I’m starting to think about updating or replacing my kitchen cabinets, and wanted to share with you the options I’m considering.

It’s a pretty big undertaking. Updating kitchen cabinets can be expensive, which is why most homeowners wait until their existing kitchen is falling apart before they invest in a new one.  I hate the thought of tearing out all my old cupboards and dumping them in a landfill, especially since they can still be used. I also worry about buying new cabinets, because so many of them are glued together with formaldehyde or some other toxic chemical that could pollute your indoor air.

Superior Stone and Cabinet Company is helping me explore my options for eco-friendly cabinets by sponsoring this post. I hope you find the suggestions on ways to save with new kitchen cabinets or updated cabinets helpful.

Repair Not Replace

Consider whether you need to replace all your cabinets or just the fronts. These usually suffer the most wear and tear, so if your interior cabinets are sound with no major damage, remove the doors and smarten up your kitchen with some shiny new doors, drawer fronts, and knobs or pulls.

Paint Cabinets

Consider painting the fronts of your cabinets before you replace them. Solid wood doors can be sanded, then painted with primer and topcoat, which will give your kitchen a smart new look. Painting is easy as long as you remove the doors and hardware before you start. Here’s a video tutorial on how to paint your cabinets that I’ve found helpful.

Donate Your Old Kitchen

Donate the cabinets you tear out to a group like Habitat for Humanity, which sells them to people to refurbish. Or, find other spots in your home or garage to use at least some of the old cabinets. The first time I renovated my kitchen, I moved some of the cabinets that were still in good shape down to a new bathroom we were updating. Alternatively, offer the cabinets to a local sports club or community group. Advertise the availability of your cabinets on Craig’s List or Freecycle, or ask around to see if any of your friends or neighbors can use the cabinets.

Solid Wood Cabinets

Choose solid wood cabinets over laminate, as laminate is often glued together using formaldehyde, which can releases noxious gas and cause headaches, nausea, and worse. Solid cabinets are more expensive, but they tend to last longer and can be renovated with paint or wood stain if you subsequently decide you want a different look in the kitchen.

Add Pull-Out Shelves and Drawers on the Bottom

When choosing a new cabinet design, opt for as many slide-out drawers as possible, especially for lower cabinets. This will make it easier to keep track of the food you put in the back. You’ll reduce food waste that way and also enjoy greater convenience when you’re trying to retrieve items from the back of the cupboard. Most modern kitchens offer a range of storage solutions. Be creative and pick the ones that best suit your kitchen.

Add a Recycling Drawer or Bin

Make it easier to recycle cans, bottles, and paper by installing a bin either in a drawer or under the counter. Don’t miss these additional ideas for a plastic-free kitchen. 

Easy Clean Finishes

When choosing a finish, look for a door style that is easy to clean and will not require harsh chemicals to maintain in tip-top condition. Keep in mind that dark-stained cabinets will last longer than bright white ones, which are harder to keep clean. Avoid Shaker styles or other designs that create a frame on the cabinet that traps dirt and grease.

Standard Fit Cabinets

Choose kitchen cabinets that are pre-made in standard sizes to reduce waste. Bespoke kitchen cabinets are attractive, but they take more time and effort to fit.

Use Recycled Materials

Look for old, antique door handles and knobs for your cabinets to give your kitchen character. A random selection of quirky knobs will bring your kitchen cabinets to life. Or, clean up the existing handles on your current cupboards if you’re repainting and keeping the cabinets you have.

Have you repainted your kitchen cabinets, replaced just the doors, or replaced all the cabinets? Please share your experience, and share pictures to our Pinterest page. We’d love to see what worked for you.

NOTE: Sponsors like Superior Stone and Cabinet Company allow us to share our expertise at no cost to you. Our editorial opinions are always our own. Thanks.

The post 9 Affordable Ways to Update Your Kitchen with Eco-Friendly Cabinets appeared first on Big Green Purse.

What is it? Marmoleum is made into flooring sheets or tiles from a compound of linseed oil, rosins, cork flour, limestone and wood flour that’s adhered to a nontoxic jute backing.  These ingredients create a tough environmentally-friendly product that becomes harder and more durable over time.  Naturally occurring anti-bacteria and anti-static properties are added to the mix to help the flooring resist dust and inhibit the growth of germs that cause disease.  You can buy it online or find a local distributor by entering your location information into the website.

