12/26/11

Many bathrooms are damp rooms that aren't well ventilated, which can lead to growth of unpleasant mold and mildew. One way to help prevent this growth is to use a special light bulb in the overhead lights -- look for LED bulbs that are embedded with ultraviolet light. UV lights have been successfully used in hospitals to inhibit microbial growth, so using the bulbs in your bathroom can also help keep it healthy without the use of chemicals. And since LED bulbs are energy efficient and long lasting, the LED UV bulb will last for many years to come.

12/25/11

If you want to invest in good-for-the-planet and oh-so comfy organic cotton bedding, but can't afford the high price tags, think flash sale sites. Sites like Gilt.com, OneKingsLane.com and HauteLook.com work with designers to sell their excess inventory at a steep discount. These sales are for a short period of time, and when the inventory is gone, it's gone for good. The home decor sections for these sites often carry eco-friendly bedding that can be bought for a song. It's worth signing up for free and checking in periodically to see if your favorite green bedding line is on sale.

12/24/11

Can padded envelopes with plastic cushioning embedded inside be recycled? Yes! The next time something fragile is mailed to you in a padded mailer, feel free to toss it into any recycling bin that accepts mixed paper like magazines, junk mail and office paper. It can be recycled at the paper recycling facility where the plastic parts will be separated and the paper part will be pulped and made into new paper products.