EcoSafe Spaces Blog

Austin's Top 3 "Healthy Home-Improvement Stores"

2012-01-23T10:46:00.032-06:00

As a local builder I have searched Austin, TX far and wide for the best: products, concepts, customer service, and values related to Sustainable (and specifically "healthy") Home-Improvement. For me, there are three (in no particular order):

Eco-Wise: They are the originators..having been around since 1990. The owners are knowledgeable about most things "Eco"..ranging from building materials, to baby products, to personal care. They even sell biodiesel there! Eco-Wise is centrally located in the Travis Heights neighborhood near S.Congress. The store is on the smaller side and exudes a somewhat eclectic vibe. Greatest Strengths: wisdom, experience, and community involvement.

House+Earth: These guys have been around for a couple of years now, offering a much larger store with an extremely friendly staff. The vibe here is more high-end designer oriented. Their product focus seems to be "sustainable" building materials and cleaning products. And how can I forget their amazing wine-cork recycling program?..bottoms up! They too are centrally located, near the intersection of W.6th and S.Lamar. Greatest Strengths: professional courteous staff, elegant showroom, and community involvement.

Treehouse: They are the new kid on the block, opening at the tail-end of 2011. Their store is by far the largest of the three, offering a wide variety of products ranging from hardware, to pet products, to garden products, to building materials, to solar panels. Just like the previous two stores, everything sold here is "sustainable" in its own way. The size and selection reminds me somewhat of a "Green" Lowe's or Home Depot, but with a more personal and professional feel. Maybe a Home Depot/Whole Foods hybrid is a better description..anyhow you get the picture. They are south-centrally located in the West Gate Shopping Center. Greatest Strengths: product selection/availability, abundant showroom (including kitchen, bath, and lighting), and professional courteous staff.

At the moment, product price points seem to be similar for all three stores. As usual, the best values are generally associated with bulk buying scenarios. Additionally, each store offers a variety of free 1-2 hour educational classes and workshops for the DIYer (mainly on weekends).

So enough talk, its time to load up with some "Healthy" paint, cleaning products, or dog chew toys..and thank the good folks in Austin, TX for so many sustainable options!

-Doug Cameron

Client Found Objects

2011-11-28T14:55:00.000-06:00

Our clients find the coolest stuff!!!

Product Review: Vermont Natural Coatings

2011-11-18T19:50:00.000-06:00

Unconventional stains are tricky to figure out at first, but there are definitely a few out there that more than make the grade! For us, Vermont Natural Coatings tintable water based stain, was a quality product that was pleasant for the applicator and everyone else to be around. There was no odor, and no feelings of discomfort mental or physical, absolutely nothing but a beautiful finished product. See the video for greater detail...

Chemical-Free Termite Prevention

2011-08-02T10:48:00.020-05:00

Insect infestations and chemical exposure are both valid concerns we must consider when constructing our homes. Not very long ago, chemicals termite preventives were standard practice. Today's alternatives are more in line with health and nature. In lieu of chemical termite preventatives, Chemical-free termite prevention can be accomplished using a thin steel mesh (called Termimesh around here). This mesh is strategically wrapped around all the slab penetrations (like drains and waterlines) before the concrete foundation is poured. Immediately after the concrete is poured and has dried, the mesh becomes a permanent barrier to harmful pests and insects, blocking their desired route to a potential food source, your home. Take away the termite entry points before the house is built, and you drastically reduce the chances of termites invading and potentially damaging you home. These photos show Termimesh in action at one of our recent job sites.

Eating From Your Own Backyard in 7 Easy Steps

2011-07-28T11:14:00.028-05:00

One of my new-found loves in life is my garden. With a little help from man's best friend, I was able to get a super care-free setup going in about one day. Here's how..

1st- I built a shallow raised bed out of some old cedar fence pickets(its better not to use anything pressure treated if you plan on eating from your garden), leaving one side open to eventually wheelbarrow dirt in through.

2nd- I brought in some new dirt from the Natural Gardener(local to Austin, TX), they call it their Texas Mix, and it is made up of black dirt and compost(super inexpensive).

3rd- I laid down a weed barrier and infilled with my new dirt mix.

4th- made a trip to Home Depot and picked up the the parts for a simple drip irrigation system, the coolest purchase was definitely the battery powered water timer I picked up, it operates the hose valve for you even when you are not around...genius right??

5th- I trenched a path for the hose from the hose-bib to the garden bed.

6th- I ran and connected all the irrigation lines, with each drip emitter evenly spaced (about 2'x 2' per emitter).

7th- I eagerly made a trip to The Great Outdoors(local to Austin, TX) and picked up a few seeds but mostly baby plants, planting them immediately upon arrival home!!

I ended up with three kinds of basil, blackberry, tomato, two varieties of mint, lavender, three different flowers to attract bees, bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, lime(which I will eventually relocate), eggplant, and spinach. Aren't you excited now?? Aspiring Zen Masters...plant your very own garden ASAP, you will be so happy you did!!

High End Hemp?

2011-06-15T11:10:00.010-05:00

I field a lot of questions about carpet, and personally I'm not a big fan. I prefer hard surface flooring with throw rugs where desired. Hard surfaces are easy to clean and don't harbor dust mites like traditional carpet (wool carpet-e.g. Nature Carpet being an exception). Hard surface flooring includes: wood, tile, concrete, cork, sheet goods, etc. But what about the throw rugs? There are a few good lower end options out there, but if you want to go straight for the good stuff, then I suggest you check out EcoFiber Custom Rugs . They are completely organic and free of any harsh chemicals or dyes. With hemp and cactus being some of the choice materials used, you might think hippie, right? Far from it..with silk, mohair, and cashmere being a few of the others. Their rugs(as well as carpets) are high end examples of superior quality eco-friendly materials combined with extremely socially conscious manufacturing(fair trade/no child labor). Oh yeah, and they look and feel amazing!!

5 Star Green Home "Austin Style"

2011-05-13T17:20:00.004-05:00

Want to see what a 5 Star Green Home looks like?

Special thanks to our designer "The Bioloom."

Breathable " Slick Finish" Stucco

2011-05-13T14:59:00.009-05:00

La Habra Slick Finish Stucco is a great form of breathable stucco. Looks amazing too!

