Green Lifestyle

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According to a 15-year study presented at the Toronto Indoor Air Conference, women working from home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than those who work outside the home. The study found that this was a direct result of increased exposure to toxic chemicals, many of which are found in common household products. Of the 75,000 chemicals registered, only a fraction has been tested for human health. Moreover, more than 9 out of 10 suspected poison exposures occur in a home with household products.

We believe that your home should be the safest place in the world.

Here are some of the harmful and toxic chemicals lurking under the sink and in the laundry room. All-round cleaners: Many popular household cleaners, such as Fantastik and Formula 409, contain a synthetic solvent and a spreading knife called butyl cellosolve. This dangerous petroleum-based chemical contains neurotoxins and can irritate the skin and eyes. In addition, repeated exposure to it can cause permanent damage to the liver and kidneys and impair the body’s ability to replenish its blood supply. Many universal cleaners can also contain synthetic solvents that can cause hormonal disruptions. Since butyl cellosolve are neurotoxins and nose irritants, another toxin, morpholine, can cause liver or kidney damage.

Bathroom cleaners: Traditional cleaners such as Ajax and Comet contain crystalline silica, which is irritating to the eyes, skin, and lungs, classified by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences as “reasonably predicted as a human carcinogen.”

Some bath, tile, and sink cleaners may contain chlorine and may contribute to the formation of organochlorine, a dangerous class of compounds that can disrupt the reproductive, endocrine, and immune systems. Some may also contain phosphoric acid, which in high concentrations is corrosive and irritates the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.

Window cleaners: Window cleaning sprays such as Windex and Glass Plus contain ammonia, a suffocating gas that irritates the eyes and respiratory tract. Many of them, such as Windex and Glass Plus, contain butyl cellosolve, a neurotoxin that is easily absorbed through the skin.

Laundry Detergent: Most known powders, such as Tide, All, Gain & Dash, contain caustic substances that can burn your eyes and skin. Other chemicals include sodium bisulfate (a corrosive which can cause severe irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract), ethoxylated alcohols (which may contain 1,4-dioxane and “reasonably predicted to be a human carcinogen”).

Many washing powders also contain irritants that can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, which are a common cause of allergic reactions. Triethanolamine dodecylbenzene sulfonate is such an irritant and is on the EPA and DOT list of hazardous substances. Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes, breathing can irritate the nose, throat and lungs causing coughing, wheezing and / or shortness of breath. Repeated skin contact may cause dryness, itching, chronic irritation and rash.

Automatic Dishwashing Detergent: Two of the best-selling automatic dishwashing detergent brands, Cascade and Sun Light, contain phosphates and chlorine, two extremely toxic chemicals. Chlorine vapors are released in the vapor that leaks from the dishwasher and is severely irritating to the eyes, throat and respiratory tract. Breathing them in can cause headaches, burning eyes, and difficulty breathing. Released phosphates into the environment deprive lakes and ponds of oxygen, leading to the suffocation of plants and aquatic animals and the formation of algae.

So, if you want a safe, non-toxic home, look for natural alternatives that are just as effective as their toxic counterparts.

Copyright (c) 2008 Shelby Steinborn

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Source by Shelby Steinborn

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For those looking to reduce the waste stream, recycling paper is an excellent way to do it. Especially since paper is wasted in large amounts all year round. The process involves the recovery of a large amount of paper fibers that can be reused and transformed into cardboard, new paper or various paper articles. It’s true that recycling paper isn’t as effective as recycling metal or glass, but it’s a great way to protect the environment and conserve resources.

By choosing to recycle paper, you manage to reduce the amount of waste or water, energy, trees and the amount of pollutants emitted by plants that are converted into paper. Research shows that recycled paper can be 40% more effective than construction paper from nothing in an environmentally friendly way. Those who wish to recycle in an environmentally friendly way can use non-toxic bleaching elements, alternative energy and reclaimed water to recycle the paper (not fresh water).

The consumer is the one who starts recycling. It sorts paper types into recycling bins. All paper is recyclable, and then specialized companies choose glossy, matte or colored paper and cardboard. In the event that they are unable to process a type of product made of paper, these companies sell these products to companies that have the ability to do so. In a recycling facility, the paper is divided into staples, types, paper clips, etc., eliminating contamination.

