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- Warm on the inside Dec 09
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Dorm room
Replace incandescent bulbs with CFL bulbs
Circline Magnifier lamp
Use this magnifying lamp to illuminate anything that requires a bit of extra magnification: needlework, knitting, or emergency first aid! The bulbs are CFLs and the lense, used by medical professionals and spas alike, will help you zoom in on small images.Energy Wiser 5-Watt Torpedo Candelabra Base CFL
Save energy and lower your carbon footprint with this stylish compact fluorescent bulb that's specially designed to work in sconces and chandeliers. Bulbs measure 4.3 inches and produce an average of 8,000 hours of warm white light (3,000 Kelvins) over their lifetime.GE Energy Smart Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs
Select from among GE's extensive array of energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs—everything from spiral CFLs for your room lamps to outdoor floodlights.Globe 15-Watt R30 Indoor/Outdoor Compact Fluorescent Flood Reflector Bulb
Equivalent to a 50W incandescent bulb, these ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs are great for large surface areas, both inside and out. They’re set to shine for 8,000-10,000 hours, eight to 10 times longer than similar incandescents.Globe 23-Watt Mini Compact Fluorescent Spiral Bulb, Soft White
Want a replacement for your dimmable light bulbs? Look no further. These CFLs fit most standard medium base bulb fixtures, replace your energy-wasting 100W bulbs, are ENERGY STAR qualified, and warranted for 5 years.Ikea 11-watt Sparsam
Save energy—and money—with these low-priced (3 for $3.99) Ikea Sparsam compact fluorescent bulbs. Ikea claims its bulbs, which are specifically designed for table and standing lamps, last six times longer than regular incandescents (about 6,000 hours) and use 80 percent less electricity. Sparsam bulbs are available in Ikea stores only.Lumiram Ecolume full-spectrum compact fluorescent bulbs
Lumiram's Ecolume line of compact fluorescents come in five wattages (15 W, 20 W, 23 W, 25 W, 3 Way) and several different designs, including spiral. Bulbs emit full-spectrum natural light, according to the company, making them good for use anywhere in your home.n:vision 14-Watt R-30 Soft White CFL
Great for flood lights, these bulbs use 75 percent less energy than 65W incandescents, saving $82 per bulb. Its color is warm and it lasts four times as long as standard bulbs. All n:vision bulbs are ENERGY STAR qualified.Sylvania 14-watt compact fluorescent bulb
Replace your regular 60-watt incandescent light bulbs with these 14-watt CFLs. Measuring 5 inches, they provide the same amount of soft white light as 60 watt incandescents (often slightly more) and last at least five times longer (about 8,000 hours). Sylvania claims one compact fluorescent bulb pays for itself after only five months.
Choose used or secondhand items
craigslist
Peruse the free online classified ads (search in your own geographic region or anywhere) for just about anything you can name.Freecycle USA
Post items you want to give away for free or get free items from others with this no-charge online membership organization.Freecycle Canada
Like its American counterpart, this online Canadian community lets you post items to give away or find treasures from others.FurnitureTrader.com
Buy and sell used and new furniture online. There is a small fee for listing on this site, but it'll give you exposure to millions of buyers nationwide.Goodwill Industries International, Inc. (various locations)
Goodwill sells donated goods in more than 2,000 retail stores. As of 2006, Goodwill stores had sold more than 2 million items received from more than 58 million donors.Once Upon a Child
Sells new and used children's clothes, furniture, and more at their stores located throughout the US and Canada. You can even take your secondhand items to sell on consignment.Plato's Closet
With franchises across the US and Canada, these exchange stores specialize in clothing alluring to teens, twenty-something's, and aging fashionistas.Used Furniture Findex
Buy and sell used furniture online from near to home or far and wide. They offer new and used listings and even provide a service directory.
