Touchless Faucets for the Home?
Seemingly relegated to airport and stadium bathrooms, touchless faucets are starting to make their way into homes, with plumbing manufacturers moving to offer more design options. It’s an idea that may seem strange at first, but touchless faucets are actually quite practical, especially for a children’s bathroom. They are clearly beneficial in that they limit the spread of bacteria, but they also save water. Consider how much water is wasted while brushing teeth. A touchless faucet ensures that water isn’t running the entire time someone is brushing. Combined with a water-saving aerator, touchless faucets can save a substantial amount of water. And, since the water is set at a specific temperature, having a touchless faucet removes the risk of a child scalding him or herself accidentally.
Touchless faucets are also available for kitchens, though consumers will need to do some research to make sure they are getting something that fits their habits. Kitchen touchless faucets clearly carry the same health and water conservation benefits but most are set at one temperature, which might be inconvenient. Also, if the faucet does not have an override switch, the homeowner will have to hold his or her hand over the sensor while filling a pot or doing dishes, though perhaps running water while doing dishes is a habit we should reconsider.
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "do one thing every day that scares you." Until about a month ago, I felt—and I don’t think I’m alone here—that cold showers were pretty scary. I’ve since come to love the refreshing, energy-saving thrill of showering cold. Now, I know that you may never want to try this daring piece of everyday eco-activism. But in case you’re curious, here are the greatest thrills and chills of la douche froide.
If your shower curtain is plastic, chances are it is made from PVC - polyvinyl chloride. Since this is the stuff we don't want in our kid's toys or in every day plastics why would you want to shower next to it every day? Eliminate PVC from your bathroom by getting a fabric shower curtain instead. 
