[vixen_within]

Excuse my ignorance, but what's wrong with wool?


edit: doh! i see, you were asking about cleaning it!
i would guess that it's okay to spot clean it and perhaps wash in cold water, as long as you don't put it in the dryer. the best freshener is fresh air, if you live somewhere that you can hang it outside.

[tankgirl]

I'm not sure where this goes, so I guess I'll ask here.

My grandparents sent me a quilt and it is like a comforter and it has wool in it or something. Obviously nothing I would buy new, so I'm not sure how to care for it. It says it is dry clean only, which means crazy chemicals I don't want to deal with, esp sleep with, I also don't want to pay to have it dry cleaned. Anyway, it's a bit musty, kinda stained and I was looking for some advice on how to clean it. I know that there are these at home dry cleaning kits available, but this thing is hefty, and those things also contain a bunch of unwanted chemicals I'm guessing. Any ideas for freshening it up naturally? I don't want to wash it, because like I said, it's filled with wool and the stuffing will probably shrink.

P.S. I can't believe this thread has been barren for this long!

[hoosierman78]

I believe the flooring is the kind the fits together & floats, so in terms of eco-friendly along w/ the Green-Guard, that's all good yes? I mean, I know it's still a laminate, but w/in that, I did try to make better choices. (that & our subflooring I do not doubt would be a bear to even out for the others, lol).

I will check out the GreenGuard website later today, once we (the mr is on Leave & helping) get more painting done.

you have no idea how helpful you are being to me on this.. I'm such a novice at this whole green this but am trying to make progressively wiser choices whenever possible.

what is LEED points for flooring though?

and hey- if you are a builder/carpenter(?) in IN, I wonder if you have ever run across my {favorite} uncle.. he's a Master Craftsman & quite a character. if you two are even remotely in the same line of work, I cannot fathom you having at not least heard his name, though possibly not in the most favorable light!

Yes, that's all good. Even as a laminate, it means that the adhesive they used to bond the layers is an eco-friendly, low-VOC adhesive, so given it probably uses less actual wood than a true hardwood floor, it could very well be better for the environment, regardless of it being a laminate. That, however, would be nearly impossible to tell:-)

Glad I can help. There are so many pitfalls and 'green-washing' out there as people try to make a buck off the green movement, that it can get very confusing. Looking for the certifications from independent sources (such as Greenguard) is your best bet, but if you have questions along the way, I'm more than happy to help if I can. I do work mostly in the commercial sector, so some residential materials aren't as familiar to me, but if nothing else I'll try and point you to a good resource to find things:-) One very simple thing is to buy from local manufacturers. Even if the product itself isn't quite as green as something available, there's a lot to be said for not having to ship it across the country/world.

LEED is a rating system put together by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). They now have a residential rating system as well. Basically, you get points for different sustainable features you build into a new building. They rate the site, water consumption, energy consumption, indoor air quality (this is where the low-VOC comes into play), etc. When you add up your points, you see what level of sustainability you have achieved with your building, from not certified up to platinum. If applied correctly, a high level of sustainability can be achieved.

Actually, I am a mechanical engineer. I design & specify heating/cooling systems for commercial & industrial clients. I happen to be a licensed professional engineer and LEED Accredited Professional (which is how I have become so familiar with sustainable products). If you ever go to replace your furnace/air conditioner, I am more than happy to provide efficient, environmentally friendly brands. I can also give you some pointers on selecting a contractor. I may very well know him if he's from the southwest end of the state. True craftsmen are few and far between any more, and those that do exceptional work are in high demand. Small world after all, isn't it.

[freckleface7]

I believe the flooring is the kind the fits together & floats, so in terms of eco-friendly along w/ the Green-Guard, that's all good yes? I mean, I know it's still a laminate, but w/in that, I did try to make better choices. (that & our subflooring I do not doubt would be a bear to even out for the others, lol).

