Kapok is a silky fiber harvested in the rainforests of the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, tropical America and Africa. After the ripe pods of the tree are harvested, the seeds are removed and the fluffy fiber is meticulously cleaned and dried.
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Efficient — Foot Pedal Faucet Controllers
Foot pedal faucet controllers allow you to control a faucet hands-free. These devices are efficient and hygienic — they are commonly found in commercial kitchens and hospitals. I’m not sure why we don’t see them in more homes. You can reduce water use by 50% using pedal controllers, and if it’s hot water, you’ll be saving power too. At a …
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Grapefruit Seed Extract — An Efficient Disinfectant
Graopefruit Seed Extract (or GSE) is a powerful disinfectant. It can be used to disinfect wounds, sterilize fruit and vegetables, purify drinking water, sanitize dishes, countertops and cutting boards and inhibit bacteria growth in pools and spas. The active ingredient of grapefruit seed extract is synthesized from the seed and pulp of certified organically grown grapefruit. The process converts the …
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A List Of Lead-Free Garden Hoses That Are Safe For Water Drinking
Most garden hoses leach lead and other chemicals into the water. The problem is that they are made of PVC, which uses lead as a stabilizer. Consumer Reports tested 16 brands of garden hose sold at national chains and on the internet. In some hoses they measured 10 to 100 times more lead than the EPA considers safe coming out …
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The Most Efficient Humidifier: Areca Palm
To add humidity to a room you can place a few areca palms inside. These palms release copious amounts of water into the air, and remove chemical toxins too.
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Unusual Green Architecture In Japan: Namba Parks
In a city with few green spaces, Namba Parks is a welcome swath of green for the inhabitants of Osaka. The complex stands where Osaka’s baseball stadium used to be until 2003, and consists of a 30-floor skyscraper, Parks Tower, and a shopping mall with eight floors of terraced gardens. The sloping park connects to the street, welcoming passers-by to …
The Largest Vertical Garden In The World: College Central
The largest Vertical Garden in the world is in Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education College Central.
Red Tea: The Underrated Caffeine-Free Tea
Rooibos (pronounced “roy-boss”) is a red tea grown the mountainous Cedarberg area north of Cape Town in South Africa.
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Honeybush: Another Underrated Red Tea From South Africa
Honeybush (Cyclopia) is another excellent caffeine-free tea from Africa. The taste is sweet with notes of apricot.
Experiment: Growing Pink Oyster Mushroom In 10 Days
This is my latest pink oyster mushroom harvest. It took about a week to grow.
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The Edible Plants That Are Easy To Grow Indoors
Here is a list of the easiest edible plants to grow:
The Plant That Removes The Most Indoor Air Toxins: Boston Fern
The plant that removes the most indoor toxins and releases the most moisture into the air is the Boston Fern or Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis”.
A List Of Plants That Can Thrive In Low Light
Here is a list of plants that will grow well in the darker parts of your home.
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A List Of Plants That Release Oxygen At Night & Clean Toxins From The Air
Most plants release oxygen during the day. However, there are some plants that release oxygen at night. This makes them ideal to put in a bedroom.
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A List Of Stores That Sell Non-Toxic Home Goods
These stores sell non-toxic good homes. They specialize in organic and natural bedding, bathroom items and fair-traded goods:
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The Best Low-Flow Showerheads
Low-flow showerheads are efficient. They can significantly reduce your household water consumption without a noticeable difference to your shower experience. The term “low flow” is generally defined as a showerhead with a water consumption rate of 0.5 to 2 gallons per minute (gpm). Here’s my review of what’s available:
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Zeolite: An Effective Natural Odor Absorber
Zeolite is a natural mineral which absorbs odors and excess moisture in the air. It can be used as a general deodorizer and to combat mildew or mold.
The Spun Chair: A Sculpture That Rotates You
Our first entry into the MetaEfficient gallery is the Spun Chair by Heatherwick Studio. Is it an oversized toy? Is it a sculpture? Is it a piece of furniture? All three perhaps. I first spotted the Spun Chair while at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. Everyone who took the chair for a spin seemed to be delighted. The chair gives …
Two Books That Examine The Causes Of Cancer, And Offer Practical Advice
There are many books on cancer, but there are surprisingly few books that examine the causes of cancer.
Glycerin: An Underrated Natural Moisturizer
Glycerin is perhaps the best natural humectant (moisturizing substance). It absorbs an amazing 50 percent of its weight in moisture from the air. This makes it an excellent aftershave — just a rub a little on your skin for the moisturizing effect. Glycerin is created when a vegetable oil like olive oil is mixed with an alakli. The result is …
