13 ‘Going Green’ Myths, Busted
The truth about when to turn off lights or use your air conditioner.
Myth: You should always turn off the lights every time you leave the room
Fact: Turn off incandescents if you’re leaving the room for more than five seconds; CFLs, if you’ll be gone at least 15 minutes. Here’s our guide to the many different types of lightbulbs, and how to choose the best ones for your home.
Myth: You don’t really need to unplug small electronic devices
Fact: Unplug. Even easier, plug everything into power strips with on/off switches. Keeping things unplugged is better for the environment–plus, it’ll save you a lot of money.
Myth: Washing in cold water won’t get your clothes clean
Truth: Washing your clothes in warm or even cold water will get rid of almost any grime, except for the worst dirt or oily stains. Switch from hot to warm water to cut energy use in half; cold, to cut it even more. Even seasoned homeowners make these laundry mistakes.
Myth: It’s better to wash dishes by hand
Fact: Use the dishwasher, but stick to full loads, use the pot-scrubber option only if necessary, and hit the no-heat or air-dry option. And chances are, you’re loading your dishwasher wrong.
Myth: Scour clean every jar you plan to recycle
Fact: Don’t fret over getting that peanut butter jar squeaky clean. Rinse out what you can, then recycle. Or, if it’s a smaller jar, consider reusing it for one of these clever, easy projects.
Myth: Leave soda bottle tops on for recycling
Fact: Off with their heads! Or just stop buying plastic bottles altogether. Here are 10 other disposable items you should really stop buying.
Myth: Paper is better than plastic. Or, plastic is better than paper.
Fact: Paper and plastic are both lousy choices. Grocery shop with your own reusable canvas bags. Here are some surprisingly simple ways to save big at the grocery store.
Myth: In public restrooms, paper towels are better than hot air dryers
Fact: If there’s a choice, go for the hot air. Here are 8 more super-simple ways to go green without noticing.
Myth: It’s fine to leave your computer on when you leave work for the day
Fact: If you won’t be using your machine for 20 minutes, turn off the monitor. If it won’t be needed for more than two hours, turn off the computer. Here are some other simple habits that’ll lead you to a greener life.
Myth: Those ‘paper-only’ blue recycling bins are literally for only paper
Fact: You can toss in newspapers, cardboard, magazines, envelopes with the plastic windows, and even the occasional staple. This is how to recycle pretty much anything.