There is some shocking and even frightening news out there revealing that your child’s daycare may be a primary source of toxic chemicals. This article is not here to scare you but rather to create awareness about your day home or day care center and to take the necessary steps to ensure your child is in a healthy and safe environment.

The first step is to find a decent eco-friendly day home or child care center that will help reduce your child’s exposure to chemicals. In some places finding an eco-friendly child care center can be very challenging, however in every major city across Canada and the US you are more than likely to find a few by searching online and using day home directories. They are becoming more and more popular as people`s awareness expand with regards to living a more green and healthy lifestyle. Parents are demanding it more and providers are realizing the need for it as well.

Paying a little bit extra for an eco-friendly day home service can definitely be worth it when it comes to your child`s health, Eco-Healthy & friendly child care providers are committed to reducing exposure to toxins in household products and reducing other environmental health hazards.

My day home provider say’s they are eco-friendly but how do I know what precautions and what guidelines they are using to ensure that they really are toxic free and providing the safest and healthiest environment possible?

Since there are no formal guidelines out there or any approved or accredited agencies out there that are certified as being eco-friendly I have researched and put together these 25 eco-friendly and healthy steps as a checklist to ensure the highest health and green standards I feel are necessary. Here they are:

25 steps to make your child’s day-home more eco-friendly and healthy.

1. Ensure the elimination of all pesticides and herbicides from lawn-based play areas.

2. Ensure that non-toxic techniques are used both inside and outside the facility to prevent and control insects and pests.

3. Ensure the air quality is kept clean and non-toxic. For example no smoking, toxic candles, air fresheners or burning fires near the premises.

4. Ensure the usage of non-toxic cleaning products and the least-toxic disinfecting and sanitizing products available. Cleaning products must be stored where children cannot access them.

5. Ensure the elimination of excess moisture, which contributes to the growth of mold and mildew. This includes proper ventilation and air flow, repairing water leaks and keeping humidity within a desirable range.

6. Ensure the elimination of all aerosol products.

7. Ensure the usage of baby friendly or kid friendly sunscreens only.

8. Ensure the usage of non toxic bug spray or mosquito repellent and use only if needed (make sure it is deet free).

9. Ensure non-toxic art materials for children.

10. Ensure the usage of cold water for drinking, cooking and making baby formula, and make sure that the water has been running for 5-10 seconds or until it feels noticeably colder (this reduces harmful chemicals such as lead from the hot water tank).

11. Ensure the facility was built after 1978 (after lead paint was banned) or the facility was built before 1978, but kept free of flaking or peeling paint and regularly washed around doors and windows.

12. Ensure that imported, old or handmade pottery is not used to cook, store or serve food or drinks (also reduces harmful chemicals such as lead).

13. Ensure that there is a rough mat at the entrance of the facility and encourage the wiping of shoes before entering or a shoe-free facility.

14. Ensure that no mercury-containing thermometers are used. Only digital thermometers.

15. Ensure the proper storage and recycling all used batteries and compact fluorescent lights.

16. Ensure low-VOC paints are used for walls and furniture (this one might be difficult to find).

17. Ensure furniture is in good condition without foam or inside stuffing exposed (same goes for stuffed animals or any other foam items).

18. Ensure furniture is made of solid wood, with few, if any, items made of particleboard

19. Ensure that carpets and area rugs are vacuumed daily and cleaned at least twice a year using biodegradable cleaners. Try to find centers that do not have wall-to-wall carpets.

20. Ensure all toys and food storing containers are BPA free (a toxic chemical found in a lot of plastics and food cans). Also ensure PVC-free toys are used.

21. Ensure that providers never use the microwave to heat food that is in plastic containers, plastic wrap or plastic bags.

22. Ensure your provider uses mostly organic food –free of pesticides and wash the food well.

23. Ensure that providers keep the garbage covered at all times to avoid attracting pests and to minimize doors.

24. Ensure the usage of healthy, non-toxic (treated wood) playground equipment.

25. Ensure that recycling programs are in place including the recycling of paper/cardboard, glass, aluminum and plastic bottles.

As a parent you should gather other parents and let local day care centers know that you want safe and green child care options.