I will check out the GreenGuard website later today, once we (the mr is on Leave & helping) get more painting done.

you have no idea how helpful you are being to me on this.. I'm such a novice at this whole green this but am trying to make progressively wiser choices whenever possible.

what is LEED points for flooring though?

and hey- if you are a builder/carpenter(?) in IN, I wonder if you have ever run across my {favorite} uncle.. he's a Master Craftsman & quite a character. if you two are even remotely in the same line of work, I cannot fathom you having at not least heard his name, though possibly not in the most favorable light!

[hoosierman78]

hoosierman: I was reading the Warranty for the flooring & it's got a GreenGuard* Indoor Air Quality Certified
sort of stamp printed on it, but am not sure exactly what that means. can you shed any light on it for me?

we're still waiting for Installation from HD and am not finished w/ the {never-ending} painting yet anyway, but I am liking very much the no voc paint. seems it feels just a touch thinner than regular paints so 2 coats (+ over-spots too) have been an absolute neccessity, but as far as smell, color, etc, I am very pleased.

Greenguard Environmental Institute is an independent, non profit organization that tests the off-gassing of interior finishings & furniture. Basically, manufacturers pay GEI to test their products, and if they emit VOC's at a level lower than GEI specifies, they get the stamp. I know for commercial buildings, Greenguard certification is required if you plan on getting LEED points for flooring, furniture, etc.

They also have an online product guide at www.greenguard.org.

I don't know if the flooring you bought is installed as floating, nail down, or uses adhesive to secure it to the subfloor, but if it uses adhesive, make sure they use a low-VOC adhesive, otherwise you will get the off-gassing from the glue, and won't be able to tell that the flooring is low-VOC.

I have heard that 2 coats is the norm, which makes it even more expensive than it already is, but like you said, finishing painting a room and not having it smell like it's freshly painted is very satisfying.

[freckleface7]

hoosierman: I was reading the Warranty for the flooring & it's got a GreenGuard* Indoor Air Quality Certified
sort of stamp printed on it, but am not sure exactly what that means. can you shed any light on it for me?

we're still waiting for Installation from HD and am not finished w/ the {never-ending} painting yet anyway, but I am liking very much the no voc paint. seems it feels just a touch thinner than regular paints so 2 coats (+ over-spots too) have been an absolute neccessity, but as far as smell, color, etc, I am very pleased.

[hoosierman78]

ok, just got back from home depot and I have to say I was rather shocked at how expensive the paint was..
$ 38.95 a gallon. (that Is expensive yes? I looked at Behr paints in eggshell & they were only $20-something a gallon) however- I was determined to do the Green thing.

the color choices were Very limited. they only had about 25 or so total options & no custom tinting-- there are 2 Bases and the color is added via silver packets that are opened to reveal a clear packet & then the whole thing is put in the paint & it's shaken & a few minutes later..voila.

however, the color I chose, a soft neutral light yellow (Daffodil Delight -my fav flower) looks to be a better choice than the color chip I had to start w/, and in a minute I'm getting ready to start painting so I'll let you know.

I kind of wish I had thought about Sherwin Willams or the like for eco-friendly if they are cheaper, bc it def is a deterent to going green when it costs so much more $.
however- we still have the whole upstairs of our house to do in time so... !
ps: how is the weather there Hooiser? I heard they already had *snow* in my hometown of LaPorte!

Damn, I had no idea it was that much more. I understand the going green though, and in time the pricing should come down. I know it has on a lot of other items like flooring, certified wood & ozone friendly refrigerants. You will be very happy with the paint though, at least from an odor standpoint. The last building I looked at with 'green' paint had been painted the day before, and there was absolutely no paint smell at all, it was amazing really.

I don't know if the sticker price is cheaper at SW, but you can get a 15% discount online to take into the store.

