ELECTRICITY, HEATING AND COOLING

Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) - CFLs use much less power and last up to ten times longer than regular bulbs. Another energy saver are fluorescent tubes that are T-5 and have an electronic ballast.

Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. - A television or light left on when no one is in the room draws unnecessary energy.  

Even Better… Unplug it. - Idle appliances and electronic devices like televisions, phone chargers, etc use electricity even when not in use. You can avoid this by plugging your electronics into a power strip and turning it off when you leave the room.

Get rid of old refrigerators and replace it with an energy efficient model. - Old refrigerators may be costing you more than $250 a year in electricity. New refrigerators can use 40 per cent less energy than models made just 10 years ago.

Watch your thermostat. - Make a pledge to turn the thermostat up 2 degrees in the summer and down 2 degrees down in the winter from your typical settings. Use a programmable thermostat. Add or take off extra clothing rather than changing the thermostat. These efforts will lower your utility bill and reduce emissions.

Change your air conditioning filter frequently. - A cleaner filter works more efficiently whereas a dirty filter has to work harder. Fewer allergy particles in the air is another added benefit.

Use your ceiling fan instead of air conditioner. - Ceiling fans use very little electricity compared to air conditioners.

Air dry your clothes. - Fluff in the dryer for a few minutes to remove the stiffness.

Seal up drafty windows and doors. - Proper weather stripping and caulking of doors and windows can reduce heating bills by 25 per cent.

Switch to a flat screen monitor for your computer and television. - With televisions and computer monitors, an LCD model (or rear projection model)  uses less energy as conventional tube-based computer monitors or plasma TVs.

Get an energy audit from the City of Tallahassee. - Call 891-4YOU, press option 4.

WATER

Use low-flow shower heads with a cut-off valve and faucet devices that slow the flow. - Turn the water off using the cut-off valve when you are lathering up. This will keep the hot and cold water mixed whereas turning off the water altogether would not. Savings will be found in using less water and in the energy that would be required to heat it.

Take shorter, cooler or fewer showers.

Turn off the water while rinsing dishes, brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your face.

Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket. - Each time the toilet is flushed 5-7 gallons of water are wasted.

Correct your toilets overuse of water. - Solutions are available at your home improvement store.

Use dishwashers and clothes washers only when full.
With clothes washers, avoid the permanent press cycle, which uses an extra 5 gallons for the extra rinse.

Insulate your water pipes. - You’ll get hot water faster and avoid wasting water while it heats up.

Wrap your water heater in an energy saving heat blanket.

Install a faucet-mounted or countertop water filter for drinking water instead of using bottled water.

Fix a dripping faucet.

Use cold water to do your laundry.

Reduce your hot water heater to 120 degrees.

DRIVING/TRANSPORTATION

Remember to have your vehicle tuned regularly and keep your tires properly inflated.

Use your cruise control. - This can improve your gas mileage by up to 15%.

Don’t drive aggressively. - Accelerate gently, drive slower and avoid rapid braking,

Turn off your engine rather than idling unnecessarily. - If you are stopped for more than 30 seconds, turn it off! Get out of the car instead of going through the drive through.

Drive less by consolidating trips, carpooling, riding your bike or using public transportation.

Fly less. Take a bus or train instead. - Consider vacations close to home.

If you buy a car, make fuel efficiency a top priority. - Research to find out if the car you intend to buy is fuel efficient and low polluting. A typical SUV uses almost twice the fuel – and releases nearly twice the emissions – of a modern station wagon, although both seat the same number of passengers.

Remove heavy items or extra weight from your trunk.

Use renewable fuels - Both E85 and biodiesel are renewable fuels that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from your vehicle. If you own a diesel vehicle, consider filling up with a biodiesel blend such as B5, a fuel blend containing 5% biodiesel. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from agricultural resources such as vegetable oils. The Department of Energy’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator can help you locate both E85 and biodiesel fuel stations in your area.

Choose a sailboat instead of a motor boat. - Sailing is a lost art. Savor the tranquil moments gliding through the water with your friends and family.

FOOD CHOICES

Cut back on your meat intake. - Livestock production absorbs sixteen pounds of feed for every pound that pound that comes to the table. Meat production is a leading contributor to deforestation, soil erosion and desertification, water scarcity and pollution, loss of biodiversity, depletion of fossil fuels and global warming.

Buy regionally produced foods that are in season. - Shop at local Farmer’s Markets. Foods that have to travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to reach you waste precious fossil fuels.