What I like:  Forbo sought to minimize its environmental impact long before it was trendy, and has the third-party certifications to prove it.  Marmoelum has received a Platinum certification from the SMART Sustainable Products Standard.  It has also been certified under the ISO 14001, a global environmental management standard for sustainable practices.  Additionally, Marmoleum’s health and wellness claims have been certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. No greenwashing here.

Plus, Marmoleum is a cinch to clean. Stains do not penetrate Marmoleum due to its Topshield protective layer; it is best cleaned by vacuuming, sweeping, or using a mop and the company cleaning solution.

Marmoleum Click offers consumers design flexibility, additional health benefits, and money-saving benefits, too: the flooring “clicks” together in a fit that requires no adhesives that can emit nasty fumes   With its 24 color choices and many design possibilities, Marmoleum is equally appropriate for residential or corporate settings.(It was installed in our company kitchen when the offices were renovated.) The website’s Marmoleum Click Floorplanner lets you create a virtual room, including furniture, to test out your favorite floor design.

Also, the flooring is comfortable to walk on, thanks to the softening effect of the natural jute fiber backing.  Marmoleum Click can last upwards of 30 years without being replaced.

What could be improved? Because Marmoleum is made from natural ingredients, the color of the floor may vary from the sample or could change over time.  Also, the flooring cannot currently be recycled once it’s been used. On the plus side, it will decompose in a landfill without releasing harmful chemicals into the ground, water or air. Also, the company strives to maximize materials recycling during manufacturing to minimize waste.

Corporate responsibility: Forbo has partnered with WWF, the global conservation organization, to donate proceeds from Marmoleum sales to the environmental group’s crusade to protect the environment.  For every square meter sold from eight designated green linoleum floor covering colors bought anywhere in the world,  Forbo donates the equivalent of $0.68 to the WWF.  This translates to about a $50.00 donation when a room the size of an average elementary school classroom is floored using Marmoleum.

Product comparison: Flor Carpet Tiles offer a possible eco-alternative to Marmoleum Click, with the added advantage that they can be recycled. However, it is not apparent on Flor’s website whether the company meets the same level of sustainable standards that Marmoleum does.

Marmoleum looks especially appealing when compared to two of the most popular flooring options in the market: carpeting, and vinyl.

Carpet can harbor millions of allergens, like mold, mildew, dust mites, animal dander, and pollen.  Dust mites live in carpets and grow rapidly in the presence of dander.  Even with careful cleaning and vacuuming, these particles are simply shifted around or blown into the air where they can be inhaled by humans.  Actually using the carpet (i.e., walking on it) can make matters worse, as the fibers tend to collect pesticides, pollen, and mold spores when people and animals regularly travel across it.  The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology states that you may need to remove carpets from your home if you have dust mite or similar allergies. Carpeting is also a challenge to keep clean, since cleaning wall-to-wall carpeting may require strong chemicals that can lead to headaches, achiness, and flu-like symptoms. In addition, carpet may wear out quickly; if a stain on carpet becomes permanent, you may incur the cost of replacing the entire carpet.If you want the feel of a carpet but prefer to avoid carpeting, install Marmoleum and use washable area rugs for main living spaces.

Vinyl flooring can “off gas” air pollutants into your home, including phthalate plasticizers, lead, cadmium, dioxins and PVC.  PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is known as one of the worst plastics for the environment and human health , says  The Healthy Building Network.  Companies like Honda, IKEA, Johnson and Johnson, Microsoft, Nike, and Toyota have promised o stop using PVC in their products, due to the serious health concerns it raises.

Like Forbo, most other manufacturers of linoleum floors use plant-based ingredients.  The most notable advantage of Marmoleum Click is that is does not involve the use of adhesive, which standard linoleum floors require.  When evaluating competing linoleum floor providers, check third party certifications to ensure their sustainable practices are legitimate.

Cost: Prices vary for Marmoleum Click, ranging from $5.50 to $ 7.50 per square foot (not installed). The big price advantage for Click is that individual tiles can be replaced, reducing the need to replace an entire floor if just a few tiles are soild or damaged.

How many purses?  Three.  Marmoleum Click is a superior flooring choice, thanks to its health benefits, eco-friendly manufacturing processes, easy “click” installation and replacement, and simple cleaning regimen. Plus, it offers a wide variey of design possibilities.

The post Environmental In-Box: Marmoleum, the Eco-Friendly Flooring appeared first on Big Green Purse.