REUSABLE PRODUCTS THAT ARE ACTUALLY WORTH IT
Maybe reusable grocery bags aren’t your bag, but you still want to save the environment — or even save money. Fear not! These eco-friendly products are sturdy, reliable, and will reduce waste in your home. No. 1: Silicone Stretch Lids Never buy plastic wrap to cover your food again! If you’re always out of lids or food coverings, a silicone food lid might be the answer you’re looking for. A single lid can fit any size container — even stock pots or half a watermelon.
Is It Allergies — Or Poor Air Quality? 3 Reasons Why Indoor Air Affects Your Health
When the weather starts getting cooler, more people spend time indoors — and that’s when the sneezing starts. But the problem isn’t always the season. Sometimes, it’s simply your home air quality. Let’s break down the worst threats, plus some potential solutions. First, biological pollutants love homes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, up to half of all structures have damp conditions that may encourage molds and bacteria to grow. This can cause major allergic reactions, including asthma. Other biological pollutants include animal dander (minute scales from hair, feathers, or skin), dust mites, cockroach parts, and pollen. The solution: Remove or relocate air quality threats. Dust and construction materials (wood, wallboard, or insulation) contain nutrients that allow bio pollutants to grow. Firewood can also be a source of moisture, fungi, and bugs. Make sure your appliances (humidifiers, kerosene and gas heaters, and gas stoves) aren’t adding too much moisture into the air. You’ll be able to tell from musty odors, moisture on hard surfaces, or even water stains. Second, your home’s air circulation probably isn’t good enough. Most heating and cooling systems (including forced air heating systems) don’t bring fresh air into your house. Although cooking can smell delicious, it can introduce more smoke or air contaminants indoors. Hobbies like painting or welding can also add air contaminants. The solution: Because outdoor air tends to be cleaner, cracking open a window can do wonders to improve your air quality. Bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors can bring outdoor air into your home. Third, test for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas. The EPA estimates that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. Radon gas is inert, colorless, and odorless, and comes from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. While rising out of the ground, it can become trapped in your home. The solution: If your home has alarming levels of radon, installing a radon reduction system can pull the radon from the soil beneath your house, and release it outside. You can also seal cracks in the floor and walls, and improve air circulation with the steps above. According to the EPA, indoor air quality is almost always 2–5 times worse than outdoors. With the right steps, however, you won’t sneeze as much during the holidays. Great air quality will make your home feel like a healthy paradise.
No. 2: Reusable Swab A package of 1,000 Q-tips will tell you “Do not use this product to clean your ears” — but we know that’s what we’re using them for anyway. If you feel guilty about buying thousands of garbage-destined cotton swabs, give LastSwab a try. It’s an affordable, easy-to-clean, reusable silicone swab that’ll do the job — no guilt involved. No. 3: Dishwashing Soap – In Block Form Liquid soap has been the standard dishwashing soap for decades, but, believe it or not, a bar of dish soap is just as hygienic. Dish Block by No Tox Life is vegan soap that has no harsh chemicals or animal-based ingredients, and no excess plastic packaging. Just lather it against your sponge, and you’re ready to wash. No. 4: Bamboo Dish Cloth Did you know that microfiber cloths are non-recyclable microplastics? Instead, consider bamboo washcloths, which can be just as effective and longer lasting. They wash easily after use, and your paper towels will thank you. No. 5: Compostable iPhone Cases Don’t want your smartphone case collecting dust in a landfill 30 years from now? Consider a compostable case! Pela Case, for instance, uses Flaxstic, which is a flax straw-based bioplastic that is bendy and easy to grip. You might be surprised to find that Flaxstic will protect your phones for up to a 20-feet drop. These are just a few of the eco-friendly products sweeping the nation, but definitely some of our favorites. Giving them a try? Let us know what you think!
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