If you’ve wandered through the aisles of an appliance store lately, it’s hard to miss the labels proclaiming the newest line of behemoth refrigerators or three-tier convection ovens are “eco-friendly.” But are they, really? Let’s take a quick tour of appliance labels and separate what’s useful from what’s just marketing-speak.

You know those bright yellow Energy Star stickers on the front of new home appliances? That’s the brainchild of the Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They’re designed to clue you in on how much your new dishwasher or washing machine will cost to operate over the course of the year as well as help you estimate how much electricity it sucks up. The Energy Star logo means the appliance is deemed better for the environment – and uses less energy – than standard models.

Sounds awesome, right? Just go to the store, find the product with the lowest operating and electricity consumption costs and take it home. Not so fast. The problem is that it’s up to appliance manufacturers to determine whether their products are “better” than other standard models. Now, we’re not suggesting that manufacturers intentionally mislead consumers with the Energy Star labels they slap on the products they sell, but independent verification is always a good thing.

The next time you’re out shopping for a home appliance, look for additional labels or published information from third-party verification organizations like Intertek. When this independent product testing company confirms a clothes dryer or icebox meets multiple environmental regulations, it certifies the product with a Green Leaf Mark so consumers know the manufacturers energy-efficiency claims line up with reality.

Consumer Reports suggests manufacturers take eco-label transparency a step further:

All certification standards should be developed with input from multiple stakeholders including consumers, industry, environmentalists and social representatives in a way that doesn’t compromise the independence of the certifier. For example, industry representatives can play an important advisory role without having direct financial, decision making or management ties to the certifier.

Bottom line? The next time you’re in the market for a new washer/dryer combo, make sure you look for more than just the Energy Star certification so you don’t get taken to the cleaners.

Image: Tom Raftery

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Even if you’re unfamiliar with crown molding as a decorating term, you’ve no doubt seen it before. It’s the decorative strips that adorn a room and most often used in the corners where the walls and ceiling meet. Some are ornately carved, others are smooth and linear, but they all have one thing in common – they tie together a room to give it depth and character.

If you’re considering installing crown molding in the rooms of your home, you have several options to choose from, but some are certainly more eco-friendly than others. Here’s what you need to know.

Wood When shopping for crown molding, certain types of wood can be bought from companies specializing in responsible harvesting. Beware though, wood molding is tougher to work with than other materials and you’ll need fairly strong carpentry skills to install it yourself.

Plaster Heavy and expensive plaster molding must be custom made and is no cakewalk to install. That said, if you’re looking for responsibly-made materials for your crown molding, this is an option to explore since the plaster can be made using various natural materials including clay.

Polyurethane Here’s an option that can be used in pretty much any installation situation because it’s inexpensive, handles pant well, and is easy to install. Unfortunately, it’s also among the most planet-unfriendly crown molding materials out there.

Polystyrene This foam-based material is easy to handle and cut, lightweight, and can be glued in place. That’s the good news. Like it’s polyurethane cousin, it’s not enviro-friendly and won’t get bonus points for attractiveness either.

Flex While flex molding is perfect for arched doorways, bay windows, and other odd angles, it’s also a costly affair and typically needs to be custom-made. Flex is usually made from synthetic rubbery materials to make it pliable so if you’re looking for natural options, this isn’t it.

PVC First of all, it’s PVC so this is the least eco-friendly option on the market. Even when hung on a 10-foot ceiling, this type of of crown molding looks plastic-y and needs to be painted to cover up the glossy telltale finish. About all PVC crown molding has going for it is that it’s mold and mildew resistant so it’s perfect for damp places like bathrooms or exteriors.

Of course, figuring out the best type of crown molding to buy is only half the battle, installing it is the other. Fortunately, This Old House and BobVila.com have you covered.

Image: Corey Ann

The post Got a Crown Molding Question? Here’s What You Need to Know appeared first on EcoSalon.

1. Reface Rather Than Replace Cabinets

Innovative companies can work with your existing wood and reface those cabinet doors with sustainable woods rather than trashing and starting anew. Read this post for more tips for the kitchen cabinet facelift.

2. Swap Decor with Family and Friends

You don’t need a piano and I don’t need that daybed in the TV nook, so let’s trade and recycle our stuff and get what we really need. It’s a match made in eco heaven when it doesn’t cost you a dime to swap decor, especially with people who have a good eye like you do, and are low on storage space. It’s how they did it in the olden days before widespread consumer waste and climate change. Here’s more.

3. Baby Steps Can Equal Full Grown Changes in a Room

Rearrange the furniture, buy a few new pillow covers, paint a wall. These easy fixes will refresh your pad without sinking lots of cash. As you’ll discover in this handy how-to post, it can all be done for under $30.

4. Repurpose Excess Upholstery Materials

Those fabric rolls are not doing anyone any good just sitting in the closet. Cut them up and redirect them to your interiors for pillow covers, framed art, bedding, even wall coverage like the picture shown above, if you have enough for adequate padding. See these great ideas for repurposing your excess.

5. Clean Before You Replace

Perhaps that rug can come clean with eco spot remover techniques. Why rip it out if it’s still useful? Another option is to cover a damaged section of the carpet by layering with a small, affordable area rug, one made of eco fibers that won’t cost the same as new carpeting or a large are rug. Go shagging for answers here.

6. Seasonal Accents Make Great Distractions

A collection of seasonal organic blooms and greens from your garden, lanterns, greeting cards, photos and tablecloths – they all can act as happy distractions in a room that is begging for a redux. Don’t have a garden? Head to the farmers’ market, the flea shop, the vintage shop in your hood, and spend little to stage your spaces with renewed charm. Head over here for inspiration.

7. Paint can Perk it Up

Even a dingy clawfoot tub can look ultra modern and cool by finding the right low VOC paints and giving the bath a new coat. You will find sprucing up furniture with paint can be a great cheap fix that refreshes your spaces.

8. Be a Thrift Shopper

It’s no wonder second hand shops in cities nationwide do well during hard times. These are outlets that actually offer discounts while more upscale sights like 1st Dibs are peddling vintage treasures that cater to those with lots of spare cash. Do some research and check out the shops in various neighborhoods to find out where nifty castaways are being parked.

9. A Room of Her Own

Sometimes just carving out one room of your own in your dwelling can suffice until you have a bigger budget to fix up the place. Are you craving that Project Runway sewing room? How about a closeted dressing room out of a spare bedroom? Having a blast doing just one space for yourself can be very rewarding, even if it is a multi-use corner for working, painting and reading. Own it with visuals on the walls and a fun rug that speaks to you. Experts say you will accomplish the most in a space you gravitate towards.

10. Spa Makeover

So you can’t afford to tear out the old tile and tired tub to make way for stone and steam. Use zen decor touches and nurturing elements to turn your blah bath into spa bath: Ideas include indulgent, organic towels; sensuous beeswax candles in an array of holders; yummy creams and oils displayed in a vintage tray; and my favorite Nob Hill Day Spa element – a large pitcher of spring water filled with sliced cucumbers or lemons and a pretty glass.

Image: Elle Decor

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