Earth Day, every day

Tomorrow's Earth Day is a firm, friendly reminder that there are always more steps we can take to reduce our impact on the environment. We can make changes in our own homes to not only increase energy savings and reduce pollution, but also to improve indoor air quality.

We asked several experts — Paul McRandle, deputy editor of The Green Guide, a Web site promoting eco-friendly living; Sandy Campbell, owner of environmental home store One Earth One Design; and Lisa DiMartino, head of marketing for the Environmental Home Center — about the best (and most basic) things we can do for ourselves and for our planet. Here are their suggestions:

Things you can do today

Clean green

Eliminate toxic cleaners at home by using environmentally friendly brands. Or avoid store-bought products all together and mix your own cleaning supplies with staples like baking soda, white vinegar, lemons, hydrogen peroxide and Borax. (See "Green Clean" section for recipes).

Green resources


Environmental Home Center: 4121 First Ave. S., Seattle. 206-682-7332; www.environmentalhomecenter.com.

One Earth One Design: 14300 Greenwood Ave. N., Suite A, Seattle. 206-418-8120; www.oneearthonedesign.com.

The Green Guide: www.thegreenguide.com.

Forest Stewardship Council: www.fscus.org

Green Seal: www.greenseal.org

Northwest Energy Star: www.northwestenergystar.com

Buy an air purifier

A purifier will remove dust mites, mold spores and gases such as formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds.

Replace your vinyl shower curtain

with a cotton one

Vinyl shower curtains can off-gas and take up space in landfills.

Use eco-friendly paint

More paint manufacturers are offering products with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs can cause nose and lung irritation, rashes and headaches.

Steam clean

A steam cleaner uses clean heat and steam to clean and kill bacteria in carpets, rugs, upholstery, wood floors and countertops.

Investments

Organic furniture

Foams often contain flame retardants, which can be toxic. Consider buying furniture that includes wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which advocates responsible forestry management, and all-natural and environmentally friendly materials like organic cotton and latex cushions. If an organic sofa is too costly, ask an upholstery store to replace your foam with materials that don't contain flame retardants, or replace them with natural choices like wool. You can also reupholster the sofa itself with an organic material.

Replace carpet

Carpeting attracts and retains toxins, dust and dirt. Hard surfaces are the healthiest and easiest to keep clean. If you can't replace carpeting or flooring, consider a natural fiber area rug for the spaces you use most.

Buy Energy Star-rated appliances

Appliances that tend to waste the most energy and water include air conditioners, refrigerators, dishwashers and washers and dryers.

Responsible deck furniture

If you're looking for new deck furniture, look for wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Home maintenance

Rein in dryer use

Air dry as much as possible, or use a moisture-sensor setting instead of a timed setting to reduce energy waste.

Close the fireplace flue

Save up to 8 percent on your energy bill.

Nicole Tsong: 206-464-2150 or ntsong@seattletimes.com