Washington Gas

Just like spring cleaning airs out the house after a long winter, a little "green cleaning" will give your place an environmental make-over just in time for our new century. While there's a lot of heavy-duty fixes you can use to upgrade your home's energy-efficiency, here are some lighter-weight ideas to give you a little green edge. 

• Eco-friendly décor. This is a good place to start; do as much or as little as you want and let creativity be your guide. There are tons of great ideas out there for how to use organic fabrics; where to find hemp rugs, bamboo tableware, and things made from repurposed items; and how to make decorations out of recycled materials, among other intriguing projects.

• Green furnishings. Going green is easy when you work with what you use daily: your furniture. Every time you need to replace something, refer to this handy green buying guide to see about how you can go a little more planet-friendly than last time. Another thing to think about is the long-lasting value of very high-quality furniture and the energy-efficiency of buying second-hand.

• Plants, plants, plants. Not only can leafy shrubs and trees shade a sun-drenched home, but the type of plants in the yard matter too. Grass, after all, isn't always "green." In arid environments, dry landscaping might be just the thing. In places where rain and sun are abundant, making your yard into a kitchen garden will use your outdoor space well and cut down on the fossil energy used to bring your food to the table. 

• Green your clean. Why not get serious about the idea of "green cleaning" by searching out some planet-friendly cleaning products? Nowadays you can get anything you need, from toilet-bowl cleaner to laundry soap, in a greener variety. Not only are such products better for the Earth, they tend to go easier on the harsh industrial chemicals, so they'll be good for you and your family too.

• Solar power. While not everyone can afford to hoist solar panels onto their roofs, there are many other smaller-scale uses for solar energy. Get solar lighting or sun-powered chargers for your batteries, laptops, and other electronics.

So get to it; you can go as green as your creativity and budget will allow. But in your frenzy of activity, don't forget to first change those old incandescent light bulbs.