Drink bottled water only when you have to. - 70% of bottled water never crosses state lines, which makes it exempt from FDA oversight. Our water systems, on the other hand, are heavily regulated. In addition, bottled water produces over a million tons of plastic. You can install a faucet-mounted or countertop water filter for drinking water instead of using bottled water.

Buy fresh food, instead of frozen. - Frozen food uses 10 times more energy to produce.

Buy organic food as much as possible. - Organic soils capture and store carbon dioxide at much higher levels than soils from conventional farms. If we grew all of our corn and soybeans organically, we’d remove 580 billion pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere!

Avoid heavily packaged products. - You can save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide if you cut down your garbage by 10%.

Consider organic beer and wine.
Look for “biodynamic” wine.

Have a Bar-B-Que. - Outdoor grilling takes less energy than an electric stove. Stick with grills that use propane or natural gas as they emit less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

WHAT TO DO WITH WASTE

Buy items with little or no packaging, in bulk and concentrate.

Use cloth rags for drying hands and spills and cloth napkins for meals instead of disposable napkins.

Use real plates and silverware instead of disposable ones. - Reuse glass jars and plastic food tubs to store leftovers.

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle - Recycling paper, cardboard, cans and bottles – will help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with landfills.

Minimize use of kitchen sink garbage disposal units - Garbage disposals require lots of water to operate properly, and also add to the volume of solids in a septic tank which can lead to maintenance problems.

Start a compost pile if possible. - Composting all organic waste (food scraps, etc.) will help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with landfills.

Paper or Plastic?? Neither - Purchase a set of lightweight reusable cloth bags to replace plastic grocery bags. (ecobags.com; resusablebags.com; envirosax.com)

Buy recycled paper products.

Receive Less Junk Mail! - Learn how to get off mailing lists at DMAConsumers.org.

Find a new home for old catalogs and magazines. - Drop them off at your local hospital, nursing home, gym, etc.

Stop unwanted catalogs. - Do your shopping online. Call the unwanted catalogs and ask them to remove your name from the mailing list. An online service, Catalog Choice, allows you to compile a list of catalogs you do not wish to receive, and arranges to have your name removed from the corresponding mailing lists. This is a free service. www.catalogchoice.org

CLEANING
Healthy Home Cleaning Tips

Exchange Air - Many modern homes are so tight there's little new air coming in. Open the windows from time to time.

Minimize Dust - Remove clutter which collects dust, such as old newspapers and magazines. Try to initiate a 'no-shoes-indoors' policy. If you're building or remodeling a home, consider a central vacuum system; this eliminates the fine dust which portable vacuum cleaners re-circulate.

Keep Bedrooms Clean - Most time is spent in the bedrooms. Keep pets out of these rooms, especially if they spend time outdoors.

Use Gentle or “Green” Cleaning Products - Typically, green cleaning means products and processes which do not contain various toxic chemicals that can cause respiratory and dermatological problems. Green products should also be greatly concentrated to reduce the packaging used. In addition, damage to the environment (water, soil, air) from disposal of toxic chemicals is eliminated with green cleaning.

Green cleaning is not only as effective at cleaning as traditional products, but is more cost effective and does not contain harsh ingredients.  Of the various commercial home cleaning products, drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and oven cleaners are the most toxic. Use the formulas described below or purchase 'green' commercial alternatives. Avoid products containing ammonia or chlorine, or petroleum-based chemicals; these contribute to respiratory irritation, headaches and other complaints.

Various products can be found in stores today. Look for “GreenSeal,” an environmental standard for cleaning services.

GreenList products from SC Johnson.

Clean from the Top Down - When house cleaning, save the floor or carpet for last. Allow time for the dust to settle before vacuuming.

Only wash clothes when they are truly dirty. - A towel can be used multiple times before washing.

Try not to buy DRY CLEAN ONLY clothing.

Use an earth-friendly brand of laundry detergent.

Clean the lint tray of your dryer after each load.

Natural Alternatives for Household Cleaning Products

Here is a list of common, environmentally safe products which can be used alone or in combination for a wealth of household applications.
Baking Soda - cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
Soap - unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates.
Lemon - one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household bacteria.
Borax - (sodium borate) cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.
White Vinegar - cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.
Washing Soda - or SAL Soda is sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. Washing soda cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans wall, tiles, sinks and tubs. Use care, as washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum.
Isopropyl Alcohol - is an excellent disinfectant. (It has been suggested to replace this with ethanol or 100 proof alcohol in solution with water. There is some indication that isopropyl alcohol buildup contributes to illness in the body.)
Cornstarch - can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs.

