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Tips For Living Green

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Date: 05/26/2009 Topics: Green Living > Advice | Readers Request > Better Living  
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We are seeking to go green, totes, food, and other items. Also really cheap, if not free ways to go solar with our home or wind power. Any suggestions are welcomed. Thank you.

By ladyward from Las Animas, CO

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By mom-from-missouri (261) Profile Contact
We use our outdoor clothesline in the spring-fall, and an indoor one in the basement for winter or rainy days. Rarely do I use the dryer.

Garden. Direct your guttering to go into rain barrels to save to water your garden, wash the car.

I have a solar powered battery recharger I got years ago from sharper image. It recharges batteries and my cell phone. I got it to use while camping but now use it all the time.

Posted on 05/31/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Spongebobrenee (3) Contact
I have not tried this but plan to this summer, it's called Solar Cooking. I've given the site to go to http://solarcooking.org/plans/ You know I don't know why you couldn't use one of the silver panels that you roll out for your car window. There are also recipes on how to cook with a cardboard box wrapped in foil, like baking a cake. You can also cook in a dutch oven on the outside so that you don't have to heat up your home. In the winter I take the hose away from the dryer that goes outside and close the hole off. On the dryer hose i put a knee high around it with a rubberband that way the heat from the dryer stays in the house and doesn't go outside. The knee high catches any extra lint. Hope some of these ideas help.

Posted on 05/29/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Patty Lynn (120) Contact
Go to www.motherearthnews.com, and search "storm window solar panels". Actually if you check out the Mother Earth News site, you will find a lot of inexpensive ideas for going green.

Posted on 05/27/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Tapestry Lady (24) Profile Contact
Think simple! It's amazing how much you can save (in $ too) by just easing consumption. Don't waste money on a hundred different cleaning products when they're all basically detergent anyway. Vinegar and baking soda cost next to nothing and are very green! I buy big bottles of eco-friendly dish washing liquid and use that as a general cleaning soap. A little in a bucket of hot water goes a long way.

Reuse as much as possible. Coffee cans, glass jars, etc. can be used for storage. Worn-out clothes and towels make good rags and replace paper towels.

Posted on 05/27/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Glenn'sMom (933) Profile Blog! Contact
Grow a garden!

Posted on 05/26/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse

By crunchberry (37) Contact
You can make a solar window heater pretty cheap. I've never done one myself because I'm a clueless wonder when it comes to building things. But it doesn't look too complicated. Also maybe get some rain barrels to conserve water. The government is making too much money off the oil companys to get behind solar energy too much.

Posted on 05/26/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse

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Request: Tips For Living Green

Archived on 05/26/2009

Looking for tips and ideas for living green.

Lilly from Paris, France

Feedback:

RE: Tips For Living Green

I'm surprised no one has talked about buying those organic cotton bags to reuse that grocery stores offer instead of using paper or plastic bags each time you shop; and you can use them to shop anywhere. Other stores like retail stores provide really cute ones.

Then there's also green building. Start from the ground up. Green floors are very popular in homes today. Some examples are cork, bamboo, exotics like coconut, etc. Sites like (http://www.findanyfloor.com) should have more green building ideas. (10/30/2008)

By LV_JENN

RE: Tips For Living Green

Instead of buying water, purchase a filter, distiller, or RO system. Instead of buying water bottles, purchase Tupperware virtually leak proof tumblers and coffee mugs, they will last for years, and if they break, free replacement. Instead of buying kitchen sponges, buy Tupperware's dish cloth, you can wash it in the dishwasher and washing machine, it does such a good job. If your water spills with ice trays, buy Tupperware ice trays, they are virtually leak proof and do not absorb odors in the freezer. I use them also for freezing lime or lemon juice, great for in drinks. Cook for multiple meals and freeze them in Tupperware containers. You can take certain containers straight from the freezer to the microwave. see www.my.tupperware.com/nickib

Use coffee grinds to freshen up garbage disposals, as well as lemon / lime leftovers. Instead of heating up water on the stove, buy an electric kettle, you can have as much water as you need, and it automatically turns off. It's fast and easy. We have a Melitta Express Kettle and a Toastess Keep Warm Kettle.

Open the blinds/shades to let in the light instead of turning on the lights. Use net curtains to let light in while people can't see in.

Instead of buying those fancy coffee or fruit drinks, purchase in bulk berries, coffee etc and make your own in a blender. There are fabulous recipes and you can be creative. Great for guests and they are as good as the brand name places.

Keep onions fresh longer by using pantyhose to store them, you use a leg and tie it, then allow a space, tie another onion, then leave a space etc. To keep lettuce, veggies, and fruit fresher longer, purchase Tupperware lettuce keepers. My goodness they are awesome! My fresh fruit and vegetables keep so much longer - the containers have guides if you need to have both vents closed, one open, or both open. It's fantastic, my friends all love them too.

