Freshen Indoor Air Naturally

Commercial air freshener sprays are not healthy; they contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful to your health. Moreover, the versions that require electricity to power them are also a wasteful source of energy usage that is simply unnecessary. Here are some ways to freshen your inside air without resorting to the chemicals.

1. Open the windows. Whenever it is possible, keep windows open to allow stale air out and fresh new air to circulate through your home.
2. Use vinegar to soak up unpleasant odours. Place dishes of vinegar in the kitchen to remove cooking odours. Place vinegar in areas where people have been smoking.
   
3. Scent the air using boiling fragrances. A mixture of spices or coffee can be used to imbue the air with pleasant scents. Try a mixture of cinnamon and cloves or just plain coffee. Baking bread also sends an excellent odour through a home if you have the time and inclination.
   
4. Remove the stink of a garbage can with a sprinkling of 1/2 cup borax at the base. This will prevent bad odours caused by bacterial and mould growth.
5. Place potpourri around the house. Make your own or purchase good quality potpourri. Place in bowls in cupboards, on mantelpieces, in windowsills and on coffee tables.
   

Be a Sustainable Tea Consumer

Even when consuming your favourite cup of tea you can be sustainable in your choice. Here's how.

1. Look for fair trade tea and prefer it over other teas where possible. Fair trade teas are teas produced by workers working under good conditions and getting a fair wage for their work. By buying such tea, you are helping to sustain their livelihood.
   
2. Only heat the amount of water needed to make your cup of tea. Filling the kettle up when it is only to make one cup is a waste of energy and also takes longer before your tea is ready!
3. Cover it! If you are obliged to heat your water in a saucepan (perhaps when moving house, camping or just for lack of a kettle), make sure to add a lid to the water. This will help it to heat up more quickly, so that you can turn the stove off sooner.
4. If you're using teabags, throw the empty teabag in the compost so that it has a second use and doesn't add to landfill. If the teabag has any string or packaging label, remove these and place in the recycling bin.
5. Avoid consuming tea in disposable cups. Take your own portable and reusable mug or thermos cup with you and ask for it to be filled in cafes or at work.
   
6. Use the eco-cycle on the dishwasher. When the tea break is over, remember to press the eco-wash setting before starting the dishwasher. Also make sure that the dishwasher is full before using it to wash dishes; that way you save both water and energy and get the most out of using your dishwasher.