Posts Tagged ‘Eco-friendly’
February 22nd, 2010
Using eco friendly products is not a luxury but an intelligent and helpful gesture to help save the planet. One of the most recent eco friendly products hitting the markets is flooring material. When building a new house everyone wants to settle for attractive floorings which are eye catching as well as affordable. The market is flooded with various eco friendly flooring options to suit all pockets and building green homes is profitable to the builder as well as affordable for the consumer.
If you want to give your flooring a wood like effect then it is easily possible without cutting down trees. Bamboo is one such option which is growing in popularity as an eco friendly flooring product. Since it is a fast-growing grass and not a tree it can be re-harvested easily, is durable and moisture resistant. Cork flooring is another great option to give a wooden effect and is quite cheap. Another option gaining popularity is linoleum flooring which is a combination of wood flour, flax seed and sap. It is highly durable, can be recycled a number of times and has a long life span.
Recycled glass tiles & recycled metal tiles are also great options for home flooring and are definitely eco friendly. People who can’t do without carpets have the option of using natural wool carpets which is 100% pure and not treated with chemicals and dyes that are harmful to the environment as well as the occupants. Natural wool is also quite long lasting and products which do not need to be replaced frequently are always eco friendly.
Amongst all the eco friendly flooring options concrete flooring cannot be ruled out. Stone flooring is a perfect choice for many, since stones and tiles come in various attractive colors, are sturdy & durable, and easily replaceable or repairable. Moreover in kitchens and toilets where there can be a lot of water spillage, the most obvious choice would be stone flooring. People having dogs in the house can also opt for ceramic or glass tiles and stone flooring to prevent scratches and stains. Another great benefit of using stone flooring is that it absorbs heat during daytime and releases that heat after sunset, when it is required.
Stones and tiles can easily be cleaned and polished with the help of EcoStone solutions which is a powerful stone and tile cleaner and helps to remove even the toughest of stains, grime and dirt and at the same time is environment friendly. There is also the EcoStone Solutions Kleen Stone Plus which comes with a handy sprayer and is very effective on all stone types, porcelain, clay products, granites etc. All EcoStone solutions are biodegradable, deodorize as they clean and are eco friendly & easy to use. Diamond stone polishing pads are also great for polishing stone, tiles. These are eco-friendly, reusable and easily washable. Since these products can be used on a daily basis, it becomes all the more easier to maintain eco friendly concrete floorings.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com
February 21st, 2010
Going the green way and adopting eco friendly products is not enough. When we turn our homes into a green home and use eco friendly materials for our walls and floors it becomes our responsibility to maintain these products as well. Maintaining eco friendly flooring is not such a tedious job as one might think. In fact very traditional methods can be used for cleaning eco friendly flooring. Moreover, many companies have launched floor cleaning and polishing products which are eco friendly in nature and do not contain harmful chemicals.
Hardwood flooring can be cleaned quite effectively by using products like ’Wow hardwood floor cleaners’, which are non-toxic, water based environment friendly floor cleaners, suitable for all types of hardwood and even laminates. These are ready to use products and easily remove stains, dirt, spills, oil, and footprints and even leave a soothing and refreshing scent. Many companies have also come out with eco friendly floor waxes which help to maintain the shine of wood and at the same time do not compromise on health and indoor environment. You can even just sweep cork and bamboo floors everyday or mop occasionally with water.
Cleaning ceramic or glass tiles is also not at all problematic and can be cleaned with a dust mop or vacuum cleaner. There is no need for a floor finish which can contain hazardous chemicals. ‘511 Spray on Grout Sealer’ is an innovative, fast and easy solution which seals tile grout and creates an invisible barrier that protects the tiles from dirt, oil, spills etc. This is a non-toxic, recyclable and transparent product which can be used on ceramic tiles, glass & porcelain tiles, marble, granite & stones and provides a long lasting flooring solution. A better option is to purchase a complete tile and grout care kit from Black Diamond Stone works’, which contains a ‘Grout Sealer’, ‘Ultimate Grout Cleaner’ and a ‘Marble & Tile Cleaner concentrate’. These products are 100% biodegradable, safe and gentle on tiles and are perfect for regular use.