Also keep in mind that you should really consider a private day home or day care center that is registered or a approved by a reputable agency because these organizations set guidelines that are indeed environmentally healthy as they see fit. Their first and foremost priority is to make sure children are safe and healthy as they progress in early childhood development. Agencies often do random drop in checks to inspect the premises and observe the service providers.

As a responsible parent be aware and take steps to ensure the safest and healthiest environment for your child. Take this checklist and information along with you when you visit potential day care centers. If you are already in one, consider giving this to your provider and even discussing it with them. Let’s nurture the well-being of our children and the planet.

For more info please visit: www.oeconline.org/

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photo courtesy of buzzbishop

Today’s Friday eco-friendly featured product is something we all could probably would use whether you are a student or simply someone who wants to organize important papers. The Naked Binder is the ultimate binder when it comes to office and school supplies. The binder is sustainable made from 100% recycled binders which can be recycled all over again.

Do you currently use eco-friendly office supplies or green school supplies for your children? Well now is your chance to help sustain the planet because we found this amazing company and product that does. Here are some more reasons why to use Naked Binder products:

• You get less toxins, wastes and the not so eco-friendly vinyl or plastic.

• It’s extremely strong and durable – tested to over 250 000 flexes.

• The binders are made from 100 percent recycled boards from 97 percent post-consumer waste.

• They are water resistant and rain proof – they have been tested through a dishwasher.

• You can modify the binder to suit your labelling, drawing or painting needs.

• The binders look good, feel good and lasts a long time (designed to last for 10 years).

• You can get special naked folder for when you only need a few papers.

• The company avoids using toxins in manufacturing, packaging and shipping.

• They minimize their waste by recycling nearly everything.

• They donate a part of their sales to help preserve the environment and wilderness areas.

• They help reduce toxic landfill and preserve the forests – the binders are biodegradable

• They are members of 1% for the planet.

• They support education systems through donations and offer school educators discounts.

• They are made in the USA.

• They offer a 100% money back guarantee so if you are not satisfied you can send it back for a refund.

I really love this ingenious idea of having eco-friendly school and office supplies that are acid and toxic free and, that leaves less of a footprint on our planet. How can you go wrong? Perhaps I will contact them and see if they will send me one and give it a try. For more information you can visit the naked binder store.

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Sustainable travel is a way of traveling that has a positive impact on the environment as opposed to a negative one. It allows you to keep your carbon footprint as small as possible while traveling and helps preserve our planet’s natural resources. Sustainable travel may sound like something any traveler would be interested in, right? Perhaps, but many travelers who may be interested in eco-friendly travel, may not know where to begin.

Sustainable travel is growing with popular demand and can be a fun adventure for everyone. You don’t need to camp in the jungle or hike in the middle of the mountains with bare minimum supplies to travel eco-friendly (unless, of course, is what you will). It simply requires some awareness and a willingness to experience traveling in a different way. The following sustainable traveling tips makes traveling green easy for anyone, whatever your tastes may be. Just remember that every little bit counts when it comes to sustaining the wellness of our planet. Here they are:

1. Look for travel companies, car rental places, airlines and hotels that participate in green programs. Often they will take measures to offset their carbon footprint

2. Consider renting a bike instead of a car. It’s easy to do this in a larger city and it allows you to observe things more slowly – often seeing things you might miss.

3. Look for hotels with a green certification or a “Green Score” - Green Travel Hub by is an organization that donates 20% of their proceeds from each trip to an environmental group, so each trip can make a difference and have a positive impact on our planet.

4. Use your hotel’s program to reuse sheets and towels. If they don’t have one, let house-keeping know that you do not need to replace your sheets and towels each day.

5. Turn off the lights, electronics, heat, or air conditioning in your room while you are away.

6. Turn off water when brushing your teeth and take shorter showers.

7. Search for eco lodges – some are fancy some are more rustic but there are variety of unique ones all over the world. Simply do a Google search staring with eco-lodge followed by your destination.

8. When you visit a park or a place of nature do not disturb the plants or wildlife. Resist the urge to feed wild animals as it can have a negative impact on their natural eco-system.

9. Try shopping and buying from local suppliers such as visiting the local farmers market. This supports the local economy, and immerses you in the culture of the local people.

