Category: Home & Family -> Home Living Environment Friendly Home Living Author: Randall T Make everyday an Earth Day by starting to live the environment friendly way. Here are few tips you can start of by conserving the environment and your pockets. Cleaning without harsh chemicals Stock on white distilled vinegar, rubbing alcohol and baking soda instead of harsh household cleaners. White vinegar has been known to be versatile and economical for use in cleaning such as removing limescale from shower screens, baby sterilizers, cleaning of utensils, chopping board stains, removing the price tag sticker stains on your pots and pans, cleaning of shower areas and many more. This is because white vinegar has a mild acid content well enough to dissolve dirt, soap scum as well as to inhibit growth of bacteria and mould. Replace your glass cleaners with rubbing alcohol mixed with water in a spray bottle to clean spots on glass windows. Baking sodas have also been known as a similar cleaning agent to vinegar but for milder use and less abrasive on on kitchen sink and laundry. Install motion detector for your lights Lights left on all day is wasting the energy resources and incurring cost to your monthly bills. Get light fixtures activated by motion and a timer that will keep area well lit long enough while you are in the area. This is especially for bathroom and walkways. Install overhead fan in your living room instead of an aircon An overhead ceiling fan can cool you in your living area too and it is recommended for you to install it above your couch where you spend hours on the TV set. Consider window tinting or installing a blind if your room is directly facing the sun. It reduces the heat and at the same time eliminate your need for the aircon Use power strips with energy-saving features on your TV, computer and other appliances Some power strips with energy-saving features can switch off the strip if appliances go into standby mode. This can be useful on your computer where power still continues to flow to peripherals like printers and scanners. Power strips prevent the energy from being wasted   Reuse, recycle Besides saving the plastic bags, reuse empty detergent/shampoo bottles by buying the refill pack instead. This also encourages companies go environment friendly by iintroducing refill packs of shampoos and body foam to their products. It give you tremendous cost savings in long term and lower refuse waste.