Make Laundry Day Greener

 

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

If you want to do your bit for the planet and create a greener household, a good place to start is with your laundry. Washing and drying creates a large amount of energy but there are a number of ways in which you can make the process more environmentally-friendly.

Here are some ways you can make wash day greener:

 

Wash at 30
Washing at 30 degrees uses around 40% less electricity than washing at 40 degrees, so it’s an easy change to make with a big effect.

 

Full Loads Only
Avoid small loads of one or two items and instead wait until you have a full load to make the most of the electricity used.

 

Choose Energy Efficient Appliances
Next time you replace your washing machine, check the energy efficiency before making a new purchase. Also choose a model that has specific economy settings.

 

Switch Your Detergent
Many laundry detergents are packed with ingredients such as bleaches and phosphates that can be harmful to the environment. There is however a wide range of environmentally-friendly detergents to choose from, so look out for these instead.

 

Switch Off the Tumble Dryer
Try to minimise the number of times you use a tumble dryer for drying clothes. On a sunny or windy day, hang laundry outside to dry and in winter make the most of heat from your radiators to dry your washing. If you do use a tumble dryer, you could invest in special dryer balls that cut the amount of time taken to dry clothes.

 

For more tips on being green at home, visit: www.thedailygreen.com

Categories: day greener, dryer, energy, environmentally friendly, greener nbsp, laundry, nbsp, nbsp switch, tumble, tumble dryer, washing

Back to Basics

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

From detergents and polishes to antibacterial wipes and sprays, the average modern home is full of a myriad of different cleaning products. The problem is that these tend to be full of chemicals which can be harmful for the environment and not too great for our bodies either. Many people find that they suffer from headaches, tiredness or even skin rashes after using mass-produced chemical products. In addition, many are unsustainable being made from petrochemicals and can contaminate our water systems when they are washed down the plug hole.

 

But don’t worry – there are plenty of natural ways to keep your home looking and smelling great whilst being healthy, cheap and environmentally-friendly. Here are some ideas:

 

Vinegar
White distilled vinegar can be used for everything from cleaning kitchen surfaces to removing mildew from your shower curtain.

 

Bicarbonate of soda
A small bowl of bicarbonate of soda placed in your fridge will keep it smelling fresh.

 

Lemon juice
Lemon juice is ideal for removing stains from various surfaces including worktops and white linen.

 

Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil with antibacterial properties, making it ideal for a wide range of uses around the home. It’s particularly good for dealing with mould.

 

Soap Nuts
If you’re looking for a natural, chemical-free alternative to laundry detergents, try soapnuts. They’re made from dried fruit shells and as well as being environmentally-friendly, they’re also great for allergy sufferers who may find traditional detergents too harsh.

 

For ideas and tips for creating an environmentally-friendly household, visit: www.thedailygreen.com

 

Categories: antibacterial, detergents, environmentally, environmentally friendly, friendly, Home, lemon juice, nbsp, tea tree, tree oil

The Greener Way to Work from Home

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

Many companies are realising the benefits of allowing employees to work from home – if not all of the time, at least some of the time. It frees up office space, cuts down on overheads, can increase productivity and helps reduce a company’s carbon footprint by reducing staff mileage.

 

And for employees, the benefits of working at home are plain to see – fewer distractions, a more comfortable environment, no stressful commute to work and the ability to juggle home and work life more easily.

 

But does working from home actually benefit the environment? And how does the home environment affect our own health?

 

On the surface, working from home would seem to be the environmentally-friendly choice. After all, if staff don’t need to drive to get to work, it can seriously cut down traffic fumes and carbon emissions.

 

However, others have pointed out that having lots of people working separately in homes that have to be lit, heated and powered may be less environmentally efficient than having a large team sharing one office space. And little things like boiling a kettle for just one person at home can be much less energy efficient than boiling a kettle for several people in the workplace.

 

The answer seems to be to allow people to work from home but encourage them to make environmentally-friendly choices whilst doing so. Here are just some of the ways to be healthier and greener when working from home:

 

Eating
One big benefit of working at home is that you have more freedom over what you eat. When you are no longer reliant on take away coffee in plastic cups or mass-produced, over-packaged sandwiches and water in plastic bottles, your eating habits can be much healthier both for you and for the environment. When making hot drinks at home, remember to boil just one cup of water at a time rather than filling the kettle to the top.

