9 Tips on how to green your home today

My top nine tips on creating an

eco-friendly and healthy home

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One of the most important aspects of our home is indoor air quality, as it has such a large impact on our health and well-being. Given we spend almost 90% of our time indoors, it is no surprise that we are seeing an increase in asthma and other air borne disease due to the deteriorating nature of our indoor air quality. My husband is my biggest gauge of indoor air quality given he is allergic to almost everything, so it is imperative I keep the inside of our apartment dust and allergen free as best I can.

Aside from air quality, other important factors to a healthy home include reduced water and electrical usage, efficient heating and cooling (insulation) and regular cleaning.

We might not be able to change the floorplan or orientation of our homes (see my other posts on green home design if you are starting from scratch), but there are some interior design tips that can help you make it the most eco-friendly and sustainable home you can. Here are some easy tips to get you started.

No. 1

Maintain a high standard of air quality

Ensure you use products that have low off-gassing such as low-to-no VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, mattresses, MDF board (in furniture), nylon shower curtains and non-vinyl backed carpets.

PAINT: Always say no to VOC’s in your paint. Chemicals in these paints include formaldehyde, benzene and acetone that off-gas particles into the air which irritates the skin and mucus membranes. Traditional paint is full of VOC’s so ensure you look for newer products without this.

MDF (medium-density fiberboard): is also one to watch, as it is standard in most cabinetry and furniture. It is a ground up wood pulp which is bound by an adhesive. Most inexpensive and mass produced furniture, wood floors and cabinets are made from composite board these days, but typical MDF uses urea formaldehyde in the resin – which is a known human carcinogen that off-gasses vapor into the air and has links to nasal cancer and leukemia.

When shopping for furniture and cabinets, look for MDF products that are labeled ‘non-toxic MDF’ which is made with formaldehyde-free resin and shop at companies that use non-toxic finishes (varnish, lacquers and paints) such as west elm, which carries a selection of ‘green’ products. One of the safest bets is to find vintage furniture. Not only is this an eco-friend approach, but most vintage furniture is hand crafted of solid wood.

MATTRESSES: Most conventional mattresses are made from petroleum-based polyester, polyurethane (PU) foam and nylon all of which emit VOC’s, especially when new, and are treated with a flame-retardant (FR) chemical (such as boric acid, silicone and phosphates). On top of that, they are often wrapped in barrier clothes made from more flame-resistant fibers, such as melamine and polyvinylidene chloride. I will be doing a post on what to look for when shopping for a mattress in the future, so stay tuned.

PVC Shower Curtains: Beware the toxic shower curtain liner. Most are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and off-gas VOC’s like xylene and toluene which are linked to nervous system damage, respiratory irritation, liver and kidney damage and cancer – to name a few. No other plastic contains or releases as many toxic chemicals as a PVC shower curtain – examples of some of the chemicals are dioxins, phthalates (hormone disruptors), vinyl chloride, lead, cadmium and organotins. Best alternatives are hemp, linen, birch or organic cotton, beeswax or polyester fabric (not perfect but contains no PVC’s)

Non-Vinyl Backed Carpets: Ideally you remove carpet all together, it is an allergen stronghold and collects dust, dust mites and dirt. But if you must have the flooring then at least make an informed decision about which type (if possible). The backing that carpet manufactures use sometimes contains PVC;s, so ensure you select a product that does not contain this.

No. 2

Clean and replace air filters

Clean you air filters regularly to ensure efficiency as your home’s air filters need regular maintenance and is one of the easiest ways to ensure you protect your heating and cooling system.

Dirty air filters not only impact the efficiency of the AC unit (increasing running costs) they mean the dirt particles are not removed from the air efficiently, leaving more to circulate around your home. Home filters are rated on the MERC system, which ranges from 1 to 12, with 12 being the best so aim for one of these where possible.

No. 3

Use Eco-Friendly cleaning products

Eco-friendly cleaning. Given the already many pollutants in our home, the last thing we want to do is add to it with toxic cleaning products, especially if there are sensitive adults, kids or small children in the home. Most cleaning products can be replaced with homemade alternatives or you can use a microfiber glove like this one from Zabada that only requires water to clean – how amazing is that!

