Chapter 4: What Goes In Your Home & How To Make Eco-Friendly Choices

My aim is to guide you towards a more sustainable and healthy living environment. Through my book, “Living Green Effortlessly: Simple Choices for a Better Home,” I share my wealth of knowledge and personal experiences so that you can avoid the pitfalls I encountered along the way.

Our homes possess a hidden side, influenced by the intricacies of modern living. Often, we remain oblivious to the fact that our living spaces may not be in our best interest and could potentially harm our well-being.

Check out my Healthier Home Checklist to learn 21 practical ways to incrementally improve the health, safety, and comfort of homes. My mission is to empower people in their homes, families, and work by sharing how and why swapping traditional home products with green and sustainable ones can create a safer, healthier, and more comfortable home.

In the fourth chapter of my book, we explore practical actions and eco-friendly choices you can take to make impactful changes within your home. I discuss the materials and items you bring into your space, the factors you should consider, the qualities you should seek, and the eco-friendly choices you should make. By addressing even the smallest details, we can transform our homes into safer, healthier spaces.

Choices

Most of the choices you need to make are inside your home. Think the decorative elements, fixtures, and fittings. These pivotal choices allow you to add a personal touch while considering the impact on the space around you.

What the things in your house are made up of

Your household items are comprised of diverse materials such as wood, metal, glass, paint, varnish, glue, and plastic. However, determining which products are crafted with superior quality, efficiency, and a strong commitment to the well-being of the Earth and its inhabitants can pose a challenge. Thankfully, the internet is a valuable resource in this pursuit. Numerous websites, particularly those established by reputable non-profit organizations that establish sustainability standards, offer valuable insights into sustainable and eco-friendly products. Take advantage of these platforms to make informed choices for a greener and more socially responsible lifestyle.

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and toxins

Minimizing the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxins within your home is a priority worth pursuing. It’s essential to avoid introducing these substances whenever possible. Yet, it can be easy to unintentionally bring them into your living space if you are unaware of their presence.

Labels

There are now labels for building materials and various consumer goods we purchase. While these labels may not be as standardized as their counterparts in the food industry, progress has been made in this domain. Additionally, a multitude of independent third-party certifications have been developed, offering a reliable means to discern the quality and reliability of a product. These certifications serve as a valuable shortcut, assuring consumers that the product has undergone rigorous testing and verification by impartial entities separate from the manufacturing company.

Flooring

There are hundreds of choices for flooring, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. However, your primary focus should be on selecting the flooring that aligns best with your personal preferences, performance requirements, style preferences, and lifestyle considerations. Additionally, it’s worth considering the manufacturing methods employed and the carbon footprint associated with the flooring choices you explore. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can make an informed decision that caters to both your individual needs and environmental consciousness.

Types of flooring

Wooden floors: True hardwood flooring can be likened to exquisite furniture for your floor. Keep in mind that darker hues tend to accentuate dirt and require more diligent upkeep.

Bamboo floors: Bamboo, a rapidly renewable resource, boasts rapid growth as it can be harvested every seven years. However, it’s essential to consider the resources expended in transporting and manufacturing bamboo products from Asia.

Cork floors: Derived from the bark of cork trees, cork flooring offers remarkable resilience and a soft surface that is gentle to tread upon. Its natural properties include insect repellence, resistance to mold and mildew. Harvested approximately every nine years, cork qualifies as a fairly rapidly renewable resource.

Stone and tile floors: Stone and tile surfaces are excellent choices for individuals with asthma and allergies due to their ease of cleaning and resistance to harboring dust and dirt. However, one consideration is their tendency to become chilly during colder weather conditions.

Local options for flooring

It’s always better to source materials locally, when possible.

Decisions

When it’s time to choose materials for your home, there are plenty of decisions to make. Start by considering what matters most to you and what works within your budget. Take some time to weigh the pros and cons of the different options available. By doing so, you can make choices that align with your priorities and suit your unique needs.

The three Rs

Remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle items whenever possible. By doing that, you will help keep the landfills from getting out of control.

Toilet paper

Toilet paper production often relies on the use of forests. However, there are alternative options available that allow you to reduce your impact on trees. Consider opting for toilet paper made from recycled paper, or explore non-tree alternatives such as bamboo or hemp-based toilet paper. By choosing these alternatives, you can play a part in promoting sustainability and reducing the demand for toilet paper derived from large trees.

As Green Home Coach, my goal is to empower you to create a sustainable and healthy living environment. “Living Green Effortlessly: Simple Choices for a Better Home” shares my knowledge and experiences, helping you avoid the mistakes I’ve made along the way. By making thoughtful choices within our homes, we can create a better future for ourselves and the world around us.