Reclaimed Materials: Saving History, while Saving Cash!!

2011-04-26T09:41:00.007-05:00

Reclaiming old materials is a great way to green up your new home or renovation. Our client "Mrs.D" gets into the action of refinishing these super cool old doors (over 100 years old). She found them nearby in Georgetown, TX for less than $10 a piece. Wait a go Mrs.D!!

To see these doors completely refinished (including stain), check our our recent product review of: Vermont Natural Coatings.

Hard Surface, Health Conscious Flooring at 1/2 the Cost!!

2011-04-18T13:39:00.009-05:00

Finishing/refinishing wood floors with a low-VOC water based floor finish is great (as opposed to a traditional oil based polyurethane)!! But what if you could take it to the next level and eliminate the need for the wood floor all together. That is exactly what we did with the office floor in the video below.

In fact, all the floors in the entire house were completed without bringing in an ounce of manufactured flooring. We went completely hard surface, with stained concrete downstairs and a finished sub floor upstairs. Hard surface is great for people who are allergic to dust mites, and it is usually super durable and easy to clean! Think about it...

Product Review: "Anderson" Automated Clerestory Windows

2011-03-23T15:04:00.000-05:00

Natural Ventilation is a beautiful thing, especially when the windows open and close by themselves..

Kitchen Remodel

2011-03-17T11:15:00.006-05:00

A kitchen remodel can be orchestrated with a health conscious and chemically sensitive approach and still be uber luxurious. Take a look and see!..

Whole House Water Filtration

2010-11-12T19:40:00.007-06:00

Leave a loop for the water filtration...

Engineered Lumber Rafters

2010-11-03T13:54:00.000-05:00

Personally, I am a big fan of engineered lumber of all kinds. It is straighter, stronger, and way more environmentally friendly.

Non-Toxic Cabinet Stains and Sealers

2010-10-30T14:20:00.000-05:00

Ozmo stains and sealers, we love 'em. Fabulous performance without the headache...literally.

The video below shows an almost finished kitchen remodel, in which we used the original prefab cabinets and completely refinished them with some flare..by darkening them to an ebony color, installing glass panels in the uppers (not shown), and wrapping the sides with tile. We also did the toe kicks (not seen here) in tile. Finished pics coming soon...

Using the same product on my stairs at home (again without respirators)..with almost no odor, those pics coming soon as well..

Eco-friendly Pest Preventative:Treated Plywood Sheathing

2010-10-29T22:53:00.000-05:00

Here is another great tip I picked up from a builder buddy of mine. Sill plates are always treated, why not the lower few feet of exterior sheathing?

Might Want to Drop Your Doors..

2010-10-15T22:51:00.001-05:00

Transitions are sometimes difficult. In this custom home we hope that's not the case...

Stained concrete is one of the greenest forms of flooring, because no additional flooring is necessary (other than the slab foundation); that's why it was our natural choice in this application. These super efficient Anderson 100 Series sliding glass doors unfortunately don't yet come with a low profile threshold "especially made for stained concrete"(similar to an ADA threshold), so we took care of this by slightly recessing our slab (1.5") in all of our exterior doorways. Later on in the build, we will and add a "low profile" trim piece to the interior portion of the threshold that will tie in with the door casing (which we'll be sure to post in a future blog).

Doesn't look like much now...but you'll see, veeery cool...

-Doug Cameron

Through Wall Flashing

2010-09-29T13:21:00.001-05:00

Through Wall Flashing (the thin horizontal blue strip on the home pictured above) helps keep water and the pests that come with it..out, and the conditioned air inside of our home..in (by providing and additional air seal to the exterior of our wall system). This tape which is combined with a water based primer and a caulking, seals our concrete foundation to our exterior sheathing (and is later covered up by the house wrap plus the exterior cladding [top portion), and the foundation's masonry underpinning [bottom portion] ). This dual purpose system combined with other environmentally conscious pest preventatives, help make the practice of applying harsh chemicals unnecessary...keeping dangerous pesticides out of our homes, yards, gardens, water, etc.

"Rain-Water Catchment System, Simplified!!"

2010-09-27T15:56:00.003-05:00

Rain Barrels are simple and easy to install. The barrel itself cost about $150 depending on the size, shape, and color; and can be purchased locally here in Austin at the Natural Gardener (among other places..like the big box stores).

Next, I would recommend you get a stand, which can run you anywhere from $20-$400 depending on how tall and fancy you want to go. On a recent install, we chose to custom make our stand. The stand height was fairly tall (approx. 4') to produce plenty of natural fall, effectively increasing the pressure of the water-flow. Our stand is great, but I must tell you; a stand can be as simple and inexpensive as stacking a few cinder blocks.

Total one time cost of $170(low-end) - $600(high-end) for a convenient water recycling tool. Rain barrels are definitely a great addition to any backyard garden. Feel free to start your rain-dance anytime:)

7 Features of an Eco-Friendly Bathroom Remodel

2010-09-27T13:31:00.005-05:00

Features of an Eco-Friendly Bathroom

CFL or LED Bulbs
Some kind of water filtration (whole house or site specific, EG: chlorine filtering shower-heads)
Zero VOC Grout Sealer
Zero VOC Wall Paint
No added Urea-Formaldehyde Cabinetry (if you are going with something new; I forgot to mention in the video that we did this).
Water conserving fixtures
Proper Ventilation (EG: Bathroom vent fan with "Humidistat" or timer, no help avoid mold and moisture issues common in wet areas)

Finger Jointed Studs

2010-09-27T10:56:00.003-05:00

Finger-jointed studs used in a vertical application (eg:walls) are straighter and stronger that traditional vertical studs. They are also way more environmentally friendly, because they are made of short scrap pieces of lumber rather that one long piece..ultimately saving trees. Think about specifying them for your next construction project.

Natural Berms

2010-09-10T18:37:00.004-05:00

In previous posts, we showed you a few good ways to incorporate sustainable site work into your next construction project. Natural berms are yet another great way to "use what you have." A big part of "green building" is just being creative. Take a look...

Sustainable Site Work

2010-07-12T14:22:00.004-05:00

Sustainable site work is a big part of any eco-friendly new construction project. The prep on the site of this future high-performance green home, is no different. Much of credit here goes back to the clients and designer, who designed this house according to the land it would sit on instead of the other way around.