No. 4

No more aerosol sprays

The dangers of inhaled aerosols are well documented, as well as the damage done to the stratospheric ozone. However, the spray also irritates users who suffer from asthma and particularly young children. The fine mist that travels far and hangs in the air can lead to an attack. Air fresheners, deodorants and sunscreens can all be replaced easily with essential oil diffusers, non-toxic and aluminum free roll on deodorant (my favorite is Thai Crystal) and liquid sunscreen.

No. 5

Replace your candles for soy alternatives

Not only popular as an alternative protein source, soy candles are also much better than their regular counterpart. Regular candles emit soot that fills the air and irritates the lungs, whereas soy candles have a much cleaner burn and produce 90% less soot into the air. Soy candles contain no toxins, carcinogens or pollutants which means no nasties are released for you to breathe, plus they burn slower – meaning you can enjoy the candle for longer.

No. 6

Unplug!

Most Americans (and I would say Australians also) have approximately 40 household items plugged in that are not being used. However, what most people do not realize is that even when not in use these items are drawing power and costing you money.

Growing up in an older house with sketchy wiring - in some cases pulling from the walls – we were trained to always always always unplug anything not in use, which was such a great lesson for my adult years. I have never used ‘standby’ on my TV and nor should you. Phantom power usage can increase you electrical bill by 60% per plug, annually, so do a quick tour of your home and see what can be simply unplugged from the wall. If you’re not using it, unplug it!

No. 7

Replace your bulbs

This is not a new concept, and nor should it be – but some people have still to switch out their regular bulbs for LED’s, CFL’s (compact fluorescents), halogen or xenon. LED’s are probably the most popular ‘green’ bulb on the market and for good reason, they have a lifespan of 20+ years, their costs have come down considerably and the color (or the temperature) selection has improved dramatically, and you can also now find dimmable bulbs that work in most newer switches.

On dimming, the only issue I find with LED’s is the smooth dim to black, as most flicker around 5% and may create a faint buzzing so make sure you verify that the dimmable bulbs you buy will work with your switch.

There have been many advances in LED technology, and you can now get Wi-Fi connected bulbs that can be operated via a smartphone. You can also get energy efficient LED bulbs with built in Bluetooth speakers such as these from Sony or Playbulb.

No. 8

Replace your shower-head

Replacing your existing shower head with a low-flow alternative not only saves water, but also saves you water. A low-flow head will reduce water consumption by almost 50%. In Australia shower times are restricted in some parts of the country (amongst other water saving measures) so we all know how important water conservation is, as California is now finding out.

By installing a low-flow head you reduce your water consumption without even realizing it. Also if you have the opportunity, always install a dual-flush toilet. Obviously not ideal if you are already living in your current residence, but something to keep in mind if you ever have the option.

No. 9

Filter that water

I have already spoken about why I prefer filtered water wherever possible (especially here in NYC) but by installing a house wide water filter you ensure that not only the water you drink is clean, but also the water you wash and clean in is also. Tap water is dirtier than we realize, it has travelled through miles and miles of old metal pipelines, absorbing contaminants, pesticides and industrial run-off along the way. Add to that, it has been ‘disinfected’ with potential carcinogens such as chlorine, ammonia and then ‘fortified’ with fluoride. And don’t think bottled water is your answer, not only is that terrible for the planet – it also absorbs all the toxic chemicals from the bottle while it sits on shelves, sometimes for years.

Best way to filter you water is to install an under counter filtration system, second to countertop filter then a water pitcher. For you shower, consider installing a shower filter. If you cannot do this, try taking shower showers and reducing the temperature (so your pores are less open to absorb the contaminants). Check the Environmental Working Group’s useful Water Filter Buying Guide to learn what works best for you.

I personally use SOMA water filters at home and at the office and love them!

#wellnessarchitect #wellness #design #interiordesign #green