FitSugar

PVC Shower Curtains = Bad For Your Health

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 02:00:00 PDT

Air pollution affects our health, but most of us think about the air outside being polluted - not the air in our homes. There are many silent culprits polluting our air from odorless radon to stinky off-gassing PVCs (polyvinyl chloride). It seems that PVCs are in just about everything from household items like vinyl flooring, vinyl shower curtains, and children’s toys to beauty products like perfumes, nail polish, and lotions. Plus PVC is very difficult to recycle and never breaks down.

Since many "plastic" shower curtains are made from PVC which off-gasses plasticizers that are potential hormone disruptors. Plus, they are easier to throw away than to clean once they become covered with mildew. These plastic/PVC shower curtains never breakdown and they are difficult to recycle. On so many levels, plastic shower curtains are just plain bad news.

A simple way to improve the quality of air in your house is to replace vinyl shower curtains with cloth ones made of organic cotton or hemp. Of course you should use a nylon liner in stead of a plastic one. You can easily wash both a cloth shower curtain and the nylon liner, so they will be around in your bathroom for a long time, rather than clogging up landfills. Plus hemp is naturally mildew resistant and sturdy, there's a reason sailors made ropes out of the fiber. Some hemp curtains are so thick, they don't even require a liner!

The only downside that I can see is that hemp curtains only come in "natural" and "white" - not so fashionable. Since the green revolution has begun, I think we will start seeing fun colors in these shower curtains.

And you, what kind of shower curtain do you have? Let me know in the comments section below.

Glee-ful Highlights From Season Finale "Goodbye"

Shannon Vestal — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:00:40 PDT

We say goodbye to McKinley High's graduating class of 2012 on this week's season finale of Glee, and while we'll be seeing a lot of these characters next year, for some, it was their swan song (pardon the pun). Everyone is feeling nostalgic, not the least of whom is Mr. Schue, who gives the kids an assignment of picking a goodbye song. The episode is mostly devoted to the characters giving each other touching send-offs, which made me feel sentimental too.

There's a pretty big development at the end of the episode that I was expecting, but it surprised me by how bittersweet it actually is. Ready to break down the highlights of the Glee season finale? Just keep reading.

Do You Have a Glass or Curtained Shower?

Julia Millay Walsh — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 08:00:00 PDT

I live in a rental with a curtained shower and absolutely love my shower curtain, but I do covet the open feeling a glass-enclosed shower offers. They're also pretty easy to clean - just a spritz and you're done, and there's no moldy curtain liners to wash. Glass showers have an undeniably modern look, though, so they don't suit all styles. Which do you have?

Tips For Pulling Off an Elegant Spring Picnic Indoors

Angela Swinderman Elias — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:00:07 PDT

Uncooperative Spring weather can be the perfect excuse to experiment with alternatives to outdoor entertaining, like an elegant indoor picnic. Matthew David Hopkins, Creative Director of 360 Design Events, insists it's the best way to meld the laid-back feel of outdoor entertaining with the glamour of indoor dining. Impressed by his stunning Indian-inspired picnic spread, we grilled him on the details for getting the look.

CS: Is it possible for most home entertainers to pull together an indoor picnic from their own closets and cabinets?

MH: Start with the place settings. Likely, you can find most of the elements in your own kitchen cabinets. Wine glasses, silverware, napkins, trays, and votive candles (for romance) all add to the look. Choose a mix of special and everyday items.

Add metallic flair with these Antiqued Tapered Votive Holders ($18 for a set of 6).

CS: What's one unexpected item someone should use for an indoor picnic?

MH: In picking out the blanket, you might think - it's going on the floor (or ground) so it shouldn't be too nice. Switch up that thinking and go for the opposite. I have this great tapestry I found in India years ago. My Mom always said, "Why have things if you don't use them?" And that stuck with me. The blanket is the biggest opportunity to make an impression here - so go for it!

Keep reading for more of Matthew's tips on pulling off the perfect indoor picnic!

DIY: A Vintage-Style Nautical Shower Curtain

Casa Community — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:25:00 PDT

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member AlfieCatedral from the Su Casa group:

Hello everyone! I recently moved to a new apartment with a very tiny bathroom, and I decided to use nautical décor ideas to decorate it. Sometimes bold graphics and items can help you to make small rooms bigger, and to me, there’s nothing more awesome at fueling creativity than working on a DIY project. I think that helps you come out of your comfort zone and create something especially unique. And it feels awesome when you get a compliment on a new project and getting to reply, "Thank you! I made it myself." I've painted a vintage nautical-inspired shower curtain. I bought an organic cotton white shower curtain, and I used black fabric paint for the graphic. Here are some shots of it.

Click through to see Alfie's process of painting his beautiful shower curtain, and see how it turned out!

The 5 Spring Cleaning Tasks That Matter Most

LearnVest — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:15:53 PDT

Not sure how to get started on Spring cleaning? LearnVest shares the cleaning tasks you should tackle first.

The phrase “Spring cleaning” evokes images of turning the house inside out, scouring every corner, and banishing every last particle of dust.

But let’s be real: it’s hard to find the time for scouring, much less banishing.

And your time is valuable.

