Yahoo! Green: HOME-GARDEN

Five more ways to keep the heat in this winter

Loretta White — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:01:01 PST

Want to save money on heating this winter? Here are five steps you can take to keep the heat in.

The previous post in the Simple Ways to Save Money This Winter series focused on with exterior walls. Here we discover five other insulation solutions that are not only inexpensive but can be done in a short amount of time and don’t require you to tear down walls to accomplish.

Save money and heat with these easy insulation tips:

To determine the best place to start in your home, take an energy audit. You can either find a local energy auditor, or take your own free energy audit. Once you’re ready, here are some of the quickest, easiest, and least expensive places to insulate.

1. Plumbing: Inadequate insulation can create substantial heat loss, in and around your plumbing.

Stuff steel wool in gaps around the pipes using gloves and a chop stick or fondue fork to push in. Then fill with fiberglass or foam insulation
Caulking afterwards will give the project that “finished” look.
Add foam covers to hot water pipes. This will save on the loss of heat as the water travels to its destination. Of course, tank-less water heaters are the greenest way to go, and most luxurious!
Gas pipes should be checked as well.
Tip: Look under sinks, in the laundry room, in cellars, and around anywhere else that plumbing comes out from the wall.

2. Duct work: Seal around heat ducts and AC vents. The cellar is a good place to start here.

Stuff steel wool in gaps around the pipes using gloves and a chop stick or fondue fork, then fill with natural fiber, fiberglass or foam insulation.
Caulking afterwards gives the project a “finished” look.

3. Sill: This is the area where the ceiling meets the floor of your first floor.

Go around the sill plate and fill in gaps with natural fiber or foam.

4. Seal foundation with moisture block: Foundation repair can be very expensive if left untreated.

Consider using liquid rubber waterproofing to keep moisture from damaging your foundation.

5. Attic door or hatch

Place a blanket on fold-down stairs, making sure the blanket is touching the edges. When closing the stairs, you create a insulated seal.
Bead or squirt caulking or use spray foam around the gaps in the hatch.
Use fiberglass to insulate around the hatch.

Remember: Choose natural insulation whenever you can. As you can see, there are many options to fix these areas. If you have other ideas, please add them in a comment. We’d love to hear your heat saving solutions.

About the author: Loretta White is a respected member of the global manufacturing industry and brings over 20 years experience in consulting. Loretta lectures on: Sales, Business Development and Green Business practices and is a published author on sustainability techniques.

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Set a fancy table for free

Trystan L. Bass — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:29:41 PST

(Photo: Trystan L. Bass)

You don't have to be a millionaire to serve your holiday meal on crystal and silver. Just hit the thrift stores asap before you need to carve that turkey or pour cocktails. Or call friends or Freecycle. Plenty of lightly used fine china is out there just waiting to be invited to a festive occasion.

Don't worry about mismatched dishes -- there are a few ways around the issue to make it all look pretty. First, aim for plain, solid colors when possible. White plates go with everything, no matter the style. Clear glass and shiny silver are lovely and sparkle when they're cleaned up.

Then decorate to tie the look together. Use lots of greenery around the table. Dim the overhead bulbs and light candles, which is always flattering. Pass the wine and toast a celebration that looks beautiful, didn't cost a lot, and reuses goods instead of creating waste.

Free stuff

People are always clearing out their closets on Freecycle and other reuse groups. Someone received two identical silver trays as a wedding gift and was too late to return one. Or empty-nesters realize they don't need place settings for 20 people anymore.

Find a reuse group in your neighborhood, and see what people are giving away. Look in the "free" listings under the "for sale" category of Craigslist. Not only might you find servingware, you could find extra tables and chairs.

And after the holidays, if you receive an extra turkey platter as an unwanted gift, pass it along on Freecycle to someone who can use it.

Borrowed stuff

If extended family and friends are already coming over for the big meal, ask them to bring another set of dishes, some silverware, extra glassware, or a few spare bowls or platters. They're not cooking, so they aren't using these things. It's a no-brainer!

New to town or looking for something your family doesn't have? Try NeighBorrow, an new online match-making service that connects people in a community to lend things to each other. If you need a punch bowl in Quincy, Illinois, you're in luck.

(Photo: Trystan L. Bass)

Second-hand stuff

Thrift stores across the U.S. are brimming with gently used housewares at incredibly low prices. At Goodwill, Salvation Army, and similar charity shops, you will find perfectly good wine glasses for maybe 50 cents each and dinner plates for around a dollar.

It's hard to find sturdy paper and plastic stuff that costs so little (or looks so good!), and when you buy the real deal second-hand, you're not adding to landfill trash or excess manufacturing waste.

In just the quickest search, you'll usually find stacks of silver (and faux silver) trays big enough for the largest turkey or ham. If you need a cake plate or pie server, huge bowls to serve salad, petite dishes for sides, just pick through the shelves.

