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Earth-friendly household practices
Whether it's a spring cleaning sweep or everyday household practices, there are ways to go green while making things clean.
- Unless you only run the dishwasher every few days, rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher is an unnecessary step that wastes water. Scrape the dirty dishes, and then load the dishwasher.
- When washing dishes by hand, use a sink filled with soap and water rather than washing under running water.
- Replace incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL). According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if every household in the U.S. replaced one lightbulb with a CFL, it would prevent enough pollution to equal removing one million cars from the road.
- Select the appropriate load size on the washing machine and follow the detergent manufacturer's instructions for the proper measure.
- Sweep sidewalks and driveways rather than hosing them down.
- Start a compost pile for food scraps, grass and other yard clippings, and dead plants. It'll reduce your amount of garbage and using compost will improve your garden.
- Sort out the trash and recycle whatever you can. Recycle paper (printer paper, newspapers, mail, etc.), plastic, glass bottles, cardboard and aluminum cans. If your community doesn't collect recycling at the curb, take yours to a collection center.
- Think before you throw something out. Donate duplicates or things you no longer use to a charity. You might also check out the web-based Freecycle Network. Freecycle is a grassroots, nonprofit movement of people who are giving and getting stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is moderated by a volunteer and membership is free. Visit www.freecycle.org for more information.
- Limit your use of paper cups, paper plates and paper napkins in favor of washable dinnerware and cloth napkins.
- When replacing appliances, look for those that have an Energy Star rating. The right choices can save families about thirty percent ($400 a year) while reducing our emissions of greenhouse gases.
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Cleaning Matters is
compiled by The Soap and Detergent Association and is
not copyrighted. Such information is offered solely to
aid the reader. The Soap and Detergent Association and
its member companies do not make any guarantees or warranties,
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