Natural Formulas

Combinations of the above basic products can provide less harmful substitutions for many commercial home products. Here are some formulas for safe, alternative home care products:

Note: These formulas and substitutions are offered to help minimize the use of toxic substances in your home, and reduce the environmental harm caused by the manufacture, use and disposal of toxics. Results may vary and cannot be guaranteed to be 100% safe and effective. Before applying any cleaning formulations, test in small hidden areas if possible. Always use caution with any new product in your home. Make sure to keep all home-made formulas well-labeled, and out of the reach of children.
General/All-Purpose Cleaning:  Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.

Air Freshener: Commercial air fresheners mask smells and coat nasal passages to diminish the sense of smell.  Here are some other natural solutions:

• Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small dishes absorbs odors around the house.
• Having houseplants helps reduce odors in the home.
• To get such smells as fish and onion off utensils and cutting boards, wipe them with vinegar and wash in soapy water.
• Keep fresh coffee grounds on the counter.
• Grind up a slice of lemon in the garbage disposal.
• Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove.
• Place bowls of fragrant dried herbs and flowers in room.

Bathroom mold: Mold in bathroom tile grout is a common problem and can be a health concern. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold. Wait at least one hour before rinsing or using shower.

Carpet stains: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on stain, let sit for several minutes, and clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water.
For a heavy duty carpet cleaner, mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax and vinegar. Rub paste into carpet and leave for a few hours. Vacuum.

Dishwasher Soap:Mix equal parts of borax and washing soda, but increase the washing soda if your water is hard.

Dishwashing Soap: Commercial low-phosphate detergents are not themselves harmful, but phosphates nourish algae which use up oxygen in waterways. A detergent substitution is to use liquid soap. Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of vinegar to the warm, soapy water for tough jobs.

Disinfectant: Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 3 cups hot water. For stronger cleaning power add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Wipe on with dampened cloth or use non-aerosol spray bottle.

Drain Cleaner: For light drain cleaning, mix 1/2 cup salt in 4 liters water, heat (but not to a boil) and pour down the drain. For stronger cleaning, pour about 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, then 1/2 cup vinegar. The resulting chemical reaction can break fatty acids down into soap and glycerine, allowing the clog to wash down the drain. After 15 minutes, pour in boiling water to clear residue. Caution: only use this method with metal plumbing. Plastic pipes can melt if excess boiling water is used. Also, do not use this method after trying a commercial drain opener--the vinegar can react with the drain opener to create dangerous fumes.

Hardwater deposits: Using a spray bottle, spray straight vinegar onto areas affected by hardwater. Let site 5 minutes and remoisten. Wait five more minutes, sprinkle with borax and scrub. Rinse well.

Toilet bowl: Reduce the water level in the toilet bowl with a plunger. Sprinkle borax all around the toilet bowl ring and slightly moisten with a spritz of vinegar. Let sit for one hour and scrub.

Floor care: Most floor surfaces can be easily cleaned using a solution of vinegar and water. For damp-mopping wood floors: mix equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and water. Add 15 drops of pure peppermint oil; shake to mix.
For wood floors:  apply a thin coat of 1:1 vegetable oil and vinegar and rub in well.
For brick and stone tiles: mix 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon (4L) water; rinse with clear water.

Furniture Polish: For varnished wood, add a few drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well and spray onto a soft cotton cloth. Cloth should only be slightly damp. Wipe furniture with the cloth, and finish by wiping once more using a dry soft cotton cloth.
Unvarnished wood: Mix two teaspoons each of olive oil and lemon juice and apply a small amount to a soft cotton cloth. Wring the cloth to spread the mixture further into the material and apply to the furniture using wide strokes. This helps distribute the oil evenly.

Laundry Detergent: Mix 1 cup Ivory soap (or Fels Naptha soap), 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax. Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads.

Mothballs: The common mothball is made of paradichlorobenzene, which is harmful to liver and kidneys. Cedar chips in a cheesecloth square, or cedar oil in an absorbent cloth will repel moths. The cedar should be 'aromatic cedar', also referred to as juniper in some areas. Cedar chips are available at many craft supply stores. Homemade moth-repelling sachets can also be made with lavender, rosemary, vetiver and rose petals. Dried lemon peels are also a natural moth deterrent - simply toss into clothes chest, or tie in cheesecloth and hang in the closet.

Oven Cleaner: Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Use 3/4cup baking soda, 1/4cup salt and 1/4cup water to make a thick paste, and spread throughout oven interior. (avoid bare metal and any openings) Let sit overnight. Remove with spatula and wipe clean. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots. Or use Arm & Hammer Oven Cleaner, declared nontoxic by Consumers Union.