Don't forget about the linens. Thrift stores are often chock full of tablecloths and napkins, even complete matched sets. From cutesy holiday themes to designer labels like Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, great table linens are ripe for the picking. Just give ‘em a wash and press, and you can set the table (or multiple tables) for far less than what new cloths would cost.

Shopping at charity stores is affordable for you, it helps people in your community, and you're keeping usable goods in circulation. Plus, if you decide after the holidays that you don't need those extra wine glasses in your kitchen, you can donate them back to the charity. You'll get a little tax break, and the charity can resell the goods again. Win-win!

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Six surprisingly comfortable cave homes

Brian Clark Howard — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:57:55 PST

People have been living in caves for thousands of years. In certain parts of the world, it was easier for prehistoric people to carve out warm, dry spaces than to use other building methods.

Houses were cut into soft sandstone cliffs in China and the Middle East and into volcanic ash and lava flows on Pacific islands. Indigenous peoples of North America built elaborate cities under cliffs.

While some of these ancient structures are still standing and a few are still inhabited by contemporary residents, people today are experimenting with the benefits of modern cave living. And what may surprise you is that many of these homes are well-appointed, with modern conveniences, good ventilation, and even spectacular views. Most of them cost less than conventional housing.

As anyone who has ever visited a cave knows, underground spaces are naturally quiet and maintain a constant temperature -- cool in summer and warm in winter. Plus, their primary structure is all-natural material, and it's as locally sourced as possible.

Cave homes certainly aren't available everywhere and may not be for everyone, but they are a good reminder of what's possible when we think "outside of the box."

(Photo: Phil Parsons / Flickr)

British Rock Houses

For centuries, people lived in homes carved into the soft sandstone of the Kinver Edge escarpment on the border of Staffordshire and Worcestershire in England.

The most famous cluster was under Holy Austin Rock, which at one time served as a hermitage. The last cave dwellers moved out in the 1950s, but the site is preserved by the National Trust, which has restored some of the cave houses to the Victorian period.

Some observers have wondered if the cave homes and their small cottage gardens had inspired J.R.R. Tolkien in his imaginings of hobbits, since he grew up nearby.

Courtesy of Curt Sleeper

Courtesy of Curt Sleeper

The Sleeper Cave House

Tucked into a 17,000 square-foot hole left by a sandstone mine in Festus, Missouri, is the spacious, beautiful home of William "Curt" Sleeper, his wife Deborah, and their three kids. The Sleepers almost lost their unique three-bedroom house to foreclosure, but they recently received backing from a private investor after media exposure.

Courtesy of Curt Sleeper

"We feel that our home is eco-friendly," Curt told The Daily Green. He explained that he doesn't need to run heating or cooling, since the natural insulation of the cave walls keeps the inside air 65 to 70 degrees year-round.

The Sleepers constructed the façade of their dwelling out of 300 sliding-glass doors purchased from a local resale shop. "I stripped the aluminum and resold it to the local recycle center," Curt adds. "We pull more than 100 gallons of water per day from the air with our dehumidifiers and then pump that outside to water our gardens and feed chickens."

The Sleepers' home is lit with fluorescent bulbs and boasts gorgeous recycled oak flooring. Inside, it appears loft-like and spacious, maximizing natural light with the large windows. It even features a serene goldfish pool fed by a natural spring. The innermost chamber used to be a roller rink in the 1950s, and is now a playroom for the kids.

The Sleepers decorated their unusual space with antique furniture, giving it a lost-in-time feel, although they also have modern conveniences like a laundry room. They even have a cat, Garfield.

In addition to windows, cave homes can be fitted with light ducts that direct sunlight deeper into the dwelling. Although cave homes tend to do very well through earthquakes and are fire resistant, they can have trouble with moisture (hence the Sleepers' dehumidifiers).

[mapu] / Flickr

Coober Pedy, Australia

Set in the scorching South Australia desert, the small town of Coober Pedy is often called the Opal Capital of the World, since the region is the source of 80% of those glittering precious stones. The name Coober Pedy is often interpreted as a mangling of the Aboriginal words for "white men in holes," since Australians have been mining there since 1916. About half of the population of Coober Pedy still lives in cave houses. There are also underground churches, inns, and a museum.

Many of the subterranean spaces take advantage of existing mines, while others are made fresh with local mining equipment. The "dugout" homes are cheaper to build than conventional units and require little air conditioning, a boon in an area where average daily temperatures approach 100 degrees in the summer.

Coober Pedy and the surrounding Outback landscapes have served as a backdrop in numerous films, from Pitch Black to the Mad Max movies and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

thecavehouse.com

The Arizona Cave House

Want your own luxury cave? In the eclectic town of Bisbee, Arizona, (near the historic Tombstone) you'll find The Cave House, which is currently on the market for just under $2 million.