The next step is to crush the paper and mix it with water. This combination is similar to mulch, which is processed by soaking and mixing. The pulp is then used to make new paper, paper screens, cardboard or paper insulation. If required by the process, the pulp can be whitened before it is formed into new paper. If not, the pulp may retain its natural state.

In rare cases, paper is completely recycled, and this is because existing fibers shorten during processing. It must be combined with the original pulp to obtain a strong and durable paper. In addition, most paper is extremely recyclable: before it runs out, paper can be recycled 4-6 times. In this case, the fibers that shorten are eliminated because they cannot be used. Recycled paper contains labels that indicate the percentage of the content to help the consumer.

The waste that remains from the recycled paper includes fibers that can no longer be used, inks or various contaminants. All of this is known as sludge, which in some cases is buried in landfills. Usually it is spread over the fields as mulch or otherwise it is incinerated to give energy to the paper company. Even though some might say that the incineration sludge is contaminating, in some situations doing so is an environmentally friendly way to fuel a paper manufacturing company. Not to mention, if the sludge is used efficiently, producers can reduce the degree of contamination.

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Source by Karina Popa

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If you’ve decided to remodel your kitchen, then you’ve thought about what you’ll do with all your old furniture once you’ve taken it out. If you don’t want to throw away your old cabinets, you can think about reusing them as garage cabinets. Your garage will not only look cleaner and tidy, but all your items will also stay clean.

Here are the steps to reuse old kitchen cabinets as garage cabinets:

• First step – After removing the cabinets from the kitchen, arrange them the way you want them to appear in the garage. Be sure to measure the cabinets and draw lines where they will hang.

• Second step – Next you will install garage cabinets. Mark where the dowels are in the wall, and if the walls are made of poured concrete, you’ll drill 1×4 nail strips into them. If you want, you can paint the walls white to let more light into the garage.

• Third step – choose the corner from which to start and start assembling the first cabinet. Be sure to remove the door beforehand to make your work easier. You will need someone to help keep the cabinet in place so you can screw it securely to the wall.

• Step 4 – If you want 2 layers of cabinets you should start with the top cabinet. Make sure the bottom cabinet is aligned with the top cabinet. Continue to work along the wall until you finish installing both the top and bottom cabinets.

• Step five – Now you will have to connect the garage cabinets together. To do this, squeeze the front frames together and connect them with a screw, making sure that the screw goes from one frame to the other. When done, put the doors back on the cabinets. Since you probably won’t have enough cabinets to cover all of your wall space, you can install boards on top of them for a better look and more storage space for tools or sprays.

• Step 6 – If you choose to install planks as workbenches, you will need plywood to match your open spaces. Measure the area before looking for the wood. You’ll want the boards to protrude a bit more than the cupboards.

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Source by Hannah Fritzie Remington

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Most memory foam mattress toppers have a service life of just 5 years. After this time, the foam loses its ability to regain shape and gradually begins to sag. Many people change the mattress topper after this period, which means there is a lot of waste in there. Instead of increasing your carbon footprint, what can you do more environmentally? The most optional option is to recycle the foam as it is 100% recyclable. Some manufacturers also take used toppers, so this is another way.

But instead of just throwing them away, I have some unique ideas that will transform your old memory foam topper into something completely new and eco-friendly.

1. Stuffing for toys

Why not? They are an excellent material for filling toys. Cut them into small pieces and use them to stuff your children’s toys. You can also make toys out of them and even sell them on eBay or Etsy!

2. Bean bags

A beanbag can be more convenient by filling half of it with pieces of memory foam. Or you can sew a new bag and fill it completely with pieces of foam for a nice decoration to your living room.

3. Donate

Give them to homeless people or shelters. Many of them don’t have enough beds to accommodate the homeless, donating them would be a good thing for society.

4. Car seat cushions

You can cut the foam and use it as a padding for car seats. They can also be wrapped in fabric or leather and used as a head support.

5. Protectors for wheelchairs

Resize and give them to a person in a wheelchair. They can serve as padding and help a person sit more comfortably.

6. Halloween costume

Your old memory foam topper might come in handy for Halloween. A lot of the costumes require some bulges and it’s a great choice for that.

7. Hardwood chair cushions

Not very comfortable sitting on a hardwood chair? Make some throwaway pillows.

8. Stuffing for pillows

They can be used to make pillows for children and pets. Cut them into small pieces and put them on a pillow.

9. Sponges for washing dishes

We use hundreds of sponges a year. Why not cut the topper into square pieces and use them as dishwashing sponges. It’s so much better than throwing them away.

