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Though the weather seems still cold and snow is still there, if you are from the Northern Hemisphere, spring is most certainly on its way. Now, how can you be able to go about your cleaning chores during spring or fall without the need for toxic chemicals?

Here are a few tips:

For cleaning kitchen floors which are usually of ceramic tiles or linoleum materials, use vinegar with water. Yes, vinegar is the solution! You can make use of a mop or sponge. The use of stiff brushes like an all purpose brush, grout brush or even toothbrush is best in dealing with stubborn stains.

Kitchen sinks can be cleaned using the combination of four parts of baking soda, a few drops of oil and a part of vinegar. You can scrub the sink with the paste mixture to let it sit awhile before rinsing.

You can again use vinegar in cleaning windows. The vinegar and water solution applied with a spray bottle is ideal and then finishing it off with a crumpled old newspaper or washrag. It’s best not to clean windows when directly exposed to the sun because the quick drying factor will cause streaks.

For cleaning carpets, sprinkle baking soda over the carpet using your vacuum cleaner to help in absorbing bad odors. For stains, again use that magic cooking ingredient, vinegar. Just spray it or apply with a cloth, scrub and you’re done. The vinegar’s smell will be gone quickly so you don’t have to worry.

For various types of upholstery, you can again use baking soda before vacuuming. Make sure you leave the baking soda a few minutes before doing so for it to absorb foul odors.

For other bad odors, you can use a solution of distilled water and scent sprays with isopropyl alcohol. A few drops of essential oil is also necessary but you must be careful not to spray it to heated areas or those with open flames as well as keeping it away from children and house pets. Zeolite is a form of natural mineral which most people claim to be effective in getting rid of stubborn odors.

For cleaning toilets and tubs, a combination of vinegar and baking soda would be best. First apply the vinegar, then baking soda, let it sit awhile and scrub with a sponge or brush.

The bottoms of garbage cans should be sprinkled with borax, a natural mineral, so that fungus and molds will not form aside from warding off insects.

Insects such as ants usually become active during spring. To control them, you can use a mixture of borax and sugar in equal parts, sprinkled along house entry points. But be mindful that children and pets are not exposed to it.

Nowadays, more and more people are becoming more concerned on how to conserve energy. The recent downfall of economies all over the world has caused so much awareness to many, making them want to save and conserve energy and money as much as possible, especially now that it is almost winter time.

There are a lot of ways to conserve energy or make improvements in our household for a more efficient and economic way of living. Here, we will try to discuss some.

According to the Department of Energy in the US, house drafts usually wastes up to thirty percent of energy. A simple solution would be to place rolled towels or cloth on the bottom parts of windows and doors where there is leakage. Try to see if your house thermostat is making accurate readings and see the difference after placing your homemade solution.

Though most times it maybe a tedious task, it is very important that filters at furnaces should be cleaned or replaced at least once a month when used often. There is restriction of airflow when the filters are dirty and more energy is required for the process. It is ideal that you mark your calendar on the dates when filters are to be checked or cleaned.

A permanent filter is recommended due to its easy maintenance and waste reduction property. While disposable filters of fiberglass only trap an average of 30% of waste, electronic filters can filter almost 90% and therefore makes it ideal for bacteria control. Its cost greatly varies from fifty to more than a thousand dollars. One of the best filters is the HEPA filter which is said to remove almost 100% of particles which are airborne.

Exhaust fans on the ceiling or fans run in reverse produces an upward draft which can collect warm air which can be diverted back to the living area. This can actually help you conserve energy by around ten percent.

Most water heaters are set at around 140 degrees Fahrenheit, by lowering it to a mere 20 degrees down, there is again an energy savings of around 10%. In reality, if the heater is set up, most times the heated water is not used and collects there to cool down again. Or you can even make use of a water heater which does not require a tank, or better yet, a solar water heater.

You can also use some plastic insulation which is readily available in most hardware stores to install on your windows with drafts. It is easy to install and can hardly be seen once in place. You can also hire a contractor to install “low-e”, a film which is placed directly to glass of your windows.

You can also purchase an energy monitor such as the Energy Detective which can actually monitor energy use in real time and even calculate your monthly energy bills. By saving even as low as 15% on your monthly bill, it means saving up on hundreds of dollars yearly.

The office is a place filled with numerous appliances, machines and tools which we need to run a business. There are computers, fax machines, printers, coffee makers, copy machines and others. These equipments use a lot of energy and most times they are just on standby. There are various ways from which we could actually conserve some energy and save money by just doing a few simple things.

• Use the Energy Settings of a Computer to Your Advantage

By being familiar with the settings for energy usage features of your computer you will be able to set it to sleep mode which uses less energy. It is also advisable to turn off your monitor when not in use for a long time since it is the main computer component which requires the most power.

• When Not in Use, Turn Off Your Computer

In the US alone, the power needed to run all the monitors turned on at night requires eight major power stations. Computer monitors are also responsible for tons and tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Turning off your systems when not in use not only saves you money, but also friendlier to the environment.

