Tag: tips

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Eco Tips Green Building Recycling

Five Fun Ways To Introduce Recycling To Kids

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So you’ve come a long way into educating yourself about recycling. Suddenly, you get the feeling that it is time to discuss this topic with your children. Recycling is a matter of raising awareness about the impact we have on the world we inhabit. If our goal is to create sustainable change, then change has to be transmitted to next generations. Thankfully for us, kids are more than willing to learn about planet earth and how to take care of it. So it is just a matter of finding the right approach. Let’s discuss some ideas.

Arrange a Field Trip
Even though it may require a little planning, a field trip to a recycling facility is a great way for kids to become acquaintance with the whole idea.  Besides, meeting professionals and workers at a recycle center will certainly boost their interest in the topic. Remember that kids of all ages are interested on seeing and experiencing things for themselves, so a “hands-on” experience will always work wonders with them.

Start your own recycling project with them
Another great “hands-on” experience for the children is to start a recycling project at home. So why not taking a weekend off to spend some quality time doing something incredibly gratifying like recycling paper with them. There are plenty of tutorials over the internet to draw ideas from. I assure you that kids will love the idea of creating something new out of old waste paper.

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Invent recycling games
Set up some games to educate your kids on recycling issues. Get creative and remember to focus on the experience. Allow them to be the recycling experts for a day or turn them into the ultimate recycling superheroes. Some ideas for you to experience with are to create games related to sorting garbage items, making organic composts and dumping the right kind of waste on the right kind of bin. And always give away prizes, and treats!

Discuss with your children on how waste affects nature
Be honest with them about the current environmental situation. Talk to them about the changes our planet is going through and our responsibility as humans in reverting this process. Educate them about contamination and how human waste has a profound effect on planet earth. Help them realize how recycling can lead to positive environmental changes.

Empower them
Information is power. Education is power. Awareness is power. Do not underestimate your children’s potential to become change agents. Empower them to take active part in every possible way they can. They’ll be more than willing to do so.

Recycling can be fun and games but it can also be a powerful transformation tool in our homes, our schools and communities. Don’t be afraid to raise awareness. As Gandhi once said: “Be the change you want to see in the world”. Encourage your kids to live under the same principle and keep change going!

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Eco Tips

Camping Hacks For Your Next Eco Trip

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Camping is the perfect green vacation. It will make you feel in contact with nature, enjoying the wonderful world we live in. Besides, it has a low impact on the environment (just remember to “leave no trace”) and it saves you money. It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned camper or if you are thinking of experiencing the great outdoors for the first time, these are some genius hacks to make your next camping trip easier.

Keep mosquitoes away naturally – Mosquitoes can ruin anyone’s night. They are annoying and relentless, but repellent sprays are harmful for the environment and loaded with awful chemicals. To truly keep the little pests away from your campsite, throw some sage into the fire, you will be surprised with the results.

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Turn egg cartons into fire starters – Instead of throwing away your paper egg cartons, save them for your next camping trip. Fill an egg carton with light charcoal and close it. Whenever you want to get your campfire going, just lit it up. You will get a blazing fire in no time that will keep you warm and help you cook food without wasting gas or fuel like a stove. Just make sure to follow your campsite’s regulations when it comes to campfires.

Cook with natural herbs – If you are going to use your campfire to cook meats and veggies, avoid bottled marinades that are full of preservatives, take up space in your bag and contribute to the garbage problem. Instead, throw rosemary or other aromatic herbs right into the fire while you are cooking. You will get a nice smokey flavor in the most natural way, and your meals will taste amazing.

Filter water with nothing but cloth – Clean water is absolutely necessary, I don’t need to tell you that. It is recommended that you take plenty of water with you, but if you find yourself without bottled water and no other means to purify dirty water, this method can help you out. Put the dirty water into a container and stick the end of a piece of cloth in it. Put the other end of the cloth in the other container and wait for a bit. The water will filter itself through the cloth and you’ll end up with a container of clean water and another of dry sediment.

