Ten Steps to a Greener Home

Most of us would love to leave a healthier planet for our children. But how to live a greener life? It's easier than you think. We asked top eco-consultant and raw food chef Renee Loux -- actor Alicia Silverstone calls her the "green Martha Stewart" -- to help us take those first few steps towards reducing our carbon footprints.

Renee believes that forging a more environmentally friendly existence doesn't require a dramatic, overnight transformation. It can start by switching to nontoxic cleaning products or introducing houseplants into our lives. "A few simple changes really add up," says Renee. Read on for her easy tips.

1. Use Green Cleaning Products

Common cleaning products are filled with toxic chemicals -- compounds that are directly linked to cancer, reproductive disorders, lung and skin damage, and other serious health concerns. Kids are especially vulnerable. Cleaning chemicals are a major contributor to indoor air pollution -- and keep in mind that inside the house is where the average family spends 90% of its time. What's more, cleaning products end up in the environment, devastating the eco-system and contaminating our water.

Switching to green cleaning products is easy:

Eco-conscious stores such as Whole Foods stock their shelves with non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning products for every surface. That's great news for your family's health and, best of all, these green cleaners really get the job done.

2. Install a Water Filter

Clean, safe water without all of the waste. This is a simple home improvement that is smart, easy and cost-cutting: no more plastic water bottles, no more fossil fuels used to deliver the H20, and no more water delivery bills, either.

3. Use Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

Did you know that 90% of electricity is lost by heat in incandescent (regular) bulbs. Energy-efficient bulbs produce the same amount of light using about 25% of the energy. There are energy-efficient light bulbs for every kind of fixture, providing a spectrum of watts, hues and ambience. There are even light bulbs that last 20,000 hours— that's 5 hours a day for 11 years. Just one of them will replace 26 store-bought light bulbs. So smart!

February 23, 2009