1) During the day, try to remember to leave your lights off. Open the curtains and let the sunshine in to add natural light to your home. Hanging mirrors on the wall will also brighten up a darker room by reflecting light. During the evening, switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, which last 1o times longer than regular bulbs and use 75% less energy. 

2) Rather than relying on disposable batteries, try using rechargeable ones. These will be able to power toys, electronics, and remote controls over and over, leaving no wasted material behind.

3) An easy way to save energy around the home is to plug your electronics into a central power strip. When you are not using them, just turn the power strip to off, which will quickly save your home energy.

4) If you do not use a central power strip, make a habit of unplugging your chargers after using your electronics. For example, do not leave your phone charger plugged in all day. This will save energy and lower your annual energy bill.

5) By selecting the cold water cycle whenever possible when washing your clothes, you will save a great deal of energy. Hot water heating while washing clothes accounts for about 90% of energy use. To take another green step, try drying your clothes on a clothes line outdoors when the weather is nice!

6) Rather than wash all of your dishes by hand, let the dishwasher do the work! This will save a significant amount of water use. To save even more energy, open the dishwasher after the last rinse to let the dishes air-dry.

7) During the winter, try to keep your thermostat at 68 degrees while you are at home and lower the temperature when you leave the house or hit the sack. To stay warm and cozy, seal off any drafts in your windows and flip the switch on your ceiling fan to drive warm air down and heat up the room

• Paint- Next you  have a room that needs a new paint job, be conscious of the types of paint you buy! Try to choose a paint labeled as low-VOC (volatile organic compounds). Conventional paint contains VOC’s, which are carbon-containing substances that vaporize into the air and cause indoor pollution.
• Flooring-Rugs that are made of recyclable or natural fibers are the most eco-friendly and green way to cover your floors. Also, consider buying an antique or vintage rug when shopping, which is always green and in style!
• Curtains-If you are planning on updating your window treatments, consider buying insulated curtains. These help keep heat in, or out, which will conserve a lot of energy and money for your family. Also, they decrease the amount of sunshine-induced fading that occurs on floor coverings and furniture.
• Furniture- Sustainably designed furniture, which is tables, chairs, etc. made from natural, recycled or reclaimed materials and constructed with nontoxic glues and varnishes comes in a range of prices and styles. Even adding one planet-friendly piece to your home is a step in the right direction.
• Rethink the Tchotchke- Whether you’re love to collect accessories and decorations for your home, or prefer to keep it simple, you will most likely find some knickknacks around your home. An easy way to go green is to start purchasing these items from your local vintage stores or tag sales, and look for products that are made from recycled and reclaimed materials. Buying from tag and yard sales is also a great way to save some money.

1) How will you use your island? 

-The way in which you want to use your kitchen island will influence the type you should get. To analyze your island needs, consider a few basic areas:

• Storage: Create accessible and simple storage to keep clutter for piling up on the island. Consider installing drawers and cupboards under the island for containers, pots and pans, and utensils. You can also utilize overhead racks for larger objects like pots and mixing bowls, cookbooks, or wine bottles. Keep in mind serving and baking tray storage and consider installing tall and skinny drawers and compartments as well.
• Seating: You may want to consider installing seating into the island if it is a place you want the family to be able to hang out at. You can include a breakfast bar on one side with enough counter space to serve food. If you want to add a microwave, range or cook-top stove to your island, make sure create enough counter space so it does not become a hazard. Also, you can install a dual-height island, where the eating area is higher than the working area.
• Plumbing: Your island can have a small extra prep sink, dishwasher, or disposal which will give you more space to clean up.
• Electrics: Be sure to include multiple outlets for both safety and convenience, as you do not want to have to use extension cords from across the counter tops.

2) What size and shape are best for a kitchen island?
The size and shape of a kitchen island depend on the square footage and layout of the existing room. Make sure there is enough room around the island to move freely, and for appliances to fully open. Kitchen islands are typically rectangular or square, but don’t be afraid of trying a different shape such as an oval or arc, or creating a perpendicular shape to suit the proportions of the room.

Make a life-sized template of your desired shape of kitchen island out of paper or cardboard, tape it down on the floor, and live with it for a day or two. As you continue to plan, keep these standard measurements in mind:

• Walkway between island and existing cabinetry: 36 to 42 inches
• Counter height: 36 inches
• Breakfast bar height: 40 to 42 inches

3) Should the kitchen island match the existing kitchen decor?

The island will become the center of attention in your kitchen. You can choose to keep the decor the same, or, if budget allows, you can update it a little more. Perhaps add a bold new accent color or change up the cabinets or drawers.

