GreenBrig

If it is water that you want to save, then dishwasher is more green than hand washing. Research shows that an energy star dishwasher uses only 4 gallons of water, where as hand washing uses about 16 gallons of water. Now compare that to a non-energy star dishwasher, it still only uses about 6 gallons of water. But don’t be alarmed when you open you electricity bill and find how much your bill is. It is definitely more cheaper to hand wash than use the dishwasher. Typically you can finish hand washing the dishes in about 15 minutes, but the same load can take up to 2 hours in a dishwasher.

In an article from Treehugger there was some research done and here are the facts:

Things that need to be taken into consideration while comparing are – Water use, Energy use and Carbon foot print.

Dishwasher vs Hand washing

Using the Dishwasher uses only 4 to 6 gallons of water depending if it’s an energy star or non energy star appliance. Second the energy used to heat the water. Since it only uses 4 to 6 gallons of water, the energy required to heat is much less than hand washing. Finally the carbon foot print is much less when using the dishwasher, since heating 6 gallons of water emits much less CO2 into the atmosphere than hand washing, which uses 16 gallons of water.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, if you can wash the same amount of dishes with only 6 gallons of water, then that would be the most greenest choice, but in realty that is not possible. Therefore, hands-down using the dishwasher is the most greenest way to wash dishes.

Now a days there are many companies advertising their cleaning products as ‘natural’ and ‘green’, but beware that there are no standards set to measure if they truly are natural. Just having the word ‘natural’ and ‘green’ on the bottle doesn’t mean they were produced using organic or non-toxic material. More studies and standards are being established to help the consumers from being misguided.

If you haven’t, you should think about changing to organic and non-toxic cleaning products. Especially those of you who have children and pets. One of the most serious injuries that regular cleaning products cause is that children mistaking consume these cleaning products thinking they are fruit juices. Also when dogs or cats lick the freshly mopped floor, some of the residue from the cleaning products could get into they digestive system and cause harm. Also toxic chemicals around the house can increase your chances of infertility.

Lately, there have been many commercials for Seventh Generation natural cleaning products. I was definitely interested and started reading about them. Looks like they are really taking the initiative to educate people and to create natural home care products that truly are organic and non-toxic and mostly made from plant based extracts. The packaging also uses much less material than most traditional products. This is very important when thinking about waste disposal.  Their website had forums and blogs that you can join, get coupons and useful tips on how to make natural cleaning products at home.

I haven’t used any of their products, but will be testing out some soon to see if they actually get the job done. I’ve purchased natural cleaners before, but they didn’t clean the surfaces as well as the traditional brands do. From the forums and blogs, looks like the natural cleaning agents do work and are worth your money and time. The prices on these products are very reasonable too. If you want to think about the long term affects of artificial chemicals in our everyday life, then small steps like these can make a big difference. You don’t have to anymore hold your breath as you clean the bathroom.

Hopefully all the other major companies start providing us with non-toxic, natural home care products as part of their portfolio moving forward and a big part of that movement is us. They will only change if we demand for it. So go ahead and start changing and the other corporations will follow you.

You don’t have to be an energy vampire to cut down your energy costs. It’s true that unplugging your unused appliances and electronics will save you money, but if you find it a tedious chore to do, select a couple of big items to start with.

For instance change your laundry setting to cold and this will save you about $19 a year on your utility bill, and plus it is better for your clothes. Unplug cell phone adapters – these can be a killer on your electricity bill.
Change you incandescent bulbs to CFL bulbs and this will save you over $5 a year over the life of a regular bulb.

Simple rules you can share with your partner and children is to turn-off the lights in every room when they are done using. I personally only have 2 rooms lit a time since we mostly spend our time in the living room or kitchen. Using the sunlight to light up a room during daytime is a great way to cut down on electricity and it gives you a chance to peek outside to check out the view. (Don’t forget to close it at night, since the “view” of the room is reversed).

Using the Power save mode in your TV’s, video game, and computer are also a one time setting that will benefit you. If you would like to test out any of these points, start following your bills on a regular basis, and the next month change.

Then compare month over month. Even if it is only $10 difference you see, that means a quarter of a gas tank for you that month is saved. Once these habits are placed into you everyday routine, you will grow to notice other simple ways to save.

Water Pik is a well established shower head manufacturer long known for producing high-quality bathroom fixtures. Their EcoFlow line of shower heads are eco-friendly options for your shower, helping reduce water consumption through low-flow shower heads without compromising on the shower experience.

About Water Pik

WaterPik has been producing quality shower heads since 1974. Creators of the first pulsating shower head, the Original Shower Massage, WaterPik shower heads are known for their long lasting quality in addition to a superior shower performance. With many different models to fit any bathroom style, WaterPik shower heads are the perfect replacement for your shower. The EcoFlow shower heads were developed by WaterPik as a high-efficiency alternative to the standard shower head to help water conservation in every home.

EcoFlow Water Saving Shower Heads

Water Pik’s EcoFlow Shower Heads are high-efficiency, low-flow devices that limit water consumption without compromising on the shower performance. Through innovative features, Water Pik’s EcoFlow shower heads dramatically reduce water consumption in the shower, making them eco-friendly. By law, the standard shower head in the United States uses no more than 2.5 gallons per minute. Water Pik EcoFlow shower heads go a step further. They come in two categories – 1.5 gallons per minute and 2.0 gallons per minute. The high-efficiency 1.5 gallons per minute EcoFlow shower heads therefore reduce water consumption by about 40 percent. For an average household, this translates into savings of approximately $180 when the costs of gas, water and sewage are added. Water conservation alone is in the order of 17,000 gallons per year for a family of four. Calculate your savings through the use of the eco-friendly WaterPik EcoFlow shower heads here.

