Resource-Saving Tips for a Green Kitchen

With all the green veggies, leafy plants, fresh herbs and fruits, one might think that your kitchen is already green. However, there are ways you can save even more resources and make your kitchen eco-friendly and energy-efficient. Here are a few tips on saving resources, reducing waste and turning your kitchen into a completely green space:

Invest in quality cookware

One of the easiest ways to make your kitchen more sustainable is to invest in quality cookware that will stay with your family for generations. Unfortunately, this means you have to say goodbye to Teflon—it’s debatable whether it’s good for human use, but it definitely doesn’t have the best lifespan. On the other hand, cast iron and stainless steel are very durable, even though a sizable investment.

Also, choose quality utensils instead of cheap plastic and wooden ones—these can break, rot and melt if you leave them on the stove for too long. Investing in handmade knives you can sharpen at home and using washable cloth dishtowels instead of paper towels is also a great idea.

Be energy-efficient with appliances

Many of us have old refrigerators and freezers in the basement or garage. While practical, these old appliances eat electricity like crazy. Reconsider how much extra space you need for meat and veggies and upgrade to newer models of appliances. And maybe you don’t even need any extra freezer space so you can be greener than ever and save a lot of money—one large fridge/freezer usually needs less energy than two smaller ones.

Wash dishes the right way

Did you know that washing dishes by hand wastes over 30% more water than using a dishwasher? Well, rejoice because numbers don’t lie! You can additionally green up your dishwashing process by using completely natural dishwashing balls from well-equipped Shoppster website and get them delivered to your doorstep. These are powerful in removing grease and food from dishes, friendly to the environment and hypoallergenic. If you wait to have a full load of dishes to run your dishwasher, you can save even more energy and water than running two half-loaded dishwashers.

Cook greener

Your big oven is good for big roasts and casseroles but if you’re preparing a smaller dish, switch to a toaster oven or a slow cooker which use 30% less energy. According to estimates, microwaves use even less energy—with them, you can save around 50% of electricity than using a regular oven. If you need to heat a larger meal, using a stove is usually more efficient, though. In the summer, using a microwave is even smarter because it doesn’t release too much heat so you need to blast your AC.

Repurpose and recycle

Save those jars that come with your purchase of pickles, salsa and spaghetti sauce and repurpose them easily and efficiently. Take off the labels and fill them with pasta, rice, spices and whatever you can buy in bulk. This will minimize your trash and take you closer to zero-waste living. You can also sort your garbage and recycle all the plastic, cans and glass bottles you don’t need anymore. If you want to take it a step further, setting up a composting station is also possible, especially if you have a lot of leftovers from cooking.

Bring your own bag

Being green in the kitchen starts at the supermarket, so instead of choosing plastic or paper bags, bring your own reusable canvas bags (keep them in your car or backpack). When you unload your groceries, place empty totes in the hallway and take them with you to your car the next time you’re leaving somewhere. Even plastic or paper bags can be reused, so don’t throw them away.

Use green kitchen cleaners

If you look at the list of chemicals and toxins that go into regular dishwashing liquids, detergents, floor cleaners and degreasers, you will realize why they are so harmful to the environment. However, there are companies that produce natural cleaners, but you can also take a DIY route and make your own with everyday ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and essential oils.

Being green in the kitchen will not only do wonders for the environment but also save you some money in the long run. Plus, you’ll be inspired to eat better and experiment more with your homemade recipes. In a blink of an eye, you’ll lead a much healthier and eco-friendly life.

Guest Contributor: Diana Smith

How To Impress Your House Guests With Modern Sinks

Sinks are some of the must-have things in every home today. But then, many people do not think about getting creative with sinks when looking to decorate their homes. However, the reality is that besides being functional, sinks can spruce up outdated bathrooms and kitchens.

There are different modern sink designs that you can use to enrich your home. The sink you settle on needs to meet your requirements in terms of functionality and budget. This article looks into some of the modern sink designs that you can use for inspiration and guidance.

Let’s get started.