• Avoid Power Vampires

Most appliances are power vampires which suck up power or energy when plugged at a power supply even when not in use. It is best to unplug any equipment when not to be used for a long time.

• Use a Power Strip for Saving Energy

A simple power strip with an on and off switch on each outlet can be a great solution for appliances which use up power on standby mode. After use, just turn off the appropriate outlet switch.

• Make Use of Power Efficient LCD Screens

The old CRT or cathode ray tube monitors use up a lot of energy to run. It is advisable to replace your old monitors with flat screen LCD monitors to save up on power and money for your electric bills.

• Use Equipment With Energy Star Rating

Equipment which meets specifications for Energy Star usually consumes almost 70% lesser power than other products not falling within its guidelines.

• Use Automated Lights

Some lights come with motion detectors or occupancy detectors. These are smart lights which knows when or when not to turn off lights in a room by detecting if there are people in it.

• Use Fluorescent Bulbs for Lighting

These fluorescent bulbs might be more expensive than the conventional incandescent bulbs but it produce more light and consumes far lesser energy.

• Use the Sun

The sun is a free source of light and energy. Try to make use of it by having windows or areas where natural light can come in.

Regulate the Use of Your Cooling and Heating Systems

Most offices have heating or cooling systems but not properly set. By being too cold to too hot, there is misuse of power. It is there essential to know the specifications, functions and setting of your system to optimize its pupose.

The many frequent travelers, like the one who travel for business purposes, an actually apply a “green travel” procedure so as their journeys would be more eco-friendly. If you belong to these types of travelers, here are a few tips to take care of our mother earth when traveling.

1. When Flying, Buy carbon Offsets

Airplanes greatly pollute the earth with CO2 and being a frequent traveler, you are somehow responsible for a portion of this contamination of the environment. By purchasing flights with carbon offsets wherein some funds are used to neutralize carbon pollution caused by the airplane. Some carbon offset flights can be acquired at Expedia and Travelocity.

2. Efficient Travel Planning

If you are going to multiple destinations, before flying, try to map out which ones to got o first so that you travel only short distances. Not only that you help out in making the environment cleaner but you also save money.

3. Pack Wisely

Heavy plane loads mean more fuel to be consumed. Try to bring only the things which are important. By doing so, you will be free of any excess baggage charges aside from lowering your carbon foot print in the world.

4. Use Other Forms of Transportation

If you are no in a hurry and only traveling short distances, it is advisable that you consider on taking the bus or a train; it is much cheaper and its carbon emission are greatly lower than that of airplanes.

5. Use a Hybrid

Hybrid cars are vehicles which run with lesser fuel consumption than conventional cars. You could either buy or rent one, whatever the case is, it is one of the most eco-friendly forms of transportation available today.

6. Green Hotels are Best

Green Hotels are establishments which has gone inspection and supportive of promoting a green way of living. Hotels with the Green Seal usually make use of a system which is friendly to the environment.

7. Don’t Wash Towels and Linens If Not Necessary

By asking the hotel staff where you are staying not to wash towels and sheets which are still clean, you contribute to the saving of water and conservation of power.

8. Avoid Eating Out

Most restaurants serve foods which are not naturally produced. Production of these foods contributes to overall pollution. By regulating your habit of dining out, you can actually affect the environment by being supportive of more organically prepared food items in your own home or hotel suite.

9. Limit Your Wastes

A corporate or business travel is usually riddled with lots of waste which is actually unnecessary. Packages, plastic containers and other small things contribute greatly to pollution as a whole. As a responsible corporate traveler, limiting your waste by using refillable containers is a small task but of great help.

10. Use the Technology For Communications

Now, there are mobile phones, faxes, internet, video conferencing and others. If the purpose of a business meeting or a corporate travel can be settled by using technology, then there might not be a need to travel at all.

The total amount of money saved by using Energy Star compliant appliances in the US is more than eleven billion dollars. One of the areas in a home which uses a lot of power is the kitchen. The kitchen’s energy consumption in homes usually takes up from ten percent to seventy percent of the total power consumed. It is therefore essential that you start any power conservation effort in the kitchen.

Here are some guidelines which you can take note of to make your kitchen a green, eco-friendly environment.

• Unplug Appliances When Not In Use

A lot or maybe all kinds of appliances still consume some electric power when plugged in an outlet even if they are turned off. These appliances when set on standby sucks power, known to some as the vampire load. Although each appliance might only consume very little power during its standby mode, collectively, as a whole, it can add up to a considerable sum.

• Make Use of Natural Light

The sun can provide so much light for free so it is best to make use of it as much as we can. You can let in as much light as possible during the daytime through windows and openings so that there will be no need for you to turn on the electric lights which consumes power. You could even remodel your kitchen and add skylights. Not only does it save energy, it looks good as well.