10. Sell on Craigslist

OK, this is not a DIY project. But I’ve definitely seen people selling and buying old mattress toppers on Craigslist, perhaps for their own DIY projects.

11. Floor cushions

Cut them into large square pieces and cover with a decorative fabric. They will make great floor cushions.

12. Animal bed

I wonder why people often forget this. It’s a great idea to reuse an old overlay. Cut it out and make a lair for your cute pet. Cover it with a waterproof cover, the foam does not come off the pee.

13. Headrest

It is an excellent material to be used as a headboard lining. If you’ve missed a headboard, this is the right time to get one.

14. Use as an outdoor lounger

Use it on a couch in the garden or on the patio.

15. Packing, material handling

They can be used to keep things intact during packing and handling. Vacuum storage bags are a good way to store them until you need them.

16. Gardening Knee Cushion

Gardening is a great hobby, but sowing and weeding can be a little hard on your knees. Your old knee pad will be a great choice for making a homemade knee pad.

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Source by Mejason John

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Paperless options for eco-friendly living are available. Making a decision to live in a community and to live consciously global lifestyles benefits everyone. Small changes in your lifestyle open the door to benefit others. Here are some suggestions for using tree-free products and opting out of paper. Influence our tomorrow by making changes today and save the world one tissue at a time. Buying tree-free products for your office or home is easiest when you use a reliable online company for all your shopping. Protecting our trees is one of the most beneficial ways to protect our environment. Planting trees is an environmentally friendly project that can be improved by abandoning paper on common cleaning products and paper such as roll paper towels, paper towels, dinner napkins, bath wipes and toilet tissues.

Treeless products are made from organic substances such as Bagrass; it is the fibrous substance that remains after the sugarcane stalks have been processed and the juice has been extracted. Crushed sugar cane is used in the production of construction products and paper products. Using Bagrass for paper products will eliminate pollution and save trees. Products made of this material are available for office and home use and can be easily ordered and delivered directly to you. Other tree-free substances include bamboo and corn starch.

Bamboo can grow up to 40 inches in 24 hours and reaches its maximum height in one season which lasts 3 to 4 months. Cutting and using bamboo to create paper towels or toilet paper is an eco-friendly way to protect our environment. Corn starch is also a substance used to make products such as cutlery. Products made from corn starch resin biodegrade in a home composting system in about 18 months; this is a huge asset for our environment, considering that an ordinary plastic bottle takes 1000 years to decompose. Switching to paperless paper offers options that protect our environment. Create a better tomorrow with environmentally friendly products. Using tree-free products has an impact on the world. Make a small change today and order your green products without trees online.

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Source by Ray C. Subs

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Does it make my butt look big? Do vertical or horizontal stripes make you slimmer? Am I falling off this peak? Common questions when you come face to face with a scary three-sided mirror in a two-piece suit, but do you ever stop to ask if your jumpsuit is biodegradable. Maybe not, but if designer Linda Loudermilk gets her way, you’ll definitely get started.

At Miami Beach Swim Week, Loudermilk unveiled the world’s first fully compostable swimsuit developed from plant starch that has been converted into fabric. While it might be a bit annoying for some girls before diving into the water in a costume that is about to dissolve, Loudermilk assured viewers that the suit would not start to decompose until it was buried in the mud, at which point it would break within 180 days.

Loudermilk joins the movement of eco-couture designers who consciously choose to use sustainable materials such as wood pulp, hemp, bamboo and recycled plastic bottles, or recycled materials such as military parachutes, instead of conventional synthetic fabrics. Producing swimwear makes sense – if you spend your time appreciating Mother Earth in all her oceanic splendor, you might as well take a moment to see if you are also destroying her with the clothes you wear.

Think nice bamboo wrap with an organic women’s tunic, or if you’re trying to exercise energy conservation while perfecting your tan, wear a solar powered bikini. That’s right I said a solar powered bikini! The suit is covered with photovoltaic tapes that capture solar energy, so after a little time outdoors, you can safely charge your phone or iPod. (Make sure you disconnect them before submerging!)