Rather than clear cutting this lot. Trees have been painstakingly saved to help us with things like: erosion control, privacy, shading, and ambiance. Though this will make maneuvering the site a little more difficult during the construction process, it will be totally worth it in the end (a subject we will revisit in a few months).

Take a look at the video below to see what we've done so far.

Green Cabinetry..Austin style!

2010-06-02T08:19:00.001-05:00

Today I went over to an old cabinet shop in East Austin, called Green Award Custom Woodworking. This shop is over 4o years old and (to my knowledge) has always been used for making cabinets, only now..it makes green cabinets.

The owner Jeff Mitzal, a self described "recovering techy" bought the shop years back and kept almost everything just as it was when he bought the place..even the help. The only major change besides a new $20,000 edge banding machine (that eliminated the need for rubber cement..which is pretty toxic stuff), was a new and progressive attitude about the materials used in the making and finishing of his custom cabinets. Jeff's bread and butter style "is European-Modern", but these guys are capable of making anything you ask of them.

One specific that really stands out in my mind about Jeff's cabinets, is how he incorporated the use of UV lights to finish the clear coats on the plywood that he would eventually use to make his cabinets. The light zapped the finish right on (drying instantly) without the release of any solvents/VOC's or formaldehyde into the air (and ultimately the earth's atmosphere)...pretty freakin cool if you ask me!!

Watch this video to find out more about Jeff and his "green cabinets."

Zero-VOC Paint..Minus the BS

2010-05-17T18:10:00.008-05:00

When buying a Zero-VOC paint, make sure the pigments or colorants being added to the mix are also Zero-VOC. This variable is commonly overlooked by the average consumer, and paint companies don't market the negatives about their products...like the fact that after standard "VOC filled" colorants are mixed (instead of Zero-VOC colorants like Mythic Paint uses), your paint is no longer non-toxic. Basically you just got "green-washed." Buyer beware..

The performance of these non-toxic paints is equally as good as their traditional toxic counterparts in most applications (i.e. walls, ceilings, exterior siding). For a sleek durable finish on cabinets and millwork (i.e. doors and trim), nothing on the market today surpasses oil based paint. Unfortunately due to its makeup, oil paint is full of VOC's. And, paint companies like Mythic are working their tales off to come up with a good alternative. I have personally started to experiment with some vegetable based oil paints made mostly from soy..my experiments are still somewhat inconclusive. Though one day, someone is going to make a lot of money off of a non-toxic paint that truly mimics the performance of oil.

The water based enamels that are currently taking the place of oils on the millwork of most "green" construction projects...are good preforming and have definitely come a long way over the years, but they just don't penetrate wood like oil..bottom line. So, if you try to sand these latex enamels (to touch up a damaged area), they often times start to peel. At that point you have to re-sand the whole darn piece of wood, door, or whatever your are working on..prior to repainting, or it will just look like crap. Because oils effectively penetrate a thin layer of the surface on to which they are applied to, they don't end up peeling...and are therefore better performers. The finished product looks great and is easier to touch up.

That said, I am all for using water based enamels. I just refuse to fool myself by thinking that they preform as well as oils in certain applications (i.e. cabinets and millwork). Its a true conundrum I know...health and environmental consciousness or performance and durability.

Overall, I recommend using Zero-VOC water based paint wherever you can (including on millwork). But, if you just can't and have to opt for the oil..at least try to do most (if not all) of your painting off-site...preferably outside where ventilation is abundant (and not in the state of California where the sale of interior oil based paint in any size larger than a quart has been outlawed..unless you want to buy a bunch of quarts:).

Take a look at the video below to see Zero-VOC Mythic Paint in action..

UVC for HVAC-Case Study in Local Hospital

2010-05-07T12:53:00.030-05:00

The pictures above clearly show the effectiveness of using UVC lights to remove bio-organisms from the evaporator coils (..effectively cleaning the coils) of an HVAC system. All of that crud shown in the bottom of the two photos came from the coils, after less than two months of the UVC light install. The crud seems to be dead now, but was previously alive (I presume) and was present and most likely reproducing within the air handler of this HVAC system.

The use of UV lights in water filtration systems is fairly common. The use of these lights in HVAC equipment is not. Why?..I asked myself over a year ago. The answer is: no one wants to get caught with snake oil...and, there are associated filter and non-metal component degradation issues (due to the UV exposure over time)when used in most residential setups. Overall, UV lighting industry lacks government regulation so there have been and currently still are many products on the market that are simply ineffective. Ineffective at what you ask?

These lights (when applied properly) are supposed to kill 99.9% of the bio-organisms (i.e. mold, mildew, viruses, etc.) that grow inside the evaporator coils of your HVAC system. The evaporator coils are part of your "air handler." Meaning, unless you've been using a top of the line filter with rubber gaskets, the likely-hood is good that a good percentage of the conditioned air inside your home or business is passing over these bio-organisms...after getting filtered. This occurs because any particulate that bypasses the filter and sticks to the evaporator coils, though, you can always get your coils completely disconnected, cleaned, and reinstalled.

Why do the bio-organisms form on evaporator coils (probably more than anywhere else in your home or business)? Because there is a food source..particulate(i.e. dust..SOME of which will pass through even the best filter money can buy) , and water (which is created when the semi-warm air from your HVAC return passes over the cool coils..creating condensation).. That said, a superb media filter like the AprilAire that has gaskets will cut down on this occurrence tremendously, and is all I currently depend on in my own home.

So, don't freak out, these bio-organisms (most of which are naturally occurring outdoors) probably won't kill you..they haven't yet right? But, they could be the cause of some discomfort (i.e. allergies).

How do you greatly reduce or eliminate this discomfort? Well, in a commercial setting like this hospital that uses large metal chilling units in which the lights are not in close contact with disposable filters, I say install UVC lighting in your HVAC system, in conjunction with a premium filtration system. But, in a residential situation, where there is one or two smaller units for each house, I'd stay away from the UVC lighting for now. The reason why, is because the UVC lights can eat up your air filter over time and even some components of the air handler.

