Going green in the home is a great way to take part in the growing way of life

 and to do your part in helping keep the environment clean.   People use special energy saving light bulbs, only wash clothes in cold water, hang wet clothing outside to dry, install solar lights and do many other things to save energy and money.   However, have you given any thoughts as to how you can actually go green in your laundry room?  While this is one of the most commonly used rooms in a person’s home, it also one of the most overlooked as well.

There are several things a homeowner can do in terms of saving money and energy in the laundry room. 

By carefully selecting a washing machine and dryer, you can find machines that have passed energy saving standards and carry the Energy Star Label, which allow a consumer to save water and energy at the same time.  Getting a new energy efficient washing machine and dryer, means a person can use less energy and save money on their utility bill each month.

Approximately 90% of the energy exerted during washing clothes is the amount of energy required to heat the water.  Washing clothes in cold water whenever possible will save energy and extends the life of some of your clothing so it is a good practice to “go green” in your laundry room.  Also, it is a good idea and saves money to wash clothing only when you have enough to make a large load; you run the machine much less and save money on laundry soap and energy as well.

When looking for other ways to go “green” in your laundry room, do not overlook the products you use to wash your clothes.  If you want to go green when doing your laundry, look for a detergent that is plant-based and use non-chlorine bleach products made from sodium perborate or sodium percarbonate.  When you have stains, soak the clothing in Borax, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice or vinegar.  Instead of using fabric softener, add a quarter cup of baking soda to the load for extra softness and brighter colors and whites.

As a consumer, going green means committing yourself to purchasing natural cleaning products and using the least damaging cleaners you can find.  When buying laundry soap, purchase a brand that uses recycled containers.  Most conventional laundry detergents are made from petroleum based chemicals and phosphates; these can be linked to certain types of cancer and reproductive problems.  Chlorine bleach should also be banned from the laundry room, it is highly caustic and it goes from the drain and directly into the environment.  Bleach contains chemicals that are carcinogenic (cancer-causing), and can damage the earth’s ozone layer as well, so it is a good idea to find an alternative when you need to get your clothing whiter and brighter.

Through adopting a “green” attitude and being cautious when purchasing laundry room products, a person can do their part to keep the earth clean.  Going “green,” is a good way to enrich your home environment and helps reduce the release of greenhouse gases and other harmful chemicals.  Going “green” is the best way a consumer can protect their health, and by reducing the amount of harmful chemicals used in the house and thereby making the earth a friendlier, cleaner place in which to live.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact Information:
Doug Belleville 636-296-8540
info@STLBeds.com

Salesman becomes St Louis’ First Green AP Certified in Eco-Friendly Home Furnishings and Design

One year ago Doug Belleville’s small 3-man business STL Beds became a member of a unique group called the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC). They are a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and educating people inside and outside the furniture industry about earth friendly alternatives and choices. The SFC green furnishings group consists of industry suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, and interior designers. Doug felt the need within his industry to reach out to his customers by helping them get a better understanding of why it’s important to support green furniture programs. Recently he completed an intensive course, the only one of its kind, which focuses on training industry leaders so that they can educate their customers in sustainability, eco friendly home furnishings, and design. Doug is the 1st in St. Louis, 2nd in the state of Missouri, and is one of only a handful of people across the nation to be certified as a Green Leader Accredited Professional  (Green AP) recognized by the SFC.

Why be Green Leader Certified?

Anything and everything green is certainly the buzz. Up until now most of the populace has taken few steps in the direction of green education. Doug took those steps and found a way to make a difference not only in his own life, but also in the lives of other people he comes into contact with everyday. He says “often times the consumer knows very little about green initiatives. They do the best they can, purchasing organic food, recycling aluminum cans, and possibly even participating in a local recycling program. As they should most say they feel good about what they’re doing, yet more often than not these same people are not always sure how or if they are really making a difference. While each of the aforementioned are important steps to saving the earth, it’s also important to recognize every little thing we do can makes a difference in either a positive or a negative way . The first step is recognizing personal responsibilities like what kind of individual impact each of us have on the environment in which we all live.”

