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Green building materials are widely available in today’s market place.  But when there are booms in building some materials become in short supply. During the last few years of the home building boom there was a shortage of drywall. Many companies and contractor’s in America then imported millions of pounds of cheap Chinese drywall.

This decision has now plagued the homes that were built with it with many problems. The wallboard has been the source of fumes that have corroded copper pipes, blackened silver jewelry and silverware and sent some homeowners to the hospital with allergies.

After a review of shipping records by the Associated Press, the amount of imports of this potentially harmful Chinese building material is over 500 million pounds in a four year time period. This translates to more than 100,000 homes were built with this Chinese drywall.

A U.S. Representative has introduced a bill before the House that calls for a temporary ban on Chinese-made imports so that the chemical compounds used in their production can be identified and assessed for possible harmful effects on people.

The suspect drywall emits a rotten egg or sulfur odor that increases with heat and humidity, the possible suspect components are possibly the fumigants that the drywall was sprayed with or the fly ash that it is composed of. American drywall uses a better more refined fly ash in their product.

Home owners are now being left with this contaminant in their homes and are usually left to deal with it on their own since a good number of the contractors that used this material are now out of business.

The Chinese government has not responded to inquires of the suspect material.  But the good news is that the Chinese news has reported that there is an ongoing investigation into these complaints by the Chinese ministry of commerce.

We at Way to Go Green suggest that this is just another reason to buy American made green building materials for your home.

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When it comes to green building products, the problem is that there are really no standards in defining what products are green and which aren’t.  If you’re planning on building a house or other structure and are looking to do it in a more green fashion, read on.

The process of building a house is one that involves a great number of different products.  The fact is that it’s unlikely you’ll be able to build it using only green building products and you wouldn’t want to because of how much it would cost.  However, this is not to say that you can’t create a house that has a minimal environmental impact.

It’s just a matter of using the products you can afford in as green of a fashion as possible.  Take for example a window.  Most likely it’s not made of green substances, but you can use that window in a way that will be as beneficial as possible.  What I mean is that if you install the window where it will not let in all the heat from the summer sun, you can save on cooling costs.

There is a great website that serves as an excellent resource for green building products.  Greenbuildingsupply dot com has products for your entire home.  From carpeting and flooring to countertops and furniture.  Another website called buildinggreen dot com has information about how different products are determined to be green or not.

Shop around and if you learn of any good green building products companies please let us know here in comments.

When bad smells rear their ugly head in your house or car, instead of using typical air fresheners, try an eco-friendly cleaning product. Air fresheners don’t freshen anything. Instead they just cover up bad smells with a concentrated cocktail of poison. Try these eco-friendly air refresher ideas.

Eliminate Bad Odors:
First of all, if there are bad smells in the air, try opening a window. This is the simplest way of trying to freshen the air. Houseplants are another way of removing unpleasant odors. Some examples of helpful houseplants include spider plants, peace lilies, and English ivy. A thriving plant is always a beneficial addition to any home.

Make Your Own:
You can make your own air freshener by taking a small box of baking soda and adding 10-12 drops of an essential oil (lavender, peppermint, or patchouli). Be sure to mix them well and then put some in small dishes. Use throughout the house or office. To quickly freshen up small spaces like the closet, sprinkle cotton balls with vanilla extract and place in a small bowl.

Use Spray Bottle:
Mixing your own spray takes only three ingredients. Put equal amounts water and vinegar into a spray bottle. Then add about 20 drops of an essential oil (lemon, jasmine, or eucalyptus). Shake well before each use and spray away from the face.

With easy tips like these, we can all find a way to go green. Find the tips that match your lifestyle and check back for more information about eco-friendly cleaning products.

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There are a number of benefits when you choose green cleaning products. By switching to cleaning products that contain less (or none at all) chemicals and toxins, you can better your health and the environment.  Check out the benefits of green cleaning products!

Safety First:
First and foremost, you won’t have anything dangerous around for children, pets, or adults to get into.  These days we feel the need to put locks on every cupboard to keep products that we buy out of the hands of our children because they can be very harmful.  So why not get rid of that stress and switch to green cleaning products?

Cleaner Air:
Getting rid of air fresheners and other products with heavy perfume scents can make a world of difference.  These fragrances that are used in cleaning products can trigger asthma and headaches.  Why should we buy products that leave us with a headache after cleaning?

