If we all followed a few of the tips below then we could dramatically reduce our impact on the Earth. Find out how a little action in each room of your home could make a real difference...

Bathroom:

• Check that any wood has the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) mark, showing that it is from a sustainable source. See http://www.fsc-uk.info for more information.
• Avoid vinyl flooring and PVC shower curtains. Both are made from polyvinyl chloride which can leak hormone disrupting phthalates into the environment. Choose natural materials such as cork, wood (FSC) or marmoleum for the floor. Polyester shower curtains aren't perfect but they are better than PVC.
• Check your cleaning products. Millions of gallons of toxic products are unwittingly poured down the drain every year by householders, from their kitchens, bathrooms and gardens. The website http://www.watersense.org.uk will give you more information on what to avoid. Check that products that you use are labelled as 'fully biodegradeable'.
• Look for toiletries and cosmetics that use essential oils rather than synthetic perfumes (which are usually listed as 'parfum' on the list of ingredients) some of which are hormone disruptors. There are many companies that now make beauty products that smell nice, work well and are kind to your skin and the environment. Many of them are listed at http://www.alotoforganics.co.uk/cats/health.php
• Bin your synthetic air fresheners as they too contain chemicals toxic to the reproductive system. Again, look for products that use essential oils, or try pot pourri. Otherwise, just open the window!
• To save water, put a brick into your cistern. Your toilet will still flush but will waste less water in doing so. Take a shower rather than a bath as this not only uses less water, but also uses less energy too. More water saving tips can be found at Scottish Water
  

Recommeded read: Save Cash and Save the Planet available to buy from Friends of the Earth Scotland on 0131 243 2700

Kitchen

• Check your cleaning products. Millions of gallons of toxic products are unwittingly poured down the drain every year by householders, from their kitchens, bathrooms and gardens. The website http://www.watersense.org.uk will give you more information on what to avoid. Check that products that you use are labelled as 'fully biodegradeable'.
• Check that any wood has the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) mark, showing that it is from a sustainable source. See http://www.fsc-uk.info for more information.
• Avoid vinyl flooring, it is made from polyvinyl chloride which can leak hormone disrupting phthalates into the environment. Choose natural materials such as cork, wood (FSC) or marmoleum for the floor.
• Try and avoid over-packaged food. Separate your waste as much as possible and reuse and recycle whatever you can. If you have space for a compost bin outdoors, then make sure you compost all your fruit and vegetable waste. You can often buy reduced price compost bins from local councils. For our top tips on minimising waste see our waste reduction tips.
  
• Defrost your fridge and freezer regularly, it makes them more efficient and saves electricity and money.
• When your old fridge, freezer or washing machine needs replacing, buy the most energy efficient model you can afford. It will save not only energy, but also money. It will be rated from A++ (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
• Buy locally produced and organic food where possible. Get your fruit and veg delivered from a local organic box scheme. For more information on eating sustainably see http://www.soilassociation.org/
• Support your local independent store rather than going to a supermarket.
• Avoid food in tins where possible. Those tins with a white lining have been found to contain hormone disrupting chemical Bisphenol A.

Living room

• Use eco-friendly paints. They are the only ones which you can be sure are free of polluting solvents and VOCs.
• If you have wooden floorboards, seal them with an eco-friendly wood oil or wax, rather than a polyurethane varnish.
• There is a wide range of environmentally friendly decorating products available at http://www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk or http://www.greenshop.co.uk
• When buying carpets, rugs or soft chairs and sofas check with the retailer or manufacturer that they haven't been treated with brominated flame retardant or formaldehyde. Both are carcinogenic. For more information on chemicals in the home, see our toxic tips.
  
• Be sure that your heating is working as efficiently as possible. Get your boiler serviced regularly and if it needs replacing, then consider opting for a gas condensing boiler, or, if your budget will stretch to it, the boilers of the future; a combined heat and power boiler.
• Contact your local Energy Efficiency Advice centre for advice on making your home more energy efficient through better insulation. The standard for loft insulation is now 270mm deep, so check how much you have in yours and make sure it's up to scratch. Most energy utility companies will give large subsidies for energy efficiency and if you¹re over 65 you probably won't have to pay anything. For more information on all aspects of energy (and so money) saving see our energy efficiency tips.
  
• Change all your ordinary light bulbs for energy efficiency ones. According to the Energy Saving Trust just one energy efficient light bulb can reduce your lighting costs by up to £78 over the lifetime of the bulb - and they last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs. Many utililities companies offer them at a big discount or even free - ring yours and ask.
• Avoid buying children toys that are made of plastic. It uses non-renewable resources and often has a cocktail of chemicals added. Be particularly wary of soft plastic toys as these will very likely contain 'gender bending' phthalates which easily come out if (or when!) the toy is sucked. There are many companies that sell ethically traded, environmentally friendly toys. Have a look at http://www.alotoforganics.co.uk/cats/baby.php for a list of many of them.

Recommeded read: Save Cash and Save the Planet available to buy from Friends of the Earth Scotland on 0131 243 2700

Please note: Inclusion of a company on this list should not be considered to be an endorsement of that company or its services by Friends of the Earth.

Last updated: Januray 2005