Responsible Living: Do Your Cleaning With The EnvironmentIn Mind (NAPSA)—Dreary winter weather and long months spent indoors may haveleft your homefeeling stuffy, dark and in need of a few home improvements. Thankfully, warmer days are here and wearefinally able to throw open our windows and shakethe dust from ourlinens. This year, along with mopping thefloors and sorting through closets, give your home a green makeover with simple changesthat will be as easy on your wallet as they are on the environment. “Nowis the perfect time to incorporate ‘green’ elements into your ing to compact fluorescent lightbulbs and, if you’re in the market for them, purchasing appliances that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR criteria. home’s decor,” says Lisa LaPorta, designer and co-host of HGTV’s “Designed to Sell” and “Bang for Your Buck.” “The perception that environmentally responsible decorating is expensive is a myth. This year, use a few of these decorating tips to refresh your home—and save moneyin the process.” The Perfect Start: Begin With a Zero-VOC Primer Brighten your home’s decor with a fresh coat of paint this spring. Applying a coat of primer and paint is the easiest way to transform a space with minimal time and money, and doing so with your indoor air quality in mind has become an option in recent years with the introduction of water-based, low-VOC coatings and, more recently, no-VOC coatings. Be sure to properly prepare the surface you plan to paint by cleaning it with a mild soap and water and ensuring the area is Lisa LaPorta, designer and cohost of HGTV’s “Designed to Sell” and “Bang for Your Buck,” offers decorating tips to refresh your home—and save moneyin the process. completely dry before applying primer. Using a zero-VOC stainblocking primer like KILZ Clean Start” primer will address airquality concerns for individuals who are sensitive to VOCs without sacrificing performance. Rememberto check product labels for VOC content. Finish with a water based paint in a clean color that matches your home’s decor for a look that’s sure to brighten your spirits and breathe newlife into your home. Light Up Without Burning Out There’s no need to feel overwhelmed. Start small by switch- These small changes can add upto significant energy savings, which may have a positive impact on your energy bills and the environment. Take a Second Look Think that dated chair or end table is destined for a spot at the landfill? Think again! A little effort andless than a day’s workisall it takes to reupholster, repaint and recycle used furniture. Clean your unupholstered furniture to remove any dust that’s collected over the years. Whenit’s completely dry, use KILZ Clean Start primer as a base to cover stains or old paint and then topcoat with a trend-right paint color like bold deep plum or a neutral dark gray. If it’s a chair with a cushion, simply pop the seat out of the chair and cover the existing cushion with a color that complements your new paint job. Set it back in place for a dining room set that’s uniquely you. Put a Cork on It If you find your floors in need of somerepair as youre cleaning them this season, consider replacing them with natural cork flooring. This material is durable and with regular light cleaning can last for many years without replacing. Visit www.NewFromKILZ.com for more information.
