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Green Tips for Every Room In Your Home

Our pals Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry, authors of Squeaky Green: The Method Guide to Detoxing Your Home, share their tips for eco-tizing your digs.

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In the Living Room

Today
Unplug any electronics that you’re not using. Leaving them plugged in—yes, even if they’re turned off—wastes lots of energy and ups your monthly electric bill as well.
This month
Buy a vacuum that sucks...dust particles, we mean. It needs a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to collect and trap dust. Try the Hoover Mach 5 Cyclonic. $169, Hoover.com
This year
If you’re painting, shop around for no-VOC and low-VOC formulas. (Most paints have VOCs, such as formaldehyde.) Try Benjamin Moore Aura paints. About $19/quart, MyAuraPaint.com

Photo by Ellen Silverman

See More: Decor Tricks , Cleaning & Organizing

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Love to see The Nest being environmentally aware. Great picks for heatlthier options.

by traskwiller on Feb 17, 2010

These are great things to do - but I've already done all of them. Seriously. What else can we do now?

by Merivel on Mar 22, 2010

This is a great article! It really raises awareness about the harmful chemicals and toxins that exist in everyone's homes - and most people don't even realize they are there and that many of them can be avoided or reduced by simply switching brands. I own a business that helps families go clean and green. If you are interested, please visit www.livetotalwellness.com/nwhealthyhomes for more information.

by ducky_diva on May 18, 2010

Hey Green Community! Check out www.mvfurnitureco.com. Beautiful Eco Friendly furniture inspired by the island of Martha's Vineyard. They have something for every home.

by lizzyandphoe on May 23, 2010

seriously, these are really basic as Merivel said. can we get a little deeper into the problem, please? i have already done all of these steps.

by Jane_Birkin on Aug 02, 2010

if renovating-- put floor-to-ceiling glass windows.. or add more windows-- just to let more natural light in your home. maximize sunlight during the day so u won't have to turn on your light bulbs. at night, u can also use candles (and it's even more romantic)

by mai1010 on Aug 04, 2010

I agree with a PP who said that this is the basic stuff.... Many have already done these, but far many more have used few or none of the suggested alternatives. My parents are a great example of this.

by Honeybumble on Sep 23, 2010

I would add to the article: switch to cloth for towels and napkins. Buy locally grown food whenever possible. Ditch plastic water bottles. Ditch disposable diapers (or use a hybrid). Read ingredient labels & know exactly what you're buying. Most importantly: understand that every item has a lifetime before & after you've used it, so make conscious choices every step of the way!

by Honeybumble on Sep 23, 2010

love it...me and my hubby are moving into an apt for a couple of years in jan. and im looking for eco friendly ideas...thanks for the tips!!

by wcfeazell on Oct 15, 2010

Unlike ten years ago, VOC paints are now available in every color and finish for your home and garden! Painted objects around your garden is a brilliant way to ensure you have color through all seasons.

by davestone on Aug 10, 2011

This was really so very interesting and fun to read. I have really enjoyed this so much. This was really great. Backlink List

by isabela31i on Oct 17, 2011

Thank you for this interesting tips! I am preparing my home renovation and I've already get rid of the useless things with a little help from the junk removal Maryland team. Now I just have to buy everything necessary in order to start the renovation. I followed your advice and I went to buy Benjamin Moore Aura paint. They have amazing colors! I can't decide in which to choose. Do you think that a light violet would fit with my white furniture?

by AdeleLacroix on Jan 04, 2012

This was really a professional and fun article. I have really enjoyed reading this great website. This is really very cool. Thanks What is heart disease

by Shutter43 on Jan 11, 2012