Buy natural cleaners
Biokleen Natural Household Cleaners
Biokleen offers a full line of biodegradable, eco-friendly household cleaners. It also has a complete line of toxin-free soy-based cleaners.Earth Friendly Kleeners
From floor to shower and everywhere in between, Earth Friendly's line of biodegradable cleaning products are free of enzymes, phosphates, chlorine, cocamide DEA, DEA, petroleum, and alcohol, and are scented with natural oils like tea tree and lavender.Eco-Products Eco Cleaners
Eco-Products features a full line of bathroom, kitchen, glass, and surface cleaners, free from toxics and harmful ingredients.Ecover Ecological Floor Soap
Ecover's specialized floor soap contains natural linseed oil, but they don't stop there. From dishes to laundry to shower to counter tops, check out Ecover's line of eco-friendly cleaning products.Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Products
Mrs. Meyer's aromatherapeutic cleaning supplies are made with natural essential oils, are biodegradable and phosphate-free, and never tested on animals.Natural Choices Home Safe Products
Natural Choices offers a complete line of cleaning products that are environmentally safe, nontoxic, and derived from natural raw materials whenever possible.Petganics floor cleaner
This nontoxic floor cleaner is safe for humans, the environment, and most importantly, your pet.Seaside Naturals simple. pure. clean natural cleaners
This all-natural line of cleaning products combines the power of plant- and vegetable-based ingredients with pure essential oils for their cleaning properties and aromatherapy health benefits.Seventh Generation Free and Clear All Purpose Cleaner
Seventh Generation products use plant-based cleaning agents making them nontoxic, free of unpleasant fumes, petroleum, and dangerous chemicals. They are biodegradable, vegan, and cruelty-free.Shaklee Basic H2™ Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate
These ultraconcentrated products add up to powerful cleaners when mixed with water. A mere 16 ounces becomes 48 gallons of a versatile cleaner that's nontoxic and biodegradable.The Clean Environment Company Natural Cleaners
This full line of cleaning products is safer for the environment and human health and has a proven record in commercial operations.
Choose plants that purify the indoor air
Accents For Home and Garden
Mail order division of Pepper's GreenhouseGurney's Seed & Nursery Co.
Gurney's Seed & Nursery Co. provides a number of house and patio plants.How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 House Plants that Purify Your Home or Office by B.C. Wolverton (Penguin Paperbacks)
A book that gives more options for purifying houseplants and other ideas.
Choose bedding made from organic fibers
Cuddledown Natural Cotton Fleece Blanket
Though not completely organic, these 100 percent cotton flannel blankets made in Germany are Oeko-Tex certifited, which means that their manufacture did not create air, water, or noise pollution; and that the product is free of toxins or irritants. Available in 7 colors and 5 sizes.EcoChoices EcoBedroom Organic Sheets & Pillowcases
Sheets and pillowcases made from handpicked certified organically grown cotton in Flannel, Percale, Damask Check, Damask Stripe, and Sateen. The sheets are not dyed. Flannel is available in ivory. The others are available in ivory—the natural ecru color of the cotton—and white, which is achieved by bleaching with hydrogen peroxide.EcoChoices Wool Comforter
The All-Season comforter is filled with Pure Grow wool, which is cleaned without bleaches, formaldehydes, dyes, or animal cruelty. The comforter is covered with unbleached natural organic cotton muslin.Egyptian Organic cotton blanket
100 percent Certified Organic Egyptian cotton blanket in a soft brushed cotton available in a dye-free natural off white color.Euphoria Organic Wool Comforter
This lightweight comforter handmade in Canada contains 100 percent organic, chemical-free wool from the Netherlands in a soft 290-thread count organic cotton (from Peru) quilted cover.Gaiam Deluxe Organic Flannel Sheets
Heavyweight, 100 percent organic cotton flannel sheets and pillowcases, yarn-dyed with low eco-impact dyes in solid colors of dried sage, natural, or bluebell. Mix-and-match retro stripe, cotton leaf, and snowflake patterns.Lifekind Organic Cotton Sheets with Hemstitch Lace
Woven of 250-thread-count Certified Organic cotton sateen, these sheets have organic lace Italian hemstitch on the flat sheet and pillowcases. Pillowcases also available. Choose ivory or white (whitened with hydrogen peroxide only). The organic cotton is grown in India by family cooperatives, and is certified organic by Skal.PureGrow wool blanket
This soft, 100 percent organic blanket is a natural weave of undyed PureGrow™ wool from Northern California.Rawganique Colorgrown Organic Cotton Blanket
Year-round weight, Certified Organic USA cotton blanket in chenille and waffle-weave styles. Choose from Ecru Natural or unbleached & undyed Colorgrown Mocha.Shepherd's Dream Wool Mattress Toppers
They've got several organic wool mattress toppers, all of which are pre-shrunk and washable on your machine's delicate/woolen cycle. Elastic at the corners holds it in place. The wool is minimally processed and free of chemical treatments.