Bring a Frisbee – Never underestimate the power of the Frisbee. They are extremely fun, so you can enjoy your time outdoors by doing some exercise with your family and friends, sure, but they have some hidden uses as well. In a pinch, your Frisbee can be a cutting board, a plate, a water container and even a shovel. No camping bag is complete without a Frisbee.

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Articles Home Decor Home Improvement

Turn Your Bathroom Into Your Favorite Place In The World

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When I’m at home, my bathroom is my sanctuary. I go there to clean and groom myself, to relax, to think and maybe play a little Angry Birds on my phone, (don’t judge.) The important thing is, you probably start and end your day in your bathroom, so it makes sense to try to make it as cozy and pretty as possible.

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1. Read your To-Do list while brushing your teeth

Or while doing your make up and hair. Organize your day and go over your tasks just as you are waking up with a little dry-erase board for your bathroom counter. If you are confused about where to buy a tiny dry-erase board, you can make one with a photograph frame, a white sheet of paper and, of course, a dry-erase marker.

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2. Make your shower feel bigger with a curved curtain bar

Showers are the actual best thing, it’s the one moment of your day when you can relax and let your thoughts wander while the hot water soothes your muscles. And they would be infinitely more relaxing if they were not as tiny and cramped as they usually are. The good news is that you don’t have to rear your bathroom down to enjoy a roomier shower. All you need is a curved curtain bar, that you can get for less than $20.

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3. Ditch your big plastic bottles

If you are anything like me, your bathtub or shower is basically a graveyard for half-empty plastic bottles for shampoo, conditioning, lotion, bubble bath, body wash and more assorted goo. But this not only takes up a lot of space, it looks ugly and cramped too. To solve this, take your Starbucks frappuchino glass bottles, clean them out well and reuse them to store “portion sizes” of your bathroom products. You can keep your big bottles out of sight under the sink and your bathtub or shower will look cute and cleaner, which will put you in a great mood.

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4. Bring a tiny spa inside your bathroom

This is one of those things that look super expensive and actually cost nothing. For a spa-like experience, reinvent your bathroom mat with ocean stones. All you need is a common rubber mat (with holes in it, to drain water), water-resistant glue and a lot of soft, round (and relatively flat) stones, like the ones you find on the beach. Glue them to your mat and feel the relaxing sensation of walking barefoot on the beach every time you get in or out of the shower.

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5. Move your shower caddies under the sink

The shower is not the only place in your bathroom that needs organizing. And the cabinets under the sink are usually pure chaos. Get a couple of shower caddies and secure them to the walls, and you will always be able to find that one bottle you need.

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Articles Home Improvement

Speed Clean Your House With A New Strategy

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In a survey I just made up, the amount of time the average person wants to spend cleaning their house is “zero”. It’s something we all have to do, but we end up pushing it until the last minute and then panic because we don’t have enough time. But that’s about to change. With the right strategy you will clean faster and finish right on time to host that dinner party tonight.

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1. Don’t underestimate the soundtrack

It sounds silly, but listening to your favorite, preferably upbeat music will put you in a better mood and help you clean faster, with less pain.

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2. Arm yourself with everything you need beforehand

You know what sucks? Going back-and-forth to the cleaning cabinet to get that one cleaning product you need now. Avoid this, get a basket and put all the cleaning products you think you’ll need (include gloves, sponges, tissues and vodka… trust me on this one), and carry it around while you clean.

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3. Reconnaissance mission

Get an empty box or basket and a trash can, and walk through every room in your house, twice. As you walk the first time, put every item that doesn’t belong in that room in the basket, and throw the trash away. When you walk back, put every item in the basket in its rightful place.