Not only do the eco-friendly Water Pik’s EcoFlow help water conservation through reduced water flow, but additional savings are gained through reduced water heating costs as well as power costs for pumping water. Water Pik has also made sure that reduced water flow does not compromise on the shower experience by making improvements to the spray of water through the high-efficiency EcoFlow shower heads. Water Pik shower heads also come with multiple spray patterns as well as a way to control water flow rate.

Water Conservation Through EcoFlow

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that water consumption in the United States multiplied by three times during the last fifty years. Increased public demand for water has placed undue pressure on the environment and the natural habitat of various wildlife. Eco-friendly home improvements like the Water Pik EcoFlow shower heads help reduce water consumption in your household.

Water Pik is also assisting the EPA as a partner in its WaterSense program, helping develop new high-efficiency shower head specification. WaterSense labeled products are also required to perform as well, if not better, than their less efficient counterparts.

Support water consevation by using WaterPik EcoFlow shower heads.

Poly Wood is an environmentally friendly alternative to regular wood furniture. PolyWood is made mainly from recycled plastic milk cartons, and is used to make durable, attractive outdoor furniture. Invented in 1990 by Doug Rassi and Mark Phillabaum, PolyWood helps prevent countless trees from being cut down to build outdoor furniture in addition to keeping tons of plastic milk jugs from landfills and promoting green living. PolyWood recycled plastic furniture is produced by Poly~Wood, Inc.

Durable Recycled Plastic Furniture

Outdoor patio chairs and tables, in addition to all the other Poly Wood furniture, have proven to be extremely durable, unaffected by weather, moisture and sunlight. Furthermore, the non-porous nature of PolyWood plastic lumber allows PolyWood furniture to be left outdoors for year-round green living. Regular cleaning with soap and water keeps them looking clean and attractive over time. Poly Wood recycled plastic furniture are also heavy-duty and do not fly around in the wind. Unlike wood outdoor furniture, those made from PolyWood recycled plastic do not rot or deteriorate over time, and do not splinter, crack or require repainting. Although more expensive than regular wood furniture, Poly Wood alternatives last longer, are easier to maintain, and help reduce cutting down trees for lumber, make them the environmentally friendly choice for true green living. In addition, the high quality PolyWood recycled plastic furniture usually come with a 5 year warranty for residential use.

Attractive and Practical Outdoor Furniture

PolyWood recycled plastic furniture come in 6 different colors and over a hundred different models of chairs and other outdoor pieces. PolyWood plastic lumber is engineered to look and feel like actual wood. Made from recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pastic that have been purified and UV protected, Poly Wood outdoor furniture do not fade or lose color over time. They are also much more resistant to stains than wood furniture.

Over time, Poly~Wood, Inc has increased the types of environmentally friendly outdoor furniture available. In addition to patio chairs and tables, there are now benches, rockers and bar stools. It is now possible to furnish an entire patio with Poly Wood premium recycled plastic furniture. Furthermore, they are as comfortable to sit on and use as regular wood furniture, making it an attractive choice for those considering an environmentally friendly green living alternative.

PolyWood outdoor furniture made from environmentally friendly recycled plastic is available from Amazon.com as well as various local retailers.

A green kitchen involves more than just green food products. Environmentally-friendly food preparation techniques, energy-efficient kitchen appliances, and non-toxic cleaning products are all an integral part of a green kitchen. More and more green alternatives are available today to practice true green living in our kitchens.

Green Stoves

The two main types of stove tops available today are gas and electric. Since most of the electricity in the United States comes from coal-burning power plants, both stove top alternatives essentially run on fossil fuels. Therefore it is important to get the most energy efficient model available, regardless of whether you prefer gas or electricity stove tops. For gas stoves, lower BTU’s are more energy efficient. However, it is recommended to have at least one high-output burner (~12000-15000 BTU/hr) for food that require quick boiling or searing.

For electric stove tops, the most efficient kind are the relatively new ones that use induction elements. These energy efficient induction stove tops transfer electromagnetic energy directly to heat pots and pans. However, induction stove tops require metal pots – cast iron, stainless steel, etc. – and aluminum or glass cookware will not work. The next best electric stove top are those that have ceramic glass surfaces, and these are also much easier to clean. The regular coiled electric stove tops are considered the least energy efficient, but are also the cheapest. If you do decide to go with a standard electric stove top, it is important to look for the highest efficiency ratings.

Durable Kitchen Utensils

When choosing kitchen utensils and cookware, the most environmentally friendly ones are those that are the most durable. Non-stick cookware are not known to last very long. In addition, possible health hazards caused by the peeling non-stick coatings are still being investigated. Cast iron or stainless steel cookware cost more, but last a long time. Wooden or plastic utensils also degrade over time, making durable metal utensils the greener choice.

Efficient Cooking Methods

The manner of cooking makes a big difference in the energy-efficiency of your kitchen. Using the correct cookware size can dramatically reduce energy consumption. Using a 6-inch pan on an 8-inch burner wastes about 40 percent of the heat output according to Energy Star. Using a microwave instead of an oven uses about a fifth of the energy. Also, using pressure cookers can save about 70 percent of the heat required to cook food. Cooking food in bulk at once saves a lot of energy also. Using ovens to cook food one after another uses a lot less energy than cooking them separately, as less heat is required to reheat the oven to high temperatures again.

Green Kitchen Chemicals

It is important to use environmentally-friendly surface cleaning liquids, dishwasher liquids and other chemicals around the kitchen. Not only are they non-toxic but also healthier and safer for the family and the planet. There are now many natural cleaning products available that are plant based and biodegradable, making them environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional cleaning liquids.