Peggy Chirico ~ Hartford & Tolland County Real Estate Blog

Going Green in the Bathroom!  When Charles Buell issued a challenge to see if we could blog about anything, I immediately went to my bathroom sink to see if there was anything under the sink that inspired me.

Nothing immediately leaped out at me.  But then I noticed my can of Scrubbing Bubbles and realized that, of course, I could blog about that.

The can is really old. The top is totally rusted. And I wonder why I haven't just thrown it away.  It must be because we go back such a long way.  I always swore by Scrubbing Bubbles.  In my busy life, I could just spray it on, do another task, and come back to wipe it off to reveal sparkling clean shower doors, tubs, sinks, caulking, etc. (although it wasn't always that great on the caulk or really stubborn grime).

But then I evolved and decided I should be going green with my cleaning products.  I began to use vinegar on just about everything, from toilets to floors to sinks (it also worked best on the mineral deposits from my hard well water).  I learned along the way that chlorine bleach is horrible for the environment in so many ways, whereas vinegar is very eco-friendly.

And for everything that needed some scrubbing action, I opted for Mr. Clean Magic Erasers or the knock-off brand (anyone who reads my blog knows I have a little lovefest going on with my magic erasers).  In fact, I found that the magic erasers actually worked better on shower doors than the Scrubbing Bubbles.

So there you have it! You have witnessed my transformation from a product-driven cleaner to going green with a greener cleaner.  In the process, I have saved lots of money, been kinder to the environment, and proven that change can be a good thing.  Just because we have always done something one way doesn't mean that we have to continue to do it.

The world is changing; the real estate world is changing.  We need to change with the times or we will be dinosaurs.  So go for it.  Small changes in everyday behaviors can have great impact over time.  They can also save you money.

If you are looking for a greener home, call me.  We have plenty of options for energy-efficient homes that will save you money in the long run.  From replacement windows and doors, to energy-efficient fireplaces, appliances, and heating systems, to solar panels and alternative electricity, the options grow everyday.  I am committed to doing what I can to save the environment, and I am committed to helping you find what is important to you. 

Been bitten by the HGTV bug? Remodeling projects are on the rise.  Whether we are tackling our own DIY projects or recommending projects to clients to get their homes in sell-ready condition, we have to wonder what we are going to do with all the old building materials we will be replacing with bright, shiny, new stuff.

Too much of it goes in the dumpster or to the curb where it will end up in our landfills.   But with a little thought and action, we can recycle much of what we throw out.  If you Google "recycle building materials" you may find local sources that will take your old stuff and reuse it.  Some of these also offer new, vintage, or recycled products that you can use in your remodeling project.

Here are a few ideas:

www.craigslist.org: The great thing about this site is that you can sell materials and get some money for your next project or you can give it away.  Because  it is a local market, whoever wants it will come and take it away.

www.freecycle.org: Like Craigslist, this is also a local market but items must be given away.  There are rules that state that if you take something for free, you may not resell it.  Photos of items are optional, the response is very speedy, and within (sometimes) an hour, someone will be at your door ready to take your items.  Some of my clients have cleared out entire houses (quickly) on freecycle and craigslist.

www.build.recycle.net: This is also a swap or sell or buy site geared specifically for building materials.

www.reconnstructioncenter.org: This is a local non-profit enterprise that accepts donations of building materials and resells them.

Whether you sell it or give it away, you will be keeping it out the landfills.  Happy remodeling!