Eco Home - 5 Ways to Green Your Home

Everyone is buzzing about going green these days and the home is one of the best places to start. Since we spend so much time within our homes, it just makes sense to start being more eco-friendly there. Here, we''ll look at five ways you and your family can start going green with an eco home.

1. Clean green. The majority of commercial cleaners that you find on supermarket shelves are full of toxins and nasty chemicals that may leave your home shiny but can wreak havoc on your lungs and skin, not to mention they are very toxic to small children and pets. Instead of reaching for that bright blue window cleaner next time, why not try vinegar and water to leave your windows sparkling clean. Vinegar is an excellent cleanser and when mixed with baking soda, it also works as a natural abrasive. And, if you prefer something a little more commercial, there are many eco-friendly cleaners on the market these days, as well.

2. Start conserving water. You don''t have to remodel your bathroom to use less water. Going green is as easy as installing new shower heads that use less water, taking showers instead of baths and washing dishes in a sink full of water rather than running the faucet continually. A special dam can be dropped into your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used with each flush, making your house an eco home.

3. Change your lights. There are two ways to go here in order to reduce the amount of electricity that you use in your home. The first is to replace all ceiling lights with fluorescent bulbs. These are now available in warm light, so you won''t even miss the softer yellow look of tungsten, yet the amount of energy saved is definitely going to make a difference in your electric bill. The other way to save more money and energy is to use LED lights in your lamps. These don''t work as well for overhead lights, but they are very bright and ideal for more concentrated illumination and cost pennies a year to run.

4. Switch to glass and metal. When it comes to the kitchen, you''ll find a lot of waste here. Rather than use plastics and other similar compounds that could be leaching chemicals into your food or that are disposable, opt for glass and metal containers. They are easier to clean, can be re-used and if you choose the right kind, you''ll be able to use them in the freezer or in the oven. The best part? You won''t be contributing to the landfill problem with plastic bags and disposable containers.

5. Use eco home furnishings. By choosing to buy items for your home that are made out of materials that are easily replenished, you are contributing to a more eco-friendly world. Teak, oak and other fine woods take many, many years to grow, but materials like cork and bamboo, while still stylish, can be replaced rapidly. Choosing bamboo chairs and organic cotton or flax fabrics to cover your furniture is a great way to start going green.