Keeping that in mind, we’ve put together the five cleaning tasks with the most impact - the most “bang for your buff,” if you will. (Although none of them require actual buffing.)

Make Spring Cleaning Fun and Efficient

To help you master this lean, mean Spring cleaning, we turned to the experts.

Two Expert Tips

Historically, Spring cleaning comes from the time before central air and heating, when windows were shut all Winter and opened in the Spring. “People couldn’t do a lot of their cleaning while stuck inside. Now, with proper ventilation, we can clean any time of the year,” said Melissa Homer, chief cleaning officer of MaidPro. “Spring is just traditional.”

Before getting down to the nitty-gritty, she shared her expert tips.

“Don’t expect to blow through everything in a single weekend,” said Homer. “By the time Sunday night comes around, you won’t be able to even think about another sponge.” Instead, plan a set, limited amount of time each week for a month: “I always do Sunday afternoons,” she said.

Then work from room to room. ”People are resistant to the idea of cleaning when they think they have to cover the whole house,” Homer explained. “Start with the rooms you use most.” Instead of vacuuming your whole house, finish everything in the living room before moving on to the next room. "Then your living space will be cleaner, and the results will inspire you to keep going,” she said.

We all know the benefits of a clean, clutter-free home: your life feels in order, and you feel primed to achieve your goals - all of them, not just the ones involving a mop.

Here’s how to get started.

1. Clear Clutter

“The single most effective thing people can do when Spring cleaning is organize,” Homer said. “First, throw out everything that can be discarded. There’s less clutter, so it looks better right away, but there will also be fewer things to be cleaned.” Although it’s tempting to dive in and start scrubbing (after all, these color-coded microfiber cloths are pretty inspiring), you’ll move more slowly with clutter in your way. Homer recommended Target for effective, inexpensive organization systems. “It’s hard to keep things organized when everything doesn’t have its own place. Investing in proper storage makes a huge difference,” she said.

Read on for more.

Hidden Chemicals in These Products May Increase Your Risk of Breast Cancer

Leta Shy — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:50:11 PST

When buying products, reading labels may be one of the best ways to figure out if something contains chemicals that you'd rather not be exposed to. But a study released today found chemicals that may increase your risk of developing cancer or disrupt reproduction in many products, and many of those chemicals weren't listed on product labels.

The study, partly funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, tested 213 commercial products in 50 different categories. The study included many popular consumer products, including "alternative" products marketed as being safer and more eco-friendly.

The results were worrying; the study found that the products contained high levels of chemicals that have been linked to higher breast cancer risk, reproduction and growth problems, and asthma - even in those alternative products thought to be safer - including BPA, parabens, glycol ether, triclosan, and synthetic fragrances. And since many of these chemicals weren't listed on their labels, it can be hard for people to tell how much of a possibly unsafe chemical is in their favorite brands.

Want to know which types of products to try to avoid? Read on for the list.

Achoo! How to Relieve Allergies in Your Bedroom

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:35:57 PDT

If you suffer from allergies to dander, dust mites, or mold, it's time to take a closer look at the place where you spend one-third of your day - your bedroom. Here are some things you can do to reduce your allergy symptoms.

Evict the Offenders
Looked under your bed lately? To prevent a colony of dust mites from becoming squatters in the apartment below where you sleep, vacuum under your bed at least once a week. And don't be lazy about it - move the bed and other furniture to suck up the disgusting fluffs hiding in all the nooks and crannies. If your bedroom isn't carpeted, be even more ~~anal~~ thorough and mop the floor. Aside from washing your sheets weekly, take time to wipe down the tops of your dressers, nightstands, the blinds, and windowsills. Not to make you crazy for cleaning, but the curtains and your comforter can get dusty too, so don't forget to wash them once a month. If your bathroom is connected to your bedroom, check the bathtub or shower for mold and mildew.

Keep reading to find out other ways you can relieve allergy symptoms in your bedroom.

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 12:00:00 PDT

Got questions about curtains? Read this guide to window treatments. - Real Simple
Make some royal wedding-inspired felt banners, name cards, and ring pillows. - Craftzine
Turn down the heat and amp up the fun with these summery fireplace ideas. - DIY Life
A chair made of clothes? Believe it when you see it. - ShelterPop
Pick up a collapsible and dishwasher-safe feeder for your pets. - Shelterrific
Get a ruffly, Anthropologie-style shower curtain for less! - Copy Cat Chic
Get the look of an oh-so-chic eclectic country kitchen. - The Nest

10 Things to Do With 10 Bucks: Spring Clean With These Fresh Tips

LearnVest — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:15:23 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

You pulled out your spring purses and found a ten dollar bill inside one of them. Or you’ve budgeted carefully and have some extra cash. However it happens, we always love finding an extra $10 to spare at the end of the month. Hence our new series “10 Things To Do With $10″ - our picks of 10 major steals and fun, interesting ways to spend a Hamilton (yes, he’s our man).

After a brutal winter (and snow as recently as this week in NYC), we’ve made the executive decision that spring is here, whether the weather cooperates or not. So, here are our ten ways to ring in flowers, sunshine, and warmth - and get a head start on Spring.

Check out 10 things to do with $10 after the break!