Let me clarify. In regards to indoor air quality and your HVAC, I feel a good filter is priority number one, and in some larger scale settings that UVC lighting (among other things like duct/attic sealing) is secondary. So if I owned a hospital or stadium..I would definitely spring for both. With an ROI of one year or less on the lights (in a commercial application), which is what these distributors claim..seems like an obvious choice to me, for commercial chiller application.. In smaller more traditional application, the issues relating to filter and component degradation must be addressed prior to install, because filtration is most important! With a revamped system that addresses these issues(like use of metal to protect the filter from the light..), I feel these lights have a good chance of becoming common place in homes.

To summarize, the lights kill harmful bacteria while making Large Commercial Chilling Systems run more efficiently, ultimately saving places like stadiums and hospitals lots of money and providing their attendees health benefits. Retro fitting this system in your home would cost you less than $1000, and the yearly bulb change out, done by a professional, would cost you less than $250, but again..I would hold off on putting it in your house until they get filter degradation worked out.

Do your homework regarding air purification (beware of any purifier that produces OZONE, this particular product does not). Not all UVC lights are equal in performance, a study done by the EPA (of participating UVC light manufacturers) seems to support claims that this light is the strongest and most effective of its kind. Ultimately, the light itself seems to work great, but you'd better make sure its not going to eat your filter..

Check out this cool video to see more. -DC

Filtered h2o on the GO!!

2010-04-28T09:29:00.009-05:00

Every year, roughly 22 billion water bottles are thrown away. That's an astonishing number, and as I mentioned in a recent post about plastic..the stuff (plastic), just doesn't ever completely break down (unless it happens to be biodegradable...which the vast majority isn't). What about recycling you ask? Roughly eighty-six percent of water bottles used in the U.S. are NOT recycled.

So we have diagnosed the problem, what are some solutions?

-stop buying plastic water bottles

-use filtered water instead

How do you do this on the go? Well with a filtered re-usable water bottle of course!

The manufacturer claims that this filtered stainless steel bottle can filter water from your nearest tap or even lakes, rivers, and streams..pretty much every type of water other than salt water. Now that's what I call convenience!! Check it: www.ecousable.com

*And no worries, BPA free;)

Non-Toxic Treated Wood Alternative

2010-04-26T23:02:00.003-05:00

While running around at the Austin Green Living Expo this past weekend, I came across a couple of products that particularly caught my interest. One was a wood sealer/stabilizer called Petrify.

Petrify is made from local Texas cedar trees, from which cedar oil is then extracted and combined with silicone. This naturally resistant (to insects, rot, & decay) cedar oil and silicone mixture is then sprayed onto hard/soft wood, plywood, or bamboo to remove all moisture and bring on the early stages of petrification. The manufacturers claim your wood will last a lifetime after only one application.

This product sounds like a great alternative to treated wood (that's used a lot on outdoor projects). It's well known that treated wood can contain some pretty harsh chemicals..though the industry is improving.

I haven't used Petrify yet, but I plan to try it out in the near future, and I will be sure to do a follow up post.

Environmentally-Friendly Plastic and the Race for Renewable Energy

2010-04-26T12:10:00.001-05:00

Ever wonder why your local grocery store doesn't offer plastic bags made of bio-degradable plastic. I did..which is what prompted me to do further research on the subject, and eventually write this blog entry...

So far, the issue of "environmentally-friendly" plastic has been a true catch 22 for environmentally-conscious citizens. We're stuck with two plastic options: plant-based, and petroleum-based. Currently, plant-based plastics have a larger carbon footprint than do the petroleum-based kind because of the resources (ie: corn fields) and extraction processes required to create them.

Petroleum-based plastics created from fossil fuels actually have much less of a carbon footprint, but conversely they pollute our environment with...well...plastic. The pollution left by these petroleum plastics will take many many lifetimes to break down, and when it finally does, will combine with organic matter to continually disturb our delicate ecosystem.

There are those out there who don't even like the idea of biodegradable plastic. They say the gases (mostly methane) and organic matter that discharge during the degradation process lead to potentially harmful effects to our environment and atmosphere.

This whole thing seems kind of like walking over burning coals, and it's difficult to find the next step. Lets try to stay cool though:)

So, what can we do? We can start by jumping head first into renewable energy. Although more resources are required to create these plant-based plastics, if the energy we use is renewable (and clean), then theoretically we could use as much as we want without causing any significant harm to the environment. Renewable energy that's used to create plant-based plastics provides an alternative that will leave a much smaller carbon/environmental footprint than any other currently available option.

Thankfully rapid innovations offer hope, and alternate solutions. Did you know we can even genetically modify plants to grow plastic now? Weird! Until that route is perfected, however, promoting renewable energy(which in my opinion, is at the heart of the "green" movement) is our best bet at tackling our plastic problem.

My final verdict is: continue to promote plant-based materials while letting technology and social consciousness do the rest. I truly believe our technology is evolving rapidly enough that we will be over the renewable energy hump in my lifetime. As far as the biodegradable issue, another option is non-degradable, but completely recyclable plastic (only a portion of current plastics on the market are completely recyclable).

Just my thoughts though. Be your own judge, and do try to remember your reusable shopping bags next time you go to the grocery store. Or, at the very least...recycle your plastic/paper bags!!

Recycled Leather

2010-04-20T00:38:00.000-05:00

Recycled leather..the first time I heard about this stuff was from a friend of mine who told me she heard (second hand information..don't you love it) that Lance Armstrong has leather floors in his house. Weird I thought. But actually, what a great idea. This innovative product not only looks super cool and high-end, but also creates a "round three" of sorts...for leather from mainly old and unwanted vehicles, but also left over belts from bridal showers and proms..keeping it out of the landfill, and potentially on to your floor!

It comes in 12" x12" tiles and 4' x 5' sheets. It can be used as wall covering, flooring, or for cladding a desk or counter..like we did. Another big plus.. this product received a rating of "excellent" for indoor air quality. Check out their gallery at ecodomo.com.

Soap Nuts!!

2010-02-18T18:47:00.007-06:00

Back to Blogging..

I just got my new order of sustainably harvested soap nuts in from a company called Nature's Wash. What are soap nuts you ask? They are actually berries that grow on trees in a region of India (if I remember correctly). The trees are considered trash trees for the most part (I guess they just spring up all over the place or something to that effect), though the locals do understand their virtues and indulge in them regularly from what I hear...to wash things of course.