What Doug and His Company are Doing to be Green

For nearly 4 years Doug has researched sustainable green home furnishing and has put in a plan to educate others in sustainable furnishings as well. Not only by becoming the first Green AP certified furnishing salesman in St Louis, but he has put his money where his mouth is and expanded his company product selection to include chemical free, organic mattresses and various other environmentally safe products. He is one of the first to actually deal with issues of biodegradable mattresses. Doug says “Mattress recycling is virtually non existent curbside in St. Louis and it is a huge undertaking to try and budge a waste disposal system that is virtually entrenched in the old habits of simple throwing mattresses away. Costs of disposal will only get higher as landfill space becomes scarcer. That’s why three years ago we chose to offer consumers new cutting edge product choices that utilize recyclable materials, biodegradable, and sustainable parts saving up to 25 cubic feet of landfill space.” He believes buying recyclable products, chemical free organic foods, and sustainable goods can make a real difference – and that people must continue to do that.

Doug saw the waste in his industry and has made a switch to try to do more business with companies that practice sustainability – such as companies that make use of earth friendly growing methods, source their raw materials legally and properly, and make a difference in indoor air quality.

Organic Cotton, Wool, and Latex Mattresses

Investing in an organic mattress may seem like an extravagant expense, but after doing some preliminary research many people become convinced it is a worthwhile purchase.  However, you may be wondering why you should change to a natural organic cotton mattress.  Most people sleep on traditional bedding and spend a great deal of time surrounded by toxic fumes, dust mites, and other dangerous things.  However, “green” mattresses are manufactured using sustainable, all natural fibers like cotton or organic wool and even rubber and they are just as comfortable as traditional bedding.

Green mattresses are safer because they are non-toxic, extremely durable,

and do not pose the same health hazards as traditional mattresses.  The toxic fumes and chemicals contained in a traditional mattress will enter the air while you sleep and are inhaled deeply into your lungs causing aggravating allergies even causing skin or eye irritations.  The materials used in conventional mattresses are usually synthetic materials like nylon, polyurethane, and polyester, most of which are treated with chemical fire retardants which can be very harmful.

An example of this is mattresses containing polyurethane foam or memory foam. These beds containing polyurethane which is basically a highly flammable petroleum derivative.  To counteract the polyurethane foam hazard, these mattresses are richly coated with flame retardants.

Organic cotton mattresses are great to use in place of a traditional inner spring mattress

and are very durable, with a life span of up to fifteen years sometimes more.  An organic cotton mattress will improve indoor air quality in your bedroom while eliminating VOC’s  released from traditional beds.  When mattress shopping, a person should give serious consideration to alternative materials like organic wool or organic cotton  product due to the pesticides and synthetic materials used in traditional mattresses. A green mattress is both environmentally friendly and has less harsh chemicals, which translates to a safer night of sleep.

Natural latex rubber mattresses are an environmentally friendly solution to

a problem that is the synthetic nightmare we call a mattress.  These natural, sustainable, and organic products are a good fit for anyone looking for comfort, durability, and little to no chemical usage.  Consider beds made from the sap of rubber trees.  A latex rubber mattress is both comfortable and durable and will last for many years  while being environmentally sound. Most are not treated with harmful chemicals. Instead organic models utilize organic wool as a natural fire retardant and quilt it within a organic cotton cover.

Anyone considering buying a new bed should give serious consideration to getting a “green” one.  A green mattress often is very high quality, hypoallergenic, mold and mildew resistant, all of which translates to being better for your sleep, health and peace of mind.  Choosing an organic cotton mattress and bedding material that are free from toxins  is an easy way for you to “green” your home with little effort.  Consumers are now demanding more “green” products, it supports organic growers and allows you to do your part to make the environment cleaner.

By using an organic mattress and bedding products, not only does the ecosystem benefit, but natural fabrics are breathable, help you maintain a consistent body temperature and are a sure way to ensure you receive a safe, restful, non-toxic, night’s sleep.  No matter what type of budget you may have, there are many economical options when it comes to organic bedding, so you are sure to find a great selection and not have to break your wallet to do it.

Many people are “going green” in the home to observe an environmentally friendly lifestyle and do their part to help keep the earth clean.  Some people recycle and others plant gardens, buy organic foods and only use all natural cleaning products, while some individuals use environmentally friendly practices when building their home.  However, did you know there is a growing trend emerging and that is “going green,” in the workplace.

