2econd World

Kitchen:

* Use apple cider vinegar as a glass, surface and window cleaner. Diluted can be used to wash fruit and veggies.
* Use Hydrogen Peroxide to clean porous material such as wooden cutting boards, wooden utensils.
* Avoid chlorine Bleach! Chlorine bleach breaks down into dioxin, a toxic poison that never bio-degrades and can easily contaminate water sources and harm animals. Swop to hydrogen peroxide – this is a natural agent that eradicates bacteria.
* Wait until you have a full load to run your dishwasher – avoid half loads in washing machines.
* Install a timer on your geyser to turn off at night and switch on again early morning.
* Turn your geysers off when going on holiday!
* Close the door every time you take things out of the fridge – also check the seal on your fridge door.
* Boil only the water you need in your kettle not the full jug.
* Use baking soda to clean your drains

Bathroom:

* Use essential oils to add to your bath rather than foam baths and soaps full of chemicals.
* Use herbal toothpaste – did you know Flouride is a highly toxic chemical we are not meant to ingest!
* Make your own soap – see www….
* Use natural beauty products where you can – remember your skin absorbs all the chemicals in shampoo and face products directly into the bloodstream…
* Read ingredient lists on products – if you are skeptical do research on the internet.
* Reduce the temperature on your geyser – this will save water as you will need to add less cold
* Avoid aerosols – these all end up in landfills! Rather opt for sprays, liquids, powders or roll-ons.
* Don’t let the water run whilst brushing your teeth
* Take showers instead of baths

Closet:

* Support local fashion
* Research local designers with an eye on environmentalism
* Buy vintage clothing and shop second hand
* Trade with friends
* Cut, sew, alter your garments to keep up with trends
* Save electricity by doing all our ironing at the same time
* Hang up your clothes to dry rather than tumble dry

Garden:

* Plant your own vegetable garden, plant your own herbs
* Start a compost heap – select an un-used are of your garden, throw away food wastes( leftovers, spoiled foods etc), mix with dirt, every week or so turn pile over, in a few weeks it will turn into rich nutritional soil you can use in your veggie garden!
* Feed the birds – this not only brings nature to your backyard but also solves some bug problems… give them some water whilst you’re about it!
* Plant trees
*

Other general tips:

* Save on winter heating costs by snuggling up under a blanket on the couch!
* Close shutters, blinds and curtains during the night
* Switch off lights, appliances and wall sockets when they aren’t is use.
* Change all light bulbs in your house to energy saving bulbs
* Do research into disposal of hazardous waste – things such paint, pesticides and weed killers should NOT be washed down the drain…
* Recycle your electronic goods
* Don’t leave your TV on standby
* Have more romantic candlelit dinners and baths!
* If doing renovations find an environmentally conscious builder

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 11th, 2007 at 1:32 pm and is filed under In Your Home, Lifestyle Guide. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.