting. Now you may believe that your clutter no longer distracts you, but think again! Once you’ve removed it from your life, you will notice the difference. You may think that those stuffed overflowing file cabinets or boxes in your workspace are not impacting you in any way, but the truth is that they can contribute to an overall sense of frustration and distraction. With greater focus, you’ll be able to tackle jobs both large and small with less stress and greater efficiency. The benefits of greater focus are surprisingly diverse, for example, greater focus can lead to everything from promotions at work to tackling chorus at home to starting a new business, going back school and on and on. The list of ways that greater focus can improve your life is almost endless. Embrace a decluttering mindset and you will see an impressive difference. Benefit #3-A Sense of Accomplishment Looking around at a cluttered home or workspace can be depressing. Clutter often makes us feel as though we have failed to accomplish something important. By contrast, however, decluttering can infuse one with a real sense of accomplishment. After all, many of us putting off decluttering because it can be unpleasant. The longer you’ve waited to get rid of your old stuff, the more unpleasant it may be. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t tackle it head on. Since we spend almost every day in our home or work spaces, the psychological benefits of decluttering can be surprisingly profound. The next time you feel as though you are not accomplishing what you want to accomplish, try getting rid of unnecessary items. You’ll feel better and you’ll enjoy the other diverse benefits that decluttering has to offer! Benefit #4-Improves Your Environment Much of your clutter is, in fact, unhealthy in nature. Many products that we are accustomed to having in our homes are toxic, degas harmful chemicals, collect dust that harms indoor air quality and more. Sadly, clutter can be more than ugly or unpleasant, as it can even be harmful. If you want a very easy way to improve your indoor air quality and, in turn, improve your physical and mental health, then consider saying goodbye to items you never use or need. Just remember that when you start moving around items that have remained untouched for weeks, months, years or even longer that a lot of potentially harmful dust may be released. With this mind keep windows open, HVAC systems on if possible and leave areas if you start feeling ill, coughing or sneezing. Benefit #5-Boosts Your Mood If you want a quick mood booster, then decluttering is the answer. Now it is important to note decluttering may feel stressful while you are actually doing it, but hang in there! Once you have your space organized, you’ll feel much better. Most people like having organized living and workspaces. Consider the work you put into achieving such a space a gift to your future self’s mood and well being. A good rule of thumb is that if it’s not something you really need or that’s currently making you happy when you see it, it’s time to say goodbye. Embrace Decluttering for a Better You Above all else, never lose sight of the fact that decluttering isn’t a waste of your time. It will actually return far more time to you than you lose. In the end not only will you gain time, but you will also reap considerable mental and emotional benefits as well. Decluttering may be a difficult or even a little stressful, but it is also your friend. 0 Comments
The Top 7 Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Use Exposure Posted by → September 11, 2015 at 3:45 PM under Environment Home Living Tips Plastic is everywhere. In many ways, we do indeed live in a plastic age. The problem is that plastic harms the environment and human health. Plastic, for example, has been dumped in our oceans on a truly epic scale and has made its way into the food chain. Ocean waves and currents work to break down plastic into tiny particles and those particles are ingested by wildlife. Additionally, plastic is ubiquitous at landfills. Few seem to have a coherent plan for what to do with the ever increasing mountains of plastic waste. Plastic is made from petroleum and as a result it can harm human health. Some types of plastic contain harmful chemicals such as BPA, which has been shown to disrupt hormones and is particularly harmful for children. The negative impact of plastics on human health and the environment are considerable. There are alternatives such as corn based products on the horizon but the widespread adoption of these products is years if not decades away. For now the most prudent move is to discover ways to reduce plastic exposure in your own life. In this article we will look at 7 of the best ways to reduce both your plastic use and your plastic exposure. Step One-Glass Is Your Friend Many of the jobs that plastic currently performs were once or can be performed by glass options. Plastic water bottle leach chemicals into the water they contain, but glass bottles do not have that problem. The first step in reducing your plastic exposure is to list out the products you use that have plastic in them. Next, look for glass alternatives. You may be surprised at just how much of your plastic exposure can be reduced by following this straightforward and easy to implement tip. Step Two-Use Alternatives to Plastic Bags Plastic bags truly are an environmental nightmare. Sure, the petroleum industry loves them, but they are bad news for the rest of us. Plastic bags don’t degrade, harm the planet, harm wildlife and contain harmful chemicals. Use cloth bags whenever possible for your groceries. But remember to wash them, as unwashed cloth bags can be a breeding ground for germs. You