http://www2.allblues.org/aroundthehouse en-us http://www2.allblues.org/aroundthehouse N/A alfred@nwnet.us Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:43:19 PST 20 http://www2.allblues.org/aroundthehouse/articles/113/1/Getting-Down-and-Dirty---Green-Cleaning-in-the-Basement-and-Garage Spring cleaning gets all the attention, but doesn't fall cleaning almost make more sense?Summer's over, you still might have a month or so of nice weather, you need to get ready to hunker down for the winter - the time is right to clear out and clean up.And since few household chores provide the visceral satisfaction of cleaning and organizing the basement or garage, why not start there?What a relief to finally say goodbye to those chairs that never really worked out, the tire chains from two cars ago, and those cans of paint from a previous owner's 1970s psychedelic remodeling job. And while you're at it, why not make your garage or basement clean-up even more rewarding and turn it into a green makeover?Give it upStart by simply gathering together all the stuff in the basement and garage you want to give away or sell. Unless you have items worth more than $100 apiece, it may not be worth the time and trouble to sell them. Once you have a pile, use online or newspaper classified ads and exchanges to find a home for your items, offer them to family and friends, or donate them to a charity. To find charities that will accept them, consult the "Miscellaneous Household Items" section in King County's "What Do I Do With...?" website (metrokc.gov). Don't donate items that need repairing, since most charities do not have resources to deal with those. But offer them to individuals who might fix them, or you can consider creative reuse options. For example, turn the long handles from broken tools into garden stakes, and bring an old inner tube back to life as weather-stripping for a basement door.Pick your poisonWhen you have so many pesticides, paints, polishes and powders that you lose track of them, it's time to take a stand. First organize your chemicals by type, such as lawn and garden, auto, cleaning and paint. Then pull out the ones you will never use. For standard household chemicals such as cleaners, ask your neighbors if they want them. When they use them for their proper purpose, it can avoid the purchase of a new product. Take the rest to a household hazardous waste disposal center (govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal). Never dump them down the drain or put them in the garbage.If you have leftover latex paint, however, you can dry that out and put it in the garbage, since solidified latex paint is not a problem there. King County's Local Hazardous Waste Management Program collection facilities no longer accept latex paint. Corralling the clutterSetting up an efficient organization system is one of the greenest things you can do in the garage or basement, since it reduces waste. When you just store stuff helter-skelter, it tends to get damaged, or you forget what you own and buy new products you don't need.But you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on fancy storage systems, despite what some organizational experts say. If you purge unneeded items and commit to buying less stuff in the future, much of your existing shelving may work just fine. If you do need to buy new storage racks, choose wire shelving, since it easily lets you see what's on all the shelves and doesn't collect dust. Group your items intuitively, by use and season. The Seattle basement problemAnother likely cause of waste in your basement is simply the fact that it's in Western Washington. Few basements here stay completely dry, and many of us have had to throw away things from our basements because they got damp, musty or totally soaked. These strategies can help avoid that before the serious rains start up again: - Address the basic problem. Fix the gutters, slope the grade of soil away from the house, or install a new drainage system to keep your basement dry. Make sure the clothes dryer is vented outdoors.- Keep everything at least four inches off the floor. Even if water doesn't seep in from outside, a washing machine hose or sump pump line could burst.- Choose alternatives to cardboard boxes for basement storage. Moisture easily gets into cardboard boxes, not to mention bugs, rats and mice. The experts at Mrs. Clean Northwest, a Lynnwood-based house-cleaning company, recommend using only airtight, waterproof containers. Paint it greenFinish off your garage or basement green-up with a fresh coat of paint. If you find enough leftover latex paint, mix together several cans of similar colors and use that. Or try MetroPaint (oregonmetro.gov), the low-cost, 100-percent recycled latex paint now sold in gallons at Second Use Building Materials (www.seconduse.com) in South Seattle. Metro, a regional government agency in Portland, makes this product from paint collected at household hazardous waste centers. Guaranteed for five years, it comes in various colors with evocative names, just like regular paint. How about Crater Lake for the basement, and Espresso for the garage?  Note: Tom adapted and updated this article from a column he wrote that ran in the 6/28/08 Seattle Times.For more EcoConsumer resources from King County, visit www.KCecoconsumer.com.       