The Green Kitchen: Five Essentials for Your Eco Renovation

If you're determined to start living an organic and health-conscious lifestyle, the kitchen is a great place to start! Going green in the kitchen is fairly easy to do, and you can begin with the basics to give your cooking space a much-needed makeover. Organic cooking involves choosing and selecting locally grown, pesticide-free ingredients; you may need to prepare these in special ways, and create new space in your kitchen for storage and food preservation. Environmentally-friendly cleaning products and scrubs, along with naturally-made serving dishes and cookware are other options for your new lifestyles. Here are a few essentials for your eco renovation.

Cookware in the Green Kitchen

When you start browsing organic cookware lines, you'll find plenty of bamboo, cotton fiber infusions, and natural wood products. Eco friendly cookware will be free of toxic materials, and can include authentic cast iron, soapstone, and . A few brands to try include La Camba Imports, Riess, and Bambu.

Cleaning Supplies in the Green Kitchen

You'll want to choose products that are biodegradable, and most can be used without too many stages in mixing and preparation. You can even make your own cleaning and disinfecting solutions from standard products: for example, lemon juice can help deodorize an area and clean glass. Cornstarch can clean windows and polish furniture, while vinegar can be used to remove mildew, grease, and clean windows as well. You'll also find an assortment of natural cleaning products at health food stores and co-ops. BioKleen laundry powder is a powerful cleaner without any additives with additional cleaning products including oxygen bleach, a natural vegetable wash, and a laundry liquid that's phosphate-free.

Energy Efficient Appliances

Companies including LG and GE offer energy efficient appliances that may also include toxin-reducing additions and enhancements. Not only will you be reducing energy costs, but you can eliminate odors and chemicals in the process. Choose from microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, and even venting systems.

Organic Herb Gardens