Green Options › How To's

Here you'll find a wide variety of how to's all about sustainable living.  Jump in to learn more, contribute your knowledge, or create a how to of your own!

69 how to submissions by the Green Options community.

DIY Repairs for Home Appliances

Most people assume that a broken fridge or leaking washer is a job best left to the pros - but these days, that just isn't the case. Repairing your own appliances has never been easier or more cost-effective than it is now. There are many websites geared specifically towards helping homeowners tackle household fixes on their own, and PartSelect.com is one of the best.    PartSelect offers plenty of useful resources like The Virtual Repairman, hundreds of YouTube repair videos and user-generated installation instructions. While their current focus is appliances, it... read more

How to Wrap Gifts Easier and Greener!

  ScrunchieWrap provides a wonderful greener alternative to wrapping  gifts in wrapping paper.  This beautiful fabric gift wrap can be used gift after gift, year after year and you can wrap a present before you can read another sentance.  Simply open the ScrunchieWrap (www.ScrunchieWrap.com) put the gift inside and pull the ribbon.  That is it.  You're done!    If you want to show true expertise, tie the ribbon exactly as you tie your shoes and you will end up with a six loop ribbon that is sure to impress.   With the help of Kickstarter, ScrunchieWrap ... read more

How To Have A Successful Sustainability Career

NetImpact and The Center for Corporate Citizenship just released a free 80-page guide to pursuing and building a career in sustainability and corporate social responsibility.   Today’s business landscape looks very different than it did just a decade ago; shifting environmental and economic realities, new business models, and changing attitudes have opened up new career opportunities among those looking to pursue work that directly reflects their personal values. With these new opportunities, of course, come new challenges. “More and more people want to make a... read more

How To Be A Green Adventurer

We all know we need to make sustainability part of our lifestyles, and holidays are no exception. Trouble is, aren’t holidays meant to be more fun than that? A chance to escape from the problems of the world and enjoy life?   Yes. But you can do both.   We are always told what we can’t do, so how about what we can do? Here is our alternative guide to green travel.   You can:   #1 – Avoid compromise. Quality of experience and value for money are top of your list, and so they should be. That doesn’t have to be at the expense of sustainability - options... read more

Make Your Own Natural Cleaners

  • Last updated 9/26/11 by stins
Make your own natural cleaning products Did you know that your cleaning methods make you at higher risk of developing cancer, having allergies, migraines, chronic diseases and fertility problems? Really. The common cleaning products are filled with hazardous chemicals that put your health at risk.  And besides tat, it’s also bad for the environment.  Here, every year we hear more stories about lakes infested with the blue algae.  It destroys the natural habitat of the flora and fauna, and has a direct impact on our health. Not to mention that we can’t use... read more

Grow An Eco Friendly Rain Garden

  • Last updated 9/26/11 by stins
A rain garden is not very different from a traditional garden, it’s just a far more eco-efficient garden. Rain gardens make smart use of rain and stormwater runoff and contain smart plant selections.     Key rain garden tips   It's easier to grow a smaller, rather than larger rain garden. Rain garden sites located close to runoff sources are best. Rain gardens are designed to withstand moisture extremes and can hold up even when exposed to nitrogen (found in runoff water). See a poster that explains rain garden design. There are two basic... read more

Water Saving Laundry Tips

  • Last updated 9/26/11 by stins
Laundry can waste a lot of water but you can lessen the water flow and save money on water costs by following these tips:   Upgrade smart: You may not need an efficient washing machine this very second, but the next time you upgrade make sure to choose a water efficient washing machine. ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers come in front-load or redesigned top-load designs. Both include innovations that help save substantial amounts of water. For example, look for a No Central Agitator front-loader washing machine model that tumbles clothes through a small amount... read more

How To Cut Heat Loss And Conserve Energy With Evergreen Tree Windbreaks

  • Last updated 9/29/11 by stins
The following is a special report from Fast Growing Trees Nursery about how to effectively lower your energy costs, improve your landscaping, and save money all due to trees! Thuja Green Giant According to The Department of Environmental Protection, evergreen windbreaks are the most effective component in cutting winter heat loss. Research indicates that heat energy savings of up to 40 percent are possible resulting from diminished wind velocity and reduced air infiltration into your home. Considering the U.S. average, that could mean a savings of as much as... read more

How To Safely Dispose Toxic Cleaners

  • Last updated 3/30/11 by stins
If you're making the switch to green cleaners one obstacle is clearing out your cupboard of all the conventional toxic cleaners you already have. You can't just toss most cleaners down the sink or outside because the chemicals from said cleaners can be just as toxic to the environment as paint or other hazardous materials and will end up in the soil and water. Here's how to deal... Step one - sort out which household cleaners are worth keeping and which cleaners you should toss. Read how to choose store bought green cleaners to help you sort out the bad cleaners... read more

Homemade Non Toxic Home Air Fresheners

  • Last updated 9/26/11 by stins
It's easy to make homemade non toxic air fresheners right at home. Why make homemade air fresheners?:    It's less toxic. In a recent study, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found hormone-disrupting chemicals known as phthalates in 12 air freshener products; some marketed as “all-natural” and “unscented” and none said that they contained phthalates. Additionally conventional air fresheners are a household source of VOCs. VOCs can cause major health issues. It's less expensive. Gathering the essential oils you may need will cost you a little a... read more
Green Options › How To's