Tom Watson is a project manager for King County and is the Seattle Times columnist of "EcoConsumer." Every month, Tom will offer smart and easy tips on how you, too, can become an eco-consumer. For tips past, go to the  EcoConsumer Archives. Tom Watson Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www2.allblues.org/aroundthehouse/articles/110/1/Green-Dreams---A-Bedroom-Makeover We spend more time in our bedroom than any other room of the home. Sure, we're asleep for most of that time. But awake or not, don't you want your bedroom, and all the bedrooms in your home, to be as healthy and green as possible? With these tips, you can do a quick bedroom eco-makeover without spending a pillowcase full of cash. Under the sheetsStart with the reason for the room's existence - the bed. You have a close personal relationship with your sheets and pillowcases, so they need to be comfortable. But you can also reduce their environmental impact by switching to organic cotton sheets. Just one set of standard queen-size cotton sheets requires 1.25 pounds of chemical pesticides and fertilizers to grow that cotton, according to the Green Guide.For green dreams just the way you like them, organic cotton sheets now come in a variety of types such as sateen, percale, damask, flannel and lace. Sheets and other organic bedding can be found at many online retailers and several local stores, including Soaring Heart Natural Bed Co. and One Earth One Design, both in Seattle. Holy Lamb Organics in Olympia manufactures wool-filled bedding such as comforters and pillows, using wool from Northwest sheep and organic cotton. One Earth One Design and other area stores carry these, or they can be ordered online. Dispatch the dust devilsDust loves bedrooms. You've got all that bedding, plus lots of other surfaces that collect dust. And bedrooms typically don't get cleaned as often as other rooms, since guests usually don't go there. Especially if family members have allergies or asthma, you need to make your bedrooms less attractive to dust. Microscopic dust mites live in bedding, carpets, curtains and upholstered furniture. To kill dust mites, wash sheets, blankets¸ bedspreads and curtains frequently in water 130 degrees or hotter, advises the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. You also may want to use a zippered dust-proof cover for your box spring and mattress. Vacuum carpets and upholstery frequently. Consider getting rid of carpeting in the bedroom altogether, since all carpets harbor dust. Wipe down surfaces regularly, including blinds, with a damp cloth.Give it upMost of us have too many clothes, shoes and accessories taking up space in bedroom closets and drawers. If you haven't worn something in a year, ask yourself why. Maybe nothing goes with it, or it needs to be altered or repaired. If you're not willing to resolve the problem in the immediate future, or if you don't know why you don't wear something, give it away. King County's "What Do I Do With...?" website lists charities (under Textiles) that accept used clothing. Never donate items you wouldn't give to a friend, since it wastes the time of charities if they can't sell them.Restore your storageImprove your bedroom storage to reduce clutter and dust. You'll find many useful guides online for organizing closets, but resist the temptation to buy a lot of fancy storage products. Save money with simple do-it-yourself carpentry projects, such as installing an extra shelf or a new rod for hanging clothes.Your clothes and shoes will last longer with proper storage, reducing waste. Use "shoe trees" to help your dress shoes keep their shape. Since wire or metal hangers can harm clothes, ban them from your closet and invest in high-quality plastic or wood hangers. In Seattle you can put those old metal hangers in your curbside recycling bin. For other communities, check with your recycling hauler.Green kid spaceNext tackle the kids' rooms. You know all those stuffed animals sitting on top of the bookcase, untouched for months? They're a dust farm. If your child doesn't snuggle with them every night, store them where they won't gather dust, or donate them.Some parents have a "New toy in, old toy out" policy, where the child has to pick a toy to give away when she gets a new one. If that seems too draconian, at least sort through toys with your child every six months to decide which ones should go to a new home.Although large toy boxes seem like a good idea, they usually aren't. Toys get lost and broken in there, and children invariably pull out everything in the box to try and find a toy. Instead, keep toys on shelves or in small bins or boxes, organized by type. Major makeoversWhen it's time to remodel the bedroom, keep the green theme going. Avoid that toxic "new-paint" smell by using paint with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Just say no to carpeting and Venetian blinds, to prevent dust before it happens. If you need a new bed, consider a mattress and box spring made from natural or non-toxic materials.Whether asleep or awake, you'll rest easier in a green bedroom.Note: Tom adapted and updated this article from a column he wrote that ran in the 4/5/08 Seattle Times.For more EcoConsumer resources from King County, visit www.KCecoconsumer.com.                Tom Watson is a project manager for King County and is the Seattle Times columnist of "EcoConsumer." Every month, Tom will offer smart and easy tips on how you, too, can become an eco-consumer. For tips past, go to the  EcoConsumer Archives. Tom Watson Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www2.allblues.org/aroundthehouse/articles/108/1/Buying-Home-Furnishings-at-Thrift-Stores%3A-The-Real-Green-Deal Remember when buying stuff secondhand was considered tacky? Well, those days are long gone.With prices skyrocketing for groceries and gas, more people are saving money on household goods, furniture, clothes and other items by shopping at thrift and consignment stores. The thrift store industry is growing by five percent a year, and currently about 25,000 thrift stores operate in the U.S., according to the New York Times. Sometimes it seems like half of those are in Seattle. This area also boasts an abundance of consignment stores. And of course you can always plug in to the free online classified ad services such as Craig's List and Freecycle. They're always open. But today we'll focus on finding furnishings for your home at thrift stores. When you patronize these shops, you save money and support local businesses or non-profits. It's also more fun than going to a regular store at the mall or downtown. For me, the unpredictability - in the merchandise, the other customers, the staff - is another big drawing card. Here are a few tips for shopping at thrift stores, from my own experience:Take a closer