Easy DIY Eco-Friendly Ideas

These energy saving ideas are simple ways to improve your eco-friendliness rating at home and in the office.

1)      Dry laundry using solar power. A.K.A. the clothes line or drying rack. Pick up posts and attach one end of your clothes line to an outside south-facing wall, then attach the other to a post about 15 feet away. The rest is easy. Or pick up a drying rack at a local home store.

2)      Hang shades on your windows to block the sun’s rays. Pick out whatever you like, then shut them on those hot summer days to block out the heat.

3)      Install a ceiling fan or two. Look for a ceiling fan with an energy star rating and a switch to change the direction of the fan. Counter-clockwise will create cooler air, and clockwise will create a slight updraft pushing warm air down into the room. Adjust as needed.

4)      Choose non-toxic paint.  Paints contain chemicals that get in the air in the form of a gas. The chemicals include VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which are carbon based chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde. Far from being healthy, they irritate eyes, noses, and throats. You may experience nausea or headaches and be at risk for cancer due to exposure while the paint is applied and is drying. Look for an alternative paint that is low-VOC or no-VOC. To be labeled as low or no VOC the paint must have VOC levels lower than 100 parts per gallon. Just remember, there will still be some VOCs released into the air. You can also consider “natural paints,” but some natural materials will still emit VOCs. The key is to research what type of paint and VOC level meets your project and personal needs before heading out to the store to make your purchase.

Commercial Flooring Solutions will improve the cleanliness of your office while doing so in an eco-friendly way! Learn more about our services!

For more details on these tips, visit Living Green.