Glamaour Era magazine Glamaour Era India | Page 13
* Rent instead of buy. Whether you're sprucing up your
yard or diving into a home improvement project, there
are always machines and tools that you need but
simply don't have. Too often that means buying these
items, using them once and then stashing them in the
garage or basement. Renting helps reduce the energy,
pollution and waste that goes into making, storing and
maintaining machines and tools. Renting is an easy
and cost-effective way to locate just the right
equipment - think aerators, chain saws, pressure
washers and paint sprayers - while helping the
environment. Visit RentalHQ.com to easily nd a
rental store near you.
* Remove wasteful water use. The average American
uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water each day,
according to the United States Geological Survey.
Fortunately, there are a number of water-saving habits
you can embrace that will reduce your usage as well as
your bill. Avoid running the dishwasher or washing
machine until you have a full load. Turn the faucet off
while brushing your teeth, and take a shower instead of
a bath. Outside, you should avoid watering your lawn
as much as possible and if you do, try to do so in the
evening when the water can soak into the soil instead of
evaporating in the afternoon heat.
* Start the carpool. You and your co-workers have
talked about this for years, but nothing ever comes of it
because no one wants to take the initiative. Now's the
time. Announce that you are starting a carpool -
volunteer to drive the rst week - and invite your friends
to join you. This habit is more likely to stick if you all
consistently rely on each other.
* Adopt green, chemical-free lawn care practices.
Everyone wants a lush, green lawn, and too many
people use chemicals, fertilizers and unhealthy
products to achieve their dream. Resolve to eliminate
lawn care habits that harm Mother Nature, such as
chemical dethatchers, fertilizers and weed killers.
Instead, rent a dethatching machine and aerator to
improve your lawn's health naturally. You can even
rent a chipper or grinder to turn yard debris like twigs,
branches, fallen leaves and grass clippings into mulch
for planting beds.
* Make your own cleaning chemicals. Cleaning
chemicals are a staple in every home; they're also
rarely environmentally friendly. However, you can get
the same cleaning benets without the negative
environmental impact by making your own cleaning
chemicals from natural sources. Mineral oil and lemon
juice combine to make a great furniture polish, just as
vinegar and salt can be used to clean copper or brass.
For an all-purpose cleaning solution, try liquid soap,
baking soda and tap water. Recipes for these solutions
and more are found easily online, so browse around
and you'll discover the perfect natural solution for your
needs.
A green lifestyle doesn't happen overnight, and while you've already set the initial stages in motion, there is more you can do. Adding a few
of these green habits will help. Apply the tips offered above and your new green lifestyle will be effective and enjoyable before you know it.