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4. I don’t have a clever title for doing the dishes

But you have to do them. Get them out of the way fast, especially if you are dreading this task. After you straightened everything in step three and you get a clean sink, your whole house will look so much cleaner immediately, which will motivate you to continue, because you are almost done.

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5. Heavy duty weapons

If you have to vacuum, find the longest extension cord you have. It’s super simple, but it makes it so much easier. As long as you pay attention to where you are going and don’t entangle yourself, you won’t have to start and stop ten times and you’ll be done so much sooner.

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6. Chemical warfare

Now is a good time to clean counters, tiles and similar surfaces. The top-secret, unexpected surface cleaner you have at home? Vodka. Or rubbing alcohol works as well, but with vodka you can have a motivational drink while you are cleaning. Get rid of greasy kitchen gunk and moldy bathroom muck, and shine your surfaces with the same product. Don’t worry about the smell, it will evaporate and dissipate quickly.

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7. Victory!

You did it! Congratulations. Light a few candles (nice smells make everything feel extra clean) and have a celebratory screwdriver. You’ve earned it.

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Eco Tips

Safety Eco-Tips For An Icy Situation

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winter-salt-sprinkler-for-icy-walkways-drivewaysThe best and worst part of the winter season is the cold. You know what else is the best and worst part of the winter season? THE SNOW! De-icing your walkway, driveway, or sidewalk is no fun at all. There really is no easy way in doing the de-icing. That is unless; if you live in an apartment complex and maintenance does it for you. If you are like me then you have to do all the hard work yourself. The best way to get rid of all the snow is the eco-friendly way. Plus it is safer for the environment and you.

Here are safety eco-tips for an icy situation like an accidental slip and fall because your son forgot to de-ice the driveway after school.

  • DO NOT USE SALT! All you are doing is damaging the soil after all the snow melts. Plus the water supply can be ruined once all the snow melts and heads into the storm drains towards the rivers and streams.
  • Use sand instead of salt because it will not harm vegetation life. Plus the sand will help melt the ice faster when the sun hits it.
  • There are eco-products like, EcoTraction, which do the trick. It is made from volcanic minerals and it is a better way to get rid of an icy situation. It will even turn into dust.
  • Use a shovel. Constant shoveling of now is better for the environment and your body too. You get a workout and you have less of a chance from falling down and breaking a bone.
  • Other salt options: Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, and Calcium Chloride.
  • Purchase YakTrax. What is that? They are a safety product designed to make walking on snow/ice safer. You strap it on to your shoe and walk with confidence.

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  • Keep a broom by the doorway. Sweep away the snow as it is falling down at least every two hours. Do not let it accumulate.
  • Birdseed is also another great alternative to salt.
  • Make sure the de-icer you use is safe for everyone including your pets. The last thing you want is your dog to lick their paws and get sick.
  • Stay ahead of the weather forecast. Prepare before it is too late.
  • Chip away the ice with muscle. Do not use hot water. It will just make the driveway, pathway, or sidewalk slippery and in some cases, deadly.
  • Alfalfa Meal is a great product to use for traction on the driveway. It is 100% natural and it melts the snow.

The best safety tip is of course, stay inside. I’m just kidding. Just be aware of your surroundings and protect them the same way you protect yourself. Remember, nature cannot go out a use their credit card to purchase these things.

Follow these simple eco-tips to keep from slipping and sliding all over the place. Snow can be fun to play in but when it comes to driving or walking in the snow a quick slip can be costly. Keep safe this winter season the eco-friendly way.

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Eco Tips Lawn & Garden

Get Rid Of Pests The Eco-Friendly Way

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pest-control-eco-friendly-wayNow that spring has come and all of the flowers have blossomed in some areas and the grass has grown, be ready for the pest parade. Bugs, ants, caterpillars, spiders, roaches, worms, water bugs, and you name it, the pest is around. Don’t you just hate it when they invade your garden and/or your home? I know I do. Now that you are living the eco-life I think you should go about getting rid of them. No, do not stomp them, or eat them. Find eco-friendlier ways of getting rid of pests.

