Are you looking for ways to save money? According to The Conscious Consumer blog at green.yahoo.com, there are several common purchases you can forego, saving money and helping the environment.
- Air fresheners. Not only did The Conscious Consumer feel these are unnecessary, she even indicated they could be releasing hazardous chemicals into your home. The Natural Resources Defense Council found phthalates (hormone-disrupting chemicals linked to birth defects) in 12 of the 14 common household brands of air fresheners it tested, including those labeled “all natural.” Her suggestion? Open your windows and let the fresh air in. Your best bet to deal with persistent odors is to find the source and get rid of it.
- Bottled water. According to The New York Times, it costs $1,400 a year for someone to drink eight glasses a day of bottled water, and only about 49 cents for an annual supply of tap water. The Conscious Consumer says drinking filtered water is a lot less expensive, just as healthy, and good for the environment.
- Dryer sheets. Replace dryer sheets that are loaded with a mixture of synthetic chemicals. To make your clothes soft and static free, add one-half cup of white distilled vinegar or one-fourth cup of baking soda to your laundry, suggests Patti Wood, at Grassroots Environmental Education.