, HGTV

BENEFITS OF GOING GREEN: Green products reduce exposure to air pollutants. For example, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) typically are emitted by paints, wood preservatives and other sources. These gases have short- and long-term health effects, including symptoms ranging from eye, nose and throat irritation to cancer.

Organic Bedding: For blankets, wool is greener than polyester. Organic cotton mattress pads help protect your bed from dust mites.X...X...X

Breathe Easier. Use a ceiling fan to circulate hot and cool air and save money on energy bills.X...X...XPamper Your Lungs. Choose low/no-VOC paints and stains for walls, ceiling and furniture and wash your bedding each week to cut down on mold, mildew and dust-mite accumulation.X...X...X

Choose Good Wood: Try using farmed, clear-cut wood stained with natural products for your home projects.X...X...XPlant for the Planet: Having plants that require little watering and maintenance is economical and ecological.X...X...X

Go Natural:From organic hand soap to bamboo hand towels, keep the bathroom chemical-freeX...X...XEarth-Friendly Office Supplies:Utilize items like recycled computer disks and earth-friendly inks X...X...XGreen Cleaning:High-efficiency washing machines and water/energy-saving dryers are a must-have

Furnish Naturally: Use formaldehyde-free wood products and accessories made of things like hemp.X...X...X.Green Garage Gear: Use nontoxic pegboards to hold tools and manual-reel lawnmowers to mow the lawn.X...X...XReclaimed-Style Bathroom: Go eco-friendly with products like tile, countertops and fixtures.

Energy-saving windows: Surround the house with great style by installing insulated windows.X...X...XRecycle with style: Seek vintage pieces of furniture or those made from recycled materials.X...X...XPlanet-friendly floors: Shop for all-natural materials like cork, bamboo and tile.

Recycle: Recycle whenever and whatever you can. The energy saved by using recycled instead of raw materials to manufacture goods ranges from 40 percent to 95 percent.X...X...XGreen Countertops and Cabinets: Help purify the air at home by using green, sustainable, good-looking materials.X...X...X

Fix it: Fix leaky faucets. A faucet that drips one time per second can waste 8 gallons of water per day and more than 3,000 gallons per year.X...X...XEase up on the pedal: Reducing driving speed from 75 to 65 miles per hour will drop your highway gasoline consumption by 15 percent.X...X...X

Your vehicle: Check your tire pressure. Replace the air filter and tune up the engine regularly. A tune-up can boost miles per gallon from 4 percent to 40 percent.X...X...XSave a tree: Grab that stack of catalogs, log on to Catalog Choice and put a stop to unwanted junk mail.X...X...X