lookTo avoid unwanted surprises, you need to closely scrutinize any item you're considering buying at a thrift store. It's frustrating to think you found the perfect little table, and then discover it has a bad leg. But it's better to find out at the store before you buy it, rather than when you get home. If it's a cosmetic problem, such as a stain on a table or chair, maybe you can resolve it at home by keeping that section covered with something, or placing the bad spot against the wall where no one will see it. Steer clear of salesThis seems counterintuitive, but thrift store prices are usually so cheap anyway that it makes more sense to go when there isn't a sale, to avoid the crowds and get a better selection. Since most thrift stores sell clothes and household furnishings, during a sale you have to compete with the burgeoning throng of clothes shoppers. When Value Village is having a sale, you might have to wait 10 minutes just to check out.Know your boundariesIf you're looking for a certain piece of furniture, be sure to measure the available space (or the old item) before you leave home. Then take a tape measure to the thrift store to see if your new find is a good fit.Slow downYou'll have to plow through a lot of rejects before you find what you're seeking, so allow plenty of time at the thrift store. When you're looking for furniture it may not take you as long as when you're shopping for clothes, but you will still probably need more time than you think.Be a secret shopperThe big names like Goodwill and Value Village and St. Vincent de Paul can be great, but you should also find a smaller independent store with a good selection of furnishings and clothes that fit your tastes, and become a regular. That store will be your little secret. You'll learn their schedule of setting out new merchandise, and the staff may even tell you about stuff they know you'll like.Follow the moneyNot all thrift stores are operated by non-profits or charities. For example, Value Village is a for-profit chain, although they do support charities. The way Value Village works is that non-profits (such as Northwest Center and Community Services for the Blind) call residents, pick up donations, and provide those to Value Village for a set rate. That makes money for those charities. But Value Village makes even more. So if it's important to you that all the proceeds from your purchases - or your donations - benefit non-profits, than you should stick to the many thrift stores run by charities. These days, instead of hiding the fact that you bought something at a thrift store, it's more common to brag about the great deal you got. That's what I call progress.Note: Tom adapted some of the material in this article from the 4/27/08 entry in his EcoConsumer blog.For more EcoConsumer resources from King County, visit www.KCecoconsumer.com. Tom Watson Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www2.allblues.org/aroundthehouse/articles/105/1/Cook-Up-a-Green-Kitchen The term "green kitchen" conjures up images of a fancy designer kitchen with thousands of dollars worth of eco-friendly appliances, countertops and flooring. But you can also make your current kitchen significantly greener and healthier just by taking simple steps over a weekend at a more palatable total cost of well under $100. Pots and pans Start with your cookware. If your nonstick pots or pans are more than two years old or if the coating has started to flake, replace them, beginning with those you use most frequently. That nonstick coating - Teflon or similar brands - can degrade and cause potentially toxic emissions when the pan is overheated, according to the Green Guide (www.thegreenguide.com/doc/ask/nonstick). Greener replacements include stainless-steel, cast-iron or anodized aluminum cookware.FaucetConserve water at the kitchen sink by installing a low-flow aerator, which screws on to the end of the faucet and adds air to the spray. If your kitchen faucet is fairly new, it will probably have an aerator. Imprinted on the aerator in tiny numbers is its rated flow of gallons per minute (gpm). New faucets today typically have 2.2 gpm aerators. Consider installing an aerator with a lower flow, such as 1.5 or 1.0 gpm.Low-flow aerators can be found online or at hardware and home improvement stores for under $10. Take along your old aerator or faucet screen to the store to make sure your new one will be the right size. If you have an old faucet with no threads in the tip for screwing in an aerator, you will not be able to use one.Light bulbsIf your kitchen currently has regular incandescent light bulbs, change as many as possible to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). For the best durability and quality of light, choose your bulbs carefully, using Internet research and recommendations from friends. In some fixtures in the kitchen you may want an especially bright CFL, such as the N: Vision Soft White bulb sold by Home Depot, which scored highest in recent lab tests by Popular Mechanics magazine.If you have recessed fixtures or dimmers in your kitchen, you can also now find CFLs for those situations. When your CFLs do eventually burn out, be sure to recycle them properly, since they contain small amounts of mercury.Cleaning productsSave money and reduce the clutter of products under your sink by eliminating several of them. For example, replace general cleaners or window cleaners with baking soda or diluted vinegar. If you haven't used a chemical cleaning product in a year, ask if a friend can use it up, or take it to a household hazardous waste collection facility if necessary (for info call 206-296-4692 or visit www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal). Then examine your kitchen sponges. In her 2007 book, "The Five-Second Rule," California-based microbiologist Anne Maczulak says, "Hot, soapy water and a clean sponge are excellent tools for kitchen cleaning. Always follow by rinsing surfaces with water." But she notes that most of us make the mistake of repeatedly using dirty sponges. To clean a sponge, Maczulak