If the work upstairs requires any lumber, you can get FSC Certified, which means that it was grown & harvested in a responsible manner rather than just being a product of clear cutting. It is usually somewhat more local as well, but that also can depend on your location. You will probably have to go to an actual lumber yard for it though, and like all other things green, it is a little more expensive.

The weather here is beautiful today, but then again I'm about 7 hours south of LaPorte. I was in Lafayette this weekend, and it was pretty damn cold. No snow, but I had to bust out the gloves and heavy coat Saturday night. I had heard that the whole northwest corner of the state got a nice blast of lake effect snow, which doesn't really sound like much fun. I like winter and all, I just prefer it come a little later in the year.

[freckleface7]

Congrats on the 'green flooring'. Just as an fyi, what you want to look for in composite wood systems is they are free from urea-formaldehyde resins. It should be labeled as such.

With the paint, I have not personally used it, but I have specified it for numerous commercial projects the last couple years, and have had no comments (in my work, no news means their happy, clients only call to complain when things don't work). I don't know what stores you have available, but pretty much every major paint manufacturer sells a low VOC paint these days (Green Seal Standard GS-11). Sherwin-Williams Harmony is a zero VOC paint, and I believe is available in all 1500 of their colors.

Did you find that these items were any more/less expensive than 'standard' items? From a commercial level, I've found that the prices are nearly identical and I haven't priced home products lately.

ok, just got back from home depot and I have to say I was rather shocked at how expensive the paint was..
$ 38.95 a gallon. (that Is expensive yes? I looked at Behr paints in eggshell & they were only $20-something a gallon) however- I was determined to do the Green thing.

the color choices were Very limited. they only had about 25 or so total options & no custom tinting-- there are 2 Bases and the color is added via silver packets that are opened to reveal a clear packet & then the whole thing is put in the paint & it's shaken & a few minutes later..voila.

however, the color I chose, a soft neutral light yellow (Daffodil Delight -my fav flower) looks to be a better choice than the color chip I had to start w/, and in a minute I'm getting ready to start painting so I'll let you know.

I kind of wish I had thought about Sherwin Willams or the like for eco-friendly if they are cheaper, bc it def is a deterent to going green when it costs so much more $.
however- we still have the whole upstairs of our house to do in time so... !


ps: how is the weather there Hooiser? I heard they already had *snow* in my hometown of LaPorte!

[hoosierman78]

= bump=

tomorrow I am going to place to order for the installation of our new laminate flooring at home depot..
yes it's a laminate but it's a "healthier" version of it.. less toxin's or something; I can't find where it says that in the website but it's a slightly better choice regardless.

why I'm posting here though is: I'm buying No VoC paint for the foyer!!
I'm so dorkishly excited about this!
home depot sells a brand called Fresh Aire Choice and I am hoping hard I can get in in exactly the color I found on another paint chip. naively I had not realised til I went to the website that it's limited in color scope but there is one similar so.. maybe?
it has a lifetime warranty too, so another plus.

has anyone painted w/ a low/no VoC before? I am itching to get started!

Congrats on the 'green flooring'. Just as an fyi, what you want to look for in composite wood systems is they are free from urea-formaldehyde resins. It should be labeled as such.

With the paint, I have not personally used it, but I have specified it for numerous commercial projects the last couple years, and have had no comments (in my work, no news means their happy, clients only call to complain when things don't work). I don't know what stores you have available, but pretty much every major paint manufacturer sells a low VOC paint these days (Green Seal Standard GS-11). Sherwin-Williams Harmony is a zero VOC paint, and I believe is available in all 1500 of their colors.

Did you find that these items were any more/less expensive than 'standard' items? From a commercial level, I've found that the prices are nearly identical and I haven't priced home products lately.