1. The Under Mount Sink

One of the best sink designs that you can consider is the under-mount sink. This type of sink has a sleek look that will add a unique look to your home. Besides its distinctive features, the under-mount sink is one of the easiest to install. It is also easy to use and clean as residues do not get stuck on gaps or edges.

Undermount sinks get installed from below the countertop, leaving a flawless countertop surface. This helps highlight the beauty of the materials used to make the sink. For example, imagine how your kitchen or bathroom will look with an under-mount sink and a countertop made from granite or marble. It looks elegant and well put, right?

2. Pedestal Sinks

Pedestal sinks are also known as free-standing sinks because of their designs. A pedestal sink is an excellent option for limited spaces. But then, many people include them in their homes because of the trendy and neat look that they bring in whatever space they get installed.

This type of sink is worth considering if you are looking for small bathroom sinks. They fit well into every bathroom theme and home décor. Pedestal sinks are also cheap, easy to assemble, and easy to remove. However, you need to choose your pedestal sink carefully as there are different options available.

3. DIY Concrete Sink

As mentioned earlier, you can get as creative as you want when it comes to sinks. For instance, you could be looking to take the extra challenge of building your sink at home. You only need to find the right materials and a guide to making the type of sink you want.

An excellent example of a material that you can use is concrete. You can then look for a tutorial that will guide you on how to make concrete sinks for guidance. You can also check out some best concrete sinks online and choose the concrete sink design that will be a perfect fit for your home before starting to build it.

4. The Farmhouse Sink

https://www.signaturehardware.com/sinks/farmhouse-sinks/33-grigham-reversible-farmhouse-sink-smooth-apron-white.html

Another popular sink design you can consider today is the farmhouse sink. It is a simple option that creates a rustic modern appearance to the place. Traditionally, farmhouse kitchen sinks came white, but then they have evolved, and it is easier to find a color that blends with your home décor today.

The elegant look that farmhouse sinks bring into a home is why they are trending among homeowners. The good news is that you can also effortlessly make a DIY standing farmhouse sink at home. It is a great pick for you if you’re looking to build a farmhouse or rustic-style kitchen.

5. Vanity Sinks

You cannot talk about modern sink designs without mentioning vanity sinks. This type of sink is among the most luxurious options that you can consider. But then, vanity sinks require a lot of space to put up and are therefore not ideal for apartments but are excellent for spacious homes.

They come with a vanity unit or table that consumes a lot of space. However, you also get massive amounts of storage beneath the sink, meaning there’s no wastage of space. Besides, vanity sinks come in different designs. For example, it can be in the form of an under-mount or self-rimming sink.

6. Self-Rimming Sinks

Self-rimming sinks make up some of the best small bathroom sinks you can find in the market. It is also one of the easiest to set up and use in the bathroom. You can install a self-rimming sink on a countertop or a vanity unit in your kitchen. Of course, this depends on how you have designed your kitchen.

You can install self-rimming sinks over any material. They are also fairly easy to clean, making them one of the best picks for homeowners. Self-rimming sinks can wow your house guests with their simple yet appealing design. They will also not give you a hard time if you ever want to replace them.

7. Semi-Recessed Sinks

This type of sink can be a great option for you if looking for bathroom sinks. Semi-recessed sinks sit in front of the countertop and vanity. The best thing about them is that they do not consume a lot of space. You should think about furnishing your bathroom with them if you have limited space.

Semi-recessed sinks make good use of the little space they consume. This is because they have storage spaces underneath that you can use to keep different items. The only downside of semi-recessed sinks is that you have to deal with water spills as there’s no countertop around the basin.

8. Vessel Sinks

https://www.signaturehardware.com/sinks/bathroom-sinks/vessel-sinks/valor-oval-vessel-sink-no-overflow-holes-white.html

This type of sink adds a unique modern look to anywhere it gets installed. It is bowl-shaped and gets installed above countertops. You can also partially fix it on the countertop to make it sturdier. The best thing about using vessel sinks is that they do not consume a lot of space like most sinks on this list.

Besides, a vessel sink can help you showcase the beauty of your counter space to your guests. You can choose different materials when buying vessel sinks. Some options include stone, ceramic, crystal, and mosaic. You also can use countertop material that matches your home décor for the best results.