can just dry them off quickly on your clotheslines! Paper bags are an excellent option as well especially if you bring your own to the grocery store. Step Three-Avoid Plastic Wrap and Plastic Food Containers Plastic wrap and plastic food containers obvious come into direct contact with your food. Often plastic wrap and plastic food containers come into direct contact with hot food, which only increases chemical leaching into your food. Don’t use plastic wrap and plastic food containers. Instead opt for glass wear, as there are glass wear options that have rubber coating to prevent breaking. Plastic wrap and plastic food containers share much in common with plastic bags in that they do not biodegrade. As stated above, glass is your friend. So opt for glass whenever possible. Also, in the long run, glass container options will be cheaper in the long run as compared to plastic food containers, which wear out over time. Finally there are plastic wrap alternatives that are made from safer materials and they work quite well. Step Four-Find New Toy Options Living in the plastic age it is easy to forget that there was a time before almost all toys were made out of plastic. Cheap toys are problematic on many levels. Plastic exposure is particularly dangerous for infants, toddlers and children due to their array of potentially harmful chemicals. With a little research, you can find all kinds of toys that are made of wood or that use lower levels of plastic. Avoiding plastic toys may be next to impossible but by strategically selecting toys with lower plastic content, you can reduce your child’s exposure. In addition to plastic concerns, it is important to note that many cheap toys, particularly those manufactured in China, contain high levels of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. Step Five-Plastic Cups and Plates Plastic cups and plates are very sneaky. The simple fact is that plastic cups and plates have made their way into virtually every home. This is one of the easiest ways to reduce plastic exposure. The answer? Simply switch over to glass plates and glass cups. Plastic cups can constantly leach their chemicals into your body. Switching to glass cups will eliminate this unnecessary exposure. Step Six-Baby Bottles The last thing any parent wants to do is expose an infant to plastics. There are tough glass baby bottles that have rubber coatings to protect them from being dropped. The dangers of a dropped baby bottle are likely far lower than what constant plastic exposure represents. If you are worried about baby bottles being dropped when you are in public, for example on concrete, then switch to BPA free baby bottles while outside the house. The problem with BPA free baby bottles is that these bottles are also testing positive for other potentially problematic chemicals as well. Glass bottles are safer. Step Seven-Conduct a Household Evaluation Investing the time to evaluate where plastic is used in your home will definitely reduce your exposure. If you are like most people you will discover that you are using more plastic than you have to use. There are alternatives if you give it a little thought and shop around. Following these seven tips will not eliminate your family’s exposure to plastic; however, these tips will dramatically reduce your exposure. Plastic alternatives to exist and it is worth your time to discover those alternatives and incorporate them into your life. 0 Comments
5 Home Improvement and Repair Disasters to Avoid Posted by → August 28, 2015 at 9:39 PM under Home Living Tips Dreaming of the perfect home? You are not alone. But dreaming of the perfect home can quickly devolve into a nightmare. A few home improvement wrong turns and both you and your wallet can be in for a very rough ride. Many home improvement options come with some risks. But that doesn’t mean you have to shy away from your remodeling goals. Home improvements are a way to dramatically increase the livability of your home as well as its resale value. Let’s explore the steps you should take as well as repair disasters that you should avoid at all costs. #1. Lead Paint Mankind has known of the dangers of lead paint for not just decades, but for centuries. However, in the quest for profit, lead made its way into a simply staggering number of homes. Homes built before 1979-1980 will likely have some level of lead contamination. The older the home, the greater the chances are that lead paint is present. Lead is highly toxic and damaging to human health, and this is especially true for infants and children. Lead exposure leads to lower, potentially dramatically lower, I.Q. and other health problems. When you start any home remodel project, be sure that you know what areas have lead paint and what areas are safe. If an area has lead paint, never under any circumstances sand the paint off, as this disperses the paint into the air and environment. Upon discovery that you do have lead paint, it is extremely important that you consult with a proven and reputable lead remediation expert. Once your home is contaminated with lead, it is a very expensive, stressful and time-consuming process to remediate it. #2-Not Cleaning or Repairing Your HVAC System HVAC systems are very expensive. The lure for shady companies to damage your system so you have to buy a new one is a very real thing. Yet, it is essential that you clean, maintain and repair your home’s HVAC system for many different reasons. A properly functioning HVAC system has lower operating costs and provides superior performance such as cleaner and healthier air. Not properly vetting any repair personnel that enter your home can be a costly mistake. For these reasons, invest the time to find recommendations