The Lazy Environmentalist » Green Home and Design

Which is the Best Water Filter for You? The Brita Pitcher, Dispenser, or Faucet?

Pete Stacker — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:55:11 +0000

It doesn’t take much convincing anymore to encourage people to use a water filter. It’s understood that tap water is great but it’s worthwhile to put your drinking water through an additional filter before drinking. When I think water filters I’ll probably always think of Brita. I remember when we bought our first Brita filter way back in the 90s (that might seem funny, but it’s 2010 smart guy), I can remember my Mom taking it out of the box, putting it together “like Legos” and running her initial test. We even hosted a little Brita challenge at the dinner table that night — yep, 4 out of 5 Stackers agree that the Brita water is better. What about number 5? I suspect my father is adverse to change, even when it’s a good thing. Perhaps, especially when it’s a good thing.

Luckily, my mid-90s nostalgia is easy to reconcile, and now there are three different types of Brita filter: the classic Brita pitcher, the Brita dispenser (or jug) and the Brita faucet filter (aka Brita on Tap).

The Classic Brita Pitcher

The Brita Aqualux Pitcher fits easily and efficiently into the fridge (small footprint), fills easily under the faucet (though I recommend using the hose because it’s fun), and now it even tells you when to change the filter. It’s a tried and true design that’s lasted all these years, with some quality refinements.

The Brita Dispenser (or jug)

If you like your water room temperature, the jug/cooler/dispenser is the Brita for you. You can leave the fridge out of the equation entirely. I have one of these hanging off the end of my desk these days. I fill it once every two days or so and I don’t have to worry about anybody placing my room temperature, fully filtered, life promoting beverage in the tooth-freezing, headache-inducing refrigerator. It’s just better that way.

The Brita Faucet (aka Brita on Tap)

Some people have beautiful, fancy kitchen sinks that they could never imagine altering, but most of us just want a faucet that’s filtered. If you think you’ll ever want to use filtered water for cooking (think pasta, rice, quinoa, etc), this is your best bet. The filters are a little more pricey than the other Brita filters but hey, you’re getting an endless supply of real-time filtered water with the Brita faucet filter.

Pair any of these with the Brita Filter for Good Bottle and you’ll have an endless, portable supply of potable filtered water without contributing to the landfill or the madness that is spending money on bottled water. You can also follow that link to learn how to recycle your used filters and other #5 plastics.

Natural Latex, Organic Cotton Mattress and Mattress Pads

Chell Reister — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:42:10 +0000

If you’re in the market for a new mattress and you’d like to find something with minimal toxicity, off-gassing and the like, then search no further. If you’d like to spruce up your existing mattress with a little eco-savvy, you can do that too.

Why natural latex or organic cotton?

Many people have no choice, they’re simply allergic to latex. Most latex allergies are contact allergies, meaning that the person who is allergic has to come into direct contact with latex to feel the negative effects of their allergy. Others feel the effects by proximity, so if any of this applies, you’ll have to just try it out and cross your fingers (yep, no way of knowing ahead of time and everybody’s different). Many people with latex allergies report no such effects with natural latex.

For the rest of us, who aren’t allergic, we’re just looking to live cleaner, greener – meaning less contact with toxic substances that have longterm effects on our well being – and healthier lives in balance with the planet. It’s the same motivation that drives a person to eat organic foods and use natural cleaning products: quality. Air quality, design quality, general quality of life now and down the road a ways…

Either way, we’re all looking for a comfortable night’s rest. Fortunately, the natural latex and organic cotton mattress has gotten a lot more comfortable in the last few years — this isn’t the hippy-dippy sandpaper stuff they sold years ago. Better mattresses are also much more readily available and more affordable than they’ve ever been. You can find organic queen mattress options here. Many people find that an organic cotton and wool mattress pad provides enough separation while also adding comfort as well as temperature and moisture control (if you’re a “hot sleeper” you know what I mean).

Not for me, for baby

Like so many other aspects of life, we don’t become totally aware of these issues on our own accord, not until we’re caring for others, namely our children. You can find the best organic crib mattress here.

Organic Sheets for your newly greened bed?

If you’re equally excited by the prospect of avoiding the toxicity of the chemicals that contact your skin directly as you are about the indoor air quality where you sleep, you can find a number of excellent, affordable organic cotton and bamboo sheets and sheet sets here. Nighty night!

Energy Star Washer: LG is Best in Class, Here’s Why…

Pete Stacker — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:53:35 +0000

Tell me, is your washing machine running?

Oh, you’ve heard this one? What do you mean “sort of”?

Well, is your washing machine running efficiently? Does it save you money on utilities while it conserves water? Or is it the same old junker you’ve had forever? Wait a second, don’t feel bad, purchasing appliances is a part of life, like… doing laundry, folding clothes, and ironing. So the least we can do is try to enjoy it.