10. Consider volunteering some time on your trip. Spending even one day volunteering can make a difference and also make you feel good knowing that your lending a helping hand.

I hope you enjoyed these simple little tips and consider following them on your next travel adventure. For more tips on sustainable living please read our article on the top 55 eco-friendly tips that can help make a difference and have a positive impact on out planet.

Photo courtesy of tricky

“Water has no taste, no color, no odor; it cannot be defined, art relished while ever mysterious. Not necessary to life, but rather life itself. It fills us with a gratification that exceeds the delight of the senses” – Antoine De Saint-Exupery

Simple sustainable living can be a fun and exciting adventure when you explore the elements of water and all it has to offer. It can also be a very meditating and relaxing way to connect to nature and the beauty that surrounds us. Two thirds of our planet is covered with water, so no wonder so many people find peace and serenity through various water activities.

Like millions of other people, I enjoy water activities such as surfing, kayaking, canoeing, scuba diving and sailing. I even love spending quiet time like reading or contemplating near a body of water.

Recently I had the experience of sea kayaking in the beautiful waters of Hawaii. When I think back to that beautiful day, I clearly remember gliding effortlessly and silently alongside the enormous sea cliffs – their walls ablaze with indigo, crimson and gold in the early morning light. Carved from the volcanic landscape, these cliffs are a testament to deep time, having existed for more than 100 million years. During my kayaking excursion on the island of Kauai, I noticed how the activity brought stillness, a quiet mind and a deep presence in my body – encouraging contemplation of the mystery and the adventure that was about to unfold.

The essence of water really supports the simplicity of life and the opening of the heart and mind. For centuries people would leave the land to connect with water to discover their human potential and to awaken their senses to the beauty, tranquility and silence of the natural world. Today, the same is true. This is why so many travel adventure seekers and companies involve some sort of activity in or on the water.

When we surround ourselves with water in nature, we bring a receptive presence to our surroundings. Our world comes alive, and so do we. We no longer look at water as an inert or lifeless substance, but as a living and breathing world of mystery and sensitivity – a realm of wisdom and learning that is always whispering its teachings to us. By watching the calm reflective lake, the twig flowing down the stream or even the violent and thunderous waves, we learn from nature’s many metaphors about how we can live.

So what does water and its related activities, sports and adventure really have to do with simple sustainable living? Well, it allows you to be connected to our planet, tap into the present moment and find simplicity in contrast to other land activities. It opens your attention to your senses including sound, touch, sight, smell and taste.

Imagine approaching a creek in the mountains somewhere. First you hear the sound of trickling water over the mossy rocks. You smell the misty water mixed with the fresh, crisp mountain air. You see the beauty of the clear water flowing effortlessly through the stones. You reach your hands to cup and feel the cool wetness and then taste that pure clean refreshing mountain spring water in your mouth as it travels down your throat. What a simple way to connect to the aliveness of the present moment, engaging all senses without the habitual tumble dryer of your thoughts.

Learn to explore the beauty of water in all its essence. Nature provided us with this wonderful and amazing element to not only have fun with but to cultivate a heightened awareness and sensitivity with our natural environment. So the big question is, what can you learn from water and what adventure will you choose?

I choose sea kayaking in Hawaii. I felt one with the ocean and surrendered to the great vastness of the sea with my senses fully awake. I was captivate by the natural beauty that surrounded me and in those moments near the end, when I knew it was time to paddle back to shore, a pod of dolphins appeared almost magically out of nowhere. The excitement rose but in that equanimity of peace and stillness, I observed and watched as some of them began to jump out of the water – twisting and turning in their playful manner. I immediately dove into the water to immerse myself and play with them as though I was one of them and belonged with them in the ocean. My adventure with them lasted about half an hour and what a sacred and magnificent one it was. The experience was intimate as I came in close contact with adults and the babies who swam up curiously to see me explore their water domain. Before I knew it they had disappeared into the deep blue as quick as they had come, leaving me with these memories.

