10 Green Tips for Your Car

Go Green in 2014: Week 51

When you think of "going green" and your car, what do you think of? I'm guessing a few of the below ten tips come to mind, but do you always implement these practices? I will admit, I don't always, but I want to be better about reducing fuel consumption and polluting less...and potentially saving some money. Who can argue with that?

When I started writing this post, I had forgotten that I previously wrote a post about going green by driving less. Find it here:

Go Green by Driving Less

But that's not the only way you can implement green automobile practices into your life. Let's take a look at ten ways you can go green with your car (admittedly, a lot of the tips involve driving less).

1. Drive a green car. No, I don't mean the color green...unless that's actually what you want. ;) This may not be feasible in the immediate future, but when it's time to buy a new vehicle, consider getting a hybrid or an electric car. Hybrids now come in various sizes, big and small.

2. Drive less and walk more. It may be difficult now that it's winter and oh-so-cold in many places, like South Dakota, where I am. But when you are able, choose walking, rollerblading, or bike riding to places nearby. Plus, it's a great way to get fit!

3. Use cruise control. You could get 15% better gas mileage just by doing so.

4. Batch errands to reduce driving. I hate making trips to the store, so I try to wait until I can run several errands at once - although, it doesn't always work out that way!

5. Maintain your vehicle. By keeping your car in top shape, you will not only burn less gas and keep pollution to a minimum, but you will have less mechanical trouble down the line.

6. Telecommute or carpool. Wouldn't it be great to work from home? If your job is one that could be done from home, consider pitching the idea to your company. Or carpool to work and various events with someone who lives nearby.

7. Use green driving practices. Drive the speed limit and avoid sudden starts or jerky stops for the best fuel economy.

8. Drive part of the way. Then take your bike or public transit the rest of the way.

9. Limit AC use. Open the windows or use a small personal fan when you are able. Park in a shady area and use a reflective windshield shade to keep your car cool when parked.

10. Go to the car wash. Believe it or not, car washes are much more efficient with water than washing your car at home.

What are some ways you have gone green with your car? How do you limit the amount of driving you do? Please share your experiences in the comments section below!

Photo courtesy of Flickr / Marcelo Campi

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Your challenge: This week, consider the above ten ways to go green with your car, and try to implement as many as you can into your daily life.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

How to Safely Off-Gas New Furniture

Go Green in 2014: Week 44

Did you know that particle board and plywood furniture is a source of off-gassing? First of all, what in the world is off-gassing?

Off-gassing is the release of chemicals from items, such as new furniture, that we bring into our home (I'll list a few more offenders in just a bit). Formaldehyde is part of the glue that binds particle board together, and its gases are released into the air for a period of time. This can be unhealthy when new particleboard or plywood furniture is brought into a small, closed-off room.

What are some ways we can avoid inhaling these toxic fumes?

How to safely off-gas new furniture

Besides buying solid wood furniture rather than particle board, here are a few ideas to avoid the buildup of harmful chemicals in your home.

• Buy gently used furniture that has already had time to off-gas.
• Weather permitting, leave the furniture outside for a few days (or at least a day) to off-gas.
• Leave the furniture in an unused room for a few days and open the window, at least as long as the weather permits.
• If you must bring it inside, open up windows for as long as you're able, as a way to circulate air.

What are some ways you have safely off-gassed new furniture?

More surprising sources of off-gassing

Furniture is not the only source of chemical off-gassing, though. Here are a few others to look out for.

• Dryer sheets
• Air fresheners
• Commercial cleaning products
• Nail polish remover
• Electronics
• Non-stick pans
• Laser printers/photocopiers

The best way to avoid breathing in unhealthy fumes is to avoid these products where you can. For example, switch out dryer sheets for wool dryer balls and store-bought air fresheners for homemade alternatives. Make your own cleaning products. Use cast iron or stainless steel pans.

What are some ways you avoid chemical off-gassing in your everyday life?

Photo courtesy of Flickr / bfi

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Your challenge: This week, consider the ways you can avoid off-gassing, whether from new furniture or other sources.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Go Green by Driving Less

Go Green in 2014: Week 39

While cars create convenience and comfort, they also come with their own set of problems. Why aren't most cars today very "green"? Let's take a look at a few reasons we should try to reduce the amount of driving we do.

Electric Car

Reasons to cut back on driving

Why is it a good idea to drive as little as possible?

