With its traditional emphasis on cleaning, spring reminds homeowners that it’s time to freshen their living spaces, indoors and out. This year, let the season’s fresh air, fresh blooms and fresh outlook inspire you to take a more environmentally friendly approach to sprucing up your home (and the planet) with the latest ecologically conscious products.
Ranging from appliances to cleaning sprays, products dubbed “green” can earn this distinction for a variety of reasons. Whether they save energy, conserve water, have low or no emissions, are made of natural or recycled materials or simply improve the air quality within your home, they are worth consideration.
Compared with only a few years ago, today’s market features a multitude of eco-friendly products, says Annie Berthold-Bond, executive producer of Care2.com’s Green Living channels and author of four green-living books. But because there are no official guidelines that manufacturers must follow in order for their products to be labeled “green,” consumers must educate themselves to make the right choices.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist, Berthold-Bond says, but you do need to do some homework before shopping. For example, you should research companies and brands rather than individual products. If a company has established a reputation for genuine concern about the environment, you can usually assume that it’s putting forth its best effort to produce green products, even as specific product designs and formulas change.
Also consider your retail sources, Berthold-Bond says. In stores that focus on green living, products face tougher competition to earn space on the shelves compared with the products in supermarkets, so they will have even higher green standards to follow.
Finally, pay attention to federally mandated “signal words” such as poison, danger, flammable, etc. on product labels, Berthold-Bond says. She recommends choosing products with no signal words other than caution.
Many reliable resources (such as Energy Star, a joint effort of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy) can help consumers make knowledgeable product choices. To get you started, here’s a selection of products that we recommend for making your home spic-and-span — and eco-conscious — this spring.
The GE Profile Dishwasher with SmartDispense Technology ($799 to $1,429) features an optimized hydraulic system that maintains water velocity and pressure while using less water. A fill sensor selects the appropriate amount of water for each load.
The Evolution 800 Series dishwashers ($999 to $1,549) from Bosch use the same amount of energy as dishwashers half their size, exceeding the minimum federal energy standard by 147 percent, according to the manufacturer. They feature load sensors to customize cycles according to the weight and the amount of dishes per load.
With the added cleaning power of steam, the new Duet Steam washer from Whirlpool ($1,499 to $1,599) eliminates 99.9 percent of bacteria on dirty clothes while using 73 percent less water and 77 percent less energy compared with conventional top-loading washers, according to the manufacturer.
The Compact Plus Health Guard vacuum from Bosch (about $230) does more than simply clean dirt and dust from floors. It also features an Air Clean HEPA Filter System that removes allergens from the air, creating a healthier home environment.
During spring-cleaning season and beyond, keep Simply Safe All Purpose Cleaner ($2.49) on hand. Its formula has a neutral pH, is nonhazardous, noncaustic and biodegradable yet still cuts grease, dirt and soap scum with the best of ‘em.
Created in partnership with the EPA, Earth Choice Oxy Stain Control ($4.37) from Clean Control cleans carpet, upholstery and even laundry stains using a biodegradable, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) formula rather than harsh chemicals.
Eliminate smells naturally with Odorzout All Surface Granules ($10 to $100, depending on package size) from No Stink. The product’s 100 percent natural zeolite minerals absorb odors and moisture with no added perfumes or chemicals.
Preserve and polish wood with the Furniture Care Collection from Howard Naturals ($8 to $12). The entire line, which includes wood cleaner and polish, wood preserver and upholstery cleaner, is made with all-natural materials such as soybean oil, beeswax and essential-oil fragrances.
Before buying your regular brand of paper towels and trash bags, try more environmentally friendly options. Seventh Generation’s paper towels ($1.89 to $2.29) and trash bags ($3.89 to $4.59) are made with 100 percent recycled paper and a minimum of 80 percent recycled plastic.
Swap your old light bulbs for LEDs with Optimized Digital Lighting technology from Lighting Science ($20 to $150). The R30 LED Flood Light can last 50 times longer and uses about 80 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. It’s also shock- and vibration-resistant, requires no warm-up period and contains no harmful substances, unlike compact fluorescents.
Decoratively brighten outdoor spaces with the Malibu solar-power French Country Walk Light ($29.98) from Intermatic. The install-it-yourself fixture features a bright, white LED light that recharges in direct sunlight and can last 10 hours with a full charge.
Revamp your shower scene by incorporating the Raindance Air Bodyspray ($128) from Hansgrohe. Its 1-gpm flow rate easily beats the 2.5-gpm industry standard. It also features air-injection technology that draws air inside the spray face and infuses the water with bubbles, creating larger droplets and offering the feeling of more water.
The 1.75-gpm Water Saving showerhead (starting at $33.85 in chrome) from Moen offers significant water savings compared to traditional full-flow showerheads; and it still provides users with satisfying high water pressure.
The 655 showerhead with fluidics technology ($40 to $66) from Alsons features a 1.6-gpm spray that conserves water while providing a pleasing combination of water shape, velocity and thermal dymanics.
Providing a fresh approach to removing paints, varnishes and epoxies from wood, metal and masonry surfaces, Jasco Green Strip from Homax ($13 to $25) is nontoxic and biodegradable, making it safer for users and the environment.
Give your walls a makeover with The Freshaire Choice Paint ($35 to $38 a gallon) from ICI Paints. Both the paint and tint formulas are VOC-free and equipped to withstand everyday wear. In keeping with the eco-conscious theme, it’s available in 65 nature-inspired colors.
Aura paint (about $55 a gallon) from Benjamin Moore has a low-VOC formula (about 50 grams per liter) that exceeds the strictest regulatory requirements. Plus, the waterborne colorant system ensures that no additional VOCs are added when the colorant is added.
Sherwin-Williams recently introduced GreenSure, a designation for its most environmentally friendly coatings. The designation will be given to the company’s products that have low VOCs, low odor, long-term durability and high indoor air quality ratings.
Proving that eco-friendly can be high-quality, the no-VOC, low-odor Olympic Premium Interior Paints (starting at $17 a gallon) from PPG Architectural Finishes boast a 25-year warranty, high durability and improved stain resistance.
SOURCES:
Alsons, 800-421-0001, www.alsons.com
Benjamin Moore, www.myaurapaints.com
Bosch, 800-921-9622, www.boschappliances.com
Clean Control, 800-841-3904, www.odoban.com
GE, 800-626-2005, www.ge.com
Hansgrohe, 800-334-0455, www.hansgrohe-usa.com
Homax, 800-729-9029, www.homaxproducts.com
Howard Products Inc., 800-266-9545, www.howardproducts.com
ICI Paints, 866-880-0304, www.thefreshairechoice.com
Intermatic Inc., (815) 675-7000, www.intermatic.com
Lighting Science, www.lsgc.com
Moen, 800-289-6636, www.moen.com
No Stink Inc., 800-887-8465, www.88stink.com
PPG Architectural Finishes Inc., 800-441-9695, www.olympic.com
Seventh Generation, 800-456-1191, www.seventhgeneration.com
Sherwin-Williams, 800-474-3794, www.sherwin-williams.com
Simply Safe, 877-959-7233, www.simplysafeproducts.com
Whirlpool, 866-698-2538, www.whirlpool.com
Photos by Larry Okrend and Courtesy Manufactures