In a world where we are bombarded with so much stuff and have so many desires to get ahead we are faced with more and more environmental tragedy. We don’t necessarily need more things to be free and happy. All we need is to surround ourselves with more of nature’s natural resources. Expose yourself to nature’s healing element of water as often as you can. Find a river, stream, lake, ocean or pond and indulge your senses with whatever activity feels good to you. Try something new like kayaking, surfing, sailing or bird watching. Pick something that has less of an impact on our eco-system and create a wonderful adventure.

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There are many ways to sustain our planet, save energy and save money. First you need to understand the meaning of sustainable living which is a way of living that strives to reduce a person’s, community’s or society’s use of the planet’s natural resources.

Sustainable living involves being consciously aware of the environment and choosing to act in such a way that you have a minimum impact on our earth’s ecosystem. It therefore requires you to considerate your choices, and how your decisions will affect all living things on our planet.

Sustainable living often involves using less and sometimes even doing less. It applies the principle of sharing and only taking what you really need.

Sustainable living holds you accountable in your efforts to minimize the size of your ecological footprint. It involves exploring and trying new and different ways of living which can be a fun adventurous.

There are a lot of books out there on green living and being eco-friendly but I have condensed it here with this amazing simplified guide – Top 55 eco-friendly tips to save energy, money and sustain our planet. Here they are:

1. Take a 5-minutes eco-shower and skip the bath. Try it with the lights off – use natural light from your window if available

2. Turn off the tap while brushing, shaving or washing the dishes.

3. Install aerators on your faucets and use water reducing shower heads to use less water.

4. Set your dishwasher to the “energy saving” mode and “no dry heat” mode to save energy.

5. Purchase energy efficient (energy star) appliances – especially the washer and dryer. However don’t replace them unless you really need to.

6. Use a rack or line to dry your laundry as often as you can to save energy.

7. Remove the lint from the dryer after each use to save electricity.

8. Use your appliances during off peak times for energy and cost savings.

9. Decrease the temperature setting on your hot water tank to use less hot water and be more energy efficient.

10. Vacuum your refrigerator coils, to help it operate more efficiently.

11. Turn your lights off whenever you’re not using them. Use more natural light by opening the blinds and curtains from your windows.

12. Replace most of your used bulbs with compact florescent ones.

13. Light some eco-friendly candles at night to create your eco-sanctuary.

14. Use house plants to help keep your air clean. Peace plants and philodendron are excellent to eliminate many common air pollutants.

15. Create a compost to decompose your organic food scraps. The worms will love you.

16. Use natural lawn care products and techniques. Avoid using chemicals or toxic fertilizers – you can search online or at a local green house.

17. Water your lawn less frequently and try doing it later in the evening or at night to avoid evaporation.

18. Use a sustainable barrel to collect rain water and water your lawn, plants and garden with it.

19. Get a water filter or a water filtration system and stop buying bottled water.

20. Reduce your plastic consumption such as plastic bags, containers and bottles.

21. Avoid things made from Styrofoam at all costs.

22. Use reusable plates, cups and utensils. Carry your coffee mug and water bottle with you at all times so you don’t have to use disposable ones.

23. Make sure your reusable water bottle and mug are made from the safest: metal, #2HDPE, #4LDPE, or #5PP. Avoid those with BPA toxins.

24. Use paper products (napkins, toilet paper, tissues ect.) made from unbleached recycled paper and use less of it. If writing on it, use both sides.

25. Use old clothes such as towels and t-shirts to make rags and clean your home with them.

26. Use more eco-friendly cleaning products that don’t contain harmful chemicals or toxins. I prefer to use sulfate free soap & water or vinegar & water.

27. Resist the urge to buy on things on impulse. Take some time to decide if you really need it.

28. If you do need to buy it, choose eco-friendly products that are made in an environmentally sustainable way and with less packaging.

29. Try buying your next set of clothes at a thrift shop making good use of reusing old but newly cleaned items.

30. If you need to buy new clothes purchase items made from hemp, bamboo or organic cotton. I prefer to buy them in this order.

31. Choose a green dry cleaner that doesn’t use toxic chemicals. Better yet, don’t buy clothes that need to be dry-cleaned.

32. Buy locally grown organic food (or food grown without chemicals and pesticides) whenever possible – the local farmers market is a great place. Note: their produce may not be certified organic so you will have to ask and trust their integrity.