How do they work, well they are basically coated with natural soap that can be used for a variety of cleaning purposes. I use them (along with vinegar and a non-chlorine oxygen bleach)to wash my clothes. What I love about my clothes now..is that they don't irritate my skin. And as for smell, there is no smell..perfect right??

I will be doing a video blog soon to show you exactly how we do laundry at my home, but in the mean time if your interested, check out their website: NaturesWash.com

And if you live in Austin, they are having a launch party this Saturday (Feb. 20) from 6-10 PM at the Big Red Sun. I support these guys and I encourage you to as well...keep it clean, go green!

Link to Video of Our Presentation- at the '09Renewable Energy Roundup in Fredricksburg

2010-01-29T18:41:00.006-06:00

Video of Our Presentation- at the '09 Renewable Energy Roundup & Green Living Fair in Fredericksburg, Texas

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High-Performance Grout Sealer with a Holistic Approach

2009-11-16T11:36:00.009-06:00

We are wrapping up a mostly cosmetic remodel of a 1970's bathroom that will primarily be used by two precious little girls. A portion of the job involved re-tiling a tub surround with some trendy white on white subway tile.

Sealing the grout afterward is a must, so we reached for something that was non-toxic and zero VOC to do the job.

AFM Safecoat Grout Sealer is what we came up with."Unlike conventional sealers, Safecoat sealers are made without formaldehyde preservatives or toxic mildewcides or fungicides"-quoted directly from the manufacturer. Additionally, Safecoat claims to provide five years of protection with just one coat.

These are the type of holistic/high-performance products we feel good about using in our own homes and on our own jobs, as well as recommending to others. The devil is in the details, do your best to get 'em right!

3 Cheap Alternatives to PVC Shower-Curtain Liners

2009-10-30T13:25:00.009-05:00

PVC, one of the quote on quote dangerous plastics, is present in the overwhelming majority of shower curtain liners in America today!

Here are three cheap and convenient alternatives available at: Target, Wal-Mart, and Bed Bath & Beyond (on-line or otherwise). They'll look and feel just like your old ones, just without the health and environmental risks. These bad boys are chlorine-free, odorless, and bio-degradable! Enjoy!

Health and Luxury in 1 Shower Head!

2009-09-29T15:39:00.009-05:00

Want to eliminate the chlorine gas from your shower and improve your skin at the same time? Step into the lap of luxury with the Maia Satinjet Beauty Shower.

This bad boy has massage pivong heads, sleek design, high functionality, and best of all, a replaceable vitamin C filter that handles up on the chlorine present in our municipal water supply. According to the manufacturer, you will literately smell the difference.

Health and beauty does come at a premium however with a price tag of $349, but sometimes it truly pays to be spoiled..in this case with healthier skin and improved indoor air quality. Fortunately you can make up for some of the upfront cost, by using the included flow re-stricter (don't worry it will still work..thanks to aeration!), potentially saving you up to 50% off your water heating bill. Enjoy!

Children's Health Magazine : Parents : Your Big Fat House

2009-09-24T17:58:00.008-05:00

Children's Health Magazine : Parents : Your Big Fat House

This is a great article everyone should read (linked above). The title focuses on obesity caused by chemicals in the home, but the content also discusses many of the other harmful effects associated with these commonplace chemicals.

Don't let this information scare you though, simply take control by learning how to minimize your family's exposure! Keyword, minimize; nobody's perfect..just take a simple "one step at a time approach" and do what is most practical for you and your loved ones. Good luck:)

Note- the part where PVC potable water lines are discussed does not apply to the majority of you, since most major cities have gone away from PVC for quite some time now, except for sewer lines of course.

Can You Eat Off Of Your Hardwood Floors?

2009-09-17T15:24:00.006-05:00

For those of you with natural hardwood (w/ a water based finish) or laminate floors in your homes, here's another great line of Method products specifically for you. And yes, they are healthy..non-toxic..and all that good stuff!

Get the Low-Down on Your Pet's Products

2009-09-16T21:08:00.004-05:00

HealthyStuff.org has posted the results of recent, in-depth tests of over 900 consumer products. Fortunately this included a usually forgotten category when it comes to chemical content testing, pet products.

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HealthyStuff.org tested over 400 pet products, including beds, chew toys, stuffed toys, collars, leashes, and tennis balls. Since there are no government standards for hazardous chemicals in pet products, it is not surprising that there were alarming levels of toxic chemicals found. HealthyStuff.org results are especially of concern to pets and children. Pets and children are frequently close to floor and commonly put products into their mouths. Exposures are greater, resulting in greater health concerns.

Don't Throw Away Your Money!

2009-09-16T12:18:00.027-05:00

Recycling not only reduces waste, but can also cut costs. Thanks to the City of Austin's recent, residential co-mingled recycling program (known here as single stream), along with my family's commitment to reduce waste; our household was able to go from the standard 60 gallon (grey) trash container down to the smallest option available, the 30 gallon (green..) container. Ever since the city made the upgrade to co-mingling, and supplied us with new 60 gallon recycle containers, we've been taking the trash out to the curb every week almost completely empty; which allowed us a cost reduction.

This simple change is going to save us $5.33 per month, adding up to $63.96 per year. See, green doesn't mean more expensive! In Austin, call 311 to reduce the size of your trash container, free of charge.

-On a side note, we have also completely eliminated the use of trash bags, realizing we really don't need them. To reduce odor, just sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of your indoor trash receptacles. After emptying everything to the outside container, simply take a hose with an aerating spray nozzle attachment and clean the inside of the empty receptacle. The oxygenating power of the left over baking soda combined with the jet of water cleans quickly and wonderfully. This practice will save us an additional $50-70 per year. FYI if you do have to buy trash bags, buy bio-degradable (like Bio-Bag, also made for dog walk waste).

Here is a reminder of what goes in your Single Stream recycling container (in Austin, TX).

* Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail & office paper
* Aluminum, steel & tin cans
* Glass bottles and jars, all colors
* Rigid plastic (#1 through #7)
* Corrugated cardboard
* Boxboard, such as cereal and soda boxes

Join Us for an EcoSafe Information Session and Workshop this Saturday at Austin Baby!