9. Dual Faucet Sinks

One of the most trending types of sinks is the dual faucet sink. The best way to describe this type of sink is by referring to it as a two-in-one sink. It comes with one wide basin with two faucets installed on it. This makes it look unique from the many types of sinks we have already discussed in this article.

Besides looking good, dual faucet sinks can help you save a lot of time. It can prove helpful if you have many guests who need to get ready at the same time. A dual faucet sink is also perfect for small spaces. If you have limited spaces, having two faucets in one sink can be a great idea.

Conclusion

As mentioned earlier, the sink you choose for your home will depend on various factors. An ideal sink should be more than visually appealing. Everything from the materials used and the design of the sink should meet your needs. In short, it should serve the purpose that makes you buy it.

We have already looked into some of the modern types of sinks that you can consider today.  You may also have to decide whether to buy manufactured sinks or make concrete sinks at home. Now you have an idea of some of the modern sinks that you can consider for your home.

Guest Contributor: Daniel Martin

Best Practices When Cleaning Out Your Gutters

Roof gutters are more important than many homeowners think. They take gallons of rainwater and carry it down through their spouts. This prevents waterfalls from pouring off of your roof during heavy rainfall. Without gutters, water can pool around your property and cause damage over time. 

How do you maintain gutters? Clogged and dirty gutters are particularly problematic. They require maintenance throughout the year, especially if you live in an area with a high volume of trees. Leaves are one of the most common things to clog gutters. Now, let’s dive into keeping your gutters functioning properly throughout the year.

The Need for Gutter Cleaning and When to Do It

The main aim of cleaning gutters is to ensure rainwater from the roof flows freely through the gutters and down through the spouts. Cleaning gutters is much cheaper than the repairs associated with not doing the clean-up. When should you clean your gutter?

The most appropriate time is right before the rainy season begins. All gutters should be cleaned at least once a year but you may need to get up there more often if you have trees nearby. It is recommended that you clean gutters every spring and fall in preparation for rains and snow. Special gutter cleaning is required after a storm, before a forecasted storm, and after strong winds that may have blown leaves and debris into the gutter.

The Gutter Cleaning Steps

1. Assemble all the items you will need.

2. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and wear rubber gloves.

3. Get an extendable ladder with standoff stabilizers to avoid placing it directly on gutters. Put the ladder on a spot that you put in the gutter.

4. Carefully move up the ladder with a waste bag in hand.

5. Pick up all debris carefully placing it in the bag. If there is some litter on the roof, start by removing this because if you don’t it will all end up in the gutter when it rains.

6. Use a small plastic scoop to remove any gunk.

7. Use a garden hose to clean and flush the gutter.

8. Unclog the downspouts if they are clogged and test their effectiveness by spraying water from the hose pipe at full speed. Repair any leaks you may notice.

Important Safety Measures

Cleaning gutters has more to it than just getting up there and cleaning away. You need to do it safely. Actually, there are thousands of people who get injured cleaning gutters every year. You can avoid these injuries by adhering to a few safety precautions.

The ladder you use should be strong and preferably, four-legged. This provides the support to hold your weight up there. Clean a small area, come down, and move the ladder to clean another portion. Avoid overstretching because you can easily fall off the ladder.

Wearing protective gear is very important. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the dirt and germs in the debris. Eye protection is also necessary. Wear goggles to protect your eyes from aerosols from bird droppings on the roof as well as stings from insects like wasps and bees that may have made a home on your roof. The right kind of shoe for gutter cleaning is rubber shoes. These will give you a proper grip so you do not easily slide.

Conclusion

With the right practice, gutter cleaning can be done safely. Bear the above tips in mind the next time you carry out this important activity. Remember gutter cleaning is very important because clogged gutters can cause you to lose a lot of money in repairs.

Alex Capozzolo is a partner of Better House Buyers, a home buyer based in Georgia. He has been writing for the real estate industry for several years. Alex enjoys writing on real estate investing, home improvement, and interior design.

Guest Contributor: Mary Anderson