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KITCHEN REMODELING Featured Kitchen Remodeling Articles The Green Kitchen Remodel By Sheryl Robinson It so much easier today to get a fabulous new kitchen that eco-friendly at an affordable price, than it was just five years ago. The price of many building materials has come down do to innovation and competition, as well as the economic slowdown. In fact, this is a great time to get that new kitchen you have been dreaming about. When you start designing that new kitchen be sure and include as many earth friendly materials and appliances as possible. There are so many possibilities starting with floor and working up to the ceiling lights. Eco-friendly Floors The type, style, color and material of a new green floor is nearly unlimited. Lets start with stone and tile. These are both eco-friendly as they can be recycled and are made for or are natural materials. Stone and tile flooring is available in every color of the rainbow and patterns designed for any style and d�cor. They are as close to maintenance free as you can get. Dirt is totally maintenance free. You never have to clean it and if you wear a hole in it, just kick some more dirt from the corner into the hole. I don't know about you but I prefer the minimal maintenance and absolutely beautiful look of stone and tile floors. Wood floors are a great choice, as well, especially the new "engineered wood" flooring. It is a renewable resource and requires very little maintenance. An occasional damp mopping and it looks brand new. The surface is sealed at the factory with a super hard coating and the wood is layered together to prevent warping and splintering. A great choice of wood for an eco-friendly floor is bamboo. Bamboo is actually a grass and like most grasses has phenomenal growth rate. It is available in a variety wood tones to compliment the rest of your new kitchen. Cabinets and Countertops Stick with the wood for cabinets and drawers. It can be recycled and is a renewable resource. Countertops of natural stones are durable and add no contaminants to the environment during the process of becoming your new counter. Appliances When replacing your refrigerator, range, dishwasher, garbage disposer and microwave be sure the appliances carry the Energy Star? sticker. You may be surprised at the amount of water, gas and electricity these fabulous new appliances can save. That means lower utility bills and that means your kitchen pays for itself quicker. I recently replaced my ten year old top load cloths washer with an Energy Star front load with a larger capacity than the old washer. My water bill dropped over $50.00 the first month and has stayed down ever since. Lighting A kitchen needs good lighting and plenty of it. Your new lighting fixtures should use fluorescent, halogen or LED bulbs. These bulbs deliver the same amount of light as an incandescent bulb at half the power. The new low voltage LED systems are terrific. They operate on about 24 volts or less and add ambiance to any room. Be sure and let your kitchen-remodeling contractor your goal of being environmentally responsible. Are You Sick of Your Kitchen or From Your Kitchen By Sheryl Robinson Allergy season has hit so you keep yourself locked inside avoiding the common causes of allergic reactions. Unfortunately, what most people don't realize is your favorite room to gather, could be the leading cause of your allergies. Kitchens are recognized as being a safe harbor for allergens and bacteria to luck. It's these unforeseen allergens that can break down our immune system making it virtually impossible to fight against. There are steps you can take to rid your kitchen of allergens and finally breathe a fresh, allergy-free sigh of relief. Control Humidity Humidity is a breeding ground for allergies and the kitchen is perfect room for it. Mold and bacteria thrive in moist climates and it is these unforeseen allergens that will keep you sick. By controlling the level of humidity, you have controlled the level of allergen growth and exposure. It is ideal to keep your kitchen and entire home at 40% or below humidity, which is difficult in layman terms. Thankfully, modern technology introduces the hygrometer, which measure the level of humidity in the room. They work much like a thermostat would but instead they measure humidity. The installation is best left to a professional technician to insure correct calibration of your instrument. After installation, it looks no different than that of a normal thermostat. The combination of a hydrometer and dehydration system will keep your kitchen in optimum shape to guard against unwanted allergens. Go Ahead and Vent If your stove uses natural gas or propane, the allergens you release into your kitchen would amaze you. In gas stoves and even heaters, the combustion of gases needed to maintain the proper heat source actually produce Nitrogen Dioxide. The Nitrogen Dioxide along with other pollutants it emits, must be properly vented to filter and release to the outside. Be sure to check with your contractor for proper placement of venting system and verify that its filtration system removes pollutants and grease particles before releasing into the environment. Stuck on You Kitchen cabinets can be a sponge for mold and dust mites, which are major contributors to allergies. Many kitchen cabinets contain materials such as particleboard, which literally soak up moisture and become the home to bacteria, mold, and other allergens. Talk to your contractor about using natural materials such as hard woods to prevent the mold from growing. It is also a good idea to have them cleaned regularly with mold deterring natural cleansers. Your contractor can make the best recommendations based on the materials used in your cabinets. Strangers in the Night You have places that are a safe haven and become a home to mold, moisture, and yes cockroaches. Cockroaches are the number one source of allergies because they carry the allergens and disease on their bodies then once they are dead, their bodies turn to dust putting the allergens into the air once again. Make sure you have your house inspected and treated regularly for pests. People with allergies are often time extremely allergic to chemicals used in pesticides. You need to verify that your exterminator uses natural pesticides to avoid further irritation to your family and pets. Top Allergen Busters • Clean all curtains and rugs regularly. Use a professional dry clean solution on carpets to prevent moisture • Clean the drip tray of your refrigerator with a solution of half bleach and half water at least weekly. This will prevent the buildup and growth of bacteria and mold • Wipe your appliances to remove any food particles, spills, or splashes to remove food source for pests and growth of bacteria • Inspect moisture under sinks and have any leaks repaired • Store food in sealed containers and wash all dirty dishes. Leaving any out overnight is throwing a party for uninvited pests • Mop your floors a minimum of weekly to prevent mold buildup and food sources for pests • Check gaps in cabinets and have your contractor seal any crevices where pests can build a home or mold and mildew can grow • Keep the garbage disposal free from food scraps by turning on every night before bed. If you do not have a garbage disposal, have one installed to prevent food from rotting in trash cans and attracting bugs • Use sources of natural light which is more effective in fighting molds by installation of sky lights. • Use a room air cleaner or ionizer to filter the air you breathe and remove any dust particles
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