• Countertops: A stainless steel or cement surface on the island can put an industrial spin on a traditional kitchen. Or consider butcher block if you cook a lot, or a marble surface set at a lower height if you are a frequent baker.
• Cabinetry: Colorful painted base cabinetry adds pop in a neutral or white kitchen. Beadboard adds textural interest if the rest of the cabinetry is flat. Or to visually open up the space, the island can be set atop legs with open shelving.

Visit here to see the rest of our kitchen-island design ideas.

Designing and building a new kitchen island is a difficult task. Consider using Total Household to find a designer and contractor to help you create the most professional island for your home! Check out our reviews section to find the best services near you!

Throw a Planet-Friendly Barbecue:

-Choose a gas grill over charcoal. Natural gas and propane grills are much more energy-efficient and leave behind less waste than a charcoal grill does. Charcoal grills also release more carbon monoxide and harsh chemicals into the air than any other fuel sources.

-Use Reusables!  Disposable plates, silverware, and napkins account for huge amounts of unnecessary waste. If you still do not want to run the dishwasher, try using compostable or recyclable dishes, like corn-based utensils or bamboo plates.

Checking up on your home energy usage can be easier than you think. Here are a few simple steps to help you analyze and decrease your energy use, creating a more ec0-friendly home.

-Check on air leaks, which are gaps in the edge of the flooring or where the wall meets the ceiling. These can increase your anuual energy use by 5 to 30 percent. Identifying and sealing these air leaks with caulk, spray-foam, or weather strips.

-Replace your regular light bulbs with a compact fluorescent kind. It will save you a huge amount of energy. They are just as bright as regular bulbs, but use just a quarter of the energy.

-Unplug your chargers, appliances, and electronics whenever you are not using them. The plugs can drain energy from the wall, even when the source is turned off. A laptop could cost you up to $15  a year, and a came console could cost over $25 per year.

-Turn your computer off whenever you are not using it. It is a myth that turning your computer on and off wastes more money than keeping it running all day. If you are not going to use it for 20 minutes, turn the monitor off. Not using it for over 2 hours? Turn off the whole computer.

-Consider running your thermostat on a schedule to avoid wasting a ton of energy each year. The average American family spends 41 percent of its home energy bill on cooling and heating. During the summertime, program your thermostat for 78 F when you’re out of the house or sleeping, and keep it a little cooler when you are home. In winter, turn the heat down to 65 F when you are out of the house or asleep, and closer to 70 F when you are home.

An invisible factor that can greatly impact your family’s health is your home air quality. There are some simple steps you can take to improve your indoor air quality. Consider having a no-shoe policy in your home, which will cut down on the grime that gets tracked inside. Also, vacuum with a HEPA(high efficiency particle) filter. Your carpet becomes a magnet for dust, pollen, and dirt to become trapped. A HEPA vacuum will help to remove all of this grime and improve the overall air quality inside your home. Another tip is to open your windows once a day to filter out the air.

Plants can also help to improve indoor air quality, and are a very simple remedy. Place one medium to large sized  plant every 100 feet around your home. Three common houseplants that will help your home the most are: areca palm, mother-in-law’s tongue, and money plants. They all remove harmful organic chemicals from the air inside your home.

Some products do more harm than good. Pesticides get rid of annoying bugs, but they have been linked to hormone imbalances, asthma, and even learning disabilities in children. There are however simple ways to avoid using these harmful pesticides.

As summer approaches, kids are spending more time outdoors, which often results in bug bites. Try sprinkling chili pepper flakes around red ant piles in your yard. The ants hate chili pepper, and it is a simple green solution to keep them away. A simple toxin-free substitute to bug spray is basil leaves. Before your kids go outside to play, rub them with the leaves to keep away fruit flies and mosquitoes.

You can even  make your own bug repellent by combining eucalyptus, lavender, citronella and geranium oil — all of which naturally repel bugs.

Simple eco-friendly tips such as these will create a safer home, both inside and out. Keep your entire family safe this season by following our green solutions! Encourage your entire family to recycle and reuse products such as water bottles and lunch bags, which is a small way to make a big difference.

1. Flip your mattress over four times a year. This will reduce toxic buildup and decrease mold, while airing it out.

2. Out of cleaning solution? You can make your own homemade solution of water and vinegar, which will work on all your surfaces.

3. Take all of your sheets and towels and hand wash them in cold water, adding lemon and vinegar to the water. For the whites, line-dry them outside as the lemon acts as a natural whitener in the spring sun.