that you trust. High priced items like HVAC systems are prized targets for scam artist. So ask your friends or relatives whom they’ve used over the years for HVAC and other service and what the outcome has been. The second part of the step is to let your HVAC repair company or other companies you’ve worked with know who referred you and why. #3-Forgetting About Insulation Insulation is a unique home improvement. The bottom line is that from the moment you install insulation you begin saving money. Not properly installing insulation in your home, especially your attic, is nothing short of a home improvement disaster. Insulation saves you money as soon as it is installed by cutting down on your energy usage. With that stated, not all insulation is created equally. The market is saturated with chemical based insulation products that are bad news both for the planet and for humans alike. Options such as blue jean insulation and wool insulation may cost a little more, but they are highly effective and largely free of the chemicals found in other insulation products. #4-Converting Your Garage Why is it usually a bad idea to convert your garage into new living space? The answer is actually fairly simple: some people really, really want a garage. If you want to make your home as attractive as possible to potential buyers down the road, then you should keep your garage. The garage isn’t just a place, but is actually something of a concept that is firmly fixed in homeowners’ minds. For many, the garage is not just a place to park a car but also functions as a workshop, area for doing dirty jobs, a workout area, a home car repair shop and the list goes on and on. The extra space a garage provides might be wonderful but when it comes time to sell you may be left regretting your decision. #5-Tackling Home Demolition Projects Yourself You’ve maybe heard that “anybody can knock out a wall.” Yes, that is very true, but can you do it safely. For example, do you understand where load-bearing structures are located in the house? Do you have the expertise to recognize issues such as asbestos? Do you know what kind of protective gear to wear and how to maintain proper indoor air quality? What about lead safety precautions when undertaking demolition projects? The bottom line is that you are far safer allowing professionals to handle any demolitions you may have in mind. In the process of demolishing an area of a home, you may expose you and your family to a variety of unexpected health risk, and this holds true for both new and older homes. A lot of varied building materials go into the construction of a home and, as a result, there is much that can go wrong. Side with caution and leave demolishing up to the professionals. When it comes to demolishing, a mistake such as hitting your electric wiring or plumbing can be both costly and dangerous. It’s possible to avoid home improvement headaches. Owning a home should be a pleasure and not a nightmare. There are health risks that can take place when remodeling but by following prudent safety procedures you can save money, protect your sanity and your health all at the same time. 0 Comments
BLUEdot Has Reviewed Urban Clotheslines! Posted by → August 27, 2015 at 8:18 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry Environment News and Events This summer, the BLUEdot Register did a Carbon Footprint Comparison Study with us, comparing a conventional dryer vs. a clothesline. Obviously the results were going to be great, but if you want to know how great, keep reading. Original photo is CC 3.0 by Michael Gäbler First, let’s talk about BLUEdot Register. BLUEdot aims to protect our Earth from climate change in three ways: Educating people on how to reduce their own carbon footprints The BLUEdot site is an abundant source of information on what sorts of energy improvements are happening worldwide. Their blog, Practically Green, is full of everyday tips on living a carbon-conscious lifestyle. Selling carbon offsets A carbon offset is an investment in an environmentally sound project. These are often renewable energy farms or environmental restoration projects. Evaluating the carbon footprints of businesses and products, and helping concerned citizens decide where to shop When BLUEdot looks at a business’ carbon footprint, it compares their products to more conventional options. In our case, it was a clothesline vs. a dryer. Want to know how a clothesline compares to a dryer? We chose one of our best dryers, the Stewi First Lady Rotary Clothesline, to compare to both an electric dryer and a combined electric and natural gas dryer. Counting all carbon a dryer creates in its lifespan includes mining materials, building the parts, getting it to the customer, all the shipping between those steps… and finally, the carbon cost of each household use. The average American family dries a load of laundry every day, while the average mechanical dryer lasts less than 13 years. The Stewi First Lady is going to last longer than 13 years, but we had to stop somewhere. The result? The First Lady creates 99% less carbon over the 13-year lifespan of a conventional dryer. And then it lasts longer. What we couldn’t factor in are the carbon savings from how much longer your line dried clothes last. Why we chose the Stewi First Lady It dries huge loads. We didn’t want to cheat by comparing a puny clothesline without the capacity of an electric dryer. The Stewi First Lady has over 200 feet of drying line. It’s Swiss made. Same idea: we wanted to compare a dryer that is at least as well-made as its counterparts, and from sturdy materials. A durable build may not increase the lifelong carbon cost though, considering the dryer lasts longer. It fits a concrete-free ground socket. You can get a removable Stewi Soil Ground Socket if you need a non-permanent spot for your clothesline. Of course, if you want to cement your ground socket, the one that is included with the Stewi First Lady is a fine choice. To read more about the Carbon Footprint Comparison Study, visit bluedotregister.org. 0 Comments
