Colder months typically bring increased concerns about energy costs, which can vary widely depending on your heating source. The good news? There are two small things you can do to help prevent energy leaks, meaning you'll rack up noticeable savings on your energy bills.
The first? Install thermal shades. These are a great tool, especially if you can't afford to replace your home's existing insulation. Plus, thermal shades are helpful year-round. They block the sun in the summer, keeping your home cool, while also retaining heat in the winter so that you can keep your home comfy and cozy without spending a ton of money.
Thermal shades vary in price and can be found at many sources, including JC Penney. You'll be able to find thermal shades that suit your window type and home decor. Yep, that's right -- thermal shades are functional and they look nice, too. Think of it as an energy-saving win-win!
We here at Charles & Hudson are always looking for ways to be as green as possible in our everyday choices, as well as be as economical as possible too. So when it was time to replace our old torn yoga mats, we got to thinking about ways to repurpose or upcycle them around the house.
Sure it's easy to recylce your mat with Recycle Your Mat or donate it through The Bolder Mat Company, both of which are awesome options to be green and generous. But we were curious about the different ways you could reuse your mat around the house to save money and help you in your DIY adventures.
So in no particular order, here are some ways your old yoga mat can be useful in home improvement:
As rising energy costs continue to put strain on homeowner budgets (especially as we head into cooler months), saving energy is not only a great idea for the planet -- it will help you save money, too.
Luckily, saving energy is a lot easier than it sounds. In fact, there's one thing you can do that just may make a noticeable difference in your electricity bill.
Before you go to sleep, turn off your computer. Don't leave it in sleep or hibernate mode -- instead, completely power down your machine.
You may have heard that frequently turning your computer on and off might harm your machine, or use more energy. Yet the U.S. Department of Energy says the small amount of energy exuded when your computer starts up "is still less than the energy used when a computer is running for long periods of time."
We like things green here at C&H. We talk a lot about energy-efficient and environmentally products that you can use in your home and in your DIY projects, including VOC-free paint, CFLs, low-flow faucets and fixtures, and salvaged building materials.
Switching to all-natural cleaning products is another important step if you want to go green. You'll help eliminate harmful chemicals from your household, and decrease the amount of run-off pollution that goes out into the environment.
Want to give it a try? Whip up your own laundry detergent! It's simple, we promise. Megan B. of Shelterrific used a recipe given to her by her friend, Angie.
Supplies:
1 bar of soap (approx. 2 oz), grated. You can use laundry soap. If you end up with 4 oz. or more, adjust the recipe accordingly.
1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup Arm & Hammer washing soda
3 drops essential oils (optional, but will give your detergent a fresh smell. Try lavender, citrus or vanilla.)
