12/27/11

The Environmental Protection Agency has created a new label on consumer products called Design for the Environment. The DFE label helps consumers quickly identify and choose products that are designed to be safer for their families and are more environmentally friendly. In 2011, Americans who chose DFE products helped cut the use of hundreds of millions of pounds of harmful chemicals. Learn more at epa.gov/dfe.

12/26/11

Many bathrooms are damp rooms that aren't well ventilated, which can lead to growth of unpleasant mold and mildew. One way to help prevent this growth is to use a special light bulb in the overhead lights -- look for LED bulbs that are embedded with ultraviolet light. UV lights have been successfully used in hospitals to inhibit microbial growth, so using the bulbs in your bathroom can also help keep it healthy without the use of chemicals. And since LED bulbs are energy efficient and long lasting, the LED UV bulb will last for many years to come.

12/25/11

If you want to invest in good-for-the-planet and oh-so comfy organic cotton bedding, but can't afford the high price tags, think flash sale sites. Sites like Gilt.com, OneKingsLane.com and HauteLook.com work with designers to sell their excess inventory at a steep discount. These sales are for a short period of time, and when the inventory is gone, it's gone for good. The home decor sections for these sites often carry eco-friendly bedding that can be bought for a song. It's worth signing up for free and checking in periodically to see if your favorite green bedding line is on sale.