Be Environmentally Conscious And Save

(NAPSI)-Most people are unaware of the simple steps they can take to be more Earth friendly. Changing cleaning habits is one way to make a positive change. Household cleaning products can contain toxic chemicals that pollute the air and have negative effects on the Earth and your family. By changing the products you use and how you use them, you can be more Earth friendly.

Here are 10 cost-effective tips for being more Earth friendly at home:

• Start by making sure your home is properly ventilated to eliminate pollutants.

• Replace thick curtains that keep heat in with light curtains that allow breezes through during warm-weather months. This will help cut down on utility bills associated with running your air conditioner.

• Always read the labels of your cleaning products to ensure proper usage and storage. Use products the way they are intended. In many cases, using more doesn’t improve performance.

• Always keep cleaning products in their original containers with the lids closed. Never mix products together unless directed on the label.

• Use products completely. Don’t buy more than you can use. After use, recycle containers where possible or dispose of them as recommended on the label. Buy recyclable products whenever possible to cut down on waste.

• Clean your windows with a half-and-half mixture of distilled white or apple cider vinegar and water from a reusable spray bottle. Once you have sprayed the window pane, wipe with recycled newspapers for streak-free shine.

• Replace iridescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs throughout your home.

• Bring potted plants into your home to cut down on carbon dioxide.

• Use refillable water bottles instead of purchasing bottled water.

• Use nontoxic cleaners, such as Faultless/Bon Ami #04410 14OZ Bon Ami Cleanser, to keep the kitchen and bath areas free of mold and mildew, two big sources of indoor pollution. Bon Ami is a cleaner that contains no dyes, chlorine or perfumes and hasn’t since it launched in 1886.