The Cave House has no water bills, thanks to a natural spring, or heating or cooling bills. It does have an efficient pellet fireplace, as well as a guesthouse, workshop, shed, carport, hot tub, barbeque area, and a separate office and library.

thecavehouse.com

This cave house sits on a spectacular 37 acres, at 5,300 feet above sea level with a rise of 2,000 feet. There are sweeping views of the Mule Mountains and canyon, and it's near to a refreshing natural creek, with natural swimming pools and gorgeous rock patios.

thecavehouse.com

The area surrounding the Cave House is popular with birders and wildlife viewers, supporting 79 species of birds and 113 species of butterflies, plus ringtail cats, foxes, skunks, deer, squirrels, lizards, frogs, snakes, and coatimundi.

thecavehouse.com

The Cave House boasts a sunroom, two bathrooms, and attractive tile flooring. It was built in 1985 and is 2,980 square feet.

Steve & Jemma Copley / Flickr

Mediterranean Cave Homes

Cave homes have long been popular in parts of the Mediterranean region, from Turkey to Spain, Greece, and Morocco. In Spain's Andalucia region, you can find numerous listings for comfortable cave houses for sale and rent, typically at prices that beat above-ground offerings.

Matthew E. Cohen / Flickr

Forestiere Underground Gardens

Now a tourist attraction in Fresno, California, the Forestiere Underground Gardens were designed and hand-built by Sicilian immigrant Baldasare Forestiere, a vineyardist and horticulturalist.

Starting in 1906, Forestiere spent 40 years carving an exotic underground escape from the San Joaquin Valley's powerful heat. Fashioned after the 'visions stored in his mind,' his caverns are a network of gardens illuminated with skylights, as well as comfortable living spaces for himself, including a kitchen, bedroom, and fish pond.

The complex sprawls across 10 acres, and is now listed as a California Historic Landmark. It goes to show that not only can one live well in the earth, but one can even grow fruit trees -- Forestiere had citrus, dates, olives, and much more, as well as a bounty of other vegetation.

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The easiest way to save 10% on energy bills

Dan Shapley — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:26:42 PST

Consider this:

Home use of natural gas and heating oil accounts for 6% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
Plugging air leaks in a typical home can save up to 10% on heating bills, fuel consumption and emissions during the heating season, according to the Department of Energy.
Plugging air leaks is one of the cheapest and easiest home fixes that can result in real energy savings. (Draft snake, anyone?) Federal tax credits for insulation, efficient windows and doors and other improvements make even the expensive fixes far more affordable.

That's why the Daily Green and Carbonrally teamed up to challenge our audiences to an easy, but surprisingly meaningful challenge: Dodge a draft -- or, as Carbonrally cleverly put it, bust a gust. The Daily Green's readers suggested a number of winterization tips -- including curling up with a cat in bed with you at night: Smart! -- and we settled on this one because it's actionable, tangible, fun ... and it actually matters. Carbonrally, which challenges its audience to simple steps that produce measurable benefits for the climate, crunched the numbers. To participate, just click through to Carbonrally.

Heating homes in the winter amounts to a sizeable chunk of the country's carbon footprint, and a surprisingly big chunk of that energy is wasted as it drifts around old ill-fitting windows, under doors, and through cracked calking and the like. An individual can save as much as 175 pounds of carbon – and as much as 10% on heating bills – every winter by sealing air leaks. The great news here: Stopping drafts is about the easiest and cheapest DIY home project you can find, requiring little more than caulk, a draft snake and some persistence.

The carbon connection

Most homes and businesses are heated with fossil fuel furnaces. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. homes and businesses rely on natural gas for heating while most of the rest rely on oil. Emissions from residential and commercial fossil fuel use have been growing since 1990 along with the growth of the population and the construction of new, often bigger and more energy-intensive buildings. Spikes in energy use, not surprisingly, follow weather patterns: The colder the winter, the more fuel burned to keep warm. In all, residential energy use accounts to about 6% of fossil fuel usage (not counting fossil fuels burned at power plants to generate electricity for homes, including the fraction of homes with electrical heating systems).

How to weatherize your home

First, feel for drafts: If you can feel cold air, sleuth out the air leak and plug or caulk it. Take a close look both at any openings in the walls or ceilings -- mail chutes, utility connections, dryer vents, outdoor, etc. -- and at places where two different building materials meet -- such as at door and window frames, at corners, around chimneys and along the foundation.

Then, depressurize your home in preparation for an incense test. On a cool, windy day turn off your furnace, shut all windows and doors and switch on all exhaust fans (such as those in the bathroom or over the stove). Then, light a stick of incense (be careful to avoid drapes and other flammables!) and walk along the inside of your home, hugging the exterior walls: Wherever smoke is sucked out or blown into the room, there's a draft.

