Australian House & Garden

Question: I’m interested in buying eco-friendly furniture. Do you know where I could buy a bamboo dining table in Melbourne?

Answer: Bamboo is a renewable resource that makes beautiful, enduring furniture. One Australian manufacturer making good use of this material is Melbourne-based Temperature Design. “We have the Bamboo rectangular table, featuring a laminated bamboo top and stainless-steel base,” says spokesperson Grazia Materia, “and the Laris square table, which is 100-per-cent eco-accredited bamboo and available in Natural, Espresso and Caramelized finishes. Temperature Design; (03) 9419 1447.

Question: My young daughter suffers from multiple allergies. I’ve heard there are now blinds made from bacteria-resistant fabrics that also keep dust mites at bay. Can you give me any information?

Answer: Hunter Douglas, maker of Luxaflex blinds, has formulated the Sanitized treatment, which is ideal for your purposes. “This in-built technology gives protection against dust mites, odours, mould and mildew,” says Genevieve Marshall, Marketing Manager of Hunter Douglas. “The latest Luxaflex fabrics, Portobello and Caspien, both have this technology. They’re also treated with Duraguard, a process that protects the fabric from absorbing household stains.” In addition, they emit low levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), offering extra protection for allergy sufferers. These fabrics can be made up in various styles, including roller blinds, roman blinds and panel glide blinds. Luxaflex; 135 892.

Answered by Rose-Marie Hillier
Photography by Sharyn Cairns

Question: I’ve recently developed the habit of putting my wet washing straight into the clothes dryer. Is this a bad thing, either for the clothes or for the environment?

Answer: Hanging your washing on the clothesline is, of course, the most environmentally friendly way to dry clothes. It’s also the preferred way for some types of fabric (always check clothing labels before tossing them into the dryer). If you must use your dryer, run it for only as long as it takes to dry a load so you don’t waste energy or overheat your clothes. When buying a dryer, look for one with a drying sensor and a drum large enough to fit a full wash load so you can use it in conjunction with your washing machine, and you don’t waste energy by having to run two cycles, says Thorsten Kissel, Miele’s laundry product manager.

Question: Our family is keen to adopt more earth-friendly habits at home. My children, in particular, want to get involved in the garden. Where can I find information on setting up a low-water garden that would be easy for them to maintain? Also, could you advise me on where to find a list of green products for the home?

Answer: There’s a wealth of resources online which can help you make your home more environmentally friendly. A great starting point is Ecospecifier (www.ecospecifier.org). It’s a regularly updated database of indoor and outdoor eco products. You’ll also find tips, links to suppliers and design tools. Not-for-profit organisation Planet Ark also has a terrific website with handy hints for recycling and other ways to reduce your impact on the environment (www.planetark.com).

Question: Is it possible to have a garden that looks lush but is waterwise?

Answer: Soil preparation is vital for saving water – build your soil up with organic material and mulch. There’s no need to stick to succulents; many natives require little water or attention. I like dwarf westringia, flax lily (Dianella), Australian fuchsia (Correa alba) and some of the new breeds of native grasses. You can still include some exotics – Japanese or English box is tough, as are hibiscus and rosemary. Plant in drifts rather than bands, for a more casual feel.