33. Eat less meat, which causes the most environmental harm than any other type of food production. If you do, buy locally farm raised organic meat.

34. Eat at local restaurants that use local food from less than 100 miles away.

35. Plant a vegetable garden, herb garden and or fruit tree to save you time, money and energy. Besides it can be fun and a rich experience.

36. Consume shade-grown coffee with the “fair Trade” label. Also use sustainable, organic teas if available.

37. Walk and bike your way around to various locations. Enjoy the fresh air and exercise that comes with it.

38. For further distances take public transportation. Taking the bus or train can be an adventure and great time to enjoy people watching.

39. When purchasing a new vehicle, look for the most energy efficient model. Hybrids are great, and newer green models are coming out every year.

40. If you drive to work try car-pooling a few times a week with co-workers or people you know that work in the same area.

41. Try Working from home. Ask your employer if they would allow you to work from your home a few times a week.

42. Use web conferencing more often to replace in-person meetings that require carbon emission travel. Try skype, or other free online conference call services.

43. Instead of going on a vacation that requires a lot of travel, try taking a staycation and exploring something new and exciting in your city.

44. Make green investments. There are a variety of good mutual funds and stocks available – ask your banker or investment advisor.

45. Use green businesses. Whenever a service is required such as an accountant, lawyer, day-home or house cleaner, search for one that advertises green or sustainable practices.

46. Get an energy audit for your home or a green office audit for your work.

47. Install a programmable thermostat to save in energy costs and program it so the temperature reduces when you’re not at home and during the night.

48. Use ceiling fans to cool down rooms in the summer and push down hot air in the winter.

49. Change the filters on your heating and cooling system regularly.

50. Weather-strip your doors and windows so warm air can’t escape.

51. Explore and investigate eco-friendly ways to renovate your home or restore old furniture.

52. Shut down and unplug your electronics every night – this includes your computers monitor and cell phone.

53. Recycle everything possible including metal, plastic, paper, cardboard, paint, batteries, electronics and computer equipment.

54. Donate or freecycle used items rather than throwing them in the trash.

55. Live a more simple lifestyle to reduce your overall consumption

Let’s work together and learn to preserve the earth for future generations. Post this list on your fridge as a reminder and subscribe to this blog for new articles on sustainable living.

photo courtesy of merwing

This bathroom is the ultimate in sustainable living using a natural filtering system to create a mini eco-system by recycling and regenerating the waste-water. The water from the shower and sink is filtered uniquely organically similar to other ecological purification system before being re-used.

1. The water filtering process goes through the following steps:

2. The plants are grown in sand which filters larger particles. The root systems of these plants contain different bacteria which break down these particles for absorption by the plant.

3. Reeds are planted next to the plants as they have the ability to filter heavy metals from the water.

4. Floating water hyacinths are used to draw through their roots some of the water borne particles which are still present in the water.

5. Lemnas are used, which are also aquatic plants, and bind to the remaining aquatic micro-organisms to enhance the filtering process.

6. Finally, a carbon filter is used to stop the remaining micro-particles to complete the filtering process.

This eco-shower is part of the Phyto-Purification Bathroom a unique concept developed by designers Jun Yasamoto, Alban Le Henry, Olivier Pigasse and Vincent Vandenbrouck for more information click here.

photo courtesy of Spookygonk

When I think of cotton I think of black slaves in the 1800s hunched over fields picking tiny balls of fluff off of plants…crazy, I know. When I think of soy I think of a bean that feels disgusting in my mouth when processed to taste like meat. When I think of bamboo I think of panda bears. And when I think of hemp I think of the most perfect and wonderful plant to create the most sustainable and durable fabric.

Cotton, soy, bamboo and hemp are all natural materials that can be used to make clothing. As new products continue to come onto the market it’s difficult to decide which fabric truly is the most sustainable, will last the longest, and is the best for the environment. Out of the four materials listed above I can tell you that hemp, in my opinion, is by far the best choice….and here’s why:

Hemp grows like weeds and in temperate climates like Canada, so that means less chance the product was made in a sweat shop (and my black slave picture is thankfully disappearing). It also means less carbon footprint because it can be grown locally. It doesn’t require any pesticides since the plant doesn’t attract many bugs or herbicides since it is such a durable plant that it pushes out other weeds. It controls instead of depletes top soil erosion so new seeds can be planted for harvest without negatively impacting the ecosystem. The plants only take four months to reach maturity enough for harvesting.

