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20 Ways Your Home Can Save the Planet: Green building tips and ideas for the home

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About the Show

Host Chi-Lan Lieu leads a one-hour tour through some of the most environmentally friendly homes on the planet, going room by room to discover how folks have done their part to make the world a better place. Get all 20 tips on how to make your home gorgeous, as well as green, and not break the bank.

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What You Can Do to Go Green

Appliances 1. Plug into the hottest appliances. These sleek items are designed to not only look good and function efficiently, but to also
conserve energy. Shop the products »
Countertop 2. Keep your cabinets and countertops green. Purify the air in your home by using sustainable materials that look good and are easy on the
planet, too. Get the goods »
Dishes and Cookware 3. Look for eco-friendly dishes and cookware. Prepare your family’s meals and serve them in chemical-free dishes made by Mother
Nature herself. Buy the items »
Windows 4. Think energy-saving when you think windows. Surround your house with great style and save the planet while you do it by having insulated
windows installed. View the windows »
Furniture and Decor 5. Recycle with style. Instead of buying new furniture and accessories,
look for vintage pieces or those made from
recycled materials. See some examples »
6. Consider planet-friendly floors. Shop for all-natural materials like cork, bamboo and tile. They’re as chic as they are sustainable. »
7. Make a new bed, organically. From the mattress to the sheets, find out how your bed can be comfy and planet-friendly, too. »
8. Paint it safe. Be environmentally responsible by shopping for products that tout low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). »
9. Switch your bulbs. Replace incandescents with compact fluorescents. They may cost more now, but they’ll save you money in the long run. »
10. Make your family room family- and earth-friendly. Toss out the old carpet and install flooring made from natural raw materials instead. »
11. Furnish naturally. Choose wood products that are formaldehyde-free and accessories made of things like hemp. »
12. Keep your garage gear green. Look for things like nontoxic pegboards to hold your tools and manual-reel lawnmowers to cut the grass. »
13. Go with the low flow. Select low-flow water fixtures such as showerheads, faucets and toilets to reduce consumption and cost. »
14. Renew your bathroom with reclaimed style. There’s no shortage of stylish but eco-friendly products like tile, countertops and fixtures. »
15. Go natural. Keep it chemical-free in the bathroom with everything from organic hand soap to bamboo hand towels. »
16. Stock up on earth-friendly office supplies. Prevent stuff from hitting the landfill by utilizing items like recycled computer disks and earth-friendly inks. »
17. Be green when you clean. Many companies are now making high-efficiency washing machines and dryers that save water and energy. »
18. Choose good wood. Try to find wood for your home projects that has been farmed, clear-cut and stained with natural products. »
19. Plant for the planet. Be economical as well as ecological by searching for plants that require little watering and maintenance. »
20. Keep nature natural. Seek out items crafted out of recycled materials like chairs made from plastic milk jugs or corn-husk planters. »
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More on Being Green

Red Hot & Green

Practical earth-friendly ideas for your home from Carter Oosterhouse and Danny Seo.

10 Ways to Live Greener Today

An accredited green-living auditor points out things you can do to make a difference.

Ease Into Being Green

You don't have to go all out from the beginning — start with these simple changes.

Go Organic in the Garden

See how to make it easy on you and Mother Nature on your little corner of the planet.

Buy Certified Wood

Learn about the Forest Stewardship Council, which ensures that wood is harvested in a sustainable way.

Create a Water-Wise Landscape

Get ideas for having a garden, even if your area has limited or no access to fresh water.

Use Reclaimed Materials

Help reduce the amount of products headed to landfills by recycling items like wood.
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