Reduce Cost:
The cost of cleaning green is way less.  If you choose to make your own cleaning supplies, the money you spend on simple ingredients like baking soda and vinegar will be considerably less than if you buy commercial cleaning products.  Why spend more if we don’t have to?

Clean Home:
Finally, by using green cleaning products, you will find yourself living in a truly clean home.  Conventional cleaners help you to wash away dirt and grime with toxic chemicals.  And air fresheners cover up smells with other smells that are harmful to your respiratory system.  With green cleaning products, you can clean your home with ingredients you can trust and know are safe for you and your family.

Every time you turn on the television, you hear someone else talking about reasons why you should live a greener life. Though there are many organizations that work with people on some of the bigger issues, there are a lot of Ways To Go Green At Home. The easiest way to get started is by starting in your own backyard.

Control Heat:
First of all, make sure your thermostat is set on the appropriate settings. In the summer months, keep your temperature at around 70*, and 68* in the winter. This will help save energy and keep your electric bill at a manageable level. Also, make sure that the temperature settings in your refrigerator and freezer are set at the correct levels.

Control Electrical Use:
Simple things such as shutting off lights in unused rooms can go a long way in going green. Fixing leaky faucets and unplugging electrical items that aren’t used on a regular basis are also ways to go green. Though they may seem like normal home improvements, they reduce waste and save energy.

Save Money:
You don’t have to be rich, or work with an entire organization, in order to go green. A few simple changes in your own home is all it takes. There are many Ways To Go Green At Home, which will save you money and help in the go green movement. If you’re serious about going green, your best bet is to start at home. You might find that by doing so, you’ll get your entire family involved and pass along vital information for the future.

Update: March 27, 2009 -
You just have to visit the Blog of MaureenGreenCNY.com
Her post titled “Cents and Sensibility“ is right down your alley.

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There are a million different reasons as to why go green. Most of them are things we were all told to do as children, but did you realize that there are also different things you can do at different times of the year? Each season has a whole list of ideas that will help the environment, as well as your budget. Here are a few ideas on Ways To Go Green In Winter.

Going Green at Home:
First of all, don’t crank up your thermostat just because it’s getting colder outside. When it’s cold out, set your thermostat at about 68 degrees. This will keep things warm inside, while keeping your heating bill down to size. If you begin to feel a chill, add another layer of clothing such as slippers or a sweater. Another thing you might try is adding a few kerosene lamps around your home. These will create light and heat at the same time, without adding to your bill.

Fix Leaks:
Next, check around all the doors and windows in your home. Fix any leaks where you feel cold air coming inside. With windows, a simple winter trick is by covering with plastic from the inside. Some people place the plastic on the outside, but this can become damaged from wind and/or other elements. With doors, add a piece of weather stripping to the bottom of the door, or place a small area rug in front of it. You might also roll a small towel up and lay it in front of the exterior door, for a bit more insulation.

Insulation:
Check to see if you feel air coming in electrical sockets on outer walls. If so, simply add an electrical socket insulator behind the plate. These can be purchased from any hardware store for pennies on the dollar. You might also check light switches and do the same thing. This will help stop any drafts from invading your warm house. Insulation can come in mini-forms but perform a major task.

Save Money by Going Green:
With just these few Ways To Go Green In Winter ideas, you will not only save hundreds of dollars on your electrical bill, you’ll also be doing your part to save the environment. It doesn’t take a lot to join the “go green” movement. A few simple acts of common sense and you become one of the millions going out of their way to save the planet.

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We all know that we have to change the way we live each day in order to make this world a better place for the future. Going green seems to be all the rage these days, but it is much more than that, it’s essential if we’re going to save our planet. There are several different Ways To Go Green, without spending a ton of money.

Simple house tips:
The easiest way to get started is by simply going through your own home and making a few changes. Little things like shutting off lights in unused rooms and fixing leaky faucets can make a huge difference. All those things your mom told you to do when you were a kid actually saved energy. Don’t let the refrigerator door stand open, don’t keep opening and shutting the oven door, and don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth. Each of these bits of advice can save energy and money.

Plug leaks:
Fix any leaks around doors and windows, as this will keep your heating and cooling costs down. Also, check the calking around faucets and pipes as air can escape from these areas too. One of the biggest problems we face, today, is in the growing need for energy. Saving energy in your home can help save energy across the board.

