Sierra Club Green Home

You aren’t supposed to fill those laundry detergent caps. There are lines inside showing the amount the manufacturer recommends, and that is often still more than you need. More is not better. Too much detergent reduces cleaning power and is leaves residue in your clothes. Try throwing a few of your towels into the wash without soap and see how much suds form. (Photo by Emily, Flickr)

Environmentally friendly windshield washer fluid can be made using just a couple of household items, namely rubbing alcohol. Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol is a much safer alternative than methanol (methyl alcohol), which is in the “blue” commercial products. If you read most any commercial windshield washer fluid product labels, you will see a “hazard” warning. Methanol (methyl alcohol) is a hazardous chemical and should be used with caution. (Photo by)

Never assume that it is safe or legal to dispose of household chemicals down the drain, in a storm sewer, or with general household trash. The local waste systems may drain in waterways or treatment facilities, which cannot process chemical waste. Your household chemical waste can create much bigger environmental problems for your community and local ecosystems and wildlife habitats. (Photo by Mzacha, Stock Xchng)

As summer blends into fall, the annual clearing of clogged rain gutters looms for most homeowners. A thankless but necessary job, it seems no matter what kind of gutters one has, they’re going to require a trip up the ladder. Someone has finally invented a system that changes all this. (Photo courtesy of MasterShield)

Bed bugs have become a reality in such diverse places as luxury hotels, well-known department stores, and in many homes. There is a proven, natural remedy using cedar as a natural pest deterrent.

Online retailers generally are not known for great customer service. Instead, they build their reputation on offering quality products and prompt delivery, and many carry a variety of eco-friendly or sustainable products.

One online retailer has figured out how to put all this together. Bucking the norm, Greenfeet strives to offer online shopping that is easy, fun, and steeped in customer service. (Photo courtesy of Greenfeet)

Long-term exposure to chemicals inside our homes can be harmful to our families. This guide to greening your home tells you what to do with the toxic stuff and offers DIY tips for cleaning products. (Photo courtesy of Caelus Consulting)

Why should you use green, eco-friendly cleaning products over the refreshing, aromatic, effective, traditional, yet terrible, toxic, harmful, polluting products that you’ve been using forever? That question almost answers itself.

Give your house a healthy glow using environmentally friendly cleaning products When we get out the rags and the wash buckets, we have the best of intentions. Cleanliness is a virtue, right? And healthy too! Well, if you use conventional cleaning products, perhaps not. Have you ever cleaned your shower or oven and then had teary [...]

For good looks and good health You once loved your carpet, but now it’s not looking its best–and maybe it’s even making you sneeze and sniffle. Don’t despair. With the right cleaning practices and products, you can clear the air without filling your house with toxic chemicals. And your old carpet might just win its [...]