The nature of the draft will dictate the necessary fix. The Department of Energy estimates that inadequate insulation in the floors, walls or ceilings amounts to nearly one-third of air leakage, while ducts, fireplaces and plumbing add up to nearly 45%. Leakage from doors and windows amount to 10% each. The solution, for leaky doors windows and many exterior plumbing fixtures, is often as simple as caulking or weather stripping.

While caulking and weatherstripping will tackle many air leaks, tax incentives will pay for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, for many more expensive fixes like insulation, new doors or new windows. And low-income families should check with state agencies, all which offer weatherization assistance. See The Daily Green's guide to winterization, for more tips and information about government incentives.

Rules of the weatherization challenge

This Challenge asks that you sleuth-out and seal air leaks in your living space. By killing the drafts, you'll reduce CO2 emissions by 35 lbs per month. If you accept this challenge you will accrue 35 lbs of CO2 reduction each month for the 5-month heating season. This challenge can be repeated once per year.

More weatherization tips

DIY Home Energy Audit
19 Home Winterization Tips, and How to Pay for Them
Department of Energy Guide to Detecting Air Leaks
DOE Guide to Fixing Common Air Leaks
Tax Incentives for Energy Efficient Insulation, Windows, Doors and more
Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency

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Beat the cold with adorable DIY draft snakes

Brian Clark Howard — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:56:01 PST

(Photo: sambossarellos / Flickr)

This winter, many families are feeling the double pinch of financial worries and high heating costs, and some are being forced to choose between warming their home or filling the gas tank. Luckily, there's an easy way to rediscover what our parents and grandparents did to save money, while reducing our carbon footprint at the same time: draft snakes.

Elegantly simple and inexpensive, a door draft stopper or draft snake can be as simple as a rolled bath towel or blanket, placed along the bottom crack of doors and windows. This will help take a bite out of drafts, making rooms more comfortable and slowing heat loss.

In fact, drafts sap home energy use 5% to 30%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, while 11% of a home's heat loss is through doors and windows.

For a tidier look, you can buy ready-made draft snakes (here's a clever Wizard of Oz one). Or better yet, get crafty and make your own from scraps, old neckties, or worn denim, or other materials you can recycle from around the house. Fill it with dried beans or sand. Get the kids involved and decorate it with googly eyes, felt tongues, and so on. The whole family can learn about saving energy.

The draft stoppers in this gallery were mostly made at home by folks who did just that. We hope you get inspired to make your own!

The first draft snake pictured above was made by Samara, who named him Colin. She wrote, "On a wild and woolly weekend our front door whistled and shook. It was so noisy and annoying that I whipped up our friendly door snake to take care of the draft." Cute!

(Photo: Sandy Macdonald/Flickr)

The green snake in the photo at right, named Cyril by owner Sandy Macdonald, helps keep his York, United Kingdom, place cozy all through the cold months.

(Photo: Ellene McClay / Flickr)

Not all draft snakes have to look like snakes, which is good news for those who have an aversion to scaly reptiles. Crafter and blogger Seri Quarton made a draft bunny. Mother, blogger, and art teacher Ellene McClay makes attractive, original draft dodgers for sale on her Etsy store ($19.99).

Ellene's creations come in a variety of colors, including in blues, reds, and neutrals, although she also offers custom jobs. When you receive yours in the mail, just fill with dried beans or rice and Velcro it shut. And you're off to savings!

(Photo: Benjamin Brown / Flickr)

UK-based designer Benjamin Brown bought his fiance (pictured) this draft excluder for Christmas. He calls it "the greatest present of all time."

We're not sure about that, but we are sure that it will save his honey money. Yeah, that is pretty awesome.

(Photo: April Farnum / Flickr)

April Farnum also makes draft snakes that she sells on Etsy ($22). The eyes are vintage buttons, and the fabric is extra durable. Standard size is 36" long with different options upon request.

(Photo: Allison Gryski / Flickr)

Featured on the fun-but-useful IKEA Hack blog, artist Allison Gryski points out that this whimsical toy stuffed animal from the Swedish retailer actually makes a great draft snake. It's a reminder that many different things can be used to dodge drafts.

See some of Gryski's photography, fine stationery, and other creations at her Etsy shop.

(Photo: Vashti Braha / designingvashti.blogspot.com)

This colorful draft dodger is made of yarn scraps, and according to maker Vashti Braha, "has kid appeal and doubles as a body pillow." Keep an eye on Braha's site, DesigningVashti, for a downloadable pattern so you can make your own draft snake.

Braha serves on the Board of Directors for the Crochet Guild of America and has been designing crochet fashions and home decor professionally since 2004.

So get out your needle and thread, and start blocking those drafts!