Similar products related to stones and marbles are available which help to maintain the luster, color, longevity and durability of eco friendly stone flooring for years. Though stone floors can be easily washed or mopped, it is always advisable to keep a complete stone care kit at home. The ‘Glaze ‘n’ Seal’ Stone care kit is comprised of a stone cleaner concentrate, stone color enhancer and seal & a stone gloss. All the three products prevent damage to stone floors and can be used on a regular basis. EcoStone offers various stone and tile cleaners, color enhancers and Impregnators which are eco friendly, easy to use and cost effective.
As for recycled carpet or 100% woolen carpet flooring, it requires the same type of maintenance and cleaning as traditional carpet. Regular vacuuming, spot cleaning and deep cleaning is required so that dust or grime does not set in. Green products meant for cleaning eco friendly carpets are also available, though they might be a bit costly.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com
February 17th, 2010
Nowadays, eco-friendly or ‘Green homes’ are gaining a lot of popularity since, apart from being environment friendly they are highly cost effective as well. More and more people are choosing eco friendly products for their daily use, so that there is less pollution and minimal waste. Newly constructed and renovated houses are made with environmentally friendly materials that are non-toxic, recyclable, and safe for the occupants as well as for the ecology. Therefore, in order to have a green home, eco friendly flooring products are the first choice for many builders, home makers and architects. However, it is important to select the appropriate eco friendly flooring solution as there are various options available in the market.
Carpets as a flooring option are the first choice for people living in regions experiencing cold weather almost all the year round. Eco friendly carpets are the ones made from natural fibers with no chemical treatment. These carpets usually have high recycled content, and less toxic adhesives and backing. Recycled rubber is another product which proves to be an ideal eco friendly flooring solution. Rubber floor tiles are tough, durable and easy to clean and maintain. Rubber has numerous ecological benefits and can be used in industrial/public places, places subjected to heavy traffic and even for residential purpose. Rubber flooring absorbs noise, reduces vibration and provides sound insulation.
Hardwood floors have long been a standard choice for many, due to its elegance, affordability, durability, and above all eco friendly characteristics. For hardwood flooring cork is the perfect option since it is derived from the bark of the cork oak tree, which does not harm or kill the tree. Moreover cork flooring is attractive, hypoallergenic, sustainable and even relieves joint strains and foot pains. Bamboo is also considered to be an eco friendly flooring solution, since it is highly sustainable and grows back very fast. Moreover bamboo is water and insect resistant, and since it is a type of grass, it does not harm the environment. Natural linoleum floors are also biodegradable products that are anti-allergen in nature.
Stone floorings are growing in popularity and there are various eco friendly stone flooring solutions available nowadays. Due to its growing demand brands like EcoStone have also come out with excellent stone cleaning and polishing products which are easy to use. Stone is found in abundance and does not incorporate any synthetic elements, which makes it quite environmental friendly. Stone floorings are also water & scratch resistant. Same is the case with tiles, like glass, ceramic etc which are eco friendly as well as durable. In order to maintain the shine and beauty of stones, products like EcoStone’s powerful stone and tiles cleaner should be used regularly. These products also act as deodorizers, are biodegradable and environment friendly. There is also the Rock Star aerosol sprayer which is an excellent non-acidic and non-alkaline solution that helps to improve the shine of natural stone. These products do not have offensive odors and are the perfect solution for removing grime, dust and stains to safeguard natural stone surfaces.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com
February 15th, 2010
While setting up your new home or renovating your existing house into an eco friendly and green home, special attention should be given to the floorings, especially in the bathrooms. Flooring options for your bathroom should be water resistant, durable and long lasting. Costs may vary and some options may be a bit on the costlier side, but ultimately it proves to be beneficial and cost effective for the occupants as well as the environment in the long run.
Linoleum is considered as an inexpensive and eco friendly flooring option for the bathrooms. Linoleum tiles (VCT) are scratch, water, and fire resistant, durable and long lasting. Linoleum is manufactured in vibrant and attractive colors and designs which can provide an artistic touch to your bathroom. Due to its high content of linseed oil, linoleum is anti-microbial in nature and fights bacteria naturally, giving you a clean, green and healthy bathroom. Linoleum grows tougher with age, and therefore you do not need to replace it for years.