Scouring Powder: For top of stove, refrigerator and other such surfaces that should not be scratched, use baking soda. Apply baking soda directly with a damp sponge.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into basin and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (one part) will also work.

Tub and Tile Cleaner: For simple cleaning, rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For tougher jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder. (Vinegar can break down tile grout, so use sparingly.)

Window Cleaner: Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter (qt) warm water. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Don't clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying. The All-Purpose Cleaner (above) also works well on windows.

IN THE YARD AND GARDEN

Water your lawn only when necessary. - If you step on your lawn and it stays flat rather than springing back, it is ready for watering. Water during the early parts of the day and avoid watering when it is windy. Position your sprinklers so water lands on the lawn or garden, not on paved areas.

Deep-soak your lawn.- When watering the lawn, do it long enough for the moisture to soak down to the roots where it will do the most good. A light sprinkling can evaporate quickly.

Plant drought-resistant shrubs and plants. - Many beautiful shrubs and plants thrive with far less watering than other species. Native and “well adapted” shrubs and flowers are also a good choice.

Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. - Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth.

Don't run the hose while washing your car. - Clean the car using a pail of soapy water. Use the hose only for rinsing.

Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets and couplings - Leaks outside the house may not seem as bad since they're not as visible. But they can be just as wasteful as leaks indoors. Check frequently to keep them drip-free.

Switch to an electric mower.

Use a fertilizer with time-released, water insoluble nitrogen. - These fertilizers are less likely to burn your lawn with excess nitrogen, and slow-release allows the roots to absorb the nutrients as needed. In most instances, choose fertilizers containing at least 35% - 50% of their nitrogen supply in the "slow-release" form, such as sulfur-coated urea, methylene urea or various natural organic products. With fast-acting fertilizers, some nutrients are washed away with watering or rain, and the wasted fertilizer pollutes ground water supplies.

Fertilize once or twice a year. This is sufficient for an attractive lawn. Cool season grasses are semi-dormant in the summer, thus fertilizing during summer will be ineffective. Fertilizing in early fall promotes vigorous lawn growth the next spring.

Keep pesticide/herbicide use to a minimum. Pesticides kill the soil organisms which contribute to a healthy lawn. The sooner you remove harsh chemicals, the faster your soil will recover. Repeated past use of toxic chemicals may have destroyed the microbiotic life that exists in healthy soil; it will take time, at least a season, for the soil to begin to recover. If lawn chemicals are used, clean out pesticide and fertilizer applicators and empty containers on the lawn, where the residue will be utilized. Do not clean out on sidewalks or driveways, or residue will go directly into water supplies.

'Spot-treat' weeds with vinegar to minimize herbicide use. Where only a few scattered broadleaf weeds such as dandelions or plantain are present, consider spot-treating individual weeds with household vinegar rather than applying a broadcast treatment of an herbicide over the entire lawn. (Vinegar can burn grass and garden plants, so be sure to spot treat weeds only.) Physically pulling or cutting weeds is also effective; remove as much of the root system as possible to reduce the chance of regrowth.

Select natural, non-toxic ways to control insect pests.
Ants

• Keep a small spray bottle handy, and spray the ants with a bit of soapy water.
• Ants have a natural aversion to: bitter cucumbers, mint, cayenne pepper, citrus oil, lemon juice, cinnamon, garlic and coffee grounds.
• Leave a small, low wattage night light on for a few nights in the area of most ant activity. The change in light can disrupt and discourage their foraging patterns.

Dust Mites

• Vacuum mattresses and pillows. For people with sensitivities to dust mite allergens, dust mite bedding is available with zippered, allergen-impermeable encasings designed to block dust mites.
• Wash bedding at 55 degrees centigrade or higher. Detergents and commercial laundry products have no effect on mites unless the water temperature is high.
• Keep books, stuffed animals, throw rugs and laundry hampers out of the bedroom of allergy sufferers. Wash stuffed animals occasionally in hot water.
• Tannic acid neutralizes the allergens in dust mite and animal dander. Dust problem areas with tannic acid powder, available at health food stores and pet centers.
• Cover mattress and pillows with laminated covers which prevent penetration by dust mites. Avoid fabric-covered headboards.
• Avoid using humidifiers. Dust mites thrive on warmth and humidity.