The eco-couture movement, however, faces challenges for swimwear, with some designers struggling to produce swimwear from environmentally friendly materials. You see, most girls like their suits to be able to hold shape or form a shape, and that’s not the easiest thing to do with chemical-free materials. Aqua Green, the company that manufactures the Eco Swim line, provides a reinforcing “eco-cell” foam bra cup made of biodegradable vegetable oil that won’t leave thousands of polyester bra cups in landfills to puzzles future generations during archaeological excavations. The suits themselves are made of nylon and recycled cotton.

And while a biodegradable suit can only make a small contribution to the garment waste cycle, it is a big step towards sparking new suggestions in designers that, in their innovation activities, perhaps their material selection can be as bold as their styles. Perhaps the new fashion frontier is about being bold enough to move away from classic synthetics and opt for alternative materials like bamboo.

And perhaps one day women around the world will boast that their outfit not only reduces the waistline but also reduces the carbon footprint!

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Source by Douglas Michaels Jr.

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Green marketing is a growing field in the marketing department. Refers to a procedure by which products and services are sold on the basis of their environmental merits.

In this case, the products can be of two types. They can be produced in an environmentally friendly way or they can be packaged in an environmentally friendly way. Green marketing is based on the premise that customers will perceive a product or service as environmentally friendly and then implement their purchasing choices accordingly. .

However, there is one assumption that green marketing doesn’t seem so obvious. This is the price increase for a product when it is labeled green. Consumers believe that since a product is organic, consumers will be willing to pay more for it. This may not always be the case.

Green marketing has its scope for maneuver because environmental awareness is now becoming the main goal in many societies. But that might not be all roses for green marketing.

Some consumers are skeptical about green claims. So, if false claims are discovered behind the company’s green claims, or if a company produces products that contradict the green claims of one of its products, the company’s brands could be seriously damaged. When a service or product is presented as an ecological product and it is not, this is referred to as “green laundry”.

Benefits

There are many advantages of such marketing. For starters, it gives the host company an advantage over the competition. The company may also find opportunities that other companies may not get. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a large part of the social responsibility of most companies, thanks to which they try to give something back to people. Green marketing helps in this.

Recently, even the government has started to put pressure on companies to become green. On the other hand, companies also prefer to go green due to the increasing competition in the market. Green marketing helps a company “stand out” from the competition. Ecology can also help a business increase profits.

Inconvenience

The first disadvantage of green marketing is that it requires a large amount of recyclable and renewable materials. It is not easy to find and definitely not cheap. Green products also require huge investments in technology. Therefore, they are expensive. They also require water treatment technology. Even that is expensive.

After so much investment, the company needs to make people aware of green products because even now many consumers are not very aware of green services and products.

Finally, even if consumers are aware of green products, why would they pay huge sums for green products when they can get the same product from alternative sources for a fraction of the price? These are the answers the corporate industry is still looking for.

Green marketing has come a long way, but still miles ahead.

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Source by Pepik Smith

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Part of the joy of traveling is to let go of our normal routines and habits that we maintain at home. But some of these “home” practices are good for the world and we want to keep them on the way. This article gives you an opportunity to see how we can reduce, reuse and recycle our way around the world, saving money, traveling green and being a responsible tourist. Water bottles, plastic bags, and extra clothes are the biggest culprits in the backpack world, and we’re going to cover these three things here.

Reduce waste from plastic water bottles

My Nalgene bottle is my best friend both at home and on the go. Combined with the cleansing water “magic wand” I have no excuse to dehydrate or create excess waste with bottled water. I admit that in many parts of the world it is not safe to drink tap water and it is a real shame to get sick from questionable drinking water while traveling. But I had no problems refilling the water with boiled water from the tea and coffee table during the breakfast buffet or purifying the water by filtering it through a shawl or T-shirt and then using cleansing tablets or my Steri-Pen.

In developing countries, recycling facilities and even organized garbage collection are not available. The result is that most people burn their trash. It is enough for so many plastic bags (see next section) to be thrown away this way without putting our water bottles on the fire and creating more toxic fumes. However, if you do find yourself in an emergency, a water bottle can often be ‘donated’ to rural communities who can reuse the bottles to carry water, detergent, paraffin or other fluids.

Reuse plastic bags

In Europe and Australia, taking canvas or canvas bags to the supermarket has become second nature; not so in africa. The exception is Rwanda, where plastic bags can no longer be purchased, and Uganda is making significant progress in this direction. But in other countries, you may end up with more bags than products when you leave the supermarket! Where do these bags end up? In those toxic flames mentioned above.

