12 Easy Ways to Green Your Home

I hate the light from those new energy-saving bulbs. I just can't bring myself to give up the warm glow of incandescent bulbs.

The hard truth: You have to. The savings in energy are enormous. Trading just one incandescent for a compact fluorescent (CFL) prevents the emission of over 400 pounds of greenhouse gases. -Katherine Tiddens

The compromise: All compact fluorescents are not created equal. The quality of light varies a lot. The Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) has a great online lightbulb guide that helps you choose the right size, shape, color, and brightness for you. If you try a few and you still don't like the quality of light, put the bulbs in places you don't spend a lot of time in, like a basement or a hallway. -Lori Bongiorno

I'm too lazy to wash out every jar to make it recycle-ready. Sometimes I recycle them dirty — or just throw them away.

The hard truth: When you're doing the dishes, pour some of the hot, soapy water into your lightly scraped jar, put the lid back on, and give it a couple of good shakes. For mayonnaise, that should do the trick. For peanut butter or jam, let it soak — by the time you've finished the dishes, you should be able to clean it easily. -KT

The compromise: The real problem is peanut butter jars because they're so hard to get clean. Throw them in the dishwasher. Everything else is a quick rinse. Not everything you recycle has to be pristine. -LB

I can't give up bottled water — it's so convenient. And I will not drink tap water!

The hard truth: Install a filter under your sink at home, and lobby to have one installed at work. Buy a wide-mouth stainless-steel or BPA-free plastic bottle with a removable lid; wide-mouth bottles are easier to clean. If you find yourself at an event with plastic cups, use your bottle for wine or whatever. At the airport, carry it empty past security and then fill it from a water fountain. -KT

The compromise: You don't have to give up bottled water completely, but limit it to when you're on the run. Otherwise, carry a reusable bottle. I like the stainless-steel bottles from Klean Kanteen because they come in so many different sizes. -LB

I confess, sometimes I hide dead batteries in the bottom of my trash bag. I can never figure out the recycling days in my town.

The hard truth: This is a big deal. Don't put anything in the garbage that you wouldn't want in the food you eat, the water you drink or swim in, or the air you breathe. Billions of batteries are sold every year, and many contain heavy metals and corrosive acids that pollute the air, soil, and water. Some are more difficult to recycle, so visit earth911.com and find a recycling site near you to dispose of them safely. -KT

The compromise: Recycling is getting easier: Whole Foods takes batteries back. So does Ikea. Go online and type in "recycle batteries" and you'll see so many new places. And use rechargeable batteries whenever you can. They're recyclable, too, but they last so much longer. -LB

I can't imagine cleaning without paper towels. You can't launder cloth towels every time you use them, and I hate wiping a counter with a used towel. It doesn't feel clean.

The hard truth: Buy just one roll to keep on hand for really gross cleanups, and use it like gold. Cut up old cloth towels, or buy a large stack of bar towels from a restaurant supply store. The idea is to have towels that aren't attractive, so you won't hesitate to use them. Wash them only when you have a full load. Use hydrogen peroxide-based bleach if needed. -KT

The compromise: You don't have to give them up completely, just use fewer. Microfiber towels are great for everyday use. They last for hundreds of wipe-ups, and they're lint-free. For a full housecleaning, use cloth towels — I use old T-shirts — and throw them in the laundry with any load. -LB

I need air-conditioning. I sleep better, I feel better. I'm not above leaving it on all day while I'm at work, so I come home to a comfortable temperature.

The hard truth: Air-conditioning uses a lot of energy. You can lower the temperature indoors dramatically by switching to CFL lightbulbs. Ceiling fans, double glazing, and cross-ventilation will all help. If you're building or renovating, consider alternative ways to cool your house: careful siting, trees and plantings for shade, installing a geothermal cooling system underground. -KT

The compromise: I have to say: Suffer for 10 minutes! Turn the AC on when you get home! If you really can't, then raise the temperature to 80 degrees while you're gone. Or put your air-conditioner on a timer so that it goes back on just before you get home. -LB

I just can't make myself tote around a thermos for my coffee. What's wrong with using a paper cup, like I always do?