Where Should You Turn for Your Interior Design Ideas? Posted by → August 04, 2015 at 10:25 PM under Home Living Tips Great interior design isn’t an accident. The simple fact is that great interior design is the result of planning, preparation, experience, professionalism and skill. Yet, while it is important that these factors all blend together with precision and elegance, it is not the most important part of the process. The most essential part of the interior design process is finding a great interior designer or finding great ideas of your own. Know What You Want The process of knowing or discovering what you want couldn’t be more important. Far too many interior design projects fall flat because homeowners don’t know what they want. Deciding what you want out of a space is critical. Invest the time to contemplate your needs and the look you want to achieve. Online Research Is an Excellent Investment Visiting online design blogs is a very good time investment. Spending time on design blogs will help you get a good idea of what you do like and just as importantly what you don’t like. There is no doubt that working with an interior designer can be expensive, but you can cut down on the cost by providing an interior designer with examples of what works for you. Armed with this information, an interior designer can quickly orient his or her thinking and move the process along. Be sure to keep an image file of design ideas that you like. In this way, you’ll be able to quickly outline for your interior designer what you like. If you are not working with an interior designer you can use your collection of likes to orient your own thinking. Top Interior Design Destinations There are some websites to consider when formulating your interior design strategy. There are lots of great interior design websites and blogs that you’ll want to check out. Here are a few great options for starters. Hgtv.com Houzz.com Freshome.com Pinterest.com Freshome.com has an ideas section that is full of clever ideas for all kinds of spaces. HGTV provides a lot of expert advice and Houzz.com is the kind of site where you can lose hours and hours and, in the process, build a great collection of pictures. When it comes to finding wonderful ideas for your interior design projects, Pinterest is pretty tough to beat. Simply search the type of interior design ideas you want to explore, and Pinterest will instantly give you options to pin. This tool is very useful when it comes time to showcase your favorite styles to an interior designer. Or you might gain so much inspiration that you start putting together a room of your dreams on your own. Don’t forget these are only four of many wonderful sites and blogs that can help you generate some spectacular interior design ideas. In the end, you may find so many ideas that your largest problem becomes one of editing down your ideas. Having too many ideas can actually be far more time consuming than not having enough. Visit Interior Design Boutiques Now that you have your collection of interior design looks and items that you love it might be time to visit local interior design boutiques. These boutiques will have professionals who are motivated to help you find what you want. In other words, they want to make a sale, and that means free and potentially expert interior designer advice. Yes, you have to do a little bit more legwork but you will also save money. The best approach is to take a tablet computer along with you so that you can show people your picks. Just be sure that you’ve organized your collection of interior design picks well in advance. Finding an Interior Designer Like finding anyone to work on or contribute to the look and feel of your home, you’ll want references. It is difficult to understate the tremendous importance of getting a reference. Someone who has worked with an interior designer in the past and knows that he or she can be trusted is invaluable. Additionally, be sure that you take a look at an interior designer’s past results. If you don’t like what you see, then move along. So You’re On a Tight Budget? Even if you are on a tight budget, there are ways you can get some great advice for your interior design project. One of the most overlooked ways to get some great advice for your project is to work with an art and design college student or an interior design student looking to boost his or her portfolio. Just as you would check any interior designer’s portfolio, you’ll want to do the same with a student. However, you might discover that a student will be willing to work harder and take more risks than an established interior designer. There are plenty of other great tips for those on a budget. For example, instead of shopping at boutiques, turn to consignment stores and thrift stores. You’ll run into some amazing surprises. Use your imagination and get creative with your finds. When you do shop for new items, ask about when these products might go on sale. You’ll be surprised the amount of inside information that you can get from salespeople if you just ask. Great Communication is Absolutely Essential for Amazing Results Achieving amazing interior design results isn’t just about spending money. In the end, finding the right interior design solutions can be distilled down to knowing what you want, doing your research and then communicating those needs to professionals. Whether you work with experts at an interior design boutique, students or established interior designers, doing your homework in advance will not only save you time and money but will also help you achieve the final look you desire. Remember that no one can read your mind. The more accurate and well organized information you can provide, the better off your final results will be! 0 Comments