Here are some ways to get rid of pests the eco-friendly way and I hope you do try them.

  • Try natural planting. Why? It is more likely to attract pests that are beneficial to your plants instead of pests that will harm them.
  • Do not be squeamish. Slugs have a bad habit of roaming around and eating everything in sight. Slug it! Pick them up with your own hands and throw them out. You can also just stomp on them as you scream in fear.
  • Beer traps work well in killing slugs and roaches. Just put small containers full of beer in the ground. The next day you should have some surprises.
  • Protect your plants, fruits, and veggies with plant netting. They are great for keeping unwanted pests out of your hard work.
  • Any child would love to have an ant farm. Just make sure the ones you pick from the yard are not the red ones. The last thing you want is too have red ants running loose around the house because little Joe accidently tip the ant farm over.
  • Scott’s Nature’s Answer Natural Pest Control spray is a natural insecticide and fungicide. You can use is on flowers, fruits, and vegetables. It helps get rid of caterpillars, red spider mites, and black flies. Use is outdoors and indoors.

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  • Add some color to your garden. Plant some wild flowers. Why? They attract bees and bees scare off other pests because they are bee-otches!
  • Diatomaceous earth can be used on many pests. Keep it handy.
  • When it comes to spiders…KILL THEM WITH WHATEVER IS NEAR YOU!
  • Trick those pesky pests. How? Trick them by planting strategically of course. If you are planting cabbages and want to avoid cabbage flies then plant chives or onions next to the cabbage. It will confuse them and you will be cabbage fly free.
  • Shoe fly don’t bother me! Put mint in small satchels around the house. It will repel the flies.
  • I especially hate the pests that visit when the lights are off. ROACHES! Spray them with some soapy water. Use Boric acid on the top of your cabinets. Be careful when handling the acid. These tricks also help get rid of ants too.
  • The eco-friendliest way is to have a clean home that the pests do not want to visit. I recommend not leaving your garden unattended for more than two days.

Now that you know some eco-friendly ways to getting rid of pests please try them. Leave the Raid cans at the store. The smell is deadly to the air and you. So next time you see an insect in the garden try not to scream and try getting rid of it if it needs to be. Remember that some pests are good for your garden like ground beetles, lacewings, butterflies and lady beetles.

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Eco Tips

Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas That Will Melt Hearts And Not Wallets

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Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day Gift IdeasValentine’s Day is right around the corner so get ready for the chocolate, heart shaped gifts, and last minute gift buying. The last thing anyone would think of on Valentine’s Day is eco-friendly gift ideas. Chocolate and flowers are everyone’s first choice. Try to be creative and earth conscious this year. Love Earth because she lets the person you love live on her. So thank her too on Valentine’s Day. The girl/guy you are on a date with will love you a bit more if you gift them something thoughtful.

Here are some gift ideas that are so lovely that even Mother Nature would fall in love with you.

  • You can plant a tree together. When the tree grows, you can come back and tie a ribbon around it with a small frame with your initials. Do not carve the tree. They hate tattoos. As the tree grows, so does your relationship.
  • Buy each other a star. Not a paper star but an actual star. You can name it too. Now you can be the star in each other’s eyes. Look up at the night sky knowing that your love for another is universal now.
  • Recycle an old wine bottle and write a letter on recycled paper. Put it in the wine bottle. Seal it and put a nice ribbon around it for some simple décor. Message in a bottle can’t just be Sting’s idea.
  • Forget giving flowers. They will wither and die. Plus that is the last thing you want symbolizing your relationship. Instead make her origami flowers using recycled paper.