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Insulation: Save money and gain heat

Loretta White — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:25:57 PST

Insulation is the one of the best ways to save money on heating and air conditioning. Considering a third of a home’s annual costs are spent on heating, it’s worth spending a little on insulation to keep that heat inside.

In this series, I will focus on an array of cost saving solutions for effectively insulating your home. By following these tips, you’ll be able prevent heat loss and conserve energy without breaking the bank. You can even receive a 30% tax credit in certain areas.

Where to start

Test your airflow: On a windy day, hold a lit candle or incense stick to these areas:

Dropped ceiling
Recessed light
Attic entrance
Sill plates
Water and furnace flues
All ducts
Door frames
Chimney flashing
Window frames
Electrical outlets and switches
Plumbing and utility access
Any location where there is a possible air path to the outside

If the smoke stream travels horizontally, you have located an air leakage. Areas that leak air into and out of your home can potentially cost you a lot of money. This probably is an indication of gaps and areas where air leaks into and out of your house. It also may be a moisture issue, so it’s always worthwhile to check out.

Types of insulation

Once you have determined where you need to insulate, you have to decide what to insulate with. I recommend using natural insulation products wherever you can. This will decrease your energy costs while protecting your health and home. Typically natural products have a 10% higher “R-value,” and the material will last the lifespan of the building, whereas typical insulation will deteriorate faster than the structure.

Interior environments can be densely polluted with toxic chemicals and adding natural products reduces the harmful VOCs. Wool insulation actually removes many toxic gases like formaldehyde from indoor air, while man-made insulation products emit those gases. Natural products can also be installed without protective gear, as it is safe to handle and nontoxic to both the installer and occupant for years to come.

The U.S. Dept of Energy has a cost-to-savings calculator. This tool can help you determine what to invest in and why.

Following is a list of insulation options:

Natural insulation -- These are internationally code-approved methods and are available in many formats.

a. Plant or bio-based

i. Soybean oil-based
ii. Vegetable based: More comfortable, efficient, and healthier than traditional products.

b. Natural fiber

i. Cotton
ii. Cattails
iii. Cellulose fiber
iv. Perlite
v. Vermiculite
vi. Wool: Wool absorbs, retains, and releases moisture without effecting thermal properties, or the performance. It is healthy and breathable, and it helps relieve mold issues in damp-climate, like here in the Northeast.
vii. Natural caulk

Radiant barrier -- This is an acoustical product as well as a sound barrier increaser.

a. Natural radiant barrier
b. Traditional radiant barrier

Loose fill insulation

a. Natural loose fill insulation
b. Dryer lint can be saved to close openings
c. Jeans: Old, shredded jeans and clothing is used to make loose insulation commercially too.

Ridged foam insulation or foam board -- 2.5 times as effective, but more expensive.

a. Natural versions: perlite, vermiculite
b. Styrofoam

Blown-in insulation

a. Natural vegetable based
b. Traditional

Rolls and batts

a. Traditional
b. Wool thermal batts

Natural rolled insulation blankets

Foam-spray-expanding -- My favorite, easy to use and can spend ½ hour using-no mess or cleanup like other methods.

Don’t forget other heat-loss reducing actions such as Weather Stripping, Caulking, Plastic Wrap, and Door Snakes which are easy to make and inexpensive to buy. They do a great job of reducing air flow and can be moved from door-to-door easily.

Installation

The idea of “the more insulation used, the better” isn’t always true. Air flow is needed to reduce moisture build up that causes mold and other problems. Take advantage of free online courses or go to a local home improvement store for training (or a refresher) when doing any major insulation work.

Types of natural insulation

Black mountain sheep wool
Bio-based blown-in insulation
Many natural insulation products
Foil -- natural foil board insulation
Natural radiant barrier
Natural rolled insulation
Natural loose fill insulation
Old, shredded jeans

Click here to find an Energy Star location in your area. Please tell me what you think and add your stories and tips.

About the author: Loretta White is a highly respected member of the global manufacturing industry and brings over 20 years experience in consulting. Loretta lectures on: Sales, Business Development and Green Business practices and is a published author on sustainability techniques.

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Sleep better in your own bed

Lori Bongiorno — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:37:33 PDT

(Photo: Getty Images)

You don't have to spend a fortune on bedding to get a good night's sleep. Taking good care of the pillows, comforters, and sheets you already own will help you sleep like a baby and also save you money because you won't have to replace them as often.

Prolonging the life of bedding is also a plus for the planet. Fewer resources are needed to make and ship replacements and it will also put less strain on landfills.

Below are some tips for making the most of what you have:

Pillows:

Cover your pillow in two layers to protect it from dust, dirt, and body oils. The first layer should be a case with a zipper and then put a traditional pillowcase over the zippered cover.

You can throw polyester, feather, and down pillows into your washing machine. Use the delicate cycle. Be sure to check the seams on down pillows first so that feathers don't leak out. Good Housekeeping columnist Heloise suggests washing two at a time for balance.