Low costs:
You don’t have to be a millionaire to go green. With all the various Ways To Go Green, you’ll soon realize that being a bit more conservative is all it really takes. If each person were to do their part, we’d soon find that living green is an easy thing to do.

Update:
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How many times have you been sitting in front of your television, watching another show or commercial about the green movement, wondering how you could do the same? There are a lot of people out there who would like to go green, but aren’t exactly sure how to get started. The thing is, that it isn’t all that hard. It just takes a little knowledge, a little research, and a little common sense. The following are some methods on How to Go Green at Home.

Green Lighting:
First of all, you can save energy and money, by making a few adjustments around your home. Replace your regular light bulbs with low wattage bulbs. They are a little more expensive when buying them, but in the long run, they can save you hundreds of dollars. Low wattage bulbs put off the same amount of light as a normal bulb, but use a lot less wattage. For instance, you get the same light as a 40 watt bulb, but only use 9 watts of electricity. These bulbs work great in bathrooms and kitchens, as well as desk lamps.

Heat Savings:
Another way to go green in your home is by checking windows and doors for air leaks. It can cost a lot of money to heat your home in the winter, but even more so if most of that air is escaping into the atmosphere. By replacing molding around windows, and stopping drafts from underneath doors, you save energy, and money. The same is true for leaks around faucets in your sinks and showers. Most people don’t realize it, but this is where a lot of your home’s heat is escaping through. A tube of caulking can take care of almost all these leaks, and will cost you pennies on the dollar.

Refurbish Furniture:
Take a look at your old furniture. Have you been thinking about throwing it all out and getting new? Rather than spend more money on new furniture, why not look into refurbishing what you’ve already got? With larger pieces like a couch or reclining chair, recovering may not be an option. However, it’s pretty easy to make covers for these items, and you can choose any fabric or print you’d like. For smaller pieces like kitchen chairs, you could very easily remove the seats and recover with only a few small swatches of fabric and a staple gun. Within a few minutes, your furniture looks better than before at a fraction of the cost.

Compost Your Waste:
Finally, think about the amount of food, and food by-products you throw out each day. If you grow your own gardens, or even just houseplants, you’re throwing out a ton of useful compost without even knowing it. You can fix this by starting your own compost heap. You can even build your own bin, using recycled products. Instead of tossing out your leftovers, throw them in the compost bin, give it a couple of turns, and by spring you’ve got a ton of nutrient rich soil that will help feed anything you decide to grow. Even if you only grow flowers, compost soil will give your blooms all the food they’ll ever need.

Every Little Bit Helps:
Next time you’re sitting around wondering How To Go Green At Home, think about where you’re money is going and how you can reduce these costs. Most times, you can save the environment simply by doing a few minor repairs around the house. Going green doesn’t mean spending a ton of money, it means doing what you can for your family, and your planet.

With all the pollutants in the air, and chemicals in the ground water, it’s strange that more people haven’t joined the green movement. The reason could be that not everyone knows just where to start when it comes to going green.

The thing is that you don’t have to be a genius to have a
Go Green Home or work environment. Here are some tips to getting started.

Go Green Kitchen:
If you’re in the kitchen, make sure that the refrigerator and freezer doors are shut tight, and that the molding around the doors is working properly. This will help your fridge work more efficiently. Fix any leaking faucets or pipes. Though it may only seem like a drip right now, over time you could be losing hundreds of gallons of water.

Go Green Living Room:
In the living room, check to see if there any leaks around doors and windows. If so, get these fixed as quickly as possible to keep your electric and/or gas bill to a minimum. Also, make sure to shut off lights when ever leaving the room. Add low wattage bulbs to any lamps, as you can get the same amount of light as a regular incandescent, at a fraction of the wattage.

Go Green Bathroom:
In the bathroom, make sure the wax seal around the toilet is in good condition. It is important to replace this seal if it has become damaged. Also, check the calking around tubs and showers, and make sure faucet fixtures are properly tightened. This will keep you from wasting water and electricity when you don’t even realize it’s happening.

Though it may sound more like a do-it-yourself list, these few things around the house will get you started on the right track to having a Go Green Home. Not only are you working to live green, you’ll soon find out that you’re saving green too.