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  • Make a sidewalk letter with chalk. Save paper. Chalk is natural. Just be careful it does not rain. You will chalk up with tears.
  • Go to farm and pick fresh produce to make a romantic dinner at home.
  • Gift something handmade like a tie with his favorite superhero on it. You can try your hand at quilting a blanket for both of you to cuddle in.
  • Sleeping under the night sky is so romantic. Get a hammock or a tent. If you have a hammock then cuddle up with your love and stare up at the night sky. If you have tents then cuddle in a sleeping bag (cold areas) or nice sheets (warmer areas) and enjoy one another. Just be warned that you are in your backyard, keep it PG.
  • Love is in the air. Take your significant other on a nature walk to enjoy the beauty it offers. Have a picnic with organic snacks, overlooking a scenic view.
  • If you are going the original route then remember to get organic chocolates and organic flowers.

Hopefully, your significant other will enjoy any of the gifts you give them. Try something new from the list above and make it an eco-friendly lovely day. Sharing is caring and so is giving me one of those heart sugar cookies. Oh that came out wrong…I meant to say, sugar cookies in the shape of a heart. So have a happy Valentine’s Day to all of you reading this.

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Eco Tips Green Building Home Decor Home Design Home Improvement

10 Mistakes: You Are Building That Green Home Wrong

green-building-mistakes-ruining-existing-ecosystemsSo you want to build a green home? Do not look at me. I am not going to help build it. I will give you some mistakes to avoid when building a green home of your own, but that is it. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint and be environmentally conscious then make sure you know everything you need to know about eco-friendly building.

It is not as easy as it seems.

Avoiding these mistakes will help your green home building process go faster and easier.

Mistake 1: When you plan out your green home, do not make it big like a palace. Keep in mind your lifestyle. The bigger the house, the more it will cost in electricity, heating, and not to mention the unused space.

Mistake 2: Straying off the beaten path is bad. Why? If you build in a new area away from town, and deep in the countryside, then you will ruin an established ecosystem. Know your lot and location before you break ground.

Mistake 3: Not thinking ahead of time can be damaging. Will you be living in your home 20 years from now? To be honest, I would not even know if I were. Knowing how long you plan on staying in your new green home can help with budget and space issues.

Mistake 4: Not doing research on green building can be bad in the long run. Yes those wooden floors are made from recycled wood but are they great with the moisture environment you live in? Knowing what building materials to use for your new home’s location is priceless. Plus, if you get contractors, they cannot screw you on the price because you know what you are talking about.

Mistake 5: Filling your home up with non-eco-friendly appliances is a no-no. Just think before you sink.

Mistake 6: Missing out on the sun’s energy is so wrong. Take advantage of the sun and use solar paneling. Make sure the roof is facing south; actually, your whole house should be facing south. You save lots of energy.

Mistake 7: Listening to your friend who knows nothing about green building, will not help you. Ask for help from a knowledgeable source.

Mistake 8: Insufficient insolation will empty your pockets in a quick minute. Insulate well and keep the cold out. If you do it right, then you will be living cozy and nice. Plus your electric bill will be very low.

Mistake 9: Going flat on the roof design is bad for a green build. Slant the roof to allow drainage. Make sure it too is insulated well. You can also make the drainage pipe connect to the garden to use the water.

Mistake 10: Forgetting to plant the actual green is often overlooked. Plants are very beneficial to green building. Do not plant random trees, bushes, and flowers. Do some research and plant what will thrive in your environment.

Do not follow these mistakes but learn from them. In no time you will have your own green home.

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Eco Fashion Eco Tips Furnishings Home Design

Here Are The Best Eco-Friendly Holiday Furnishing Ideas

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Now that you have the tree up, all the gifts wrapped, and the dinner menu for the festive night planned out; you look around and figure that you are forgetting something. You tap your forehead and say, “Duh!” You forgot to decorate the house with holiday flare. Now you may be thinking that you do not have the time to decorate the whole house. You may also be thinking about how you are going to decorate and keep it eco-friendly. Well, do not worry my dear friend. I am here to help you with that. It is going to be very simple, and most importantly fun; that is if you follow these tips.