Pillows can go in the dryer on a low setting. Fluff often. You should add tennis balls in with down or feather pillows to help plump them up. They'll take a long time to dry.

Hand-wash foam pillows and let them air dry to prevent foam from breaking apart in the dryer.

Sleep experts recommend replacing pillows every one to three years, but you can hold onto your pillows as long as they are in good shape.

How do you know when it's time to make a trip to the store? If your pillow is lumpy, bumpy, has to be fluffed up for support, or stays folded when you fold it in half, then it's time to invest in a new one, says Heloise.

Use old pillows as bedding for pets instead of sending them to the dump. Check with your local animal shelter to see if they can use old pillows.

Comforters:

Use a duvet cover to protect your comforter and wash it regularly.

Shake out your down comforter once a week to keep the down from bunching up. Airing it outside occasionally will keep it fresh.

Goose down can lose some of its airiness when you wash or dry clean, so spot clean whenever possible. You can wash most down comforters, but double-check the label to make sure it doesn't need to be dry-cleaned. Plan on washing it or getting it professionally cleaned every one to five years.

Wash your comforter in an oversized washing machine at a laundromat instead of stuffing it into a residential washer. Don't forget to check the seams first so you don't lose a bunch of feathers.

Use a low dryer setting and place some tennis balls in with your down comforter so that the fill moves and doesn't bunch up.

Sheets:

Stay away from laundry sheets and fabric softeners. Why? They dull colors, and it's difficult to get rid of the residue they leave behind. (They'll also make your towels less absorbent.)

Don't use bleaches or detergents with optical brightens because they can weaken and discolor your sheets. Using a delicate detergent and rinsing well will keep your sheets soft.

Heat weakens fiber so don't wash in hot water or use a super hot dryer.

Washing sheets and towels together leads to pilling, so remember to separate them.

Get special tips for laundering silk sheets.

Cut up old sheets (and towels) to use for rags instead of throwing out.

When you do replace and what should you buy?

Plan ahead and keep your eye out for sales. Try buying the best quality products that you can afford so they last longer. Affordable organic cotton bedding is getting easier to find.

Check our Consumer Reports' sheet ratings and learn about different kinds of fabric and thread counts.

Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green's users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping and Amazon.com.

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Ya gonna eat that? Worms will

Mike Kahn — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:15:00 PDT

The cool thing about vermicomposting (that's composting using worms) is that it doesn't have the smell usually associated with traditional composting, so, you can easily store your worm bin indoors or in your garage. So a worm bin can be an easy and space-saving alternative to a compost.

Pre-made worm bins come in various sizes, or you can make your own. Start your worm bin now and in a few months you'll have rich soil perfect for gardening.

Step 1

To be honest, I was a bit nervous to set up a worm bin, but with a little bit of learning it was a straightforward and fun process. My worm bin came with easy to follow instructions, both for putting the bin together (just a few components to snap together) as well as for making a comfortable home for the worms.

If you want more detailed info about building your own worm bin and worm bin management, take a look at Worms Eat My Garbage by Mary Appelhof.

Step 2

Most worm bins consist of stacked trays that have holes in the bottom. You start the process by using only one tray in your worm bin. Worms live in this tray where you put food scraps for them to eat.

The holes at the bottom are initially covered with cardboard so the worms don't fall through. Once the worms have eaten enough food to fill one tray, a second tray is stacked on top of it, and new food scraps are place into this upper tray. The worms will migrate through the holes up to the top tray to eat their new food source.

Then the bottom tray is removed and harvested for the rich soil (technically worm castings). This process usually takes several months.

Step 3

The initial worm bedding is where the worms will live and your food scraps will be buried. Worm bedding can be made out of many materials -- shredded black-and-white newspaper, decaying leaves, coconut fiber, wood chips, peat moss, etc.

My bin came with a compressed block of coir (coconut fiber) that I soaked in a bucket of water where it expanded and broke apart. The material was then laid down evenly in the tray.

Step 4

Here comes the fun part! Worms! Even if you buy a pre-made worm bin, you'll probably need to buy your worms separately.

You can start off with 1 or 2 lbs. of worms (about 1,000 worms per pound). Worms are a bit pricey at over $25 a pound, but it's a great investment. My worms arrived within two days packaged in some bedding material.

The next step is to spread the worms even in the worm bin. Here I am holding a clump of worms (break it up guys!). I was a little squeamish at first, but I got over it. Worms are cool!

The process of putting the worms in the bin is done in the sun or under lights. This is because worms do not like light and so within 10 minutes or so they will all bury themselves in the bedding material.

Step 5

The next step is to spread some food scraps over the surface of the tray as "starter food." It's important not to overfeed the worms during the first week as they acclimate to their new home. Otherwise, food scraps may become moldy and will need to be removed from the bin.

