In just a few weeks Earth Day will have come and gone and we'll be left to wonder if this year will be any different from the last 38 Earth Days. The beautiful thing is it can be, if we choose to do something about it. I'm not talking big things. Even little changes to your small piece of the earth can really add up.Green with Envy: It's fun to change things up with color, but when it comes to paint, choose wisely. Lots of formulas out on the market contain volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs, that can pollute the air in your house. Choose a paint with clay-based pigment and non-toxic binders for safety. With all the colors of the rainbow available, you won't have to sacrifice safety for style. Try greenest.com for a wide selection.Sleep Soundly: If you're in the market for a new mattress, why not go organic? They're non-toxic and perfect for those sensitive to pesticides and other chemicals. You might also think about incorporating 100 percent organic wool into the bedding -- it's a naturally flame-retardant fabric that's also moisture-repellent. Another delicious fabric to add to your bedding is bamboo. JCPenny.com has some sheet sets for competitive prices.Environmental Upgrade: If you're in the market for a new appliance like a dishwasher, oven or refrigerator, be sure to think through your buying decision. These things are expensive, but if you go for Energy Star-qualified models you'll save money and reduce energy costs over the long haul. And that's really what we're concerned about here, right? The great news is that all the top brands have qualified models -- KitchenAid, Kenmore, General Electric, etc.Clothes Make the Man: Looking sharp is a top priority when choosing clothes -- and it should be -- but that doesn't mean your clothes can't also be good for the environment.A tip to remember is that just because something is 100 percent cotton doesn't mean it's free of pesticides and insecticides. Look for 100 percent organic cotton, which is available everywhere and doesn't need to bust your budget. You can grab fashionable finds at stores as varied as LL Bean, Nordstrom and REI.For more tips on greening your home, visit Shopzilla.com's Earth Day 2008 boutique, where you'll find handpicked items that are good for your home, wallet and the environment.(Helen Malani is the chief shopping expert for Shopzilla.com, an E.W. Scripps company and the largest comparison-shopping search engine on the Web. E-mail askhelen(at)shopzilla.com.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
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