• Gasoline emits pollution, which is bad news for us and for the environment. By reducing the amount of driving you do, you are also reducing air pollution, which could help slow down climate change and disease.
• Gasoline costs money, and every time you drive somewhere, you are burning money - literally. By cutting back on your driving, you will have to spend less money on refilling the tank.
• The less you drive, the less you have to spend on automobile maintenance. And if you don't have a car at all, you will have no maintenance fees whatsoever. Of course, it's not always feasible to completely do away with our cars, which may be our main method of transportation, whether we like it or not....

Ways to go green by driving less

Find an alternative to driving anytime you can, and you will not only save money on gas, but you will be taking a step toward saving the environment from a little more pollution.

1. Walk whenever possible. Not only is it green, but this light form of exercise is healthier than you might realize.
2. Ride your bike. Again, this is a healthy way to go green.
3. Take public transportation. Multiple people riding in one vehicle is an efficient way to travel.
4. Carpool when possible. Again, even riding in a car with one other person is beneficial to everyone.
5. Telecommute. Can you do your work from home? You won't have to travel at all this way.
6. Consider an electric car. They are starting to become more and more popular.

Skateboard, roller skate, ride an electric scooter...what are some more ways you can cut back on the amount of driving you do?

Photo courtesy of Flickr / Alan Trotter

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Your challenge: This week, try to cut back on your driving whenever you can with one or more of the above ideas.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Green Ways to Get Rid of Allergens in the Home

Dust, pollen, and dander: There are numerous types of allergens that can invade a home. Those of us with indoor or outdoor allergies need to be proficient in getting rid of allergens in the home - and keeping them out as much as possible. Consider the following green tips for getting rid of allergens in the home (and avoiding those nasty allergy symptoms). 

Get rid of the houseplants

 

While houseplants are wonderful in purifying indoor air naturally - I love my houseplants! - they are also a source of allergens and can cause symptoms in people who have allergies. Get rid of the live plants and replace them with artificial ones. Just be sure to keep them dust-free if you are allergic to dust. 

Leave the windows closed during allergy season

 

As much as you love to let in the fresh air, you're going to be miserable if you have outdoor allergies. Keep the pollen and other allergens outside by keeping the windows closed during the peak of allergy season. Find other ways to avoid stale air, such as running the ventilation fan while cooking and freshen the air with an electric wax warmer and your favorite wax scents.

Keep pet hair to a minimum

 

If you are severely allergic to animals, it is not a good idea to allow them in the house. However, some people have mild allergies that can be minimized with several tricks. Firstly, bathe pets frequently and brush them daily to keep as much hair off the furniture as possible. Vacuum the floors and furniture as often as possible. If you are considering a future pet, choose a non-shedding breed, like my Maltese-Yorkie mix dog. While no pet is non-allergenic, certain breeds leave less allergens around the house. 

Vacuum carpets and furniture frequently

 

Even if you don't have pets, dust and other allergens will make their way into the house. They will settle into furniture and carpeting, which will build up if not removed frequently. Vacuum the floors and furniture at least twice a week to prevent the buildup of allergens. 

Top 10 Reasons to Go Green with Home Cleaning Today

Shower before going to bed

 

If you spend any time outdoors, you will likely track in outdoor allergens on your clothing and in your hair. If you experience seasonal allergy symptoms, change your clothing upon entering the home and shower before going to bed, especially during allergy season. Doing so will help keep these allergens from getting onto your pillows and bedding while you sleep. 

Photo courtesy of Flickr / Jim Lukach

Air Freshener Recipes & Ideas for DIY Home Fragrance

Go Green in 2014: Week 28

Do you worry about the way your house smells when you have visitors? I never used to, but lately I have been particularly conscious about it, especially since we have pets. I also cook more now that we have a larger kitchen, so the trash can and food disposal can be major sources of odor.

Let's look at some of the ways we can eliminate odor, and ways we can fragrance our homes, naturally. I'll just assume you've already opened the windows, which is a great way to eliminate bad smells while letting in a fresh breeze.

If your home has an odor, the first step is to cut it off at the source. Then, you may want to add a bit of fragrance to the indoors. There are so many ways to freshen the air in your home with essential oils, and it's so easy to do, that once you get rid of your store-bought air fresheners, you should never have to buy them again.

Note: Stick around until the end for some great essential oil combination ideas!