2009-09-15T10:41:00.007-05:00

Is your baby's home EcoSafe?
We welcome you to join Doug Cameron of EcoSafe Spaces for a home detox information session and workshop this Saturday at Austin Baby! Topics will include: health-minded, low-toxic options for remodeling, cleaning, and furnishing your home, a Q&A session, and much more. Bring your iPhone if you've got one! Additionally, all attendees will be entered in a raffle to receive a free EcoSafe Home Evaluation, valued at $99.

Address:‎

701 S Lamar Blvd

Austin, TX 78704

Time/Date:
This Saturday, 9-19-09
@ 2 pm

LEED Green Associate Exam

2009-09-14T10:37:00.005-05:00

Today I took and passed the LEED Green Associate Exam. The exam basically measures your overall understanding of the green building process and how it relates to LEED certification.

For those of you not familiar with LEED, it is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED was created by the U.S. Green Building Council, and is the leading national certification process by which registered green building projects are rated. Additionally, LEED is an accreditation program for people interested in increasing their knowledge base for various forms of green building and design, and then putting that knowledge to a comprehensive, no-nonsense test.

Overall, I have been very impressed by the streamlined resources, education, and levels of measurement that LEED offers, as well as their emphasis on on staying current with constantly updated information and technology. I most definitely plan to continue my participation with this program now and in the future. Thanks USGBC!

Low-toxic Method to clean and polish your granite counter-tops

2009-09-04T17:38:00.018-05:00

Recently while doing some research for a friend, I realized there is very little information available on how to maintain your gra nite counter-tops in a safe and practical way. This becomes especially important in the kitchen.

So while granite is still not the best selection for an antimicrobial food prep surface, due to its naturally porous nature, even after it's sealed (quartz, stainless steel, or even man made stones are probably better choices); it can be maintained on a daily basis without highly-toxic cleaners or polishes.

Method has a great line of products for this specific purpose, including these handy wipes (top left). Their spray version along with a micro-fiber cloth actually doubles for both granite and marble, but regardless of preference both products are said to provide virtually the same daily clean and streak-free polish.

FYI, it's best not to use acidic cleansers like bleach or vinegar on natural stone because over time they will etch the surface, degrading the smooth finish and top coat sealer. Tap water can actually do the same thing just not as drastically; for this reason it should not be left standing on the counter, and is not recommended as a cleaner (distilled water is fine). Enjoy!

Simple solutions to the BPA problem

2009-08-27T01:04:00.018-05:00

You've probably heard about this BPA thing that keeps coming up in the news. If you haven't, let me briefly explain. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical building block that is used primarily to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, and is commonly found in food and drink containers such as: the liners of canned goods* (including baby formula), liners of some aluminum drink containers, most plastic bottles marked#7 **, and many baby bottles.

The problem with BPA is that a reasonable amount of scientific research has shown that, once in your body, it acts as an endocrine disruptor (in simple terms, your body thinks it is a hormone). This misunderstanding can potentially cause a lot of problems (especially in young children, who are the most vulnerable) like feminizing males, and bringing on puberty and menopause too early in females. It can also potentially cause neurological disorders and even some forms of cancer. Here is a link to an article from the Environmental Working Group that goes more in depth than I care to.

Now for the original purpose of this blog, here are some simple solutions to help you and your family minimize your BPA intake.

1- Avoid canned foods (especially pastas and soups that seem to leach the highest levels of BPA due to high acid content, and infant food and formula because its just not worth the risk) whenever possible (try a fresh alternative; or in the case of formula, powdered might be a better option).

2-If buying canned goods, try BPA-free alternatives (like beans from Eden Foods ; organic coconut milk, mango chunks, papaya chunks, tropical fruit salad, and most pineapple items from Native Forest; and tuna from Vital Choice or Ecofish).

3- Invest in reusable stainless steel water bottles***(we suggest Kleen Kanteen).

4- If you use a baby bottle, try one of many BPA-free versions now avaliable (please do your research though...even if the bottle says BPA-Free). Thinkbaby (locally Austin) is a good brand, along with some glass alternatives.

And please, don't get overwhelmed. Just try to stay informed, and act accordingly whenever possible.

*Canned food liners seem to leach the most BPA (far more than hard plastic, which most importantly should be avoided to heat liquids in or to put in the dishwasher). Most pre packaged glass food and drink containers do contain a small amount of BPA in the underneath lining of the lid, but relatively speaking these are still good options (especially when compared to cans).

**Plastics #1,2,and 4 do not contain BPA and are considered safer (though Pyrex or glass containers are even better choices for food storage).

***Avoid older SIGG brand reusable aluminum bottles with the clear brassy liner, the newer beige liner is BPA free.

Baby’s First Home | Healthy Child Healthy World

2009-08-22T21:18:00.003-05:00

Baby’s First Home | Healthy Child Healthy World

Posted using ShareThis

This short video provides a great overview of how to best prepare for your baby's first home.
Another great resource from Healthy Child, Healthy World. Enjoy!

Best,
Lillie

The "Good Guide" (iPhone App Review)

2009-08-17T00:54:00.010-05:00

The Good Guide is a fantastic and relatively new application available for the iPhone (also found on the web at www.GoodGuide.com). This thing is just perfect for trips to the grocery store. Any time you have a question about a product, you just type its name in the search box and voila! Watch out though, once you get the hang of the Good Guide, you can easily spend an hour plus in the personal care aisle alone.

One of my favorite features is the box that comes up telling you about what ingredients to avoid in the particular type of product you just searched for. After a while, you know what to avoid in deodorants, shampoos, face washes, etc.

Hey lets be honest, trying to figure out what bad things are in many of our products is difficult when the list reads like this: fjalsjfpopjsalfj, alkjflkasdjfljasd, ajfldjfadlsjfkliajsjklf, polkay, fa'skdfpokkfas, faffoda,skfioas, fakopsfkpoaskfpo, oakfpoaskfoka, ofafkopkfpodsakpgeoarf, lgjgahfflkjhadjaif, ajfoajisfjaoi;jfagahtjfue, gsliljttoudnhjkaye jshdfkjhfhsskj, ahskdhfakshfkjkadsshni and lawjfisajifo.