Hemp fabric is naturally hypo-allergenic and there have been recent studies done to show that the fabric is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. The fabric is soft on the skin and can be processed to create thick or even thin pieces of fabric resembling linen. I personally have a few pieces of hemp clothing that are super soft and have lasted me eight plus years, feeling only softer by each wash without losing the integrity of the fabric. It is STRONG, eight times stronger than cotton. The fibers are also longer and more mildew-resistant than cotton. Furthermore, the fabric will keep out the UV rays more than other clothing fabrics. In fact, it is great for hot weather as it is more absorbent than other fabrics and breaths really well. It is also great for layering as you would wool in colder climate. The only downfall of hemp I know of is that it isn’t color-fast, which means you won’t be wearing any neon yellow hemp clothing. I, however, have one wrap sweater made from hemp that is a deep blue and has remained that color throughout all of the years I have owned it, surviving the west coast Canadian weather.

It is important to note that often hemp is confused for marijuana, which it is not. They are both from the same plant family but the difference is that hemp contains 0.5-1% of TCH (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana while marijuana will have 3-10%. The best way I have heard to describe the difference between the two plants is this: if you smoked an entire crop of hemp the only thing that would happen to you is that you will get a massive headache.

Many people may argue that bamboo is great, and I agree as it has many of the same properties and characteristics as hemp. The only difference is bamboo loves sun and it can require more work to plant and harvest it in colder climates such as in Canada. The first year might bring a lot of difficulty once winter sets in and to be honest, don’t quote me on this since I haven’t done my research, but I have never heard of a bamboo crop in Canada – I could be mistaken. Currently it is also common to chemically treat bamboo products, which is unfortunate and hopefully will change in the near future.

Soy is environmentally friendly as it is produced by the waste of manufactured tofu, which is fabulous, but it is not as strong or durable as hemp. Cotton grows quickly but it likes hot climates and requires a lot of water to produce cotton fabric. It is also mass produced and, well…let’s not get into the cotton industry.

The most important thing to remember when shopping for sustainable clothing is to be mindful of the following: durability, sustainability (when produced on a large scale), effect on the ecosystem, carbon footprint and the use of chemicals throughout the farming and manufacturing process, i.e. is it organic? There are many places to find organic and sustainable clothing made from hemp or even bamboo or soy. Here are some of my favorites

Best Online Hemp Clothing Stores from Canada, the US and the UK

1. Hemp and Company – based out of Victoria and Nelson, BC, Canada

2. Sweet Grass Fibers – based out of Boulder, Colorado, USA

3. Brain Tree Hemp – based out of Camden, London, UK

4. Rawganique – based out of Denman island, USA

5. Soul-Flower.com – based out of St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Their products are fantastic – well made, durable and sustainable. I hope you enjoy exploring the many available hemp products out there. More and more eco-friendly shops are popping up on the web due to demand. I wish you well on your journey in helping sustain our planet and many blessings for taking the time to be mindful of the earth in every aspect of your life.

Kayla is currently working on a few other writing projects, please look out for her in the future. She also teaches yoga and you can find her at purefreshrawyoga

photo courtesy of nature from furniture

In my last post I revealed to you some interior design secrets to restore or renovate your home while remaining eco-friendly. In my recent discussions I have discovered much interest in the art of restoring old furniture so I thought I would expand on it some more. Refurbishing old furniture is an art that can easily be learned but first let me tell you 3 ways how it can be environmentally friendly.

1. You decrease the demand for virgin lumber, helping to save the forests
2. You reduce the volume of furniture such as tables and chairs in a landfill and the carbon emissions from it’s transfer to the landfill
3. You improve indoor air quality and the local environment through the use of eco-friendly primers, paints and polishes

Keep in mind that restoring old furniture can be inherently eco-friendly because many old pieces used over 50 years ago predate the chemistry of today’s toxic products.