There is a literal deluge of conflicting opinions online about what machines are best.

A few years ago, it was Maytag, but apparently the Maytag company was sold a few years back and that nice old, if a bit lonely, man was replaced by a board of directors who’ve opted to increase profit at the expense of quality. It’s sad but true. Don’t let it get you down, I hear he’s chilling in the Keys with his gold watch and a cadre of milkmen. They play dominoes and tell jokes, and it’s not all that different from his old gig. According to TMZ he’s even making the most of a respectful history of exchanging glances with Betty Crocker, and don’t they deserve to be happy at their age? Moonlit walks on the boardwalk, slow dancing into the wee hours…

So it’s time to usher in a new era in washing machines.

The new era is defined by efficiency, ease of use, quietness, and above all else, cleanliness. LG has worked its way to the top of the energy star efficiency-rated washing machine world:

This ain’t your Momma’s machine: The LG front loader is digital (like many other top appliances nowadays), and it runs quietly and reliably thanks to a Direct Drive Motor. Even this relatively basic LG has 5 Washing Programs, 5 Temperature Levels, and a 4 Tray Detergent Dispenser. It’s a reasonable price for a quality machine, so take care of it and it’ll take care of you. That means take the change out of your pockets before you wash those cruddy old jeans, yes you ; )

And in the interest of living even cleaner and greener (sans unnecessary chemical toxins), check out these natural and organic detergents too.

Natural Laundry: Organic Liquid Detergent From Essential Oils Sans Toxic Chemical

Chell Reister — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:18:24 +0000

While the benefits of natural cleaning products are increasingly recognized, it’s rare that we hear about the importance of natural, organic laundry detergent. Natural cleaning products can have a dramatic effect on the indoor air quality around your home. Equally important, natural laundry products can drastically reduce the effect of harsh chemicals that are transferred from garments into the body. With so many harsh chemicals used in our everyday home and cleaning products, you can reduce toxicity by making the easy switch to a natural laundry detergent. You’ll notice the difference immediately when you pour a cap full of the good stuff into the machine without cringing from the wafting chemicals.

If you or anyone who’s laundry you’re washing is allergic to any common skin irritants, this is simply a no-brainer. Luckily, what’s better for you is generally better for the environment too. And many people argue the benefits for the longevity of your clothes as well.

Here are our recommendations for going green in the laundry room:

If you’re hesitant to try a natural detergent, this beautifully (and lightly) scented detergent from laundry-legend Clorox is proven in the cleaning department as well as the “natural.” Clorox’s Green Works Detergent is cost-effective too, at pennies per ounce.

Mrs. Meyer’s Organic Detergent packs a highly concentrated punch, so you can use much less detergent per load (about a 1/4 of a cup). Mrs. Meyer’s uses essential oils from geranium, rose and clove. It’s phosphate-free and 100% biodegradable. Good ‘ol Mrs. M also makes some lovely biodegradable dryer sheets with a vegetable-derived softening agent.

Best Natural Detergent for Baby Clothes and Stuff…

Here’s a gentler, funner, faster solution for babies. You just toss one of these “Dropps” into the machine with all the poop, puke, food, drool, bibs, organic cotton onesies, organic carrot “leftovers” and that’s that… presto, bango, whirrr! No harsh chemicals to transfer from the laundry to the laugh-maker.

Amenity’s Alpaca Blanket – Traditional Allure Meets Modern Sustainability

Chell Reister — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:18:02 +0000

Amenity Home has long been one of our favorite designers of eco home accessories, so we’re thrilled to see them bring their unparalleled design sense to a number of new categories: candles and candle holders, case furniture pieces, and now gorgeous, direct-from-the-source Andean alpaca blankets.

While most of Amenity’s products are made here in the USA, these beautiful alpaca throws have been handwoven in Peru’s picturesque Andean highlands from 100% baby alpaca yarn and tinted to perfection using biodegradable dyes. The two available colors, Mocha and Camel, are fully resistant to light and wash and will not fade. These blankets represent a traditional Peruvian craft of unparalleled comfort, quality and feel. They are a perfect addition to any style of sustainably-minded home. Alpaca is soft like silk with all the same desirable temperature control (hot and cold accordingly) as wool, fleece, silk, and many modern synthetics and blends. It’s the original luxury throw blanket that communicates an appreciation for just the right balance of tradition and opulence.