Unplug your charger
Motorola ENERGY STAR cell phone chargers
The first major cell phone manufacturer to redesign all its cell phone chargers to be ENERGY STAR-qualified. With a charger for almost every one of their models, there's something for everyone!P3 International Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor
Want to verify that your charger, appliance, or power strip is wasting energy when not in use? Simply plug anything electronic into the Kill A Watt Monitor and the LCD display will display the electricity used by the day, week, month, or year for that device in volts, amps, and wattage with 0.2 percent accuracy.Watts Up Pro Power Analyzer Datalogger
Keep a watchful eye on energy waste with this hi-tech power analyzer. It can measure the energy use of any 120V device, track the cost of electricity, and let you analyze the data.
Install light timers and motion sensors
Aube Solar Timetable Switch
Want your outdoor lights to change with the seasons? Look no further. This light control system looks up your location by latitude and longitude and then sets your outdoor lights to turn on and off as the sun rises and sets. No more reprogramming!Brinkmann Solar Motion Detector Home Light
No wiring required! This motion sensitive, solar-powered outdoor light can be mounted almost anywhere simply using a screwdriver. Put it in a sunny location to take advantage of the free energy of the sun.EarthTech Products Solar Motion Detector Light - LED Spotlight
Use the power of the sun to charge this battery-run outdoor spotlight. It uses super efficient LED bulbs and can be mounted on any exterior surface since it's wireless. It shuts off when the sun rises, and also comes on with motion sensitivity.Green and More Timer Activated Switch
A simple press of a button turns the light on for a pre-set period of time: 2, 5, 10, or 15 minutes. Perfect for lighting in storage or cleaning closets, individual bathrooms, and illuminating other electric devices.Improvements Catalog Motion Sensor LED Security Spotlight
Spruce up your home’s exterior security with the ultimate in energy saving technology. This spotlight uses super efficient LED bulbs and is powered by the sun. It’s got an added motion sensor so that it turns on when motion is detected, and since it’s battery-operated, it doesn’t require any wiring.Intermatic Lamp and Appliance Timer
Want a simple, inexpensive way to turn your indoor lights on and off with your schedule? Easy to use, these all-purpose timers have two on/off settings per day so you won’t have to worry about forgetting to shut off your lights again.Intermatic Screw-In Light Sensor
Convert any outdoor light bulb or flood light into an automated lighting machine with one of these light sensing devices. As solar light dims at dusk, the lights automatically come on, ensuring you don't illuminate outdoor spaces during daylight hours.Intermatic/Grasslin Electronic In-Wall Timer
Replace your standard wall switch with an auto controller like this one. It’ll let you to enter 7-on, 7-off events daily or weekly to control indoor lights, fans, and office machines.Watt Stopper EN Outdoor Motion Sensors
Turn most outdoor lights into energy saving illuminators with this passive infrared motion sensor by Watt Stopper. Lights come on automatically when a person or vehicle enters the area, and then shut off after the time delay elapses.
Store your stuff instead of shipping
Collegeboxes Shipping & Storage
Collegeboxes delivers the boxes and tape to your campus, and then returns a few days later when everything's packed up. They'll store it away in their state-of-the-art, secure facility for as long as you like, and then bring it back to you when you return to campus. Collegeboxes has available appliances for rent as well as shipping services, if you ever deem them necessary. Select your school when you enter their site. Not all services are available for all schools.The Student Storage Company
This company provides storage and shipping for summer- and semester-long periods. For now, however, it only services a handful of colleges and universities (concentrated mostly in the northeast) including Colgate, Georgetown, George Washington, Hamilton College, Ithaca, NC Chapel Hill, SUNY Albany, Seton Hall, and Syracuse. The company provides supplies, which they drop off at your door and later pick up when the boxes are packed and ready for storage.
Comments
2:09am
Very helpful article! I posted some comments on greening your dorm recently on DormDelicious: http://www.dormdelicious.com/articles/decorating_tips_green_dorm_room
10:43pm
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