Safe Rinse Aid in Your Dishwasher

Ever wonder why you need a rinse aid in your dishwasher? How come mother never had to use a rinse aid? Well, it really is just a time saver. It chemically reduces the surface tension of the water, allowing it to run off the dishes while it is in drying mode. This then reduces water spots. Here are two important things to know.

1. You can wipe off water spots easily therefore eliminating the need for a rinse aid.
2. Go ahead and fill that cup up with water after it's "Clean". Guess what, it bubbles up doesn't it. ICK! Those chemicals are still on the cup. Does your glass of water ever taste funny? Yup, chemical residue.

So, if you just have to have a rinse aid, plain white vinegar will help. But if the water spots really bother you, just give the glasses a quick wipe with a clean cotton towel and save your health and the environment.

344 Square Feet 24 Rooms

Green Buildings Hazardous to Health?

Late last night I was reading the fox news website from my pandigital while trying to fall asleep. I came across this headline and thought how in the world can green buildings be hazardous to your health. Interestingly enough it's only concern is that houses are being built so "energy efficient" that the air inside the home might become toxic.

This is more about homes in general I think vs. "green houses".
Houses today are being built tight so that the cost of heating and cooling costs less. Have you ever heard your mom say, "shut the door, we are not trying to heat the whole neighborhood?" However, now that our houses are so air tight and our workplaces are air tight, we do have concerns about the inside air pollution. No, we are not talking about the air pollution put out by our boys after they have eaten beans. We are talking about air conditioning units that might harbor mold spores, or heating units that blow dust, mites and germs around. With air tight homes, we do not get that fresh air exchange.
My suggestion, open the windows as often as you can and enjoy the fresh "green" and free air that blows through your house. Fresh air is not only good for your house, it's good for you too. That and it doesn't hurt to keep those filters cleaned and replaced.

Wave of the Future? I-House

A trip out of town led us by a manufactured housing sales office. As we drove by we were struck by this tiny little house sitting by itself and this funny slanted roofed house. Were they manufactured? Are they storage sheds? We just didn't know.
Since Jeff and I had been discussing tiny houses, we thought maybe they had caught on and the smaller one was a tiny house. Our interested was piqued for sure.

Home a few days later, and sitting in front of my computer I Googled the sales website and found out exactly what it was we saw.  It is called an I-house. Exciting I hear you say? Well, really it is. A little bit of research and I'm pretty impressed.

The I-house is a "green" inspired manufactured home meant to waste little space while adding all the touches of "green" to the house. Bamboo floors, energy saving appliances, lots of windows, solar panels, outdoor living areas, space saving design and even a way to collect rain water to water your plants or reuse in the garden.

Now, if your looking for a green house on a small budget, tiny houses is still the way to go. While this modern home may require more "green dollars" up front, it does look to be a combination of the best of tiny houses and green living.

While just the I-home starts around 75k, a home with the flex space and all the "green" choices can run you up to $150k. Not to bad if your looking to build a new home or already own land. Fully customizable with as many flex spaces as you need or want. There is even rumor of the I-House 2.0. You can check that out at Clayton's Homes. com
It could be the wave of the future!

Tiny Houses

The latest in living green, is living simply. For awhile my husband and I have been researching Tiny Houses and love the Tiny House Blog
We dream of debt free living on a piece of land. We have three children at home right now but those days are slowly coming to an end. The thought of simplified living with only the things you really need, in a modern space saving house appeals to us.

The following story was first shown on Tiny House Blog, but it inspired me so much I just wanted to share with all of our readers too.

Enjoy and Dream!