Eco-friendly Restoration

When refurbishing a piece of wood furniture the first step in to remove the existing layer(s) of paint or oil in order to apply a new one. A little effort and elbow grease may be needed to sand your master piece. You may want to use a small power sander, but given that the woodwork on furniture is usually detailed and ornate (especially on table legs or arm rests) expect some hand-sanding and a little bit of work. The easy way out is to use paint thinner, but these are full of toxic fumes and chemicals that can be detrimental to the environment and your health if you breathe them in.

Eco- Friendly Paints and Primers

Once you have removed the old finish you are ready to re-create your new furniture piece. Please ignore most of the paints and thinners on the shelf at your local hardware or paint store, as these products most often contain VOCs and other toxins. Instead, due your due diligence and search for one of a growing number of eco-friendly alternatives. Major paint manufacturers like Miller Paint and Benjamin Moore are now manufacturing low-VOC paints by popular demand but there are also now a wide range of independent manufacturers that are leading the way in eco-friendly paints. A great way to find out what’s available is to look up a company in the yellow pages or through a Google search and then and then purchase some from a store in your area.

Bioshield, Ecos Paints and Nutshell are  popular brand name for eco-paints. They produce their paints using raw materials, oils, minerals and other natural ingredients that are 100% environmentally friendly. This includes milk-based paints which are great when it comes to antiquing or simple creating something artistic and unique. There are many other manufactures worth investigating and finding in your area. You may pay a slightly higher premium but it’s well worth it when it comes to sustainability.

If you would like to restore your wood to its original look, try applying products made from a blend of natural oils. My favorite is swedish oil and natural lemon oil. Look for specific oils that will penetrate the wood – this is especially important for outdoor furniture to somewhat weather proof it and give it a longer life. Some products will help restore the woods natural oils and they typically have a slight tint to help give dull wood back its luster.

Eco-Friendly Fabrics

Most furniture does not consist of all wood, even old traditional wood pieces. Upholstery is the second biggest ingredient for chairs, love seats, sofas, chases, ottomans and other furniture. Because most furniture upholstery is made from synthetic fabrics, cotton or leather it is not very eco-friendly. Of all of these, leather would be considered the worst so it should be avoided during the restoration process. The harm done to the environment caused by factory farms alone is reason enough to avoid leather altogether, not to mention the extremely toxic process of turning animal hide into the finished leather product.

Conventional cotton and synthetic fabric such as polyesters are not so sustainable, either. While cotton may be a natural fiber, its farming demands a high percentage of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers from around the world. Polyester is usually made from petroleum byproducts such as PVC and polyurethane which is also a harmful chemical for our environment.

My favorite eco-friendly alternatives include organic cotton and hemp. Hemp is extremely abundant, very versatile and usually grown organically. The sale and use of hemp fabrics is growing rapidly due to its rapid growth and sustainability. I believe hemp is the new sustainable fabric for the future as we evolve in the production of goods. Organic cotton is obviously better than non-organic due to the chemical process involved but it still requires a large amount of water to cultivate.

Check out stores like Earth Friendly Goods, Furnature and GreenSage for eco-friendly fabrics you can use in restoring your old furniture.

Eco- Friendly Maintenance and Protection

Part of restoring your furniture is maintaining and protecting it from natural wear and tear. Sometimes refurbishing can be as simple as the application of a good polish or cleaner. But of course most of the traditional products used for this contain toxic materials. Beeswax is an excellent exception and is a great way to polish and protect natural and finished wood.

If you do need to buy some new furniture there are some eco-friendly furniture stores out there. You can search on line to find something in your area, but why buy when you can enjoy the simple process of re-creating. These tips and techniques can be very useful in helping you save a little money while being environmental friendly and helping sustain the natural resources of our planet.

photo courtesy of  neon.mamacita

There are a variety of eco-friendly ways to decorate your home and save you some cash while doing it. Recent trends have shown that home designers are becoming greener to reflect the current situation of the environment. Today, it is not uncommon for manufacturers to produce sustainable eco-friendly versions of their line of standard products, hoping to capture the growing number of environmentally conscious buyers.

Given the rising popularity of eco-friendly and sustainable products in recent years, it is not surprising for the interior design industry to create and produce designs that meet the specific preferences of its buyers. If you want to learn how to go “green” by decorating your home with sustainable products, then this article will describe three popular categories you don’t want to miss out on: furniture, flooring and wall decorations such as wall art & accents.