There are many advantages to “going green” in the work environment

and it can be done by incorporating certain practices and making a few changes, but it all makes a real difference.  You might be the first one adopting this attitude on the job, but soon the efforts will begin to be noticed by co-workers and before you know it, the entire office might jump on board with you too.  Going green is as much of a choice as it is a lifestyle and when you are serious, even the smallest efforts will translate to mean big changes with time.

Paper is one of the most common office materials which people seem to take for granted,

but did you know how many trees are cut down to make paper?  If you think about it, how many times a day do you reach for a piece of paper to write down something to remember or perhaps a telephone number or message?  The amount of paper you use is staggering, so it might be an idea to check into the paper your company uses for its supplier.  Is your office paper made of recycled materials?  If not, talk to your employer about making the change and do your part to save trees, one of the earth’s most precious commodities.

If you work for a company that sends out a lot of flyers and printed materials, do you know what kind of ink your company uses?  Is it vegetable-based ink?  Many people are surprised to find out about this new trend which is becoming more well-known.  Ink is currently being manufactured from soybeans so it does not release harmful greenhouse gases.  Not only is vegetable based ink better for the environment, but makes it much easier to recycle the paper used as well.

Another good way of going green in the office is to shut down and unplug any unused electronic products when not in use.

If you are not going to be using your office computer, why not reach under your desk and unplug it at the end of the day to save energy.  A good way to turn off many different electronics at once is to use a surge protector or power strip, this way with the flip of one switch everything can be easily turned off until the next time you need to use them.

Going green in the workplace is not as difficult as people might have originally thought.  With a few simple changes like we mentioned or even working from home, you can make a genuine dent in energy use, save your company money and hopefully inspire your co-workers to do their part as well.  If everyone were to make just a couple of small changes here and there in the workplace, it would generate to mean a cleaner, healthier environment and reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

We all know as fall begins to approach the leaves will be changing from green into beautiful hues of red, gold, yellow and amber.  The changing leaves signify the weather is getting ready to change and winter is approaching, it happens all over the country.  One of the least favored activities of fall is raking and bagging those leaves and stacking them at the curb. However, why not

turn those leaves into compost and save energy and space in the local landfill.

According to statistical information from the Environmental Protection Agency, homeowner yard waste is the second biggest trash item, behind paper and comprises about 25% of the whole community trash haul.  Dead leaves are rich in nutrients and minerals that can be used for landscaping and gardening purposes. There are many ways to make a home compost pile and it is one of the easiest ways a person can observe the “going green” trend and help protect the environment.

Leave and yard waste can be beneficial

Compost is a super rich pile of decomposing materials, which contains humus, carbon and nitrogen.  It is very simple to make your own compost heap at home and you can build or purchase a bin from your local hardware store.  If you live in the country, chances are good your compost pile will not be a bother to anyone, but if you are an urbanite, then purchasing a plastic compost container might be the better option to avoid upsetting any neighbors.

Once you have your compost heap container constructed or purchased, place it in a shady location if possible.  To begin your compost pile you should rotate layers of brown material like dried leaves, twigs, straw, weeds and vegetable trimmings and manure.  The next layer should be green and you can use such things as grass clippings and leaves.  It is very important to never use animal or dairy products, pet or human waste, diseased plants or those treated with harmful pesticides.  Water each compost layer as you build the next and ensure each one is saturated well before proceeding to the next layer.

After your compost pile has sat for a week or two, the next thing you want to do is stir the layers up.  Using a pitchfork or rake, mix the layers together, then cover the pile back up again and let it cook and decompose.  Allow time and nature to do the work to turn the compost in a nutrient rich mishmash which will be used to fertilize your garden next summer.  Often it takes 2-3 months for a compost pile to reach full maturation, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time if you plan on using it in the springtime on your flowerbeds or garden.

Almost anything can be used in a compost pile and not only are you cutting down on your trash load, but you are also getting the added benefit of using organic compost in your garden or home landscaping projects.  Composting can become a hobby, passion and for some, even like a religion, but it is a highly enjoyable and productive pastime which many homeowners participate in.  Composting is a great way to clean up the environment and is just one of many ways you can make the most of the “going green” trend.

Learn about Biodegradable Eco Friendly Mattress.