 

Recycling
Some offices are great at recycling but others don’t make provisions for recycling. At home, you can create your own simple systems for recycling things like ink cartridges and paper. You can also set up your printer to print on both sides, use environmentally-friendly paper and cut down on the amount of paper you use.

 

 

Lighting and Heating
If you are at home on your own, you probably only need to heat and light one room during the working day – so remember to turn off the lights and radiators in the rooms you are not using. This is much better than large offices where corridors, kitchens, reception areas and meeting rooms often remain heated, lit or air conditioned even when no-one is using them.

 

 

Look after yourself
Working in a home environment is very different to working in an office and although at first it may seem like a luxury to be able to work in your pyjamas and take breaks when you want, it’s important to look after your health. Eat well, have a routine and make sure you take regular walks to get some fresh air. It’s also good to stay in contact with your colleagues so that you don’t feel isolated – a quick phone call or email can make all the difference.

 

For more information about working from home, visit: www.smarta.com

 

Categories: environment, environmentally friendly, Home, home environment, office space, recycling, work, working

Can Your Sex Life Be Green? Tips For Sexual Success

Around 77 per cent of American households recycle, which is increasing all the time. And couples have sex, on average, around once every four days – this amounts to 85 times a year. So what do the two things have to do with one another? Sex makes you feel good, and it seems that going green has the same effect. 65 per cent of people in an environmental study stated that they felt good when they were making environmentally-friendly choices. So how do you do it? Here are some greener choices you can make in the bedroom.

Opt for soy candles

If you like to set the scene with some mood lighting, you may be surprised to learn that most candles aren’t green. Often, candles are made with paraffin wax, which is petroleum based. This means you’re actually burning fossil fuels when you burn a candle. You may think that has a limited effect on the climate concerns we all face, but when you think that roughly £2 billion is spent every year on candles that soon amounts to a lot of heat. Instead, choose candles made from environmentally-friendly sources, such as soy, beeswax or palm oil. The greenest options are those made locally to you as this eliminates the fuel to ship them to your location.

Choose a natural aphrodisiac

Although there isn’t much scientific evidence to support the use of aphrodisiacs, many people still enjoy using them. Often the mere power of suggestion is enough to feel the effects. Researchers have found that placebos can reduce the size of tumours, reduce pain and even the symptoms of depression, so you should never underestimate their power. You can find a number of natural aphrodisiacs in your own home, such as chocolate which boosts your mood and lowers your stress levels. The best way to find foods that do the trick is to look for foods which appeal to your senses – whether they smell, taste, look or feel good.

Use your own energy to warm up

The average household spends a fortune on energy bills every year, with around half of that cost going towards heating and cooling. So why not create your own warmth? Heat up the old fashioned way and go under the covers. Beyond the many obvious benefits, sex raises your body temperature to keep you toasty, and it also burns calories.

Find a sexy scent

Scent is really important to our sexuality and arousal, but not just pheromones. Some fragrances are sexy, but we don’t always notice because we’re not taking the time to indulge in them. Woody scents such as sandalwood or cedarwood teamed with floral scents, such as jasmine or rose, can really boost the sex drive. While commercial perfumes may smell nice, 95 per cent of the chemicals used in department store brands are derived from petroleum – in fact, some have even been linked to cancer, asthma and nervous system disorders.

 

Opt for a sustainable outfit When you slip into something comfortable, choose a sustainable fabric such as organic cotton and silk, bamboo or hemp. When fabrics aren’t produced organically, they contribute to the climate change problem. In fact, 10 per cent of the chemicals used in American agriculture are used to grow cotton. So, by choosing something sustainable, you’re not only helping the environment but you can look great too. There are a number of companies now using such fabrics in the production of their clothes, so there’s plenty to choose from in the way of designs.

Categories: candles, cent, Climate Change, environment, environmentally friendly, feel, Green, Sex, sustainable