8 Life Tips to Get More Done and Feel Better Doing It Posted by → July 25, 2015 at 5:27 PM under Home Living Tips Managing life and work seems to be more difficult than ever before. There are many reasons for why so many people feel that maintaining a healthy work-life relationship is harder than it was just a few years ago. For examples, our phones now tend to keep us “turned on” and overstimulated 24-7. Let’s take a look at the steps you can take to achieve a new level of productivity while feeling better doing it. Tip One-Your Diet It is simply impossible to discuss boosting productivity, feeling better and having more energy without a serious discussion of diet. Your diet is critical to your health. Medical science has shown that choosing the right diet can add years to your life, whereas selecting the wrong diet can work to subtract years. What you eat and drink really does matter. There are steps, regardless of your budget, that you can take to give your body what it needs to thrive. Start by drastically reducing or if possible even eliminating fast food and processed foods. These foods are usually very low in nutrition and, to make things worse, they are high in chemicals, preservatives and other harmful ingredients. That means you’ll have far less energy when you eat these foods regularly. No one can expect to feel great when eating junk food. Consider making healthy meals and freezing them on the weekend so that you have a fast and easy way to eat healthy. Tip Two-Meditation Meditation is most definitely not a waste of time. Medical science has finally caught up to what the ancients have known for well over a thousand years – meditation works. Rather interestingly, new studies point to the fact that meditation might actually serve to help the mind function more efficiently. That means that this practice might actually be able to help you achieve more with the time you work. Tip Three-Sleep We’ll keep this tip short. You likely need more sleep. Not getting enough sleep will hamper your performance and can even impact your decision-making; after all, no one does there best on very little sleep. Tip Four-Time Out Do you check your smartphone or email constantly? This keeps your brain in a heightened state. Relaxation is made more difficult by the ubiquitous nature of our modern gadgets and the interconnectivity that provide. Give your mind a time out and you’ll see a boost in your productivity during the hours you are working. Tip Five-A Digital Assistant Digital assistants are becoming popular because they work. You may have to invest some time to find a good digital assistant, but once you do, it will be money well spent. The first step in hiring a digital assistant is to determine what you would have your assistant do. Map out all that you do in a given day and then determine which of these tasks could be outsourced to someone else. You may discover that you don’t have much that a digital assistant could do, or you may discover that a digital assistant could handle a large chunk of your daily routine. Just imagine how great that would feel! Tip Six-Track a Typical Day Make a list of what you are doing during your day. The best approach is to chart out what you are doing in 10 or 15-minute intervals. Next look for the wasted time. The odds are great that you have at least some wasted time. Sure, you’ll still want to do things like watch your favorite shows or read books. But look for the major “time sponges” such as watching shows you don’t like, mindlessly surfing the web or having long and unsatisfying phone conversations. This tip will help you find a better way to manage your time so that you can get more of what your body needs like, sleep! Tip Seven-The Reward Board/List Create a board that has tasks you need to accomplish and the accompanying rewards. At first, this one might seem a little silly, but it does, in fact, work. The simple act of focusing on what tasks need to be tackled and when will help you become more efficient and effective. This is true even without the rewards! Adding in a reward makes this tip a true winner. Tip Eight-The Priority List Our third list related tip is to make a priority list. Again, just like making a reward board/list helps you to focus your mind the same is true for a priority list. This practice forces you to select what is and is not important. Eliminating mental clutter will help you achieve greater clarity and that translates into greater efficiency. If you want to achieve more, then tracking your typical day, creating a reward board and making a priority list will do wonders! These eight steps can be used rather well together. By increasing your efficiency, you can spend more time focusing on other areas of improvement. For example, tracking how you spend your time on a typical day will allow you to spot inefficiencies. Once you’ve spotted those inefficiencies, you can eliminate them and use that time to meditate, which leads to feeling better, looking better and being more productive. Modern life has the potential to become extremely hectic. Human beings are not meant to always be on and always be connected. Yet, that is where many of us find ourselves. Finding time to relax and “be” is often the difference between being happy and healthy and being sick and miserable. Don’t be afraid to invest in you. 0 Comments
