If you’re looking for green living tips, there’s still time to catch the Better Homes and Gardens Living Green home tour in cities across the US.  The exhibit showcases green home decorating options, including a kitchen with bamboo cabinets, recycled glass counter tops, a recycled mosaic tile back splash, and green kitchen appliances.

Designed by Libby Langdon, the Living Green exhibit also includes a green living room, bathroom, and laundry room.  If you go, check out the bathroom vanity made from a salvaged dresser, sustainable wood furniture in the living room, and a media cabinet made from a recycled baby changing table.

Although it began in June, the tour continues through October with upcoming stops in Boston, Washington DC, Jacksonville, Atlanta, and NYC.  Here’s more information, photos and the tour schedule for the Better Homes and Gardens Living Green home tour.

Whether you use a dishwasher, or you do your dishes the old-fashioned way, there are a few things you can do to conserve energy and save water in your home.

Dishwashers:  If you use a dishwasher, you can save water by scraping your dishes rather than rinsing them before you put them in the dishwasher .  If your dishwasher has a heat dry option, turn it off to save energy, and allow you dishes to air dry.  Also, wait until you have a full load of dishes before running your dishwasher.  Your dishwasher uses the same amount of energy and water regardless of the load size, so make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.  Choose a phosphate-free dishwasher detergent to reduce pollution. Need a new one?  Here’s help for selecting a  green dishwasher.

Kitchen Sink:  If you do your dishes in the kitchen sink, fill one side with soapy water, then one side with rinse water, and rinse by dipping the soapy dishes into the water on the rinsing side.  Avoid letting the water run the entire time you are doing dishes.   You can also install a sink aerater on your kitchen faucet for conserving water. Phosphate free dish soap for doing dishes by hand is widely available.

Source:  Care 2 Make a Difference

You can save many trees and reduce the amount of waste in your green household by taking a closer look at some of the everyday household items you have on hand. Here are a few green living tips for reducing paper waste in your green home.

Wipe Out the Wipes: It seems every cleaning product imaginable comes in a handy wipe option. From glass cleaner to furniture polish, Americans have become addicted to grab and toss cleaning wipes. Eliminating cleaning wipes from your shopping list in favor of a cleaning rag and a bottle of environmentally friendly household cleaner can save you money and help you live a little greener.

Break the Paper Towel Habit: Try using a cotton dish towel or washcloth instead of paper towels to clean up spills. You’ll save money and reduce the amount of waste coming from your home. Not sure you can live without them? Try cutting back when you can and using recycled paper towels when you must.

Discover Micro Fiber: Micro fiber cleaning cloths (shown above) are a must when it comes to green cleaning products. I use these all over my home and am always amazed at the results. You can use them to remove stubborn stains on furniture, carpet, and all around the house for general cleaning. Using micro fiber cleaning cloths often eliminates the need for paper towels, cleaning wipes or harsh cleaners.

There is a common misconception that living green is always expensive. While some green household products do cost more than traditional products, there are many things you can do to save energy, reduce household waste, and live greener for less than $10. Here are just a few:

Install a sink water aerator: Available for just a few dollars, these household gadgets attach to your kitchen or bathroom water faucet, and will help you conserve water in your home.

Put up a clothes line: Get back to basics and line dry your clothes. For less than $10 you can buy clothes pins and the rope you need to make a brand new clothesline. Not only will you save energy by not using your clothes dryer, you’ll be surprised how fresh your clothes smell.

Make your own cleaner: You can easily mix your own homemade household cleaners with basic, low-cost ingredients such as baking soda, citrus fruits, and vinegar. Cost $3-$7.

Buy a plant: For a few bucks, a single house plant can help improve the air quality in your home.

Ditch the paper towels: Buy a package of washcloths or make your own from old clothing, and you’ll be reducing household waste and saving trees. Cost: $5-$10, and maybe nothing if you make your own.

Unplug!: Pull the plug on household electronics such as televisions and computers whenever you can. As always, this energy-saving technique is absolutely free!

One of the best ways to live green is to eat locally grown foods. Here’s why:

Transportation: Have you ever thought about the amount of energy it requires to transport food (or anything else) across oceans? It’s estimated that the average food item travels more than 1,500 miles before it reaches your table. Transporting fresh produce or other items grown or packaged overseas contributes to the growing environmental problems of air pollution, carbon emissions and fossil fuel consumption.

Health: By choosing local, organic foods you’ll be eliminating a host of toxins,preservatives, and pesticides from your dinner plate, and that’s a recipe for a long and healthy life!

So, do yourself and the environment a favor- reduce carbon emissions, save energy and eat healthier by choosing locally grown foods.

Conserving energy for a green home is truly a constant battle that must be fought diligently to be effective. If you’re home doesn’t include these 2 quick and easy energy savers, you’re missing out on some simple ways to conserve power and live green.

Programmable Thermostat: A programmable thermostat for controlling the temperature setting on your heat and air conditioning will elminate the possibility of forgetting to turn the temperature down when you leave or before you go to bed, and prevent energy-guzzling fluctuations in home temperatures. Programmable thermostats begin around $40- a cost you’ll quickly recover in energy bill savings.

Water Heater Blanket: Another energy saving tip for your home is to wrap your water heater in an insulated water heater cover. These things are a snap to install- simply wrap around and tie the laces. Insulated water heater blankets help prevent the escape of heat from your water heater, allowing you to conserve energy, live green, and save money.