recommends microwaving it when moist for two minutes, and then letting it dry. If a sponge is discolored or smells bad, replace it. Never use a sponge to clean up raw meat juices; use paper towels (preferably unbleached, with recycled-content) instead.Recycling Ask household members for ideas how to make recycling and composting collection in the kitchen easier for them, and try to put their suggestions into practice. One common, efficient system consists of a container under the sink for mixed recyclables (with possibly a separate one for glass) and a small canister on the counter for food scraps. Some folks also keep their food scraps in the refrigerator, in a reused plastic tub.AppliancesReduce your electric bills by keeping your refrigerator set at 36 to 40 degrees and your freezer at 0 to 5 degrees. Keeping them colder "will do little for your food but will waste electricity," according to the GreenHomeGuide (www.greenhomeguide.com).For your dishwasher, decide on the most efficient settings and ask everyone in your household to use those. The California Energy Commission advises using the energy-saving cycle for all but the dirtiest dishes. And if you use the air-dry setting instead of heat-dry, you will cut your dishwasher's energy consumption by more than 15 percent. Big-ticket itemsDuring your weekend kitchen green-up, also make plans for any upcoming major kitchen purchases or renovations. If your refrigerator or dishwasher is more than 15 years old, you can save money and greatly reduce your energy use by replacing it sooner rather than later. And when it's time for a serious makeover, rest assured that an abundance of innovative new green products such as countertops, flooring and light fixtures are now available that could make your eco-dream kitchen a reality.Note: Tom adapted and updated this article from a column he wrote that ran in the 2/2/08 Seattle Times.For more EcoConsumer resources from King County, visit www.KCecoconsumer.com Tom Watson Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www2.allblues.org/aroundthehouse/articles/95/1/Hydration-Complication The ubiquitous plastic water bottle became a media target last year. A story about the evils of single-use water bottles came out practically every week. By year's end it struck me as a little ridiculous, like the media was piling on.But I was also very glad this issue came to the public's attention. Americans bought more than eight billion gallons of water in bottles in 2006, according to the Green Guide. You could certainly view it as a positive health trend that people drink so much water, both around the house and on the go. But the dark side is that nearly all those single-use bottles consist of petroleum-based plastic. The amount of crude oil going into plastic water bottles in the U.S. each year "may now exceed 10 million barrels," says the Earth Policy Institute.And then there's all the oil used to transport those bottles of water all over the country. And the waste from the 38 billion water bottles that go into U.S. landfills every year (less than 20 percent of plastic water bottles get recycled).Tap into thisMuch of the criticism of the bottled water industry stems from the basic premise that it's  unnecessary. The Seattle area boasts high-quality tap water, as do many other parts of the nation. And I happen to like the way our local water tastes, but if you disagree, or if you have any concerns about tap water, you can use a filter. A wide variety of water filters are now available for the home.Many people don't realize that bottled water is often just filtered municipal tap water, including the two top-selling brands, Aquafina (made by Pepsi) and Dasani (made by Coca-Cola).Beyond the environmental implications, you can save big money if you don't buy single-use water bottles. Americans spend $16 billion a year on bottled water, at prices much higher than we pay for gasoline.Breaking the habitFortunately, a reusable water bottle offers an economical alternative. Simply fill it up at the tap or a water fountain, and you're good to go.However, one common type of reusable bottle - those attractive, brightly-colored, see-through bottles, often the Nalgene brand - makes a poor choice. Those usually have the number 7 on the bottom, surrounded by the recycling arrows, and are made of polycarbonate plastic (#7 actually means "other" plastics). Research has shown that polycarbonate plastic may leach a toxic chemical under certain conditions. Instead consider reusable bottles made from these types of plastic: #2 (high-density polyethylene), #4 (low-density polyethylene) or # 5 (polypropylene). Nalgene makes some #2 and #4 water bottles, which are off-white. And don't just take a single-use bottle and keep refilling it with water from home. Most single-use bottles are #1 (polyethylene terephthalate, or PET), and they also may have leaching problems after being used a few times.Many folks prefer stainless steel and aluminum reusable water bottles. Aluminum bottles, such as the Sigg brand, usually have an enamel or epoxy coating inside.Maybe I'm a reusable water bottle geek, but at my house we have several different sizes and types, including stainless steel, aluminum, and a couple of the non-leaching type of plastic bottles (my daughter decorated one with political and music stickers). Which one we use depends on the occasion. You can find a variety of reusable water bottles at many area stores, including Goods for the Planet, REI, Bartell's, PCC and Whole Foods.A few years back, during the Miss America pageant, they asked the contestant from Oregon (who went on to win) to name her most prized possession. She said it was her water bottle. Doesn't that just make you proud to live in the Northwest? Note: Tom adapted this article from a column he wrote that ran in the Woodland Park Zoo magazine in February, 2008.For more EcoConsumer resources from King County, visit www.KCecoconsumer.com               Tom Watson is a project manager for King County and is the Seattle Times columnist of "EcoConsumer." Every month, Tom