4. Consider having a clothing swap with your friends. Go through your clothes and pick the ones you can give away, and then have a clothing swap night! Any leftover clothing can be donated to the Goodwill afterward.

5. Make sure you store your winter clothes away properly to avoid moth-eaten holes by fall. Rather than using toxic mothballs in your bins, use cedar blocks, either balls or chips, or even lavender sachets.

Click here to read the rest of our eco-friendly cleaning tips for spring!

There are many cleaning services that can help you organize your home for spring if you need a little help. Consider hiring a company to assist you. Also, check out websites like 41pounds.org to cut back on the amount of junk mail you receive each year, and Dress for Success which donates suits and formal wear. Going green and making eco-friendly changes to your home is simple and will make a great impact for your family.

GOING GREEN OUTDOORS

It seems as though “going green” is becoming more and more popular these days. Creating a more green and efficient home not only helps the environment, but can save you money as well. However, changes do not only occur inside the home. Consider ditching harsh chemicals during lawn maintenance, and instead turn to more eco-friendly lawn tips, such as using organic fertilizers and composts and turning off your automatic sprinklers. And don’t worry, with these tips you will not sacrifice a beautiful lawn to becoming more eco-friendly. Need some help getting started with a green transformation for your home? Check out totalhousehold.com to find multiple articles on green solutions.

Brighten your walkway with simple landscaping ideas

If you have a dimly lit front path/walk and would like to make it brighter and more welcoming for this spring/summer, consider a DIY project of installing a few solar lighting units. With a great price (around $4 each) and easy installation, a lighted path helps friends and family find their way in your yard and deters intruders. First, you will want to select an area that will receive sunlight, without other light sources that will interfere with it. Next, you will want to measure out your pathway. Lights should be about 1 to 2 feet apart, and you can use sticks or small rocks to mark the places. Dig holes in the soil, stick in the lights, and cover back with soil. Water the soil to ensure the light is secure. Finally, the solar lights will need to charge, which will take about two days. Make sure you install on a dry day, and keep the lights uncovered, as they need sunlight to work! Looking for some more advanced landscaping help this year? Search for landscaping contractors in your area!

Reorganize your garage

Another great project for spring cleaning is reorganizing your garage. Although a seemingly daunting task, it can be made much simpler with a strategy. First, remove everything from your garage so you can better see all that you have. Sort things into piles of “Keep,”Sell,” “Recycle,” and “Trash.” Measure the interior of your garage, including the height. To keep clutter from the ground, try to vertically utilize the wall space. You may want to consider installing a workbench, tool cart, or shelves and cabinets to better separate and organize your belongings. You can install bike storage, as well as horizontally hang your ladders from the wall. Another useful tip is to utilize the ceiling space, by hanging things with a pulley system. This could prove too difficult for many, so consider hiring a professional storage contractor to help. Finally, make sure everything is easily accessible, and label everything to eliminate time searching for your tools! Consider using a cleaning service to help you reorganize your garage more quickly and efficiently. Also, search for local contractors to remove the waste piles for you.

For help with any other indoor or outdoor projects this season, visit Totalhousehold.com to find home repair contractors in your area!

To fix a hole or gouge that is less than one inch in diameter, you should first use a utility knife to scrape away any jagged edges so that there are no materials bulging from the wall’s surface. Use a broad putty knife to apply the first layer of drywall compound. Make sure that you precisely follow the directions and that you do not apply a layer that is more than 1/8 of an inch thick. Smooth the surface with the putty knife and allow the compound to dry. Then, add a second layer of the compound, and repeat this process until the compound layer juts out a bit further than the wall. When the compound is thoroughly dry, use light sandpaper to make it flush with the rest of the wall. Now, the surface is ready to paint.

A larger hole will require more work to fix, so you may want to hire the services of a company that employees home repair contractors. For more information, visit TotalHousehold.com.

To fix it, you need a hammer, carpenter’s glue, and two or three one-inch by three-inch wooden wedges, which are known as shims. You also need six two-inch brads, a thin drill, 1/16-inch drill bits. If your staircase is carpeted, you need to remove the carpeting so that you may use the pry bar to wedge a gap between the riser and the tread.

Use the hammer to gently tap the wooden shims into the gap in order to widen it further. Put glue into the gap between the riser and the tread of the squeaky step; then, remove the wedges by loosening them with the hammer or by hand.

For more information, contact home repair contractors to help you fix the staircase. TotalHousehold.com offers reviews of home repair contractors, so you may find the individuals who are best suited to the job.

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