The hard truth: Unfortunately, you're not alone — 130 billion paper cups are used in North America each year. They're usually coated, so they can't be recycled or composted. If you work in an office, get a coffeepot and have everyone bring a mug. If you travel by car, sorry, there is no excuse for not carrying a commuter mug. -KT

The compromise: Well, paper is better than Styrofoam, but a mug is best. You could use the same paper cup for your morning and afternoon coffee. I'm not saying to use it all week, but if you use just one cup a day, that will cut your use considerably! -LB

I like to be toasty. Putting on socks and three sweaters just doesn't do it for me. l keep the thermostat cranked up even while I sleep.

The hard truth: My first response is that you can either put on a sweater now, or freeze in the dark when we run out of fossil fuels. There are easy ways to warm your house without cranking up the heat. Check for drafts, caulk around your windows and doors, and make certain that your attic and walls are well insulated. And be sure your heater is running at maximum efficiency. -KT

The compromise: Use a timer on your thermostat to make sure the house is warm when you're there, and the heater isn't working so hard when you're not. If you don't have one, buy a programmable thermostat. Every degree you turn it down makes a difference, about one percent on your bill. -LB

I've used the same "toxic" cleaning products all my life. I love the smells. They make me think "clean." I don't believe organic cleansers work as well.

The hard truth: For countertops, cutting boards, bathroom surfaces, and so forth, a scrubbing with a good cleaner is always the first step to remove visible soil. Then spray with hydrogen peroxide, 3% solution, followed by plain vinegar. It's all you need to kill household germs. -KT

The compromise: That's a big one. But the smell you love is ammonia and other toxic chemicals. Make the move gradually. Pick one product, like window cleaner, and try new ones until you find one you like. There are a lot of good choices from Seventh Generation, Ecover, and Biokleen. And remember that our grandmothers used stuff straight out of the pantry — baking soda, vinegar — and it worked. -LB

I have a great market tote, but never remember to bring it with me when I go shopping.

The hard truth: Why don't you buy a couple of bags that fold into small packets that fit in your purse or pocket? I keep a crocheted string bag in my purse. The main thing is to have something you feel good carrying. Many people aren't comfortable carrying a bag with an eco message. But do start carrying some kind of bag, and it'll soon be so automatic, you won't think twice about it. -KT

The compromise: If you live in the suburbs, keep a few in your trunk. If you're in the city, get the tiniest ones and keep them in your handbag. I love ChicoBags because they come with their own mini-tote. If you still find yourself at the market without your tote, don't despair: It's not so much the bags as what you do afterward. Use them for trash instead of buying trash bags. Then you're getting two uses out of one. -LB

I can't start the day without a long, hot shower. It's my vice. I admit, I took the water saver out of my showerhead so I'd have the strongest possible water pressure.

The hard truth: There are great low-flow showerheads, and using one will save 15 to 25 gallons of water per day, depending on how many people shower. You'll also save on energy and hot water bills if your hot water tank is well insulated and the proper size for your home. Don't stop there: Install low-flow toilets and aerators in all your faucets, and you'll do even more to offset your morning shower. -KT

The compromise: I hear you. It's my vice, too. Compromise by taking shorter showers. That's what I do. -LB

I love coming home to lights in the foyer and living room. It's so welcoming, and my house looks so warm and pretty. Is it really such a crime?

The hard truth: It is a problem. There are timers that will turn the lights on just before you get home, or when it starts to get dark in the evening. Some have sensors to turn off the lights when a room has been empty for a certain period of time. -KT

The compromise: No, but it's an easy thing to get over. The bigger issue is that we all have to make choices. Maybe you learn to live with leaving just one light on — and maybe you switch to a CFL in that light to make a bigger difference. -LB