will offer smart and easy tips on how you, too, can become an eco-consumer. For tips past, go to the  EcoConsumer Archives. Tom Watson Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www2.allblues.org/aroundthehouse/articles/91/1/Inside-the-Box Do you remember a news item a few years ago, about how an empty cardboard box was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame? You probably don't, but it has always stuck in my mind. It really made me happy that the Toy Hall of Fame would recognize that some of the best toys are mostly products of kids' imaginations, and sometimes not even designed to be toys at all.To me (over-thinking the whole thing, I'm sure), that Toy Hall of Fame recognition for the cardboard box was also a celebration of reuse. Kids take an old appliance box and before you know it, it's a spaceship or a fort. Children have always reused stuff and created something new, and these days reuse seems to be taken more seriously in the adult world as well. Factors contributing to this growth in reuse include websites such as Craigslist and Freecycle, lots of new stores carrying used items, and a wealth of media coverage. But we can still do a lot better. Recycling appears to have cemented itself in the public consciousness as the number one solution to waste problems, but experts in the solid waste field all agree that reduction and reuse should be the top priorities. Sticking with the box example, cardboard boxes (the kind used for packages or shipping) are highly recyclable. They are known in the recycling business as "old corrugated containers,"or OCC. But they can and should be reused, and not just by kids for playhouses. One creative system to encourage the reuse of corrugated boxes has been launched by the U-Haul company. On the U-Haul Box Exchange website, click on "Let me exchange boxes" and you go to a messageboard that you can use to trade, sell or buy reusable boxes and moving supplies. Once you're on the messageboard, scroll down and click on either "Free used boxes in the West" or "Buying/selling boxes in the West" to see the listings.But you don't necessarily need a fancy online service like that. Most reuse happens just because people make the choice to try to do it. They think, "I'll ask my friends if they can use these boxes,"or "I'm not going to buy boxes - I'll go to the grocery store and see if they have any I can use."Basically it's just thinking outside the box about reuse. And if we do it not just for cardboard boxes, but for everything, we'll save money, reduce waste and conserve resources. We can't forget reduction, both using less stuff ourselves and encouraging businesses to use less wasteful and less toxic packaging. But when we do have something we don't need anymore, we need to get into the "reuse zone"in our heads. Now let's see, what can I do with this big chunk of Styrofoam?               Tom Watson is a project manager for King County and is the Seattle Times columnist of "EcoConsumer." Every month, Tom will offer smart and easy tips on how you, too, can become an eco-consumer. For more EcoConsumer resources from King County, visit www.KCecoconsumer.com.EcoConsumer Archives! Tom Watson Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www2.allblues.org/aroundthehouse/articles/89/1/Patrolling-Plastics-in-the-Kitchen You don't have to be a card-carrying environmentalist to wonder about all the chemicals we're exposed to every day. Innocent toy or poisonous substance?When the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition tested ten Washington state residents in 2005, the body of each person tested contained at least 26 toxic chemicals.  The plastics and chemical industries say it has not been proven that small amounts of toxic substances in people's bodies will do any harm. But most of us would prefer to limit the accumulation of these chemicals, especially in our children. Let's review some of the major health concerns about food-related household plastics, and alternatives. Everyday HazardsSeveral organizations, including the Washington Toxics Coalition, the Institute for Children's Environmental Health (ICEH) and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), have developed guides about possible hazards from plastics, especially when used with foods and beverages.Polyvinyl chloride, also called PVC or vinyl, poses a particular hazard to health and the environment, according to these sources.  Alleged problems with PVC include dioxin emissions when PVC plastics are manufactured or burned, and  "plasticizer" additives called phthalates (pronounced "thay-lates"). Studies have linked phthalates to problems including lowered sperm counts and smaller genitalia in males, says the ICEH.Items made from PVC include: Baby toys, bibs and teethers; cling wraps and food containers; and children's lunch boxes. Products marked with the #3 recycling symbol are made of PVC (these numbers provide a convenient way to identify certain types of plastics, but not all products display the numbers). Some companies have recently eliminated PVC from household products and packaging. Polycarbonate plastic has also been identified as potentially risky. Baby bottles and water bottles are often polycarbonate, which uses the #7 recycling symbol that stands for "other plastics." Bisphenol A, a chemical that mimics the action of the hormone estrogen, can leach from polycarbonate, says the IATP. Of 115 published animal studies, 81 percent found significant effects, including reproductive problems, from even low-level exposure to Bisphenol A, according to the IATP.  From Baby Bibs to Cling WrapSince studies have shown that styrene (#6) can also leach, several environmental organizations say the safest plastics for food-related uses are numbers 1,2 4 and 5. At a major-chain grocery store in Seattle, I found numerous examples of 3, 6 and 7 plastics, including PVC baby bibs, cling wrap that appeared to be made of PVC, polycarbonate baby bottles and "sippy cups," and many styrene products.Consumers should avoid using any plastic containers and plastic wrap in the microwave, the IATP recommends, pointing out that the label "Microwave Safe" on a plastic container "does not mean that there is no leaching of chemicals."  