[freckleface7]

= bump=

tomorrow I am going to place to order for the installation of our new laminate flooring at home depot..
yes it's a laminate but it's a "healthier" version of it.. less toxin's or something; I can't find where it says that in the website but it's a slightly better choice regardless.

why I'm posting here though is: I'm buying No VoC paint for the foyer!!
I'm so dorkishly excited about this!
home depot sells a brand called Fresh Aire Choice and I am hoping hard I can get in in exactly the color I found on another paint chip. naively I had not realised til I went to the website that it's limited in color scope but there is one similar so.. maybe?
it has a lifetime warranty too, so another plus.

has anyone painted w/ a low/no VoC before? I am itching to get started!

[stargazer]

AP, what a great point about the difference socioeconimics and class has to do with markets available to the american public. while i currently live in a blue state, it is a highly, ideological, white, upper class state. no wonder there are whole food and trader joe markets available all over. choice is available if you have money. rural, underprivileged folks have to get what they can get....wal mart, whatever major corporate market is in your area. i think people forget this point sometimes when they encourage people to boycott some markets. great point indeed AP.

[auralpoison]

How green is your green?

I agree that Walmart sucks . . . but. Our local super Walmart is where most of the outside rural communities shop. My auntie drove in thirty odd miles yesterday to buy groceries because there isn't a local grocery where she lives because, well, it got run out by Walmart. There are four other markets, one really expensive Kroger & two stores that stock mostly products for the Mexican Nationals. So Walmart is it for your average redneck on a budget.

[auralpoison]

I guess it really isn't easy to be green.

[deschatsrouge]

*barge*

I think not shopping at wal-mart is it self an act of greeness.

[erinjane]

freckle, using your own bags here is pretty common now so we don't get weird looks really. The only time its happened was when we went to Wal-Mart (cheapest cat food). The woman at the till just kept saying, "really? You don't need any bags...? You're serious now...?" It was really funny. But normally I try to steer clear of those kinds of places.

[beck]

i did a similar one for us last year, and we came out as pretty low - but the really striking thing for me was that almost half of our household footprint was from flights we took that year (London-Canada). it was a real wake-up call for me as we are pretty green day-to-day, we don't have a car, recycle almost everything, have a small flat that is efficiently heated etc, but just one long-haul flight was almost enough to double our footprint.

travel is a big thing for us, but i have since been organising holidays that we can do by train - lots of Europe is accessible by rail so it shouldn't be too hard. There are so many places in the world that i want to see (Argentina and Japan are first on the list) but i figure if we can cut flights down from every year to every 3 years that is a good start. And no more short-haul flights in the UK and Europe, even though they are annoyingly much cheaper than taking the train...

the other thing that affected ours was that our whole flat is lit with spotlights, which i think are harder to substitute energy-efficient lightbulbs. any advice on that? i can't afford to get rid of them all (which would leave approximately 40 holes in the ceilings!) but thought that i could get lots of lamps that take energy-efficient bulbs and try to use them rather than the overhead lights where possible.

people here are OK with the bag thing, my supermarket gives extra loyalty points for re-using bags. but i do sometimes feel bad for saying no to them, customer service is kind of a new concept here so i hate to discourage the cashiers from being helpful and packing stuff (rather than just slinging it onto the counter).

[freckleface7]

= bump=


my city starts mandatory curbside recycling in a few days.. YAH!! ( & about time)

have any of you tried this?

www.mycarbonfootprint.com

we came out as a good bit under the US average, but still way way over the worldwide average (of about 4 I think). I had to guess on some stuff, bc they didn't have my make of car listed.. it's old but gets good milage so I think that's more of a + ?

interesting stuff.


ps: have any of you encountered any weirdness when you use your carry w/ you shopping bags?
like, if the clerk seems put out (I've nearly forgotten & had to ask them to re-bag into my own bag, and always apologise) what do you say to them?

[culturehandy]

In my intrawebs travels, I was referred to this article.

[damona]

wow, pepper, that is so fucked up it is beyond words. what is wrong with people????

[pepper]

the canadian government is trying to make dandelion and blueberries illegal substances.
no joke, check it out.