Use plastic grocery bags as trash liners. Re-use boxes you get in the mail to send more items. Bank online, pay bills online, only order magazines you will read. Use common household items for cleaning, instead of buying lots of cleaners. Can see DVD's or read books on it - I like HALEY'S HINTS. Awesome!

If you and a friend both want a book or DVD, buy just one and share it. Great excuse to keep in touch and save on the environment. How many people watch the same movie over and over / frequently? If you both like a magazine, share the subscription price then pass it on to one another, especially a neighbor.

Remember how easy and fun a simple dessert is. Clean some strawberries and heat some chocolate for fondue! It costs less than buying a pie or cake, our guests have fun, no obligation to eat a certain amount, and they love it. It's also an interactive family way to have dessert.

Hope these are helpful! (11/08/2008)

By nynick

RE: Tips For Living Green

I get my cloth/canvas shopping bags at thrift stores. You can find large roomy bags for 50 cents or less.

I use tree branches on some of my windows as curtain rods. I spray painted one white, but left one natural. I found a pair of chocolate colored drapes at a thrift store for $1.00, cut each panel in half lengthwise, hemmed it by hand, tied strips from brown and white material I had, sewed each strip on both sides of drape top and tied to the branch. I was able to cover my 2 LR windows for a $1.00 and they look beautiful. You can also use tablecloths as window valances, by just draping them over a rod.

I buy place mats at the thrift store that catch my eye and sew them back to back, stuff them and have beautiful pillows. I also sew lace, etc. around edges if needed and use permanent sparkle or reg. paint, just to jazz up the pictures on them. (12/18/2008)

By Keltic

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Tip: Tips for Living Green

Archived on 10/30/2008

Here are my tips for living green:

  • When using ice in drinks, instead of tossing them out, you can place them in the animal water bowl or use to water plants.
  • When using paper at home on the computer and it didn't quite print correctly, save and use other side for scrape paper or non professional charts etc.
  • The only paper product that I use is for computer and toilet paper. No paper towels, napkins or hand wipes. Use rags, cloth napkins and face cloths. Also no paper plates or cups for picnics, use plastic cleanable, reusable items.
  • When mowing the lawn, have a large bin to place clippings in for fertilizer for the following year.
  • Use a full house humidifier to save on heat.
  • Use dishwasher only when full. In between, run the rinse cycle.
  • Have energy saving appliances such as fridge, washer and dryer.
  • Buy spring water and have the cooler as well as a pump. The pump is used to fill containers of water for gallon drinks to place in fridge. So not to use up already refrigerated water (saves energy)
  • Do the yard watering during the evening so sun doesn't drink it up as you are watering and have to use more water.
  • Reuse holiday cards (Christmas, Easter, birthday etc.) for the kids to make their own cards. (Words as well as pictures) can also be used to decorate scrapbooks.
  • I had my daughter use what was left of her school notebook for her private phone book.
  • In cooking spaghetti, I try to make it so I'll be making a meal using spaghetti salad further in the week, so I can save on fuel in cooking by cooking for both at once.
  • Unplug any item that doesn't need to be on at all times; ex: toaster.
  • Fans help circulate air conditioned air. They don't have to run constantly and cuts down the air conditioner from having to run as often.
  • You can use an old white sheet from a bed that's been up sized for a child at the beach (I say white because it reflects the light from the sun).
  • When showering, use cool water instead of warm or hot and limit the time to 5 to 10 minutes.

    Editor's Note: This used to say 15 to 20 minutes, we have edited it because we think it was probably a typo. Less than 5 minutes would be even better.
  • When brushing teeth, fill a cup with water instead of running the water the whole time brushing. Then also take any pills necessary at this same time with that water.
By LRP from LWL, MA

Feedback:

RE: Tips For Living Green

After you have taken your pills use the left over water in the glass and pour it into the plant on the window sill.

Put a dishpan in the shower to catch the "run off" and use it to flush the toilet or water house plants. (06/17/2008)

By Edith

RE: Tips For Living Green

My tip: breastfeed! it is the perfect food for babies, and it is free. It is healthier (fewer doc visits), requires no heating, electricity, transportation, and will never be on any government recalls! (06/17/2008)

By Jessica

RE: Tips For Living Green

When living on a boat (and also for those in the military), rinsing quickly to dampen body, turning off water and soaping, then rinsing off soap was necessary and did the job well. Cay from FL (06/17/2008)

By Exasperated

RE: Tips For Living Green

Hi/ Very good tips.. except that here in Australia, where we are in drought, water storage is very low *even tho it's now winter here), we are asked to keep our showers to THREE minutes only, which I endeavor to do. There are things I can't do as I live in a second floor (rented) apartment. No yard or garden so I can't recycle grey water, but I do use my fish tank water when emptied to put on my balcony potted plants. Also when I give my cats fresh water, their 'old' goes on the potted plants too. I don't have A/C just fans for summer. (06/18/2008)

By Ellie

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