Dear Dot
Dear Dot is here to answer all your sustainable living questions from her perch on the porch. Got a question for Dot? Send her a note for a chance to be featured in an upcoming post.
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Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Is Fake Grass Better Than the Real Thing?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I’ve heard about artificial grass as a water-saving alternative to real grass, but if it's plastic, is the fake stuff really eco-friendly?
– Randi, San Diego
The short answer: Artificial turf is not a good alternative,...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Where Can I Find an Eco-Friendly Mop and Bucket?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
Where can I buy a mop that is made of biodegradable materials and a mop bucket made of recycled plastic? Thank you!
—Carole A.
The short answer: Dot’s number one rule for purchasing eco-friendly products: The...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: How Can I Tackle an Ant Problem Without Toxic Pest Control?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
Did you run an article about ants? I am unable to stop the swarm in my kitchen. Have tried Terro which has always worked for me in the past, but my bottle might be...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Air Dry or Paper Towels?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
If I'm in a public bathroom and I have a choice between paper towels and an electric hand dryer, which should I choose? I imagine it depends a lot on whether those towels are...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Where Can I Find Earth-Friendly Sheets?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I’m looking for bed sheets that are both happy to sleep on, and aren’t bad news for our environment. What should I look for?
—Dawn
My dear Dawn,
Are you the same Dawn who wanted to deter...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: What Can I Do With My Old Piano?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I’m moving and downsizing. It seems I can’t even give away my family’s 1880s square piano. No one I’ve contacted even wants it to repurpose the exquisite wood. I contacted Big Reuse and they...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: How Can I Find Solar Panels Not Made in China?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
I have been thinking about going solar. Apart from technical and expense questions, I was reading that most solar panels are produced in Xinjiang province, China, often with forced labor. Can I even find...
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: Is Green Electricity More Expensive?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
How green is my electricity and is that why it's so expensive?
–Roberto, San Diego
Dear Roberto,
The forces that keep our lights on can often seem shrouded in mystery. But it’s actually not mysterious at all....
Dear Dot
Dear Dot: How Do I Keep Pigeons Away From My Balcony?
Dear Dot -
Dear Dot,
Pigeons are ruining my ability to enjoy my balcony. They perch on a ledge above, so poop is everywhere. I don’t like the idea of using those pointy sharp metal things to discourage them;...
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From Abandoned Ballfield to Urban Garden
In the spring of 2015, when Taryn Koerker first visited the unused baseball field next to New Start High School in Burien, Washington, just...
Yesterday’s DNA is Saving Species Today
Darcy Rhyno - 0
The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), native to Spain, is one of the world’s most endangered cats. In 2002, scientists estimated that the population had...
Climate Quick Tips: Herbs to Go
Harvest a bit too much parsley? Overbought basil? Chop up extra herbs and add them to olive oil, then freeze the mixture in a...
Climate Quick Tips: Arrest Those Pests
Alliums, such as onions, chives, and shallots act as natural pest repellents in your garden. They give off an odor that masks the scent...
Climate Quick Tips: Tips For Collision-Injured Birds
If a bird hits your window, gently place it inside an unwaxed paper bag or cardboard box firmly secured, recommends FLAP (Fatal Light Awareness...