Over time you should be able to feed the worms about 1/2 pound of garbage per day, but they are not picky about being fed every day and the number of worms can be adjusted for your household's needs.

One cool thing about vermicomposting, is that when managed properly, the process does not smell because an aerobic process is used (oxygen present). Worm bins can even be kept inside the house. This is opposed to many compost piles that use an anaerobic process (no oxygen) that can give off quite a stench.

Step 6

The last step is to cover the tray with moist cover material. I used a few layers of newspaper and sprayed it down with a spray bottle. The paper cover can be replenished if the worms start to eat, which they might! Another cover option are burlap sacks.

The cover keeps out flies, allows the food and bedding to retain moisture, and keeps the worms in the darkness they enjoy.

Now you are all set to have fun with your new pets and feel good about keeping tons of food waste out of landfills while creating rich new soil in the process.

The worm bin featured in this essay is a Wriggly Wranch purchased from a municipal program in San Mateo County, California. Check with your city and county for possible worm bin subsidies as well as classes. If they don't have them, encourage them to get it started!

Photographer Mike Kahn is passionate about sustainability and happy to be a new worm "wrangler." He runs the Green Stock Media photo agency. All photos by Mike Kahn / Green Stock Media.

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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc

How to save at least $250 on your heating bills this year

Lori Bongiorno — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:16:09 PDT

(Photo: Getty Images)

Worried about rising heat bills now that there's a chill in the air? There's plenty you can do to trim your costs if you're willing to take on a few simple home improvement projects.

It's worth it when you consider that heating accounts for about 28 percent of the average home's energy use. So even small improvements can add up to big savings.

The order you tackle projects is important. Go for the cheap and easy fixes first so that you can get the most bang for your buck and then move onto the more involved changes.

The important thing for homeowners is to think through the improvements they want to make, says Lane Burt at the Natural Resources Defense Council. These are Burt's suggestions on what to think about before heading to the hardware store:

Concentrate first on sealing leaks and tightening up the building shell, so warm air isn't leaking out.
Then make sure your ducts are sealed, so the heat you pay for actually gets to you.
Then you can take a look at the efficiency of your heating system to ensure that you are keeping your home as comfortable as possible for as little money as possible.

Below is a step-by-step guide to making changes that will have an impact on your wallet. Yes, you'll need to make small investments for most of the suggestions on this list, but the payback is relatively quick and the benefits last for multiple heating seasons.

Control your thermostat

We know you've heard this before, but that's because it's fairly easy to do and makes a big difference. Your best bet is to invest in a programmable thermostat, and use it properly. Figure you'll save around $60 during the heating season every year.

Whether you choose to upgrade your thermostat or not, turn it back as much as you can when you're away or asleep. Set it at 68 to 70 degrees when you're at home or awake.

The DOE calculates about a 1 percent savings for each degree you lower your thermostat over an 8-hour period.

Additional savings:

Close heat registers in rooms you rarely use. Just make sure the thermostat isn't in one of these rooms, says Burt. You can also add pop-up heat deflectors to direct air, according to Popular Mechanics. This should save you around $20 this winter.

Seal air leaks

Use caulk, spray foam, and/or weatherstripping to stop the air you're paying to heat from seeping out. You can find materials at any hardware store. Learn how to find leaks here.

Worried that you don't know what you're doing? Don't. It's hard to do it wrong, says Burt. When you're sealing a hole, it's going to be better when you're done than before you started, so don't hold back. Just in case, here are some instructions.

Count on saving around $80.76 a year (or $40 this winter) if you seal the large air leaks in your house.

Additional savings:

Close the fireplace flue when it's not in use, about 14 percent of the air leaking out of a house flows through the chimney.
Installing door sweeps will save you around $2.15 per door per month, according to Popular Mechanics. Count on saving about $10 to $12 for each door during the heating season.

Seal and insulate HVAC ducts

You'll probably want to hire a professional to handle this task, but it's worth it when you consider that you can save around $140 a year (or figure $70 this winter).

Add insulation

You don't have to insulate your whole house to reduce heat loss. Starting with your attic is relatively simple and can save you an estimated $116 a year (or $58 during the heating season). Don't forget the pull-down stairs!

Additional savings:

Insulate switch plates and electrical outlets. Popular Mechanics suggests installing inexpensive foam electrical outlet gasket covers behind drafty switch plates and electrical outlets on exterior walls. Estimated savings: $1 to $4 per month.
Apply plastic sheets to your windows. Inexpensive window insulation kits are available at hardware stores.

You'll save even more money if you learn the specifics about your home. The best way to find out is to conduct an energy audit. You can do this on your own, but you'll get the best results from hiring an independent contractor.

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Is danger lurking in your living room?