You get the picture, right? That is how those ingredient lists look to the lay person, and even to many people like me, who may know more or less what to look for and avoid. It can be totally overwhelming with such long lists of unpronounceable words and such small writing.

Another great feature of the Good Guide is the rating system which includes three categories: Health, Environmental, and Social; all of which usually come with an explanation. Additionally, those categories are combined for an overall ranking. All ranking are done on a scale from 1 to 10 and are also color coded, green being the top tier of course!

If you just want recommendations, the Good Guide has those too. It is quite interesting to see that some of the brands you might associate with as green, actually don't rank very high at all. Equally interesting is the fact that some of the more common and mainstream brands have recently made changes to include or alter their products to be more in line with the increased consumer demand for healthy, green, and socially-responsible choices. Our decisions really do make a difference, it seems.

If you are curious as to why the Good Guide should be trusted, check them out for yourself, but I can tell you they are advised by a team of doctors. And, no not all products are listed, but over 70,000 are. That's a pretty darn good start as far as I'm concerned, and I definitely have noticed this number increase since I first started using this application. Their self-proclaimed organizational status is not "non- profit", but instead is "for benefit," whatever that means. But seriously, they are linked up with a ton of great organizations like the Environmental Working Group, Healthy Child Healthy World, and Green America.

So, for increased piece of mind, cut out all the guess work and start using the Good Guide, or be prepared to get out your dictionary and a magnifying glass...

-Doug Cameron

Thank you Lillie Hejl for this great find!!

Indoor Air Quality & The Story of the Tight House

2009-08-07T15:47:00.005-05:00

Energy efficiency is a very real issue in today’s environment. Modern construction codes require a much tighter building envelope than the homes most of us grew up in (though there are minimal ventilation standards determined by ASHRAE).

The tighter and more efficient we make our building envelope, the more we are trapped with the “things” inside our home, ultimately affecting our air. Common items found inside our homes contain potentially harmful VOCs. Frequent examples are formaldehyde and some plasticizers (to mention a few), individually and in many cases, both commonly found in: in carpet, vinyl, plywood, OSB, MDF, PVC, insulation, paint, sealers, adhesives, furniture polish, candles, air fresheners, household cleaners, un-vented fuel burning appliances, clothing, etc. Flame retardants, widely used in and on (but not exclusively with) petroleum based products (which are more apt to catch fire), are another potential indoor environmental problem. Some common products that generally contain fire retardants are: furniture, carpets, mattresses, pillows, and even computers. Then, there are home pesticides, which frequently contain additional potentially harmful compounds like organophosphates.

If most of us didn't consistently build and fill our homes with such high levels of toxins (low to moderate levels are probably alright for most people, and yes it is difficult to say what low to moderate levels really are, but the newer European Chemical Standards are probably headed in the right direction), we wouldn't be required to have as much mechanical ventilation (exhausting conditioned indoor air, and bringing in outdoor air) in our homes during the heating and cooling months, which means we could achieve even tighter and more efficient homes. And if you are thinking less ventilation sounds like a bad thing, keep in mind your HVAC system conditions your air (by filtering and dehumidifying it), which removes particulate and keeps moisture at comfortable levels. Therefore, the more outside air we bring in, the more work your HVAC system has to do to.

So end the end, we stay on the safe side..but again, the reason is just an attempt to accommodate all the toxic stuff in our homes including many of the materials our homes are actually made of.

Use of these high VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) materials is unfortunately the norm for most builders (though I must note Austin does have at least a handful of builders that do go against this negative grain). The VOC list goes on and on, like a freshly opened can of worms. Some supplementary organizational links, relating to the ever important subject of IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) and many other healthy home related subjects, can be located via the "why ecosafe" page listed under "resources." Furthermore, one of many good (and in this case interactive) reads, is on an Oprah blog, called Detox your Home.

So as they say, it is what it is, and the required ventilation standards probably wont change any time soon (and currently for good reason), resulting in slightly less efficient homes than could be achieved otherwise. That said, we can reduce our use of toxic products and materials (one step at a time), from the start of construction, all the way to our purchases and use of household items long after construction has been completed.

-Doug Cameron

Greening My Home, One Step at a Time... Ch.2

2009-08-04T14:06:00.004-05:00

Another subject that can be tricky is household cleaning. How do we kill all those pesky germs and bacteria, without turning our homes into a toxic environment? Well the answer is, go natural. Before the 1940's and 50's (the start of the so called "chemical age"), people cleaned with simple ingredients like vinegar, lemons/limes, baking soda, etc. For fragrances things like essential oils (many of which are naturally antimicrobial, ie. lavender) were used. And then somehow, all that was lost, and we moved in the direction of chlorinated bleach and many other toxic chemicals to clean our homes.

I don't know about you, but for me, cleaning in small space like a bathroom with chlorine bleach is not a very pleasant experience. My eyes water, nose runs, and my head starts to feel kind of like styrofoam (if you can picture that..), and if I'm not wearing gloves, my skin starts to feel like it is falling off my hands. Maybe I'm not doing it right or something (I'm being sarcastic here..), I would probably be fine if I was wearing a full body suite and respirator ...but who wants to do all that?

The fact is "normal" houshold cleaners today contain toxic chemicals such as:Alkyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride/hydroxide, Ammonia, Butyl cellusolve, Chlorine, Diethanolamine, Dipropylene glycol monobutyl/methyl ether, Ethylene glycol, Glycol ether, Hydrozyacetic acid, Monoethanolamine, Naptha, Nonylphenol polyethoxylate, Petroleum distallates, Phenols, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium hypochlorite, and Triethanolamine(thanks Renee Loux for this long and hard to spell list!).

Additionally, the majority of furniture polish, candles, and air fresheners are loaded down with unhealthy stuff like Formaldehyde and Phthalates.

Sounds super confusing right? Let me try to simplify a litte bit, most (if not all) of these chemicals are bad to come in contact with. A few here and there probably aren't going to be a big deal, but the cumulative effect just can't be good for us. And if you don't want to take my word for it, do your own research and see what doctors and scientists have to say about each and every chemical listed above.

Now that the problem has been presented, here are some potential solutions. Make your own cleaners, but if that sounds too granola hippie for you, buy natural cleaners (that are already pre-mixed). Its super easy, and I'm pretty sure you and your family will actually prefer the change.