Roaches
The best defense against cockroaches is a clean kitchen and bathroom. If roaches are a problem in your home or apartment, vacuum well and wash the area with a strong soap. Dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag in a sealed container.
Also try:

• If you put boric acid on TOP of your kitchen cabinets (not inside), if space allows between ceiling and cabinets, the roaches will take the boric acid to their nests, killing all of them. Boric acid is toxic by mouth - keep away from children and pets. more info about boric acid
• Catnip is a natural repellent to cockroaches. The active ingredient is nepetalactone, which is non-toxic to humans and pets. Small sachets of catnip can be left in areas of cockroach activity
• Keep a spray bottle of soapy water on hand. Spraying roaches directly with soapy water will kill them.
• In an empty one pound coffee can, place 1 or 2 pieces of bread which have been soaked thoroughly with beer. Place in areas known to have roach infestations.
• Leave bay leaves, cucumber slices or garlic in the affected area as deterrents.

Fleas

• Bathe and comb your pet regularly. Use mild soap, not insecticides. If fleas are found on the comb, dip the comb in a glass of soapy water.
• Citrus is a natural flea deterrent. Pour a cup of boiling water over a sliced lemon. Include the lemon skin, scored to release more citrus oil. Let this mixture soak overnight, and sponge on your dog to kill fleas instantly.
• Cedar shampoo, cedar oil and cedar-filled sleeping mats are commercially available. Cedar repells many insects including fleas.
• Fleas in the carpet? The carpet should be thoroughly vacuumed especially in low traffic areas, under furniture, etc. Put flea powder in the vacuum cleaner bag to kill any fleas that you vacuum up, and put the bag in an outdoor garbage bin.
• Trap fleas in your home using a wide, shallow pan half-filled with soapy water. Place it on the floor and shine a lamp over the water. Fleas will jump to the heat of the lamp and land in the water. The detergent breaks the surface tension, preventing the flea from bouncing out.
• In the yard or garden, plant fleabane (Fleabane Daisy Erigeron speciosus) to repel fleas. This is an annual growing 16-24" tall with violet, daisy like flowers.

Mosquitos

• The most important measure you can take is to remove standing water sources. Change birdbaths, wading pools and pet's water bowl twice a week. Keep your eavestroughs clean and well-draining. Remove yard items that collect water.
• In a New England Journal of Medicine study, oil of eucalyptus at 30% concentration prevented mosquito bites for 120.1 minutes, while Bite Blocker with 2% soybean oil kept bites away for 96.4 minutes. (the eucalyptus oil must have a minimum of 70% cineole content, the active therapeutic ingredient.) Citronella, a common alternative to DEET, performed poorly, warding off bugs for only 20 minutes.
• If you're using the barbeque, throw a bit of sage or rosemary on the coals to repel mosquitos.
• Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil extracted from the Neem tree in India. Neem oil is a natural product and is safe to use. Look for new Neem Oil-based commercial products on the market.
• Planting marigolds around your yard works as a natural bug repellent because the flowers give off a fragrance bugs and flying insects do not like.
• Campers often report that the very best mosquito repellent is Avon Skin-So-Soft® bath oil mixed half and half with rubbing alcohol.

Flies

• Use mint as a fly repellent. Small sachets of crushed mint can be placed around the home to discourage flies.
• Bay leaves, cloves and eucalyptus wrapped in small cheesecloth squares can be hung by open windows or doors.
• A few drops of eucalyptus oil on a scrap of absorbent cloth will deter flies. Leave in areas where flies are a problem.
• You can make your own flypaper with this simple recipe: Mix 1/4 cup syrup, 1 tbsp. granulated sugar and 1 tbsp. brown sugar in a small bowl. Cut strips of brown Kraft paper and soak in this mixture. Let dry overnight. To hang, poke a small hole at the top of each strip and hang with string or thread.

WHAT TO WEAR

Choose sustainable materials - Organic materials such as bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, eco spun and tencel clothing are all good choices.

Choose cloth diapers. - Updated materials make using cloth diapers easier and much less expensive than disposables.

IF YOU DECIDE TO BUILD, REMODEL
OR BUY NEW APPLIANCES

Choose an architect who has experience designing green buildings. - Most energy efficient homes use 75% less energy than the average home.

Select a home site that is close to your work and other daily destinations.

Think about building to certification standards like LEED’s, Energy Star Homes or the Florida Green Building Coalition standard. - Investigate solar thermal, photovoltaic and small scale wind.

Select energy star qualified appliances.

Select a front-loader washer.

Install a high efficiency toilet.

Install a point-of-use hot water heater that installs under the kitchen sink can save water when doing kitchen chores.

Plant trees around your home. - In North America, planting trees on the northern side of your home can reduce heating costs and shade trees can reduce summer cooling costs.

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