• Make Use of Organic Cleansers

Natural cleansers such vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice are still the best there is in cleaning. Aside from these substances to be cheap and readily available, they are also not harmful unlike other cleaners which are made up of strong chemicals.

• Use Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

These compact fluorescent bulbs or CFLs actually produce more light than the conventional light bulbs and consumes far less electric power, a great way to save up on electric bills.

• Use Newer Refrigerators

Refrigerators made before the year 2000 had a different system and consumes a lot more energy than the newer models. It would be wise to actually replace your old units.

• Use Your Dishwasher Efficiently

Try to avoid using your dishwasher with just a few dishes in it. By using it with a full load, you save up on electricity, water and dishwashing soap.

Proper Kitchen Storage Management

Storage of food whether the ones to be eaten or those which are already waste should be properly managed. Aside from having a clean kitchen by doing this, you could also save money on buying food and also segregate the various waste components such as packing, containers, the actual food so as the organic and non-organic materials be separated.

Usually, most households are involved in cleaning during spring after having a long cold winter. Spring cleaning gives a feeling of renewal and cleanliness in a home which refreshes the mind.

Over the years, the need for people to clean their homes have caused an tremendous outpour of products for home cleaning which included strong chemicals loaded with artificial scents and colors and other agents such as ammonia, bleach and alcohol which can be harmful. Such chemical solutions can pose as a threat on health especially indoors. Aside from affecting the eyes, the fumes an even endanger one’s respiratory system with children being the most highly at risk. Other chemical solutions also have ingredients which can result to one’s resistance to antibiotics.

Instead of making use of these harmful substances in the market, it is more advisable that you go back to the age old cleaning remedies which our parents or grandparents used. Natural cleansers such as borax, baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar and others are still the best and safest cleaning agents we can make use of, and it’s cheap.

For stubborn stains in your bathroom, you cold try using a mixture of baking soda, water and kosher salt. You can sprinkle the areas to be cleaned with the baking soda mixture then use the salt for tougher stains.

The use of vinegar or lemon juice is best in getting rid of stains, grease and mildew. You can use a sprayer to apply it then scrubbing it off with a sponge or brush after a few minutes.

For disinfecting, instead of using bleach, you could make your by mixing 3 tablespoons of soap (liquid) around 25 drops of tea tree oil and 2 cups of water.

For areas used for food storage and preparation, cleanliness should be observed thoroughly. The usual spills of food and other substances may pile up which can produce bacteria which maybe hazardous to your health therefore it is essential to be aware in keeping your kitchen clean.

For cleaning kitchen counters, you could bring back its shine by scrubbing the concerned areas with baking soda. The paste mixture of water and baking soda is best for cleaning stainless steel kitchen sinks, boards, refrigerators, oven and stove tops and other kitchen furniture and fixtures.

For removal of foul odors from a rug or carpet, you can sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch allowing it to rest fro a few minutes before using a vacuum cleaner. It is a proven way to a more pleasantly smelling carpet. For those cleaning remedies which require vinegar, you can also use club soda or lemon juice as replacement in case you have used out your vinegar for cooking.

We all can make small contributions in saving the Earth, of which the collectively efforts of which of many individuals can make a significant factor. As a simple and easy way to help out, we can all start by not buying commonly used items at home. These items are those which can harm the environment and Earth as a whole which is why we must all be wary.

Styrofoam is here to stay

Styrofoam is a type of non-biogradeable material. As gentle as it may look, it cannot decompose even with the harshness and longevity of time. So next time you are to take your coffee in a fast-food or coffee shop, use conventional cups or glasses instead of Styrofoam cups.

Plastic and paper products

If managed properly, paper is a material which has a renewable source. Actually, the world consumes more paper than it actually needs or what is required. Paper towels and various types of paper napkins are used at great amounts which contribute tremendously to the landfills not to mention it is also a waste of money for the end user. There are paper products in the market today which are eco-friendly, meaning they decompose faster. You could also prefer the use of cloth napkins or towels which is friendlier to the environment.

Also ranking high on the harmful wastes list are plastic utensils. These plastic items are usually used just once and then discarded and since it is also of immortal quality, it will be in the environment for a long time, even forever. You could help out by making use of the plastic utensils again instead of throwing it away after one usage, or better yet, you could use the regular utensils made of steel.

Even coffee filters which are bleached can prove to be harmful once thrown due to its chemical contents. Packing for various items is also in abundance and contribute to non-biogradeable overflowing landfills all over the world. Disposable batteries are also sources of harmful substances that when mixed to soil, water or air could affect humans, plants and animals.

Many people love wooden furniture or homes made of wood. As elegant as it is, if the wood used for certain furniture was illegally procured, chances are, it was taken from a forest environment where logging is prohibited because of natural dangers to the ecology. As much as possible, if we are to use wood in any way, it is best to know that it comes from accredited and legal sources.

These are just some of the ways wherein we can all take part in helping save the Earth. This is our one and only home, it is our obligation to take care of it.