CasaSugar

Cool Idea: A Fan That Ventilates and Warms

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:30:55 -0700

One of my least favorite things about chilly Fall mornings is stepping into a freezing bathroom to take a shower. Since I live in the Bay Area, we seldom turn on our central heating, so more often than not, the bathroom feels like an icebox.

Instead of using a space heater, I’m thinking about adding an exhaust vent fan with a heater. This will not only warm the bathroom, but also improve indoor-air quality by circulating the air and removing odors and contaminants. One fan that I’ve had my eye on is the WhisperWarm ventilation fan by Panasonic Home & Environment Company. It’s quiet, lightweight, compact, and comes with an optional light and nightlight that uses CFLs.

Looking for a simple, eco-exhaust fan that doesn't heat? Then check out the WhisperGreen Energy Star-rated fan. The WhisperGreen uses a super-efficient DC motor, and comes with variable 2-speed and delay timer controls built-in or as a single-speed fans. All WhisperGreen models exhaust fans comply with Green building IAQ standards.

Casa Quickie: Avoid Carpet Burn

CasaSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:15:41 -0700

This type of carpet burn, though, is the type that can scorch your indoor air quality. If you're getting new carpeting installed in your home, you want to watch out for nasty VOCs, which can make the indoor air quality in your home positively dismal, and contribute to asthma, lung irritation, and even long-term breathing and health complications.

So, if you're going to install carpet, minimize VOCs by buying carpets that have a Green Label. This label ensures that the carpet has been tested and shown to have lower levels of VOCs by the Carpet and Rug Institute's indoor air-quality carpet testing and labeling program. To further minimize your exposure to VOCs, make sure to air the house out for 48 to 72 hours following installation.

Source

Recipe For Clean: Make a Mold Defeater

CasaSugar — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:15:15 -0700

Of all the ick-worthy parts of cleaning my house, nothing makes me wrinkle my nose and say "ew" like mold does. Not only is mold gross-looking, it's also bad for your health, especially if you have asthma or respiratory issues. If you've assembled your home cleaning kit, you have all the natural ingredients needed to banish mold from your home. I have a great Recipe For Clean for getting your surfaces mold-free. Use it on tile, in the fridge, or on any other mold-ridden surface to get your house so fresh and so clean.

Supplies

2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water
Spray bottle

To find out the steps for this DIY, just read more.

Carefully pour all of the ingredients into a spray bottle.
Put the bottle top on, and give the mixture a good shake.
Spray on moldy surfaces.
Let sit then gently wipe, but don't spray clean.
If the mixture is too potent smelling for you (tea tree oil is strong) then mix with some drops of essential oil.

Source

Plants That Purify: Bamboo Palm

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:14:29 -0800

We all could benefit from a cheap and beautiful way to improve a home's indoor air quality. That's why I'm bringing you an ongoing series on house plants that are particularly good at purifying the air.

Next up in our series is the bamboo palm.

To find out more about this hardy house plant, just read more.

Bamboo palm, which is also known as reed palm, is a low-maintenance houseplant that prefers rainwater or distilled water to tap water. This plant is susceptible to spider mites and mealy bugs, so be careful to avoid insect infestations. Place your bamboo palm in indirect sunlight and allow the plant to stay moist, but not wet. If any water accumulates in the bottom of the planter, dump it out, as bamboo plants hate to sit in water.

Source

Casa Quickie: Take Your Shoes Off

CasaSugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:30:21 -0800

By simply taking off your shoes upon entering your house, you can reduce the amount of pollutants in it. This means less vacuuming and dusting time for you, but it also means improved air quality and that dust, allergens, and dirt will be less likely to cause an asthma attack or allergic reaction in residents.

Source

Plants That Purify: English Ivy

CasaSugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:00:03 -0800

We all could benefit from a cheap and beautiful way to improve a home's indoor air quality. That's why I'm bringing you an ongoing series on houseplants that are particularly good at purifying air.

Next up in our series is English ivy.

To find out more about this hardy houseplant, just read more

English ivy can be found in close to a hundred varieties and has been known to also help remove benzene from the air. It is considered an invasive plant outdoors, since it spreads so quickly and can smother wildflowers and other native plants. However, it's a great plant if kept indoors.

To control growth, pinch leaves off of your English ivy plant. Also, make sure that your plant has sufficient humidity. Keep it away from heat registers or changes in temperature, and if your house is dry, it might help if you keep your ivy plant on a tray of pebbles that can have water added to it daily. Ivy likes indirect light, and its flexible stems allow it to be trained in predetermined shapes. In the home, plant diseases are very rarely a problem.

Source

Plants That Purify: Dracaena

CasaSugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:15:47 -0800

Next up in our series is the dracaena.

To find out more about this hardy house plant, just read more

There are many varieties of dracaena. The one shown in the photo is a Dracaena marginata, or Madagascar Dragon Tree. Dracaenas are known for being rugged, carefree houseplants. They have a tropical appearance that is attractive in many different decorating styles. Many tolerate low light conditions, though they grow best in bright, indirect light. Let soil dry slightly between waterings, and avoid watering with cold water.

Warning: Dracaena can be poisonous to your pets and children!

Source

Plants That Purify: Ficus

CasaSugar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 08:11:21 -0800

Next up in our series is the ficus.

Ficus benjamina, or the weeping fig, is one of the most popular trees that are grown indoors. Bright green leaves grow abundantly on the ficus, but leaf loss is common, especially when their environment is changed, or when there is a drop in temperature. Place ficus trees by a bright window, wipe off their leaves when they get dusty, and water them regularly (but do not overwater), and they'll be happy trees indeed.

Warning: plant sap from a ficus tree may cause dermatitis or allergic reactions.

Source

Plants That Purify: Chrysanthemum

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:59:46 -0800

Next up in our series is the chrysanthemum.

Chrysanthemums are a beautiful, autumn flower, and if you decide to use garland chrysanthemums as a Thanksgiving centerpiece, they can do double duty in a salad, since the flowers are edible!

Although chrysanthemums are usually associated with outside fall flower beds, they also grow well in pots indoors. Chrysanthemums come in a wide variety of colors and prefer full sun, except when in bloom. Keep the soil from becoming compacted, and only water when the soil has dried out. Chrysanthemums flower as a response to short days and long nights, and while old plants are usually not rebloomed, you can grow new plants from cuttings. To force chrysanthemums to bloom, provide them with 14 hours of darkness for 10–12 weeks.

Source

Candles For Your Thanksgiving Table

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 05:57:03 -0800

Question: What are candles most often made from?

To see the answer, just read more

Answer: Paraffin. Paraffin is made of oil-not nice, benign olive oil, but petroleum! Not only do petroleum-based candles create soot, they also degrade the air quality of your home and come from a non-renewable resource. Yuck. Not what you want when you're entertaining guests, huh?

Leave it to Ikea to provide a cheap alternative. These Ikea stearin wax candles do not run or give off soot, and they're made from 100% vegetable oil. They burn for about nine hours, and only cost $2.99 for 4 candles.

Source and Source