Dark Sky Ordinances

What are dark-sky ordinances and why are they important?

The movement for dark-sky ordinances started when a few amateur astronomers realized that urban lights were blotting out the stars, causing a disruption in sleep for both wildlife and humans alike. This nocturnal light pollution hurts the environment and affects the feeding, mating, and living patterns of local wildlife.

To combat this effect, more and more communities are adopting dark-sky ordinances designed to limit the negative impact of artificial light. Compliance with the dark-sky regulations is the responsibility of not just the city, but homeowners within those zones as well, all designed to stop skyglow.

Skyglow is the reflection of light caused by the saturation of artificial light. It’s the orange glow in populated areas that prevents one from seeing the stars. Dark-sky rules are designed to combat this and use a variety of methods to reduce or illuminate this light pollution. In addition to limiting the time and type of lighting, they also employ specific light strategies to comply with the ordinances.

Homeowners in a dark-sky location must also adjust the lighting on their property to avoid citations. As with commercial properties, the use of directional lights, lower “lamp” bulbs, and compliant fixtures allow the homeowner to have adequate lighting, while observing dark-sky practices.

The International Dark-Sky Association, or IDA, offers resources for communities, business owners and homeowners that identify best practices and compliant lighting strategies. As more cities recognize the benefits of dark-sky policies on the environment and their citizens, expect to find more dark-sky ordinances across the country.

Even if your area does not have one of these ordinances, it is interesting to understand why they are being put in place and how an individual homeowner can do their part to help.

2023 Modern Laundry Detergent Methods- Stop Using heavy containers!

Laundry detergent has come a long way in recent years. New methods and formulations have made it more effective at cleaning clothes and removing stains. There are now effective laundry detergents without the overly soapy itch or heavy plastic containers that end up in landfills. You can even get laundry washing tools that require no soap or refills! With so many choices, try several new methods to find the perfect laundry detergent for your needs.

Let’s work collectively towards minimizing our impact on the environment by changing something so simple: howe we clean our clothes!

Seventh Generation claims that if every US household replaced a single plastic bottle of laundry detergent with a biodegradable plant-based bottle, this would save nearly 150,000 barrels of oil, enough to heat and cool 8,500 homes for a year. Assuming most households go through a bottle of detergent every couple of months at minimum, this would save nearly 900,000 barrels of oil annually.

In the suggestions below I do try to stay away from scented products as most of them are chemically hazardous.

1. Magnets

Have you ever heard of using magnets to clean your clothes? I personally have not tried this method like others on this list but it is fascinating.

Try the patented powerful “blue ball” magnets that make up the science-backed Magnetic Laundry System. They have revolutionized the way we wash our clothes FOREVER.

=> Buy Your Magnetic Laundry System Here!

Here are 5 reasons WHY the Magnetic Laundry System is SO great:

• It DOESN’T need expensive detergent to work its magic on your messy clothes.

• By NOT having to use dangerous, toxic filled, detergent you’re eliminating the health risk to you and your family.

• These magnets are 100% REUSABLE and last a LIFETIME saving you even more money.

• You ALSO save money on your water bills because the uses less water and needs less cycles to get clothes clean.

• Unlike detergents these magnets are environmentally friendly.

=> Get Your Magnetic Laundry System Now!

STOP washing your clothes the traditional toxic way…

START washing your clothes the modern, magsafe, magnetic way today!

2. Detergent Sheets

These are my personal favorite items that I use in my own home. I ordered the True Earth 64 pack size and it has lasted me about a year! My skin is sensitive to soaps so I like perfectly portioned out amount per load. There is no overwhelming scent to it but my clothes and sheets are left feeling clean and wonderful. Please keep in mind that most of my loads are done with cold water which cuts down on C02 emissions significantly and these detergent sheets work just great with cold water (unlike those crappy tide pods despite being so delicious ;) ).

• No mess

• Extremely light to carry (great for basement or upstairs laundry)

• Hardly takes up space

• The whole product is environmentally friendly

• About $0.23 per load!

3. Detergent Sheets: Scented

If you want the same as above but with a scent, I recommend Earth Breeze’s Liquidless Laundry Sheets. These come in a Fresh Scent. Please keep in mind, many scented liquid laundry detergent and dryer sheets contain hazardous chemicals and emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), two of which are classified as carcinogens by the Environmental Protection Agency.

4. Detergent Tabs

Like to pop a tablet in the washer? This is for you. A little bulkier than the sheets but still lighter and smaller and more eco-friendly than plastic bottle detergents. Try Blueland Laundry Detergent Tablets! The tin is kind of cute to store them in, too. So if aesthetics is part of your laundry area, this may be the better solution.

