The Dayton House Recycles

The Dayton House recycles.  Here is one example.  We line our kitchen drawers with brown paper bags from the supermarket.  When they get grungy, they are used in the fire pit.  We like reusable bags but when the only option is plastic, we save that for poop patrol.  The dog eats a raw carb-free diet, so there isn't much to pick up.  We feel a dog is a great rodent deterrent -- unless you fail to pick up the yard.  Rats can eat feces and many city dwellers don't realize that.  It's why we have gravel in the back section of the yard which can easily be kept poop-free.  Every few months we spray Round-up to kill weeds, which is not dangerous once it hits the ground.  But we do that on a weekend we are sending the dog somewhere else.  Keeping the yard weed and vine free is one of the best ways to keep away pests -- crawling and flying kinds alike!

Here's the drawer with more stuff in it.  When we got the historic designation, it was noted that the cabinets were modernized.  There was really not much choice as what was built in had to come out in order to put in new wiring and enclose plumbing that used to run through the shelving. That caused mold and wasn't an idea worth replicating!

The house now has the large recycling tote from the city.  Trash pick up is in the Norther District schedule.  For trash rules, click here.  In the process of cleaning up the house, we've already gotten one ticket for putting out too much trash.  So it's worth it to be aware of the rules.

We do not use an in-sink garbage disposal.  While it would have been cheap and easy to put one in, we didn't want one in an older house and don't suggest any others who live here get one.  The run from the kitchen out to the sewer is a long one and there is no reason to chance plugging anything up along the way.  Old houses just weren't designed for those types of gadgets.   Besides, we feed all of our vegetable scraps which most people shove down the disposer to the dog.  Yet another reason to get one!

Old houses are more "green" than most people think.  However, there are still many ways to recycle and cut down on waste.

And one other old house green tip... old style claw foot tubs require a shower curtain.  Keep them clean by stocking the tub with a plastic spray bottle that is half water and half vinegar.  Spritz the shower curtain after each use.  Once a month, dump a half a cup of baking soda down each drain and follow with half cup of vinegar.  Let it  bubble, then run warm water through.  Your drains will stay clear and you won't hurt your old pipes at all.