Glass Ceramic tiles as a flooring solution for bathrooms are also advisable. These tiles are usually made from recycled products like discarded glass, bottles, jars etc, and its manufacturing process is also quite simple, and does not have any hazardous effects on the environment. Usually ceramic tiles do not get easily damaged by moisture and are long lasting. Moreover, these come in attractive designs, colors and shapes and give your bathroom an elegant look. Cleaning products like EcoStone tile cleaners are easy to use and effective in removing stubborn stains, which can be used regularly to maintain a sparkling clean bathroom.
Having Hardwood flooring for a bathroom is also not a bad option. Bamboo is a good option when it comes to durability, water and moisture resistance and longevity. Bamboo flooring is quite affordable and a sustainable product that can be re harvested easily which makes it eco friendly. Apart from these benefits bamboo floorings are bacteria, mildew and mold resistant and prove to be the perfect option for a germ free bathroom. Bamboo flooring can easily be maintained by using products like “Hardwood floor cleaner’ which is a non-toxic, environment friendly, water based solution that helps to keep wooden flooring in a shiny new state.
Cork is again considered as one of the most eco friendly flooring material and can easily be used for bathroom flooring since it is naturally water resistant. Moreover cork is derived from the bark of a tree which does not kill the tree, and can be harvested every nine years. Eucalyptus is also a fast growing hardwood and a sustainable product that can be used as an eco friendly flooring option.
Though a bit on the costlier side, stone is also another popular choice for bathroom flooring because of its durable and tough nature. Stones like limestone, slate are eco friendly in nature and are obviously water resistant. Nowadays textured stone is available which is perfect for bathroom flooring since it is non-slippery and safe. Moreover eco friendly stone floorings for bathrooms can easily be cleaned and maintained by using popular and effective EcoStone products. Chemical free and eco friendly diamond pads are available that help to polish limestone and other stone floorings to preserve their shine.
Copyright © 2010 FlooringSupplyShop.com
February 13th, 2010
Whenever we think of renovating our child’s room, the first thing that comes to our mind is a safe and healthy atmosphere. This implies that everything in your child’s room, from the paint on the walls to the flooring has to be safe. Proper flooring is of utmost importance since children tend to play on the floor most of the time. Therefore eco friendly flooring materials should be the only choice for your child’s room. There are various eco friendly solutions to build a green playroom for your child.
Cork flooring is a very popular choice for kids’ playroom since it has a soft surface and prevents children from getting hurt. Moreover cork is naturally anti-microbial, tough, durable, biodegradable and does not stain easily. Since cork is derived from the bark of the cork oak tree, it can be stripped and removed several times without harming the tree. However, it is always advisable to avoid self-adhesive cork tiles since they may contain toxic chemicals.
For very small infants or toddlers natural woven carpets is an excellent flooring option. These carpets are made by weaving together natural fibers like coir, jute, seagrass or sisal and are extremely soft to touch. Seagrass grows naturally all around the world and helps in insulating houses and also acts as a barrier against sound. Similarly sisal is also a natural fiber and a sustainable resource and is grown without the use of any pesticides or herbicides which makes it highly environment friendly. These products are also appropriate for children prone to allergies or asthmatic attacks and require very little care and maintenance. Wool carpets are again a sustainable and 100% biodegradable choice and have various advantages like durability, fire resistance and are anti-static. Moreover, such carpets use only natural dyes, are not treated with harmful chemicals and are installed without the help of adhesives. All these characteristics make it a complete eco friendly product.
Another truly sustainable eco friendly flooring solution for your child’s room is bamboo. It is a fast-growing grass which can be re-harvested every 5 years and is by far the most abundant and renewable natural resources thus making it a popular flooring choice. Moreover it is extremely hardy, durable and moisture resistant. When we talk of eco friendly flooring solutions for a child’s room, it is necessary to mention rubber flooring. Rubber flooring apart from being an eco friendly flooring solution is extremely safe, durable, soft and appealing. It is stain and slip resistant, has anti-microbial and hypoallergenic properties and has shock absorbent surface; making it an ideal flooring option for your child’s room that is not only safe but cost effective as well.
Last but not the least linoleum flooring is also a safe and eco friendly option for your kid’s room. Linoleum is resistant to fungi and bacterial growth, has hypoallergenic qualities, and is very durable and also scratch and spill resistant. Whatever the option, care should always be taken to provide your child with a green, non-toxic and environmental friendly atmosphere.
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