Ways to freshen air naturally

• Eliminate garbage odors by sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of the new liner each time you take out the trash. Also, run the garbage disposal frequently to keep odors at bay, even if you don't put food in it very often.
• Freshen the bathroom by placing a few drops of your favorite essential oil on the inside of the cardboard in a roll of toilet paper. Each time you tear off a piece, a little bit of fragrance will be released.
• In a matter of minutes, you can achieve the scent of freshly-baked sugar cookies by placing a few drops of vanilla extract on a cookie sheet and baking it in the oven. This is a great trick to help sell your home, especially during the holidays.
• Place a few drops of your favorite essential oil(s) on a couple cotton balls, then hide them around the house for a fresh, but subtle, scent.
• Or, try the natural, DIY air freshener recipes below...

Air freshener spray recipe

Ingredients:

•  (1) 16-oz spray bottle or (2) 8-oz spray bottles
• 1 tsp. vodka or rubbing alcohol
• 25-30 drops your choice essential oil(s)
• 2 cups distilled or spring water

Directions:

1. Combine the essential oils with the alcohol in your spray bottles; if you are splitting the recipe between two smaller bottles, do that now. 
2. Add two cups of water to the spray bottle, or one cup to each of the smaller ones.  
3. Shake well before each use. Spray your homemade air freshener into the air, avoiding spraying it directly onto clothing or furniture.

Wax warmer refill recipe

Ingredients:

•  1 Tbsp. coconut oil (affiliate link)
• 25-30 drops your choice essential oil(s)

Directions:

1. Place the coconut oil in the ceramic bowl of your warmer and heat it up.
2. Meanwhile, place the drops of essential oil in the bowl with the coconut oil. Once it heats up, the fragrance will be released.
3. Add more drops of essential oil as needed; also, refresh the coconut oil as needed. When it cools, the coconut oil may harden again, or it may remain liquid, depending on the temperature inside your house.

Reed diffuser refill recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. carrier oil, such as jojoba
• 25-30 drops your choice essential oil(s)

Directions:

1. In the bottom of a small jar or vase, mix together the carrier oil (choose an oil that always remains liquid) and the essential oils. 
2. Add the reeds to the jar or vase and you will soon be able to smell your homemade air freshener. Refresh the oils as needed.

Essential oil combination suggestions

Odor Neutralizer: To get rid of unpleasant odors in the home, combine 15 drops of lemon oil with 10 drops of eucalyptus.

Citrus Lavender Blend: Combine 15 drops grapefruit oil with 10 drops lavender to achieve this pleasant aroma.

Insect Repellent: Keep insects out of the house with a blend of 10 drops lemon oil, 8 drops lavender and 8 drops rosemary.

Smoke Eliminator: Need to get rid of a smoky smell in the house? Mix 15 drops of peppermint oil with 15 drops of lime.

Sensual Aroma: Create a natural aphrodisiac fragrance with 15 drops of patchouli oil and 10 drops ylang-ylang.

Uplifting Citrus Blend: You can use either a combination of clary sage, lemon and lavender -- or a combination of grapefruit, lemon, orange and cinnamon essential oil.

Germ Terminator: Does someone in the house have a cold? Spritz some natural air freshener that has a combination of eucalyptus, lavender and rosemary oils to get rid of lingering germs.

What are your favorite ways to fragrance the home naturally with essential oils? Do you have a favorite oil blend?

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**Disclosure: Although this post may contain affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, use the above ideas to make your own, non-toxic air freshener.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Purify Indoor Air Naturally with Plants

Go Green in 2014: Week 3

I enjoy plants and flowers as much as anyone else, but you could say I have a brown thumb. Not only that, but I have a cat who loves munching on house plants, which makes it incredibly difficult to find an out-of-reach area of the house where a plant will get adequate sunlight. And this is all in a house that doesn't have much natural light to begin with.

My first real house plant was a "rubber tree plant", or ficus elastica, which my husband gave me as a Valentine's Day gift. When I first got it, the plant was full and very healthy. Slowly, each of the stalks began to rot and turn black, and I had to re-pot it a few times to remove the dead stalks. I was left with one lonely stalk when I finally learned that I was probably over-watering it. Rubber tree plants require very infrequent watering (as in, once or twice a month), and I was doing so a couple times a week.

