GREEN LIVING

Clean green

Did you know most conventional cleaners are hazardous to pets and humans? You can stop buying household cleaners that are potentially toxic to both you and the environment, and make your own. Use a half a cup of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda to safely and effectively clean most surfaces. Apartment Therapy has 25 helpful DIY Green Cleaning Recipes to check out.

Green up your appliances 

If any of your appliances are more than 10 years old, the EPA suggests replacing them with energy-efficient models that have the "Energy Star" logo. Energy Star-qualified appliances use 10%-50% less energy and water than standard models. The Department of Energy estimates that if just 1 in 10 homes used energy-efficient appliances, the benefits to the atmosphere would be equivalent to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees. Amazing! LA Department of Water & Power also offers rebates for switching to Energy Star appliances, so if you are making the switch remember to get a little $ back.

Compost 

Garden waste can account for one quarter of the garbage hauled from our homes. Composting fights pollution, reduces waste, and enriches soil. Get set to compost by attending a free backyard composting workshop at the Griffith Park Composting Education Facility, then grab a compost bin at their bin sales. You can learn about backyard composting, worm composting, types of compost bins, grasscycling, and other smart gardening techniques.

Take the metro 

Save money, time, and gas by opting for the metro. The LA Metro is becoming more and more convenient as the lines expand. From Hollywood, to downtown LA, to the California Science Center, and (coming soon!) to the beach, exploring LA via the metro lines is a fun family activity!

Garden green 

Use native plants and drought tolerant plants as much as possible. Native plants have adapted over time to the local environment and support native animals. They use less water and require less of your attention. The California Friendly Landscape Incentive Program from LADWP offers incentives for a variety green improvements including rebates for turning turf lawn into drought friendly plants, mulch and permeable pathways. You can also use compost from your backyard composter instead of synthetic fertilizers to achieve the balance needed to maintain the soil’s well being. Try a variety of organic and physical pest control methods, like diatomaceous earth to kill insects, boiling water on weeds, or beer to bait slugs (erudite slugs prefer Pilsner).