My Green Tips

Turn off the water while you brush your teeth. Dentists say you should brush for at least two minutes. Turning the water off during that time will save about eight gallons of water!

Chemical free stain removal- long known by Grandmothers– pour boiling water on the spot as soon as possible and it comes right out.  No detergent or soap needed! This may not be advisable on some materials but it keeps that bottle of chemicals out of the water supply. This could save you a lot of scrubbing and maybe even keep that garment out of the landfill.

When ordering take out or delivery, ask only for the condiments you are planning to use.  Most ketchup, relish and soy sauce packets end up in the trash or deep in your desk drawers. These little condiments are a prime example of over packaging and reducing the number that end up in your bag ultimately reduces how many will be produced and eventually end up in landfills.

Cut flowers are beautiful but most are treated with pesticides and flown thousands of miles — using loads of precious fossil fuels.  Unfortunately cut flowers die in just a few days.  Consider buying potted indoor plants that, hopefully, will live happy, long lives.

Most of us use way more shampoo and soap than we need.  Try using smaller portions, dime-size rather than quarter.  When you are half way through the bottle, add some water to dilute it.  It will work just as well.

Or you could shave your head like me and not use any shampoo at all!

Much of the energy we use everyday goes to heating and cooling. Whether it’s heating our home or refrigerating our food it takes a lot of energy.

By hanging your clothes out to dry on a clothesline you will save a lot of energy and your clothes will last longer and retain their color better. Why put one of those fresh air dryer sheets in with your laundry when you can have the real thing!

Some other ways to reduce energy consumption when drying your clothes.

• Put a retractable clothesline in your basement for the winter months. This will actually help add humidity to the dry winter air in your home as well.
• Use a lower heat setting.
• Wear your jeans twice before washing them.