Home Composters Made Simple – From the Kitchen to the Garden

AK — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:08:55 +0000

We get so many inquiries about home composters that I finally forced myself to delve into the world of the deluge. I like to remind people that we’re “lazy” here at the Lazy Environmentalist, but I’m also glad to see that composting now falls into our domain because there are few things in life so surprisingly gratifying as carrying one tenth of your normal load out to the curb. Unless you you keep a garden or a fair number of plants, in which case, that’s where your payback will be most obvious. If you make it a point to eat well, especially if you eat mostly organic, you’re really just completing the circle of life. So sit back, grab a cup, and queue up your copy of The Lion King, because here’s everything you’ve always wanted to know about home composters but afraid to ask.

Phase One: Kitchen Composter

For our purposes, all composting starts in the kitchen. That’s where you’ll get the ball rolling by collecting most any food waste: coffee grounds, tea bags, peels, rinds, and many composters will even take meat these days (read the manufacturer’s recommendations).

There are two general methods for collecting compost: Use a small compost collecting bin or use a small composter (my recommendation). This is a method for collecting the compost, which does require a method, lest you find the aroma of rotting foodwaste wafting about your domicile.

If you’re more the gadget type, or you have limited space (read, “urban compost”) this is a small composter that gets it all done in one: The Naturemill Pro. You just throw everything in then set it ablaze.

Phase Two: Gettin’ er done

The smaller kitchen composters will break your waste down. Perhaps the best benefit from the small composters is the highly-potent-plant-food liquid that drains out the bottom — that’s good stuff if you’re growing plants around the house or feeding a rose bed in the lawn.

But if you’re looking to really compost, then let’s talk rotating composters:

The ComposTumbler is the Rolls Royce of composters. They make a few different versions depending on how ambitious you plan to get with your composting dreams: It does everything and it even looks industriously cool, like that big chrome barbecue sitting out on the back porch. Yes, you can keep this compost tumbler on the back porch as well. That way when people ask, you get to passively mention how environmentally aware/active/superior you are.

My personal recommendation, especially if you’re just starting out, is the Envirocycle. It’s a rotating composter with some great features for keeping out most bugs and the bigger vermin. It rolls pretty easy too, so getting the compost where you want it is that much cleaner and easier. And the price is right, like that old charcoal (ahhem) Weber grill that cooks food as thoroughly as the big chrome gas models. You might need to push a bit harder when it’s full, but I’ve heard from quite a few women who tell me they’ve had no problemo with some grit and determination. When you really get moving, you might even find that you have two of these babies side-by-side, you ol’ composting fool!

Eco-Friendly Ergonomic Chairs: Rescue Your Back & Green Your Office

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:48:15 +0000

Eco-friendly ergonomic chairs are comfortable, attractive, and unquestionably at the forefront of cool. No need to sacrifice comfort while working in order to be a part of the green movement. Anyone spending hours at a time at a desk or computer workstation knows the importance of a comfortable, supportive chair.

These practical office chairs are worth the investment many times over. It’s not a splurge for a high quality chair, it’s a necessity. Ergonomic office seating is surely one of the most important items to include in creating a great work space.

By choosing an eco-friendly ergo chair that’s made from recycled components and/or manufactured using renewable energy you’ll reduce fatigue while making a better choice for the planet.

Here are our top choices:

Haworth’s Zody -It’s so comfortable, it’s like being cradled in a hammock. These premier ergo task chairs are made with more than 50% recycled content and assembled using 100% renewable wind energy. It’s the first task chair to be certified as a Cradle to Cradle Gold product by MBDC. The Zody is also Greenguard certified. The independent, asymmetrical lumbar support system offers custom adjustability. The armrests can be raised and lowered as well as shifted further from or closer to your body. It’s even been endorsed by the American Physical Therapy Association. The Zody blends functionality, performance and style from any point of view. If you want to know more you can find it here.

Steelcase ThinkÆ chair’s beautiful jewel-toned fabrics are a pleasure to behold. This comfortable, streamlined, functional chair is easy to adjust for the perfect fit, so much so, it’s hard to get up. Yeah, it’s that good. The adjustable arm rests, back and seat “flexors” that support upper body movement and the reclining mechanism under the seat allow for a uniquely smooth transition from an upright position to reclining. A simple yet distinctive lever system allows full customization to your favorite position. It’s a great choice for the big and tall; this Steelcase was tested for a capacity of 300lbs. This well-designed office chair is made with up to 44% recycled content and is Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified and is Gold Cradle to Cradleô Product Certified from MBDC .

Additional tip for greening your home office: Utilizing an online data backup service reduces paper consumption, and every little bit helps.

Author Denise Zangoglia is a home office expert.

Organic Bed Sheets From Cotton or Bamboo – A Reasonable Luxury

Melanie McGee Bianchi — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:16:25 +0000

Buying matchy-matchy bedding sets will one day become as passé as coordinating one’s belt to one’s shoes. For grown-ups, it’s all about handsome neutrals in damn-this-feels-right organic cotton. Concentrate on quality fabric, not overly studied prints you’ll soon grow tired of. That way your decor will remain as sustainable as your sheets.