Cameron Bard — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:21:52 PDT

Recent EPA studies have shown that air pollution inside homes can be a shocking two to five times higher than outdoor levels. But what kind of pollution are we talking about, and where is it coming from? Well, you might be standing, sitting, or looking at it right now.

The following guide will help you identify polluting agents lurking in your home and the best ways to avoid or take care of them. So get ready to clean up your home environment, while doing some favors for the planet at the same time.

Your walls have fumes

If you have recently painted your living room you may be in danger. Most paint contains volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which are emitted as gases.

VOCs include an assortment of chemicals such as the known cancer-causing agent methylene chloride. Concentrations of VOCs can be 10 times higher indoors than outdoor because of the lack of ventilation.

The scary part is that the VOCs emitted while painting, or even from a paint can in storage, can attach themselves to your carpet or furniture and continue to pollute your home.

Paint solution
Fortunately there are a few simple solutions for avoiding run-ins with the sickening chemicals most paints contain. The best solution is to avoid VOC paint from the beginning.

Mainstream paint brands like Benjamin Moore and the Sherwin Williams Co. offer low or zero VOC paints, and there are many other brands who have been offering them for years, such as AFM’s Safecoat.

You can read more about earth-friendly paints here. Also, when painting, it’s always a good idea to open a window when you can to allow fresh air in, and stale air out.

The fireplace that warms you

Your living room fireplace can warm up the winter, but it can also fill up your house with carbon monoxide and other dangerous fumes.

A dirty chimney, closed damper, or an open flame doesn’t allow the fire to properly ventilate and can cause health problems in your home.

Fire solution
Always make sure that when starting a fire you have the damper open, and that it stays open until the embers have completely stopped burning. Every winter season you should have your chimney and flue inspected for any cracks or debris.

Buildup in your chimney can allow fumes to seep into your home, or even worse, can start a chimney fire. Also, make sure you have a glass covering or door over your open flame. This will help keep the wood burning more efficiently and keep excess carbon monoxide out of your lungs.

The carpet beneath your feet

Whether your carpet is a hand-me-down from your grandmother or brand new from the store, it probably has more bad things in it than you realize. If you have recently purchased your carpet, it has most likely been fitted to be flame-retardant, stain-resistant, moth-proof, and bacteria-free. But the way manufactures “protect” you from all of this is by loading tons of chemicals and preservatives into the carpet.

Remember the dangerous VOCs from the wall paint? Well, carpets have them too, as well as 4-PC, associated with respiratory problems, and benzene, formaldehyde, ethyl benzene, styrene, and acetone, all known carcinogens that can cause cancer and reproductive problems.

Flooring solutions
So how do you stay safe from threats such as fires, while staying healthy in the meantime? The first best step is to get rid of the carpet. You may have beautiful hardwood floors under those wall-to-wall carpets, which are a lot easier to keep clean and don’t have any of the same chemicals.

If you must have a carpet, look to buy those made of either natural fibers, such as wool, or from recycled materials. Interface Global, a leading carpet manufacturer, has designed FLOR, an environmentally conscious line of recycled and chemical-free modular carpeting. As a bonus, the modular design allows you to replace only a part of their carpet at a time. Interface’s dedication to lowering its own carbon footprint through energy efficiency and waste minimization is icing on the cake.

If you already own a carpet and can’t digest the thought of throwing it away or replacing it, the American Formulating and Manufacturing Company has designed a carpet sealer to prevent the outgassing of the harmful chemicals.

The furniture you sit on

In your home, some of the most significant polluters are your sofas, chairs, and tables. Furniture that is made from pressed wood also uses adhesives that contain high concentrations of urea-formaldehyde (UF) and other types of formaldehyde resins.

These resins can begin to slowly seep into the air over time and have been linked to asthma problems with children.

Furniture solutions
The rule of thumb when buying furniture is, if it smells -- don’t buy it. Most furniture will have some sort of formaldehyde on it, whether from the adhesive or from flame retardants, but you can inquire about which resins in particular the furniture was made with.

Phenol formaldehyde and methylene resins emit much less toxins in the air than say UF, so choosing a wood product with these is better than most. Also, you can buy a veneer or water-resistant coating to put on your furniture, which will reduce the emissions of toxins.

Remember though, unless the furniture appears to be certified natural, it will contain some level of chemicals regardless of the strength of odor. It’s because of this that your best option is to buy from a green furnishing company such as Furnature and Vivavi. These two companies have designed lines of sustainable furniture and fabrics that promise to be chemical free.

Safe home, healthy planet
Now don’t be afraid of the dangers lurking in your living room: Yes, they can be scary, but now you know what to do about them. A clean home environment will not only reduce your family’s exposure to harmful elements; every healthy choice you make in your own home will go a long way in protecting the planet’s health, too.

So kick your feet up and rest easy knowing your home is as safe as can be.

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