According to the American Chemistry Council, "Microwave Safe" means a product "has been designed to withstand microwave heat without melting or warping under normal use conditions." Alternatives AboundFor the microwave, instead choose glass containers, or ceramic containers with no metallic paint. Look for cling wraps, baby items and other products with labels such as "No PVC," "No chlorine" or "No plasticizer." For lists of brand names of plastic products to avoid, and safer alternative brands, check the Green Guide. Alternatives to polycarbonate water bottles include metal or #2 or #4 reusable plastic water bottles. Instead of polycarbonate food containers, consider glass or #5 reusable plastic containers. And remember, if you have concerns about companies using plastics 3, 6 or 7 in their products or packaging, you can always e-mail or call (usually toll-free) to let them know.  Note: Tom adapted and updated this article from a column he wrote that ran in the 5/19/07 Seattle Times.               Tom Watson is a project manager for King County and is the Seattle Times columnist of "EcoConsumer." Every month, Tom will offer smart and easy tips on how you, too, can become an eco-consumer. For tips past, go to the  EcoConsumer Archives. Tom Watson Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www2.allblues.org/aroundthehouse/articles/85/1/Breathe-Easier                Tom Watson is a project manager for King County and is the Seattle Times columnist of "EcoConsumer." Every month, Tom will offer smart and easy tips on how you, too, can become an eco-consumer. For tips past, go to the  EcoConsumer Archives. When I was a kid, back in the Dark Ages, no one thought much about indoor air quality. People smoked everywhere, and tolerated strong chemical smells from cleaning products, pesticides and everything else. Much less awareness existed in those days about allergies and breathing problems.Today, we know how important it is to have clean air to breathe, especially at home. But ironically, many of us now also rely on air fresheners, which can actually add hazardous substances to our indoor air.If you wonder about the quality of the air in your home, here's a great resource: A free Home Health Assessment. Available in King and Pierce counties, these assessments are sponsored by the American Lung Association of Washington.In this program, trained Master Home Environmentalist volunteers use a Home Environmental Assessment List (HEAL) to find potential health hazards in your home. For example, people who move into a new or renovated house, apartment or condo may experience headaches or breathing problems from "off-gassing" of toxic substances from new paint or carpeting. And mold, mildew, dust mites, air fresheners or household cleaning chemicals often cause problems in old or new homes. The volunteer can help pinpoint concerns, and then help you develop an action plan to resolve them. As an advisor only, the volunteer will not do any testing or cleaning.If you prefer to perform a self-assessment without the volunteer visit, use this online HEAL form.To schedule a health assessment visit in King County, call the American Lung Association of Washington at 206-441-5100. In Pierce County, call the Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department's Clean Air For Kids Program at 253-798-7674.If you have concerns about your home's air quality, why not take advantage of this free service? You'll breathe easier when you know more.For more EcoConsumer resources from King County, visit www.KCecoconsumer.com.EcoConsumer Archives! Tom Watson Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:00:00 PST http://www2.allblues.org/aroundthehouse/articles/76/1/Not-So-Fresh                Tom Watson is a project manager for King County and is the Seattle Times columnist of "EcoConsumer." Every month, Tom will offer smart and easy tips on how you, too, can become an eco-consumer. For tips past, go to the  EcoConsumer Archives. Who doesn't love fresh air?If you define fresh air as unpolluted outdoor air, the ideal indoor "air freshener" is an open window. But that's not always practical, and it seems that many folks don't necessarily want fresh air in their home. They want air that smells good to them, or at least covers up the bad smells.Hence the booming $9 billion-a-year home fragrance industry, which includes air freshener sprays, plug-ins, battery-powered units, potpourris and candles. This rapidly-growing industry constantly introduces creative new air freshener products with evocative names such as Country Berries, Vanilla Breeze, Wandering Barefoot on the Shore and, if you really want to get down to business, Super Odor Killer. But some of these products may exacerbate allergies, or compromise your family's health in other ways. In homes where air fresheners were used most days, babies less than six months old had 30 percent more ear infections than those where air fresheners were used less than once a week, according to an extensive 1999 study by researchers at the University of Bristol in England. This study also reported that mothers suffered from 25 percent more headaches and 19 percent more depression in homes where aerosols and air fresheners were used frequently.In May 2006, University of California at Berkeley researchers reported that three of the four air fresheners they sampled contained substantial quantities of terpenes. Those are chemicals that may react with ozone (also commonly found in indoor air) to produce a number of toxic compounds.Small children also face risks from simply having these types of products in the home. They can get spray or oils in their eyes, for example. Local poison control centers in the U.S. reported a total of 16,242 incidents of toxic exposures from air fresheners in 2004, says the American Association of Poison Control Centers. More than 80 percent of those exposures involved