Not ready to give up a floral vibe? The Organic Cotton Sheet Set from Magnolia Organics Essentials ($46) comes in a bouquet of six shades, including a gorgeous deep periwinkle and a subtle dotted-Swiss heather. Two pillowcases are included in each four-piece set, which boasts a thread count of 300. Great price for the quality and variety.

Combine an au courant shade, a savvy eco fiber, and a royally sumptuous 1000 thread count, and the Bamboo Sheet Set (currently on sale at $99) in sage is fit for a king (or a queen, or a full, etc.). Deep cut and machine-washable, it also comes in ivory and a delicious deep gold.

The simply named Organic Sheet Set ($39.99) is offered in Brown and Blue. They’re unpretentiously presented, which is cool. But these solid, nice-priced, 250-thread-count sheets are being undersold: the colors should be termed Espresso and Slate, super-adaptable neutrals from which to launch a dreamy bedroom decor.

Pillowcases & Shams for Kings, Queens, Embroidery-lovers, and Allergies

Melanie McGee Bianchi — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:36:10 +0000

Pillowcases are declaring independence from the confines of the sheet set. Think funky solo designs embroidered on shams, or traditional (albeit newly roomier) cases in nouveau-neutral hues you can re-use when it’s time to overhaul your interior.

The KOKO Company Willow Pillow ($64), distributed by Nimli, is embellished with ruminative, prairie-hued graphics. This upscale, eco-chic sham can be bought with a matching duvet or used on its own, bedroom to sunroom to playroom. KOKO’s intimate designs are accomplished with unbleached natural fibers and toxin-free dyes.

Available in swoon-worthy neutrals like Almond and Green Tea, Nimli’s Dream Sacks Pillow Cases ($44) have fashion and function covered. Made from 100% bamboo-extracted viscose, they’re gentle on both the eyes and the environment. But a slight shimmer in the fabric makes them more erudite than earthy.

Suite Sleep’s Organic Cotton Pillow Shams ($26) feature a tidy border stripe in color pairs like Chocolate/Sky, Chocolate/Snow, and—what could be more sophisticated?—Ivory/Ivory. Plentiful choices for the price.

Attention allergy sufferers: the Barrier Cloth Pillow Case from Magnolia Organics ($20) is the compassionate alternative to the rubbery covers once used to keep germs at bay. Niche technology has yielded a dense but comfy organic-cotton fabric through which no mold spore nor uppity bed-mite may pass.

There’s a lot missing from KelleyGreen’s Hemp and Organic Cotton Pillow Case ($20): no bleach, no dye, and no sweatshop guilt, for starters—the company’s linens are handmade in the U.S.A. The cream-colored product is a mix of hemp and organic-cotton muslin that’s actually machine-washable. So crisp-looking it might resurrect the gingham curtain.

Quality Cutlery for the Eco-Conscious Cook

Melanie McGee Bianchi — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:24:43 +0000

In the era of “Julia & Julie”—where mere admirers of celebrity chefs can achieve zero degrees of separation from Meryl Streep—knowing how to cook well has become A-list important. But even with the will, not everyone has the skills. That’s why quality cutlery, especially knives, is worth splurging on: It carves a big chunk of frustration out of the learning curve. Gastrique reductions can be hard to pull off. Chopping should be easy.

Scanpan’s artisan-quality Damastahl Cutlery 8-Inch Cook’s Knife ($115.01) stands alone—which is probably why it’s sold solo, instead of in a set. Made of 33 layers of woven Japanese Damascus steel, it features an ergonomic handle and an almost futuristic performance potential. The company is known for its ecological innovations, including chemical-free “Green Tek” nonstick cookware.

If your cooking style is more worker bee than queen bee, the Rada Eco Cutlery Gift Set of 4 Knives ($30) is a top-notch choice. It includes blades for tomato slicing, steak cutting, paring and general butchering—at a very sweet price. Rada knives are made in the U.S.A. of high-carbon stainless steel with recycled-aluminum handles.

Some culinary artists swear by the superior sustainability of ceramic knives, which don’t rust, dull, or transmit a metallic taste to food. The Raw Star 6″ Black Ceramic Knife with Eco Bamboo Handle ($55) is an heirloom piece, and comes appropriately swaddled in a fancy carrying case.

There’s even cutlery entirely made of bamboo—a trendily attractive, if not terribly efficient, option. But if you’re going to go casual, why not truly lighten up and do it picnic-style? Recycline’s Preserve Cutlery ($27.60) is six sets of forks, knives and spoons, made of 100% recycled plastic. The sophisticated color choices whisper: I’m just too cute to slave over a hot stove.