Skip to main content

Designing an Eco-friendly Kitchen

It’s no secret that we are putting pressure on our world’s already limited natural resources. Although it may seem that doing small ‘green’ things – like turning off a dripping faucet or switching off appliances instead of keeping then on stand by – is not enough, a little help can do far more good than we can imagine. If you’re planning a renovation or are moving into a new home, here are a few ways to make the kitchen eco-friendly as well.

Appliances

Buy appliances that are certified with an Energy Star label as they reduce energy usage by up to 50 per cent and limit carbon dioxide emissions as well. Also, turn devices like the microwave, cooker and water heater off when not in use as being on stand by means they are still silently draining electricity.

Ovens

The code word here is convection – not convention. Convection ovens – whether in a gas or electric stove – are more desirable as the fan it comes fitted with distributes heat more uniformly helping cook food evenly and speeding up cooking time. A bonus addition is the fact that fast cooking means more nutrients in the food are preserved.

Flooring

One of the top choices is wood but it needs to be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to ensure it’s ethically sound and ‘green’ as well. Bamboo and cork are other common options but the most resilient would have to be linoleum, which is scratch resistant and has a life span of up to 40 years. Crafted from a mixture of cork powder, linseed oil and wood it’s also naturally biodegradable.

Cabinets

Commercial particle board may be an easy choice but should be avoided as the glue is highly toxic and can cause an allergic reaction in some. Instead choose, solid wood for cabinets, which are more durable and use a natural finish like linseed oil and water-based adhesives. Other ‘green’ options include bamboo and all-paper melamine.

CountertopsLocally harvested granite and limestone are good natural options and are long-lasting as well. If you like colour, ceramic tiles are easy to match to your colour scheme and add a rustic feel. Newer choices include recycled paper and glass that are resin and epoxy free and don’t emit chemicals into the atmosphere.

LightingOpen up the curtains and take advantage of the natural light. Have work tops positioned in front of a window so you can prep ingredients without having to use artificial light. Trade in the conventional bulbs for energy-saving fluorescents as they cut energy usage by up to 50 per cent.

Cleaning

A clean kitchen is a safe kitchen but it’s also important to make sure it’s chemical free since food is being handled here. Pick up plant-based cleansers that use natural ingredients like aloe vera and vegetable oil that are biodegradable or try making your own natural products using kitchen staples like lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda.

Storage

Keep food safe by storing them in glass and ceramic rather than plastic containers. Not only are they both biodegradable but they’re easier to clean as well as they don’t stain or retain odours. If you prefer disposable containers make sure they are made from natural fibres like bamboo or recyclable paper.

Shopping

Unless you live walking distance from the store, bulk shop on weekends to prevent endless trips for forgotten ingredients. Items like canned vegetables, lentils, flour and sugar can be bought in larger quantities and stored in the pantry. A single gallon of petrol releases 10 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere so make a shopping list in advance that’ll ensure you don’t have to go back a second time.

The post Designing an Eco-friendly Kitchen appeared first on All around the house.



from All around the house http://allaroundthe.house/designing-eco-friendly-kitchen/
via IFTTT
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Give Your Bathroom a Deep Clean in 15-minute Segments

Bathrooms can be a haven of relaxation, however if mildew is growing, counters are overflowing, and hair and dust balls line the floor, the idea of lingering in this room is not appealing. Even if the idea of a clean bathroom is appealing, the idea of a three or four-hour cleaning regiment might not be the motivation needed to complete the bathroom’s spring clean. Instead of trying to complete the cleaning project in one day, spread the chore over several days in 15-minute segments.   Daily Bathroom Cleaning Schedule The first day Clean out any drawers, cabinets, or closets in the bathroom area. Usually items are found that are unnecessary, outdated, or no longer used. Throw away or recycle any material, products, or linens that fit one of these categories. The second day Take items off of the countertop and decide what should be kept, thrown out, or recycled. Try to store most items in the drawers, cabinets, or closet in order to eliminate the clutter. If it is too ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Chives – Allium schoenoprasum

Known as common garden chives, Allium schoenoprasum, can be grown indoors and out. Chives are rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, and calcium. They are grown for the flavour of their leaves, which is reminiscent of onion, although much milder. Both the stems and light purple flowers are used in cooking and the snipped leaves are an addition to many dishes. Chives lose their flavour with long cooking so it is best to add them to dishes at the last minute. For chopping stems, a pair of scissors is the best tool. Chives can be frozen or dried. They are less flavourful when dried rather that frozen, so they are best used when fresh and snipped, or snipped and frozen. In both cases sort them carefully, removing any yellowing leaves and shoots, and keep only the plump green ones. It is possible to place chives in non-iodized salt, keep them there for several weeks, remove the leaves, and then bottle the ‘chive salt’ for use in flavouring. Chives are a perennial in the garden and grow app...
Post a Comment
Read more

Landscape Ideas to Save Energy

One should be aware that plants properly placed in our landscapes can save both energy and dollars. As you plan your landscape or add to an existing landscape, consider locating plants where they will save energy and money. Windbreaks have long been used on farms to help divert wind and control conditions. Even in the home landscape, a small planting to divert the wind can be beneficial. Evergreen plants placed to the north or northwest of a home to break the prevailing wind can reduce heat loss and fuel consumption. Where adequate space is available, several rows of trees may be used. However, in a limited area only a few are still helpful, although less effective. Where adequate space is available, the ends of a windbreak should extend 50 feet to each side of the area to be protected. A windbreak is effective for eight times its height, so even before the plants become as high as your house they will provide beneficial effects. Pines can be used for windbreaks, but because they ten...
Post a Comment
Read more