children under six years old.Some air fresheners pose more of a risk than others. In August, after a study reported that air fresheners may contain the hazardous compound paradichlorobenzene, the S.C. Johnson company issued a press release pointing out that none of its Glade air fresheners or Oust air sanitizer products use that chemical. But the total chemical composition of most air fresheners remains a closely-guarded secret. The federal government's Household Products Database does provide useful information, by product name, about some air fresheners. For instance, you will learn that aerosol air fresheners often contain the flammable propellants butane and propane. But many air fresheners do not list any specific ingredients, neither in the database nor on product labels and packaging.In addition to the questionable chemicals in some air fresheners, some products often have an additional negative environmental impact: You need batteries or electricity to run them. Several products have fans, and Procter & Gamble offers an air freshener unit for around $30 that plays "scent discs," using a concept similar to a CD player.Even with less expensive air fresheners, the cost of buying sweet smells can quickly add up. Aerosol sprays commonly sell for $1.79 to $4, while plug-ins and fan-operated units may cost $5 to $15, plus the additional cost of the fragrance refills.A line of home "air sanitizer" products, Oust from S.C. Johnson, claims to kill odor-causing bacteria in the air rather than just covering up odors. But an aerosol version of this product consists of 25 to 35 percent "liquefied, sweetened petroleum gases," and is highly flammable, according to the Household Products Database. Rather than masking odors as most air fresheners do, try to remove odors at the source. Experts from the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County recommend using baking soda to absorb smells on carpets or in garbage cans. If you want to add an appealing smell to your home, they suggest simmering cloves and cinnamon in water. For a gentler fragrance than synthetic air fresheners, the non-profit Organic Consumers Association recommends sachets of natural dried flowers or herbs, such as roses, lavender, and lemon verbena.Because candles also send a variety of byproducts into the air, indoor air quality expert Dr. Thad Godish from Ball State University in Indiana recommends against burning candles in your home more than a few times a week. Also keep in mind that candles cause more than 23,000 residential fires every year, resulting in 165 deaths and $390 million in direct property loss, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. If you do buy candles, make sure the label says, "Lead-free wick." Consider beeswax or soy candles as greener alternatives to petroleum-based paraffin candles.Note: Tom adapted this article from a column he wrote that ran in the 10/7/06 Seattle Times.For more EcoConsumer resources from King County, visit www.KCecoconsumer.com.EcoConsumer Archives! Tom Watson Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 PDT http://www2.allblues.org/aroundthehouse/articles/71/1/Let-it-Rain                Tom Watson is a project manager for King County and is the Seattle Times columnist of "EcoConsumer." Every month, Tom will offer smart and easy tips on how you, too, can become an eco-consumer.   For tips past, go to the  EcoConsumer Archives. I've been hearing more about rain gardens lately, and seeing more websites about them. But amazingly, it seems like most of the interest in rain gardens is in other parts of the country, not here in Seattle. What's up with that? This is Seattle - We should own the rain garden concept.So what is a rain garden anyway? It's actually quite simple - just a scooped-out, slightly sunken area in your front or back yard, planted with deep-rooted native plants and grasses. It should be placed in an area where it will receive runoff, from your roof for example, that otherwise would go down the sidewalk or street into the storm sewer, or into a pipe from your downspout into the storm sewer.What's cool is that a rain garden doubles as a landscape garden. Not only are these gardens practical here in the Northwest, they are also aesthetically pleasing.I'm sure there must be some around here that I haven't seen, but so far I have only seen them used once in this area - at the new "green" High Point development in West Seattle. They sit right in the front yard, along the street, and look great. I recently chatted with my friend and gardening expert Scott Conner about rain gardens. Scott managed nurseries for years and now gives classes and hosts a weekly radio show, "Gardening in the Northwest," on KPTK-AM. Scott also loves this concept, and said many Northwest native plants should do well in a rain garden. Specifically, he suggested salal, serviceberry, Douglas spirea, salmonberry, Oregon grape, holodiscus discolor (also known as oceanspray) and evergreen huckleberry.A rain garden offers many benefits, according to the Rain Garden Network. Rain gardens can:  Filter runoff pollution; recharge local groundwater; conserve water; improve water quality; protect rivers and streams; remove standing water in your yard; reduce mosquito breeding; increase beneficial insects; reduce the potential of flooded basements; create habitat for birds and butterflies; reduce garden maintenance; enhance "sidewalk appeal"; and increase garden enjoyment. The National Wildlife Federation even lists rain gardens as one of the top 10 ways gardeners can combat global warming.The rain is on its way. Go ahead - embrace it! Plant yourself a rain garden.For more EcoConsumer resources from King County, visit www.KCecoconsumer.com.EcoConsumer Archives! Tom Watson Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:00:00 PDT http://www2.allblues.org/aroundthehouse/articles/68/1/Solar-Gets-Hot                Tom Watson is a project manager for King County and is the Seattle Times columnist of "EcoConsumer." Every month, Tom will offer smart and easy tips on how you, too, can become an eco-consumer.   