On the other hand, it cannot be denied that a few plastic bags in a backpack can be extremely handy when packing – dirty shoes, dirty laundry, shampoo and other liquids that can explode in transit all use a plastic bag. But I also carry a few canvas bags in my backpack so I don’t buy any extra plastic bags when I travel. Taking fabric bags (for food and souvenirs) to the market means I don’t have to throw more plastic waste into my surroundings.

Recycle old clothes

In 2007, my friend and I traveled by land (and sea) from Tokyo to Helsinki, buying a lot of souvenirs along the way. Attempts to ship our gadgets from Russia were thwarted by a difficult postal worker, so we carried our package all the way to London before developing another strategy. This strategy was to get rid of all my clothes and fill my backpack with souvenirs (I was flying home anyway and had a lot more clothes to welcome when I returned). I have seen many other travelers who have bought special “safari clothes” for their trip that they do not want to wear home – for some reason khaki cargo pants seem like a must on safari even though you have never worn such pants on a home safari and never there will be no more

Charity baskets and thrift stores are often the first choice when cleaning your wardrobe at home, but what about going overseas? I often see travelers throwing their clothes into the trash! Instead, you can ask your tour operator, hotel reception, or other friendly resident if they know an organization or group that would benefit from second-hand clothing. There will always be someone to gain a second life from your old clothes, no matter how ugly they are to you – tailors are similar to magicians in Kenya and coupled with good cleaning, you won’t recognize your own shirt after healing them!

With these three basic ideas, it’s not hard to go green on the road. There are of course many other ways to reduce the impact, for example by using accommodation, transport and tour operators who subscribe to sustainable practices. But these three ideas will have a big impact and will apply to travel anytime, anywhere, no excuses. Leave only traces and travel well!

Share your ideas on how we can travel sustainably. I would like to hear from you!

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Source by Tracey A Bell

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Decals and stickers are generally not reusable, which means you can only apply them once. I’ve seen some people try to reuse decals, but the cost of time and energy to reuse a self-adhesive graphic just isn’t worth it.

With that in mind, it’s just a waste of time, and as they say, “Time is money.” However, if your stickers have removable acrylic adhesive, it’s not as complicated and dirty as it might seem if you have the right type of decal. Read on to understand what I mean.

Preference for easy removal of stickers and stickers

Here are the top reasons why it is better to use removable stickers and stickers:

1. Easy removal of graphics – or replacement or modification of the graphic design.

The most important reason to look for a removable decal is the obvious reason – easy removal. And not because of the intention to reuse the item. At least it is not so. It depends on where and how you are going to stick your decal. You can stick them on walls, car windows, laptops, etc. If you place them on walls, for example, the time will come when you want to replace the old graphics with a new theme.

For example, you have a nature-themed wall; You have placed wall stickers with trees, animals, a body of water, etc. on your formerly empty space on the wall. And after a while, you want a different theme, maybe a lovely superhero theme. You remove old nature graphics and replace them with superhero wall stickers.

Reusable and Removable Sticker For personal use, decals and stickers are usually applied for fun. Car owners decorate their cars with stickers printed with cool graphics to enhance the look of their cars. It is the same with owners of bicycles and motorbikes.

People can decide to change the graphic designs they want while exchanging stickers at the same time. This means that the longevity of their use depends on the choice of the owner. Given this, it is rational to choose removable stickers and stickers.

In an indoor environment, wall stickers can liven up a boring wall. Removable decals come in handy not only because you’d like to change the artwork over time, but also because you’d like to preserve the integrity of the wall itself. It is very difficult to remove the permanent wall sticker without peeling off the wall paint. The choice of the replacement type depends on this consideration.

2. Easy position change.

You can easily reposition a removable decal if you are not satisfied with its initial placement. Please note that these components are pressure sensitive. The more pressure you apply during installation, the better they will stick. If you are going to reposition the material or are unsure about the first choice, only apply light pressure to make it easier to remove and reposition.

3. Flexible print advertising media.

Suppose you have a store and you publish a window decal advertising promotions on selected items. Promotions are often seasonal, so you’ll likely replace them with new ones when the time is right. Why would you opt for a permanent decal?

And this applies not only to promotion. You don’t have one campaign in an advertisement, that’s it. You update your ad from time to time. Large signs, banners or billboards advertising products and services will be replaced after some time. Advertising agencies always have fresh ideas and implement them by updating your ad campaigns from time to time.