5. Laundry Booster

Looking for that extra umph? Put a little of this environmentally friendly and gentle formula from Dirty Labs in with your detergent.

6. Concentrated Liquid

Still want the liquid soap method but feel bad about the effect your laundry is having on the environment? Limit the plastic impact by using a concentrated liquid like this Fresh Linen scented one from Whirlpool.

7. Clean Your Washing Machine!

Doesn’t it make sense to keep the machine that is cleaning your clothes clean as well? This is one of the first things I do when I move into a new home. I clean the washing machine! I typically do 2 loads of affresh at a new abode then run a load every 6-8 weeks to keep the machine clean from soap build ups and other things.

8. Dryer Balls

I love these fun dryer balls. If you are still using dryer sheets- STOP! If you are one of those people using more than one dryer sheet per load, you really need to stop. They are not great for your dryer machine or for the longevity of your clothes. Dryer balls keep clothes soft and lint free and help dry up to 3x faster. I love the fun designs now available which also make them easier to find in my laundry so I keep them in the laundry room and not sitting on top of a dresser until next laundry day. Some people suggest adding essential oils to them to add a little scent. Have you tried this method?

9. Drying Rack

I know, basic! But if you air dry more often, your clothes will last longer and you save on electric/gas. A clothes dryer is responsible for approximately 6 percent of the average home’s energy use. A good drying rack is great for leggings, lingerie, bras, dresses, and materials that typically don’t wrinkle. Save the environment by using your dryer less.

BONUS! Lint Bin

This Lint magnetic box is fabulous. I am always rushed when doing laundry and having an easily accessible trash area for the lint keeps the dryer ready to use with no buildup! Keep your wool balls handy too!

More Information for you:

Smart Energy and Water-Saving Laundry Tips from the ACEEE and Energy.gov:

• Upgrade old washing machines and dryers to ENERGY STAR certified models

• Retrofit laundromats with multi-load units.

• Wash clothes in cold water using cold-water detergents whenever possible.

• Wash and dry full loads. If you are washing a small load, use the appropriate water-level setting.

• Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.

• Don't over-dry clothes. If a machine has a moisture sensor, use it.

• Clean the lint screen in the dryers after every load to improve air circulation and prevent fire hazards.

• Periodically, remove the lint that collects below the lint screen in the lint screen slot of clothes dryers.

• Use the cool-down cycle to allow the clothes to finish drying with the heat remaining in the dryer.

• Periodically inspect dryer vents to ensure they are not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire. Manufacturers recommend using rigid venting material -- not plastic vents that may collapse and cause blockages.

• Encourage air-drying clothes on clotheslines or drying racks. Clothing manufacturers for some fabrics recommend air-drying.

• If you have front-loading washers or high-efficiency top-loaders, use detergent labeled for high-efficiency (HE) machines. According to the American Cleaning Institute (PDF), HE detergents are low-sudsing and quick dispersing to clean well in high-efficiency washers that use less water.

Smart Laundry Products Tips from EPA’s Laundry Green Practices:

• Wash only full loads of laundry, and select the appropriate water level or load size option on the washing machine and dryer.

• Buy items, such as laundry detergent and fabric softener, with minimal packaging.

• Buy items in bulk or in concentrated form (e.g., concentrated laundry detergent).

Thank you for reading and I hope you join me in impacting our environment in a much more gentle way!

Home Security Basics

News reports of rising crime rates are becoming increasingly common, leaving homeowners and businesses alike feeling concerned. Luckily, there are a wide variety of security solutions available on the market to suit every budget. By following a few simple strategies, you can help protect yourself and your belongings from theft and crime.

· Install a Security System – Security systems are one of the most effective ways to protect your home. Many systems include motion detection, video surveillance, as well as two-way communication.

· Be Unpredictable – Burglars love routine. Using smart home devices, it’s easy to create unpredictable patterns for lights and sound. Leave a car in the driveway if you’re traveling as well, that makes it look like the home is occupied.

· Think Like a Criminal – Spend some time looking at your home and identify the weak points. Secure all doors and windows. Lock all entry points and be creative with a hidden key. Look for hidden entry points; where would you try and break-in? Do you have dark areas that are not visible from the street?

· When was the last time you changed your locks? – Did you change your locks when you moved in to your home? How about when someone moved out? Who was ever given a key copy? If any of your answers make you feel uncomfortable, it is time to switch out your locks- which is easy enough to do by yourself.

Finally, don’t make it easy for the criminals to track your movements. Refrain from advertising your trips on social media until you’ve returned and consider asking a friend or neighbor to visit your home occasionally while you’re gone. The more your home seems occupied, the less appealing it will be to criminals.