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When you join Julie's community you'll receive an instant $5 OFF coupon, good immediately. You'll also receive Julie's e-newsletter every month full of creative ideas for you and your household.
Howdy! We all know that reducing waste helps to protect and preserve the environment. Not only does waste reduction help reduce the use of natural resources, it also reduces the amount of space needed for (and the related cost of) waste disposal. Not to mention the fact that reducing waste in your home also saves you money and time.
There are countless ways to reduce household waste. One is to buy durable goods that last a long time and to mend or repair them whenever possible, instead of buying new. For example, take proper care of clothing and learn basic sewing skills to mend them when possible, and learn to do simple maintenance of the items that you use around the home. Another way is to buy reusable, rather than disposable, products, such as dishcloths and hand towels rather than paper towels and silverware and dishes rather than plasticware and paper plates, cups, and the like. Another way is to buy items that have minimal (and when possible, recyclable) packaging or that have packaging that can be reused. For example, yogurt, margarine, and sour cream containers can be reused to freeze food or carry lunch. And rather than throwing away good, used clothing or other household items, hold a yard sale, sell them on eBay, or give them to your local thrift store, instead.
Finally, think carefully about what you buy. Everything you purchase has to be kept somewhere in your home- often it must be frequently cleaned or taken out and put away, and then is eventually discarded and added to the landfill. In our consumer society, we are often enticed into buying things impulsively, and then the item sits in our home, seldom or never used, only to eventually be disposed of. Curb impulse buying by creating and sticking to a shopping list. When you see something you want to buy, force yourself to wait a few days and see if the urge to buy it passes. That way, you'll have more money in your wallet and less clutter in your home.
So here's your assignment: Do an analysis of what you and your family dispose of regularly, and determine where most of your waste comes from. Then discuss ways that you can reduce waste in order to help minimize your impact on the environment and put your money and time to better use.
Hello everyone! A quick note in between cleaning workshops. As most of you know, I am an avid blog reader. Today I stumbled across something I had to share. As Valentine's Day approaches, it was just too good to be true!
Here's the scoop. Apparently a new study by Harris Interactive shows that one secret to a healthy romantic relationship is to synchronize your cleaning styles.
Husbands should note that 55 percent of married women say they would prefer to receive a whole-house cleaning in lieu of an expensive gift on Valentine’s Day, according to this recent "Mr. Clean Keeping It Fresh" survey. This comes as no surprise, as over half of both married men and married women say they have argued with their partner over a dirty, smelly bathroom, a disorganized kitchen, finding towels on the floor or having a messy countertop and other things.
If your relationship could use a little freshening, try freshening the house first, advises cleaning expert Tom McNulty, author of “Clean Like a Man.” “Women love men who clean the house, so what better way to revitalize your relationship than by doing just that,” he says. Keep reading the whole article...
So keep in mind, whether you're sprucing up your home for Valentine’s Day or Father’s Day, or to try to keep sanity, when you work together on cleaning, you may be bringing more than a shine to your floor -- you'll be creating harmony and a little romance -- in your home.
During the winter particularly, it sometimes seems difficult to get the natural sunlight that is so beneficial for our physical well-being. The sunlight is important to the mental and emotional clarity of many people, as well. But with the shorter days, there isn't much time to get the natural light that we need—not for ourselves, and nor for our homes. The emotional and physical, not to mention economic, benefits of natural sunlight are worth a little extra effort.
Economic Benefits of Natural Light
By opening your blinds or drapes during the day, you can bathe your living areas in natural light. In addition to providing natural, soothing light, which reduces the need for artificial lights and thereby lowers your energy bill, the sunlight also warms your home, reducing the amount you spend on heating your home during those cold winter months, as well. This really can be a substantial savings. Windows facing the south are particularly well-placed for letting in plenty of light and warmth. And not only does reducing energy use save you money, but it is better for the environment, as well.
Health Benefits of Natural Light
People should ideally receive two hours of natural light each day. In addition to providing vitamin D, which is essential to good health because it helps the body absorb calcium and keep the proper amount of calcium and phosphorous in the blood, natural light can also reduce the likelihood that you will get chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, prostrate and breast cancer, depression, and even diabetes. Sufferers of winter depression, or seasonal affective disorder, can be buoyed by being exposed to adequate sunlight. In that sense, sunlight really does have therapeutic benefits. Moreover, there is a proven correlation between sunlight exposure and scholastic performance, and receiving adequate sunlight is also linked to increases work productivity.
The benefits of natural light are many, so let in the sun. If you are building a new home (or adding on to your current home), put plenty of windows on the south side of your home. Also consider adding skylights to let in even more natural light year round. The increased sunlight can be a substantial money saver, and it will lift your spirits and improve your health, too. And remember, you'll not only save money and reap the health benefits of natural sunlight, but you'll help the environment, as well!
Hello Friends,
I've been busy giving household organization and cleaning seminars all around North America. It's great to be back in the New Year.
May New Year's Day find you seated around the table, together with your beloved family and cherished friends. May you find the food better, the environment quieter, and the pleasure much more fulfilling than anything else you might ordinarily!
Warm wishes,
Julie
Expect more from me in the coming weeks!
Did you know that the air inside your home may be filled with more pollutants than the air outside? We've all heard of opening the windows to let in some "fresh air," but misconceptions have left many people thinking that they can escape bad air by staying indoors. Newsflash: indoor air may be more detrimental than good for your health. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to clean up the air in your home, so you can take a deep breath and relax.
Plant One on Your Loved Ones
A simple first step to cleaning your air is to purchase indoor plants that are especially good for this purpose. You can make fresh air grow in your home by purchasing any of the following houseplant varieties: Peace lily, Rubber plant, Bamboo palm, Areca palm, English ivy, Ficus Aliii, or the Boston fern. Spread plants out throughout your home to optimize their pollutant pulling power. We all know from basic science that plants draw carbon dioxide out of the air and replace it with oxygen... they also draw out dangerous toxins including chemicals released from paint, furniture, carpets and cleaners.
Invite Fresh Air in to Stay
If weather permits, you should open your windows daily to clean out your indoor air. Most people think they get sick in the winter time because it's cold outside. The real reason people fall ill is because they spend so much more time indoors with the windows closed in close proximity to other people during the winter months. Opening your windows will actually help rid your home of bacteria and airborne viruses. Winter is actually the most vital time to let the fresh air in, and if you crack your windows open slightly, it won't make your home frigid, and it may increase your heating bill, but only by pennies per hour. I'd rather pay for heating than medicine or doctor visits anyway!
Make sure Home Improvements really are Improvements
If you have the space to let new furniture items such as mattresses, particleboard cabinetry and pressboard shelving air out before installing it in your home, doing so will decrease the amount of indoor pollutants circulating in your air. If you're painting a room, choose a safe paint that won't emit VOC's (volatile organic compounds) into the air. If you're putting in wallpaper, use a natural water based adhesive over a toxic glue.
Say "Nay" to Sprays
The less you can spray products throughout your home, the better. Hair spray, insecticides, oven cleaners, air fresheners... all of these sprays add up! Use them sparingly, and preferably near an open window in a well ventilated room. Aerosol sprays are especially harmful to personal and environmental health.
Break Out the Feather Duster
Toxins may settle easily into the dust throughout your home, so it's important to dust and then vacuum on a regular basis. Dust and vacuum even more frequently if you are pregnant, have young children, or pets.
Maintain a Strict, Smoke Free Environment
Keep your children and your loved ones safe by never allowing anyone to smoke inside your home.
These tips should have you well on your way to cleaning up your indoor air... now go crack open your windows and enjoy your day!