I still have that one stalk, and lately it's been blooming really well, alone in that pot. There are even a few new shoots that have sprung up in the past couple months, not to mention a bunch more leaves to accompany the lone leaf that was once on this lonely stalk.

Someone also gave me about seven house plants about a year and a half ago, so I bought some awesome new pots to plant them in. I was doing really well keeping them alive - for a while. Like I said, I don't exactly have a green thumb, so I got really bad about remembering to water them. They were barely hanging on to life when we bought a house and moved this past summer, but at that point, I was struggling to find places where they would get sunlight, while being safe from Loki, the naughty kitty. So, I gave up on them.

And we just recently received a lucky bamboo plant as a housewarming gift which, if you take the time to learn how to care for it, seems to be pretty easy to keep alive. Right now, it is sitting on top of the refrigerator, which is the only place it is safe from Loki.

Anyway, the point I'm (very slowly) getting to is that plants are a great way to purify indoor air, as long as no one in the house is allergic to them. So, I'm trying to keep my plants alive as best I can.

How do plants purify indoor air?

Trees use a process called photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide (which is toxic to humans) into oxygen (which is vital to humans). Indoor air can be even more polluted than that outdoors, which is where house plants come in - especially on cold winter days, when opening up the windows isn't always practical. Studies by NASA, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Georgia, and similar institutions suggest that plants are adept at absorbing gases through pores in their leaves, converting carbon dioxide, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and other pollutants into chemical energy to fuel growth (livescience).

Most plants are adept at purifying indoor air; however a few are better choices than others.

Best plants to purify indoor air

From the Mother Nature Network, following are the top 15 plants for purifying indoor air:

1. Aloe vera
2. Spider plant
3. Gerber daisy
4. Snake plant
5. Golden pothos
6. Chrysanthemum
7. Red-edged dracaena
8. Weeping fig (ficus)
9. Azalea
10. English ivy
11. Warneck dracaena
12. Chinese evergreen
13. Bamboo palm
14. Heart leaf philodendron
15. Peace lily

Do you currently own one or more of these plants (or have you in the past)? Did you find them easy or difficult to care for?

Plants that require minimal care

For those of us with a brown thumb, a plant requiring minimal care might be best. In doing some research, I found that the easiest plants to care for include the spider plant, Chinese evergreen, peace lily, and the snake plant. I have never owned one of these plants, so I can't verify that information; however, you can do your own research and decide whether your home would be conducive to one of these varieties (with sunlight, pets, etc.). I also read that the aloe vera plant is easy to take care of, since it requires minimal watering, but mine didn't last long....

However, that might have something to do with the fact that my cat really enjoyed uprooting the entire thing. Luckily, she didn't try eating it.

Keeping your plants safe from children and pets

The best way to keep your plants safe from children and/or pets - and keeping the children/pets safe from toxic plants - is to keep the plants out of their reach. You can also try these green tips for keeping cats away from your house plants.

1. Sprinkle citrus peels in the soil. Cats have an aversion to the smell of citrus and will avoid the plants; get extra protection by rubbing a citrus peel on the outsides of your pots.
2. Lay aluminum foil around your plant. You can either place it on the soil or around the pot to keep your kitty from destroying it.
3. Get a cat grass kit (or catnip). You can grow it especially for your cat to munch on, and it may help deter him from eating your plants. Keep it in an accessible place, and keep your plants where they are not as easy to access.

Of course, the best way to keep your children and pets safe from toxic plants is to choose a variety that will not be harmful if they are somehow ingested.

Non-toxic plants for pet lovers

Bamboo, like my "lucky bamboo" plant, will not be harmful if your pet gets into it. Spider plants, a money tree plant, ponytail plant, and the cast iron plant are also safe to have around your pets. And as I previously mentioned, if you would like to get your cat a plant of his or her own, go for grass or catnip.

afunkydamsel / http://www.flickr.com/photos/afunkydamsel/

FUN FACT: In researching this blog post, I realized that the spider plant made the lists for all three categories: easiest to care for, safest for your pets, and best for purifying indoor air.

Plants are a natural way to purify indoor air and give the home interior a fresh, cozy atmosphere with a splash of nature's greenery. However, some of us are not able to keep plants around, whether we have allergies or simply have no place to keep them away from pets and children. What are some ways you purify your indoor air without/in addition to houseplants?

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Challenge: This week, research some of the numerous indoor plant options, and discover which type would be best for your home (if any).

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**