Therefore, if you opt for large or large format stickers and decals, it makes sense to use removable printed displays. If you decide to place a new ad, you will have no problem with deleting the old one.

4. Clean and does not stain after removal.

Self-adhesive labels are usually removable. Take note of these labels on brand new furniture, appliances, or gadgets; normally you can take them off easily. And once you’ve removed the labels, you’ll rarely see glue residue on items. Do you know why? This is because the adhesive from the removable sticker comes off with it when you peel it off. This is optimal for the consumer.

I remember that some time ago, when I was buying sandals in a particular store, they put stickers with the size of the feet on the upper side of the sandal sole (the side you walk on). When I peeled off the labels, there was some sticky residue on the surface. It was definitely not something you’d want to stand up to.

And it applies to all products. Nobody wants their new cell phone, new camera or new device stained with sticky glue.

5. The idea of ??reusing stickers and stickers.

Overall, I really have no idea why some people would want to reuse decals. Why do you want to reuse these items? These are disposable items, especially if you think you need to deal with the residual glue the moment you take them off. When you replace them, chances are you’ll get rid of them rather than reuse them. However, with people looking for information about reusing decals and stickers, let me share my thoughts on this.

Typically, vinyl stickers and decals are not reusable. Over time, any type of adhesive back decal tends to lose its adhesive properties. Also take into account that the moment you remove it, it leaves a terribly undesirable adhesive residue. Given these facts, the material cannot be expected to be as sticky as it should be.

Think about it, if a sticker has been stuck for months or a year, does it still make sense to reuse this item? Remember that it loses its grip over time, and it would also be more difficult to remove the one that has been stuck for a long time. This concept applies not only to permanent stickers. Removable type stickers, after a year or two, are just as difficult to remove as permanent stickers.

And one more thing, forget about the adhesive function as you won’t be able to reuse the torn sticker once removed. So make sure you do it right. But on the other hand, even if you did manage to take it off, it may already lose its grip. However, if it has not been too long since the removable sticker was applied, the adhesive may not completely disappear and you can still reuse the sticker.

Nevertheless, if you really want reusable printed graphic displays similar to decals and stickers, you can check the static adhesion. They stick to smooth surfaces even without glue.

6. Get the correct installation if it fails the first time.

If you are into DIY (do it yourself) and prefer to install decals yourself, the interchangeable types will come in handy when you fail to properly install on your first try. Remember to prepare the surface by cleaning it first. Make sure it’s free of dust or any kind of dirt and let it dry. Then you can go.

If you are not a professional in installing decals, you can have someone do it for you or purchase the type of decal that suits your installation skills. Removable decals and stickers would be the perfect solution.

Proposal

If you have difficulty peeling the stickers off and you notice any adhesive residue after removing them, you have a permanent sticker. Permanent stickers are difficult to peel off. Back glue stays on the surface and won’t peel off with sticker unlike removable stickers.

Removable decals and stickers are designed for specific applications. The buyer who buys them already knows how and where to use them. The most important reasons outlined above are that such printed items can be removed easily and without having to deal with dirty glue residue.

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Source by Barry K. Brown

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The misfortunes of a young fashionista …

I got married a few years ago. After some time, my sister-in-law got married. Then came the wedding of my beloved cousin. In the meantime, I have also attended countless celebrations, friends / colleagues weddings, celebrations etc.

I am grateful for happy occasions. Really! But why do I sound a little annoyed? Because in this process I ended up collecting a lot of ethnic party outfits – which I rarely wear / repeat.

My heart misses a beat whenever I see my intricate and ornate wedding ensemble. I could wear it again – to my sister-in-law’s wedding, but only for a short time. The second time it felt so heavy and bulky to me, wondering how I handled it on my D-Day!

I did not manage to repeat many of my wedding dresses / saris as the guest list is invariably the same. Many of the saris I bought as part of my wedding pants did not see the light of day.

I must shyly admit that my size has changed. I can’t easily fit in with my salwar wedding suits, shararas and Indian Fusion outfits. So they stay in neat piles, gobbling up my precious wardrobe space.

Whenever there is a function and I abandon fashionable ethnic outfits, my husband and even my parents dutifully remind me of what I already have in my wardrobe with Indian clothes.

It’s not that I don’t feel bad seeing all these expensive purchases go to waste and my hard-earned money is being spent buying new ones – knowing full well that I won’t wear them more than twice.

But what to do!

