Martha, Martha, Martha.

I usually find Martha Stewart's suggestions useless for my particular lifestyle. They are often times beautiful but I have never actually implemented any- until now. I was shocked that instead of suggesting that you go out and buy a "Martha Stewart Cord Labeling System" she gave us a green alternative. So start saving your bread bag clips and if you haven't already- plug all of your devices into a power strip. It's a {Goody} thing.



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Green Tip {Tuesday}

Wash at least half your laundry in cold water. About 90 percent of the total energy used each washing cycle goes to heat the water. A family of four could save about $33 and 72 pounds of carbon a year.

* Bonus Tip: Unplug your washer and dryer when not in use.



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Unplugged

This is the outlet near my night stand where a lamp and alarm clock use to be, you will find outlets like this one all over our home; we are almost completely unplugged.  A power cord still draws energy even if the item is not in use, so we no longer leave small appliances and chargers plugged in. The kids no longer have their own alarm clocks; they did not use them anyway, and their lamps are only for decoration. Our coffee pot, cell phones, hair dryer, and all other small appliances are unplugged when not in use. All of our computers and large appliances are on power strips that we turn off when we are not using them; admittedly this doesn't happen as often as it should. I have even been known to unplug the washer and dryer one days I'm not using them. I'm not going to lie and say we have had a reduction in our electric bill; we haven't but I feel better knowing that we are using less and reducing our family's impact.



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Green Tip {Tuesday}

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Don't preheat your oven (unless you are baking bread). If you turn the oven on when you put the food in, you save a half a pound of carbon each time. This could save you about $22 a year.

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