About Barbara Holbrook

Barbara lives in Southern California where she writes about technology, design and smart ways to go green.

Green Tips: Stop the Draft to Save Energy

save-energy-weatherstrip

Stop air leaks from drafty doors and windows by sealing leaks with weatherstripping. Weatherstripping will prevent heat loss and help keep your winter energy use low. Loose seals around the sides of doors or windows are one of the most common areas where heat escapes. Fortunately, it is also one of the easiest areas of [...]

Eco-Friendly Markers Turn Your Whiteboard Green

reusable-whiteboard-marker-auspen

Do you love the smell of markers in the morning? Not anymore. There’s a reusable marker on the market that’s removing the toxic smell of traditional whiteboard markers and doing a whole lot more for the environment, too. Auspen reusable whiteboard markers are non-toxic, recyclable and — if you use whiteboard markers regularly — cheaper over the [...]

Green Dry Cleaners: 3 Environmentally Friendly Dry Cleaning Alternatives

green-dry-cleaners

Dry-clean-only clothes are often a necessity for those who work in professional environments. Unfortunately, dry cleaning clothes has all sorts of nasty side effects. The whole system uses toxic chemicals that can wreak havoc on the environment and aren’t too healthy for you either. So, what’s the alternative cleaning method? Perhaps, you’ve noticed signs for green [...]

Avoid Pesticides — Kill Weeds with Hot Water

Boiling water is an organic method for killing weeds.

If you’ve got a garden, then you’ve got weeds. Even if you’ve decided not to manage your garden organically, it’s still important to pay close attention to what you’re putting into the soil. Using herbicides are harmful to the environment and cause particular damage to the water system. They can seep into the ground water or [...]

Raising an Eco-cat: Green tips and Earth-friendly products for kitties

eco-cat-litter-robot

We spend a lot of time focusing on how to make our families, our homes and our lifestyle more “green.” But, what about our pets? Even small animals can leave a heavy environmental footprint if, as pet owners, we don’t take the initiative to make green choices. While some eco-friendly options for pet ownership will [...]

Green Tips: Try Wood Alternatives for Your Fireplace

fire

Make your fireplace eco-friendly by using products such as EcoBricks or installing an EcoFire Super-Grate. Homeowners with a fireplace have a unique set of concerns when it comes to greening up their home heating practices. Fireplace owners, here are two methods you can use to help cut your heating costs and make your fireplace more [...]

Green Tips: Weatherize Windows for Greener Energy Bills

weatherize-windows

Keep your home winterization process eco-friendly by weatherizing your windows. Covering glass with clear plastic or storm windows will cut heat loss and using insulating drapes will hold even in more heat. Who doesn’t remember stapling up sheets of plastic over the windows of your home with your father as a young child? Well as [...]

Green Tips for Cars: Slow Down, Lead Foot

speed-limit-drive-55

Looking for an easy way to make your commute a little more eco-friendly? If you want to green up your daily drive then slow down, lead foot. Faster isn’t always better, especially when it comes to saving gas. The national speed limit was set to 55 mph in 1974 as a way to save gas [...]

Green Tips for Cars: Lighten Your Load

clean-out-your-trunk-girl

Looking for ways to save gas and increase your fuel economy? Then it’s time to Lighten Your Load. Clear your car of extra baggage and you can improve your fuel economy by two percent for every 100 pounds. Are you still carrying around that extra car seat from your nephew’s visit last month? Do you have luggage [...]

Where to Recycle Computer Monitors For Cheap, For Free or For Cash

recycling monitors

Upgrading computer monitors is one of the easiest ways to improve to your computer setup. This is especially true if you’re replacing one of the old CRT monitors. Unfortunately, new computer equipment also creates a dilemma. What to do with the old equipment? Or, in this case, how do you recycle computer monitors? The most [...]