Here are some eco-friendly furnishing ideas to give your home a nice earthy touch.

  • Make stencils using old newspapers. Clip 4 sheets together and while using a cutter, make your stencil. Now you can use it on name cards. Decorate the gift boxes with it. Add some deco art to the window. Or even use it to decorate cakes.
  • Use organic cotton flannel sheets on the sofa. It will keep it warm and get a x-mas pattern.
  • Try to use every decoration you have. There is no need to leave anything undecorated.
  • Use some plants to add natural air purifiers into the space.
  • Gather as many pinecones from outside. There can never be too many pinecones. Use them as a nice center piece. You can also glue string on them to make a quick ornament.

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  • Reuse old holiday decorations. You can even have a neighborhood get together where you exchange ornaments and trimmings. It is so much fun. Plus you all save money and every x-mas deco night is different.
  • Reuse bottles and jars to fill them with candy canes and other sweet treats.
  • Ornaments are not just for trees. Hang some on doorknobs. Use some to hold curtains together.
  • Save energy and only light up your tree. Use led lights. You will be tempted to put lights up outside but remember that it is only for showing off. Plus you are going to spend a lot of green when you get the light bill if you do it.
  • Use candles. Be cautious of where you put them. Use white red, green, or a mix of all three colors to liven the home.
  • Make your own potpourri with holiday spices.

I do hope that with all of these eco-friendly furnishing tips you too can make you home as inviting as mine. The best thing is that you can go to sleep knowing that is all earth friendly. No harm is being done. Well, there will be if you forget to turn off the candles.

Do not forget to sprinkle some cinnamon over door ledges to give your guest an instant kick of the season.

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Lawn & Garden

8 Eco-Friendly Plants to Garden

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Whenever someone is decorating their home they always forget about natural air purifiers. Those natural air purifiers are known as plants. Eco-friendly plants are great to garden. They not only make the world a healthier place to live; they also make your home a refreshing place to be in. Then great thing is that a lot of them are indoor plants that can help get rid of air pollutants. They will bring a pop of color to any room along with fresh air. You can even add moisture to your room during the winter months just by adding a plant.

Here are some eco-friendly plants that you should garden.

  1. Tulips remove ammonium from the air.
  2. Peace Lily plants are so beautiful when they are peaceful cleaning the air. The white blooming plant is known to help filter toxic pollutant smells like nail polish, paint, and anything with benzene fumes.
  3. The Feston Rose Plant is not only beautiful but it also smells great. The flowers that bloom are vibrant and the plant can withstand high temperatures. Plus do not be guilty for not watering it much. It can survive. Treat it well thought because it helps tremendously with getting rid of air pollutants.
  4. Gerbera can easily remove toxic vapors from your environment.
  5. The Garlic Vine is the garlic/onion smelling flower of plants, hence where it gets its name from. Beautiful lavender flowers are what make this such a delightful indoor plant to have. The petals can be used for ailments and the vine is a great purifier.
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  1. The Devil’s Ivy is a devil of a plant because it somehow continues to grow and grow with little care. Hang it high because it grows rapidly. The plant is great as a natural anti-pollutant against carbon monoxide.
  2. Phalaenopsis plants are hard to pronounce but are pretty to look at. The purify areas in your house that are not close to natural sunlight. Why? Since they cannot take a lot of sun light you can put them in areas with little light.
  3. Mini Palm Trees are great to keep indoors. Trees take in the carbon dioxide in the air and in return release oxygen for us to breathe. I think that is very kind of them. Plus it will give your room a nice tropical feel.

Next time you plan out your new eco-friendly project do not forget about our green friends. No not the aliens. These eco-friendly plants can make your room or garden so beautiful. My favorite is the Yellow Goddess. She is small, yet loudly intoxicating with natural purifiers. Freshen up the air and area at the same time. Learn how to take care of them and they will take care of you.