It’s not just for socks anymore! Wool is often overlooked as a natural resource, but it’s making a comeback as a green living option. If you’re building a green home, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is how to insulate it.  Here are some of the benefits of wool insulation:

1) Non-Toxic:  Wool insulation is non toxic, in fact, it’s sometimes used to to clean up toxic buildings because it absorbs toxins. And, since wool fibers are naturally larger than those used in synthetic insulation, they don’t pose a threat to those with asthma or other respiratory problems.

2) Efficient:  Wool insulation has a higher R-Value than fiberglass insulation, and can absorb more than it’s weight in water without becoming wet to the touch.

3) Reusable/Biodegradable:  Wool insulation can be reused, and if discarded, it’s biodegradable.

You can find more information at Good Shepherd Wool, a manufacturer of wool insulation.

Don’t forget about the other ways you can use wool to create a green home, including wool blankets, wool area rugs, and wool upholstered furniture.

Don’t forget about your wardrobe, especially your blue jeans, when it comes to household recycling. There are dozens of things you can do to recycle blue jeans just when you think its time to toss them in the trash. Here are just a few ideas:

Make a Reusable Shopping Bag: Ditch plastic shopping bags forever by making recycled shopping bags with your old blue jeans. Here’s a recycled denim bag pattern that looks fairly simple for someone with basic sewing skills.

Insulate Your House: Recycled denim insulation is becoming popular for green building projects and environmentally friendly remodels. Read more about recycled denim insulation at Idaho Blue.

Make a Recycled Area Rug: Need some environmentally friendly area rugs or a door mat for around the house? Clean out your closet! You can reuse your old jeans with this recycled denim rug pattern.

Make a Purse: Who needs a designer handbag when you can make your own one-of-a-kind! Make a recycled denim purse with this pattern.

No one likes the thought of parting with their favorite, ultra-comfy pair of blue jeans, but when yours have reached the point of no return, keep them out of landfill by finding ways to reuse them.

Looking for resources for completing a green remodel or green construction? Before you get your tool belt and hammer, check out these websites, which feature information on green building techniques and environmentally friendly construction materials:

BuildingGreen.Com: Building Green features information and news on green construction and green building materials. Their website includes an extensive list, searchable by category, on environmentally friendly products which includes everything from green decking materials to non-toxic paints, interior trim and roofing.

Environmental Protection Agency: The EPA’s website offers quite a lot of free information for green building and green remodeling, including how to reduce indoor air pollution, and how to improve water efficiency in new construction. In addition, the EPA lists state and federal funding sources for green building grants and incentives.

Green Home Guide: An extension of the US Green Building Council, this website offers free guidelines for green home renovations, green product lists, and green building case studies via PDF download. In addition, you’ll find current environmental news and reports.