For tips past, go to the  EcoConsumer Archives. Who would have thought the Northwest would become a hotbed for solar energy?Maybe it's our environmental ethic. Or the remarkable fact that solar really works here. According to the Northwest Solar Center, during the three summer months, Seattle gets 97 percent as much sun as San Diego. With "net metering," solar panel owners can take advantage of the abundant summer sun by spinning their electric meters backwards. And the national resource FindSolar (www.findsolar.com) gives Western Washington a "good" rating overall for the sun available for home solar-energy projects.Interested in solar energy or a solar water heater for your home? The Northwest boasts a number of excellent solar energy resources and events. Here are a few to check out:Northwest Solar Center   www.northwestsolarcenter.orgThe Seattle-based NWSC, a project of Washington State University, works closely with Northwest utilities to promote and expand solar energy.Solar Washington  www.solarwashington.orgA chapter of the American Solar Energy Society, Solar Washington includes solar energy equipment manufacturers, dealers, consultants and others interested in solar.  Shoreline Solar Project  www.shorelinesolar.orgLocated in the small city of Shoreline just north of Seattle, this grassroots organization has become one of the most active and visible players in the solar field in the Northwest.Northwest Solar Expo Sept. 14-16, 2007 - Portland   www.nwsolarexpo.comNational Solar TourOct. 6, 2007 - Western Washington and other locationswww.solarwashington.org/tourNorthwest Solar SummitNov. 6-8, 2007 - Wenatchee, WAwww.capps.wsu.edu/conferences/SolarSummitFor more EcoConsumer resources from King County, visit www.KCecoconsumer.com. EcoConsumer Archives! Tom Watson Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:00:00 PDT http://www2.allblues.org/aroundthehouse/articles/64/1/Growing-Green                Tom Watson is a project manager for King County and is the Seattle Times columnist of "EcoConsumer." Every month, Tom will offer tips on how you, too, can become an eco-consumer.  Read below for this month's smart and easy consumer tips. For tips past, go to the  EcoConsumer Archives. After the epic storms and cold of the past fall and winter, April holds great promise for the gardener. As we prepare for the coming growing season, let's consider ways to put the maximum amount of "green" into our gardening:- Choose your own shade of green. Call it natural yard care, green gardening, or whatever you like. These days, so many options exist for reducing your environmental impact that it's easy to pick just the right ones to fit your gardening style. As one example, if you can't spend much time caring for your yard, invest in drought-tolerant native plants such as salal or evergreen huckleberry. Plan your spring and summer purchases and activities now, based on what is truly realistic for you. - Satisfy your soil. By adding compost to your garden beds this time of year, you will give your plants a huge boost throughout the growing season. If you have a backyard compost bin, harvest it soon and spread it out on your beds. You can also buy compost in bulk, or in bags at home improvement and garden stores. In the Seattle area, the yard waste and food waste you set out at your curb end up as Cedar Grove brand compost. - Scrounge with a purpose. My yard is a monument to reuse. We built a raised bed with salvaged cedar boards, and made several borders with old bricks. This summer we plan to create a backyard path using another scavenged pile of bricks. Used materials work well for many landscaping projects, and also as fun, funky "yard art." To find materials, try Craig's List, or visit local used building materials stores such as the RE Store or Second Use. Start your project now, and you can have it done by early summer.- Reap what you sow. If you've never grown vegetables or herbs, make this the year. Growing your own food, without pesticides of course, is one of the healthiest and most eco-friendly things you can do. In our relatively mild climate, you can start many plants or seeds this month. But don't get carried away - I usually don't put in my basil and tomato plants until early June, when it's nice and warm.- Plan for drier days. It can be a mental leap this time of year, but keep in mind how hot and dry it gets in July and August. By planning and installing a "green" watering system now, you'll be ahead of the game. Consider a rain barrel or two, or a drip irrigation system.  - Look for green deals. The Northwest Natural Yard Days program runs April 15 to May 15 and offers discounts of up to 25 percent on mulching mowers, organic lawn fertilizers, insecticidal soaps, watering wands, soaker hoses, moss control, weed pullers, slug baits, compost and mulch. Check www.yarddays.com for the list of participating retailers for this program, sponsored by King County, City of Seattle and the Washington State Department of Ecology. - Cast a wide Net. During those rainy April days, take advantage of the incredible bounty of green gardening information on the Internet, at local libraries and elsewhere. King County's web resources include specifics and links. Stumped by a particular problem? Call King County's Natural Lawn & Garden Hotline at 206-633-0224 (9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays, year-round), or e-mail your questions to info@lawnandgardenhotline.org.Gardening in itself enhances our lives. We get fresh air and exercise, become closer to nature, and add beauty to the world. But when we also avoid pesticides and chemical fertilizers, conserve water, compost, use salvaged materials and practice other green gardening methods, we take an active role in preserving our environment. Note: Tom adapted this article from a piece he wrote that was published in the Woodland Park Zoo members magazine in February 2007.For more EcoConsumer resources from King County, visit www.KCecoconsumer.com.Ecoconsumer Archives! Tom Watson Sun, 01 Apr 2007 00:00:00 PDT