Personally, I removed all the toxic (and most of them smelly) cleaners from under our sinks and put them in the garage in a air tight plastic tub. Then I replaced them with these much greener alternatives:

Also included but not pictured was dishwashing liquid soap from Seventh Generation, and a number of essential oils I purchased for $5-$10 a piece. I felt like I was breathing easier immediately after! And, cleaning with these products, I'm lovin' it! Everyone is different so find what works for you, and here are a few places to start.

*The borax can be harmful if ingested (and I mainly use it as an odor free pesticide, though I am currently experimenting with even less toxic alternatives), so store it in a safe place away from kids and pets.

Additional informative blogs:

http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/25-safe-non-toxic-homemade-cleaning-supplies/

http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/natural-cleaning-products.htm

http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/10/all-natural-cleaning-that-really-works-vinegar-of-four-thieves/

Some good (pre-mixed) brands to try out (that you should be able to find at your local grocery store):

Ecover, Method, and Seventh Generation

Or, try my friends at TX Green Clean (here in Austin) who mainly use steamers to clean and sanitize your home.

-Doug Cameron

Greening My Home, One Step at a Time...

2009-08-04T11:43:00.005-05:00

I always try to tell people that greening your existing home doesn't have to be overwhelming. Sure there is so much stuff to do and often times not enough resources (time/money) to fix everything in one fell swoop.

So rather than get overwhelmed, I treat this process like my workout routine, one day at a time, always striving for consistency, but definitely understanding I'm not going to get in shape or stay in shape in one day or one workout.

Here is what I did today. I got rid of of our not-stick pots and pans that had less that optimal cooking surfaces. Take a look..*

Pretty gross, huh? Well, during the past year, we have started to purchase new pans that are free of Teflon, mainly because we don't want to eat it (Teflon, that is)! And looking at our old pots and pans, it is fairly apparent, we were doing exactly that, eating it (as well as potentially breathing in [during cooking] suspect perfluorinated chemicals used in Teflon's production which have been associated with infertility, but have (to date) not been proven to cause cancer in humans). Not any more, here come the replacements (which we purchased one at a time)! Look at the difference.

These "newbies" (to our kitchen that is) have been working out well so far. They are (from left to right): stainless steel (a classic in any gourmet kitchen) by T-Fal, a scratch resistant ceramic-based nonstick interior from Cuisine Art's "Green Gourmet" line (I've had this one for about eight months and still no scratches..), and cast iron by Lodge (a little more difficult to clean than the previous two, but I still use it all the time).

From everything I've read these "newbies" should grow very old in our kitchen, without scratching and without contaminating our food with Teflon. Like I said (and many before me have said), one step at a time is all it takes!

*Obviously new Teflon pans are not as bad (on the surface..) as my old ones, mainly because they are not all scratched up, but the reality is they eventually will be (scratched up, or even worse overheated **), and then what? Personally, I would rather invest in and use something that is less delicate, longer lasting, and healthy from start to finish! Now that's green..

** Always remember to use the vent in your kitchen when cooking.

-Doug Cameron

My Quest for the LEAST toxic Paint Strippers & Removers

2009-05-24T20:35:00.001-05:00

Paint removers & paint strippers are usually not very pleasant to work with right? From the harsh eye and skin irritating chemicals to the unbearable smells that require a respirator, paint strippers are always toxic... not necessarily.

I recently used (without a respirator) an assortment of “so called” eco-friendly paint removers (all of which were said to be non-caustic and free of methylene chloride) to remove paint from a 25-year-old concrete slab, in preparation for staining the concrete. The following is a list of the products I tried and how they faired in my testing.

1- “Citrasolv” by Citrasolv- this orange liquid product seemed to be the most eco-friendly and was helpful with finish cleaning, but I would not recommend it for heavy duty paint removal. No harsh fumes. No reproductive toxicity warning label.

2- “Multi-strip” by Back to Nature- this product came in a gel form and claimed to be able to remove up to 15 layers of paint in one application (This did not happen). Multi strip did work well though and did so without any harsh fumes. The back of the container had a warning label from the state of California (the leading state in product accountability and public protection as far as I’m concerned) which identified a chemical in this product that caused reproductive toxicity. This doesn’t mean Multi-Strip is a bad choice though, just that you probably don’t want to be in close contact with this product if you’re pregnant. Multi-strip dries when ready for removal, and requires a reasonable amount of elbow grease (like most paint removers). We followed up a scrape with a few soap and warm water scrubbings. This would be my product of choice in the future for heavy duty jobs jobs.

3- “Ready-Strip-Spray” by Back to Nature- this product came in a spray bottle (which was convenient) and worked reasonably well but didn’t quite have the toughness I was looking for on this job. No harsh fumes. This product also carried the same warning label from the state of California regarding reproductive toxicity. In my opinion, it would be another good finishing touch spot remover.

4- “Citristrip” by W.M. Barr and Co.- This product came in gel form and worked the best performance-wise (with the Multi-Strip being a close second), but it did have a very strong smell. The smell was that of orange, but my gut tells me this was a cover for VOCs in the product. This was the only product that did make me feel slightly light headed. Do I dislike this product compared to traditional paint strippers? No, absolutely not. Would this product be my first choice in the future? No, it would not. Citristrip did have the same state of California warning label regarding reproductive harm.

5- “Hi-Speed Ready-Strip” by Back to Nature- This product claimed to strip paint in 30 minutes or less, came in a blue liquid form and seemed to work a lot like the “Ready-Strip-Spray” with one big difference - it stained the concrete blue. I attempted numerous cleaning methods to get the blue out of the concrete, but they all failed. The only thing that worked was an angle grinder with a grinding stone attached to it, and this process creates a lot of dust and alters the finish of the concrete slab (which is especially important to avoid when using a transparent stain). I was extremely frustrated with this product and would not recommend it for any application. In retrospect, I should have used it on a small, out-of-sight section of the floor first, but in my defense, I never expected a paint remover to stain like a blue dye. Again, this product gets no love from me! No harsh smell. Same warning label regarding reproductive harm.

I hope this info helps and I will be sure to follow up on this subject in the future.

-Doug Cameron