Eco Friendly Window Treatments

You probably recycle, turn off unused lights in your home, and are conscious of how much water you use.  These are all easy ways of being eco-friendly at home, but let’s take things a step farther!  Sustainable window coverings are a great way to preserve natural resources for the eco-friendly consumer.

Aside from being better for the environment, eco-friendly curtains and blinds help reduce the energy you use to heat and cool your home.  That isn’t just good for the environment–it’s good for your bank account.  Another beneficial aspect of eco-friendly window treatments is that many green products are made with non-polluting materials.  They won’t release toxic fumes and byproducts into the environment while they’re being produced or into your home.

Unhealthy Fumes

Many synthetic materials used for making non-environmentally friendly home goods give off fumes that can be unhealthy for the environment, as well as for you and your family.  These items include wood stains, paints, and vinyl products.  Over time, these products release toxic gases into your home, causing the air quality within your home to be much, much worse than the air outside.

You can maintain healthy air quality by picking natural materials for your window treatments, such as cotton, wool, silk, or linen.  Curtains and shades made from organic materials help reduce air and water pollution because they are grown without harsh chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

Sustainable Woods

When choosing which wooden blinds or shutters to purchase for your home, keep in mind that some woods are grown in situations that are not particularly good for the environment.  Much of the wood used for these blinds and shutters comes from slow-growing trees.  When these trees are cut down, it can take decades to regrow.

A environmentally friendly alternative to these unsustainable woods is bamboo.  Bamboo grows quickly and requires no chemical fertilizers.

Recycled Materials

By seeking products that use recycled materials, you can help preserve the earth’s natural resources and cut down on waste.  Recycled paper blinds might be a great option for you.

You can also find fun and interesting ways to reuse and repurpose used goods.  There’s tons of great DIY blogs and articles online to help give you ideas.

Photo by Andy Melton