Our answers …

RECYCLING is the word! You can recycle your beautiful Indian and bridal attire with smart strategies, a little tailoring and smart curling. Here are some tips you can follow – so you don’t have to part with your beloved traditional purchases –

A. Bridal Ensemble and other heavy items in pants

It’s always easier to RECYCLE your wedding attire if you’ve invested in a classic. Overly quirky or trendy pieces are a bit tricky to remake, but you still need to try.

• Indo-Western look – Traditional skirts, lehengi and chaniyas are often combined with simpler blouses thanks to the latest styles. Follow this trend to your advantage and use your lovely wedding lehenga over and over again. Combine your chic Lehega with a longer, more modest top – in a Western silhouette. Don’t take a dupatta.
• Dress it up – Combine your Lehega with a simpler Choli, in smooth satin / silk – no embroidery and plain mesh or printed silk dupatta. The colors of the new accessories must contrast with the lehegha. Experiment and choose strikingly different colors. This way, you’ll create a completely new outfit – and end up costing much less.
• Cut? – If you have a heart, cut your lehega to reduce its length or flare (remove a few kalis). Fish style lehengas can be cut into two parts; knee-length cut. The thin part will give you a unique, traditional pencil skirt. Add a plain elastic waistband to the lower half to create a shorter, flared skirt. Pretty good, eh! Today, many designers are reconstructing the beautiful Bandhgalas and Kurtis from lehengas wedding venues. Maybe a few years after the wedding is not such a bad idea!
• Chronicles of blouses – Heavy choli and wedding dress blouses can be paired with plain lighter sarees or plain Chaniyas / Bohemian skirts. You can also wear fancy blouses under mesh / sheer capes and long jackets, which are now in vogue. To maintain this style, pair your chic wedding blouse with flared pants or a sharara palazzo and cover it with a long, structured, see-through jacket. If you like fusion clothing, heavily embroidered choli will be your best choice when making a Denims-Choli combination.
• Flying Dupatta – The cute, crystal inlaid embroidered dupatta zardozi that is part of your wedding ensemble is too pretty to waste. You will see how many Punjab women are given simple volley suits sewn in the same color and material as their lehenga. Why? Combining a dupatta lehenga with these plain suits is a great idea. If wearing this heavy dupatta isn’t your cup of tea – slice it! Reconstruct your beautiful wedding dresses to create a die for Kurtis / Bandhgal / Cape or Kameez.

B. Sari

Heavy wedding saris are not suitable for wearing given their flashiness, bright colors, heavy embroidery, thick fabric, etc.

Invest well – Try not to buy too many heavily embroidered saris with trendy designs. Stick to the classics as they wear well.

Change cholis and blouses – Instead of sticking to tops made of the material that comes with the sari, feel free to experiment. Sew sweatshirts with contrasting fabric, colors, prints and even other work.

Reconstruct – Sarees is nothing more than 6 yards of free flowing fabric. Thanks to this wonderful outfit, you can therefore recycle quite a lot. Slice your regular saris to create chaniya or skirts to wear to Navratri and lighter functions, festivals etc. Can also be rebuilt into Anarkali Kameez or Kalidaar Kameez / Jacket. Decorative Palluses can be used as hems on dupatts for these garments or they can be cut to create separate jackets / blouses etc. With trimmings saris you can also create flowing shararas and palazzos.

Connect “Okay, this might sound a little crazy, but you can cut two saris into similar fabrics but contrasting colors or elements – in half. Get a dexterous complexion to sew half of one sari to half of the other – voila, you have a designer, a handmade sari.

Dupatty magic – You can cut your sari to create a dupatta and kameez set. If you just want to keep the dupatta, give the other half of the fabric to a friend.

Dresses / Dresses – Sarees can be magically transformed into beautiful Indo-Western gowns and dresses, provided you have an experienced tailor / designer on hand.

C. A Little More …

• Pair dhoti pants with short, straight cotton jackets for a chic look.

• Wear a long embroidered Kameez over tight leggings and see how stylish you look.

• Combine short blouses and sleeveless jackets with saris for an ultra-fashionable atmosphere.

• Swap heavy volleys in your designer salvo suits for trendy cigarillos, wide-leg pants and ankle-length leggings with zip details.

• Reconstruct your long anarkala curtains into long, open front jackets / capes.

• MIX and MATCH should be your mantra!

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Source by Simol Bhanshali