Eco-friendly Furniture:

For a cabinet to be considered green, it must be recycled, re-thought, or made of any type of material that is considered to be sustainable. You don’t necessarily have to buy eco-friendly furniture. With some creativity, you can master the art of turning old furniture into new designs, with brand new features. For example, an old stool lined with a thick sheet of glass can be converted into a side table. An old book shelf in the dining room can receive a fresh coat of paint and become new again. Old benches, tables, cabinets and furniture can be sanded, oiled or painted to create new ones. The possibilities are endless! Re-purposing and recycling your old furniture can also save you money in the process.

Eco-friendly Wall Art & Accents:

An example of green art and accents are ones produced from certified wood trees that have been grown from sustainably managed forests. Decorative items such as wall art made from sustainable wood design solutions are perfect for those who like the rustic look and feel of wooden ornaments in the house. Used as wall hangings, these works of art can certainly give your home an eco-friendly atmosphere and ambiance. You can use also use other items such as decorative wood moldings, shelving, and scraps of wood or metal to create your own sustainable art designs.

Eco-friendly Floors:

One of the most common ways to go green is to use tiles and floor coverings from a wide selection of sustainable materials like bamboo, eco- friendly wood and natural cork. Bamboo is one of the most popular materials because it is natural, environmentally safe and can be renewed extremely quickly. It can be harvested in about five years after planting, and it is actually stronger than most hardwoods and more resistant to moisture and temperature variations.

Eco-wood, which comes from sustainable forests is another popular alternative. And, cork flooring is made from industrial by-products of wine cork production. They are ideal for homes with children because they are warm and soft on the feet compared to traditional wood flooring. Cork is also fire resistant, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial which makes it resistance to mold.

There are many online and local suppliers that can supply you with eco-friendly and sustainable furniture, wall art, accents and floors. If your goal is to live a more sustainable green lifestyle, I hope you take the time and energy to explore some of these alternatives. Happy home decorating.

Photo courtesy of www.archinode.com

The Fab Tree Hab

We can now as eco-friendly conscious human beings ease the burden we place on the environment by growing living breathing sustainable homes – such as this fabricated tree house known as the “Fab Tree Hab”. These homes really fit the description for organic green housing.

If a team of engineers and architects have their way, future sustainable development and habitat construction will create wonders using a green thumb rather than using a saw and a hammer.

This fab tree hab is an all-green concept home that will grow from a “a few seedlings and grafted trees into a two-storey, water-recycling, energy efficient abode. Researchers and developers expect it will take a minimum of five years to grow depending on the surrounding climate… watch video at the end of this post.

Sustainable Tree House

The intention of the Fab Tree Hab is to create a home that is a positive contribution to the earth and climate as opposed to something that’s taking away. The fabricated tree houses would be powered by a combination of solar energy and wind turbines and in addition to being eco-friendly, the structures would naturally and organically blend in with surrounding ecosystems.

The walls of the house would be created by growing weaves of vines and roots. The sustainable design technique combines an ancient gardening technique called pleaching – the weaving together of tree branches to form living archways and lattices – with computer technology that controls the growth and shape of the tree.

Based on a computer generated model, wooden jigs would be placed at specific key areas of young saplings in order to guide the information of the walls and roof. A dense layer of vines and other plants would be grown to reinforce the exterior. The sustainable tree house would also feature soy-based plastic windows.

These eco-friendly tree homes would include a roof-top water collector and a recycling system that could provide water for bathing, cooking and an eco-friendly sanitary system.

The interior of The Fab Tree Hab can be contemporary and look normal on the inside. The interior walls are designed to be lined with clay and plastered to keep out the elements. You could potentially decorate your sustainable tree house in an ultra-urban style sporting electronic devices such as computers, TV’s, internet and communication technologies.

Tree Habs can be created using almost any tree in its natural habitat, and they are expected to have a lifespan of approximately 100 years. This makes me wonder how fast and large your sustainable tree house would grow and if there is a anyway to control and contain the growth of it. On any account, I love the idea. Let’s bring on the Fab Tree Habs.

Ted Video with Mitchell Joachim