Organizing In Bamboo

If you are looking for an alternative to the IKEA trend of plain painted particle board furniture you might look into the growing market of bamboo products. More and more items are becoming available at affordable prices every day. Unless you have a fortune to spend on custom designed everything for your home you will probably be looking for thrifty ways to stay organized. Laundry sorters, storage bins, shoe racks, hangers, and cutlery trays are just a few of the items we all need, but do not want to invest our life savings in.

The reason bamboo is a great alternative and an ecological choice for furniture is because of the unique properties of the bamboo plant. It has all the traits of a great crop. Resilient, fast growing, pest and pest resistant and it can be manufactured into anything from building materials like hardwood flooring or furniture to high end clothing, towels, and bedding. Some species grow up to 1’ per day without pesticides or fertilizer, which makes it one of the most sustainable crops on the planet.

We all need to store things and often rely on big plastic bins or particle board shelving units, since they seem inexpensive. Unfortunately manufacture of these products relies heavily on the petroleum industry and their relatively short life span makes them an inferior choice. Plastic storage bins stain and become difficult or impossible to clean and will not biodegrade once they are thrown away. Plastics become brittle overtime and will eventually break. There are often weak points in the design, such as retaining brackets or connectors that break easily and render the whole unit useless.

Prefabricated bamboo storage containers can be used to organize just about anything and will fit inside drawers, closets, and cabinets. You might consider replacing or upgrading metal or plastic clothes hangers to bamboo hangers. Bamboo versions of any of these products will be highly dent resistant and should last much longer wear better their plastic or particle board constructions. Whether it is for your laundry sorter, closet organizer, or that little magazine holder next to the toilet the elegant real wood grain will add class to your home and lifestyle. Most of these items can be purchased at costs on par with plastic and particle board alternatives.

You do not have to be rich to have a lovely home you just have to be smart. Make decisions that save the planet and your money. Next time you are in the market for furniture, organizers, or hangers take a look at bamboo.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of the Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online provider of woodenclosethangerfactory.com"> hangers and closethangerfactory.com"> clothes hangers. For more information, please visit closethangerfactory.com"> http://www.closethangerfactory.com.

Organic Clothing

The Green Revolution is changing how people think and perceive their environment. These changes are prevalent in everything from our food supply, to the buildings we live and work in, and even the clothing we wear. Demand for organic clothing is growing rapidly and is expected to triple by the end of 2008, but many people are still unaware of this $2.6 billion dollar industry that spans the entire globe.

What does it mean for clothes to be organic? Simply that the clothes are made from non-toxic, natural materials grown, and manufactured in an ecologically sound, sustainable fashion. Common materials used are cotton, wool, bamboo, and even soy. Bamboo trees grow extremely rapidly, several inches per day, even without pesticides. The pulp has a fine texture and produces products similar to silk that are highly breathable, UV resistant and antimicrobial. Soy protein fibres have exceptional durability and accept a wide range of dyes, yet possess smoothness akin to cashmere, though smoother still. Organic wool comes from sheep that are farmed on organically certified soils. Cotton is the most widely available of organic clothing products, as it is extremely durable and efficient to produce. Only 10% of its mass is lost during its conversion into textiles. China is the largest producer of cotton, while the most efficient production takes place in California. Its qualities are exactly the same as regular cotton.

Why choose organic clothes? The textile industry is among the worst global polluters. Since cotton is not a food crop, pesticides are used more frequently and have higher toxicity. These poisons leach into the soil and spread to water supply surrounding communities rely on. Farmers and their families often suffer serious health problems as a result of exposure to these chemicals. Unsustainable farming practice depletes the soil in some regions and destroys eco-systems for years to come. Organic farming does not endanger human or wildlife and promotes clean air, water, and soil. Organically certified clothing will contain no traces of harmful chemicals or dyes, an especially important consideration for anyone with infants, and toddlers.

Where can you get it? There is a vast array of online providers of organic wear, carrying lines from simple hemp t-shirts to, baby clothes, to high end luxurious linens, comforters, and mattresses. Nike, Wal-Mart, and Target are just a few companies that have started selling their own organic lines. Specialty vendors carry more unique items, such as velour diapers and soakers or bamboo towels. Typically these products are more expensive. A basic organic t-shirt is likely to cost you $10 more than a standard non-organic version. Hang clothes on organic hangers made of sundela, a product made of compressed newspapers. Currently it may be difficult to find a local vendor where you can try before you by, but as awareness and demand spreads, expect to see more popping up.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of The Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online provider of hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.closethangerfactory.com.