Earth Day

April 22nd is Earth Day and we're bringing you 22 eco friendly tips that are simple, effective, and can even earn you money.  Now who doesn't like that?

1. Stop buying bottle water and instead invest in a water filter and use a reusable bottle. 

2. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.

3. Buy or sell clothes/toys at consignment stores.  This is especially helpful for kids who seem to grow out of clothes every time you look!  If you don't have or don't plan on having another little one that could use the hand me downs-why not try to make a few bucks?

4. Switch from toxic cleaners to natural ones.  Our post, "Spring Has Sprung," on the 2nd of this month talks about wonderful, non toxic cleaners, that you already have in your pantry.

5. Wash full loads of laundry and dishes.

6. Choose paperless billing.  It's eco friendly and keeps paper clutter in your house at bay!

7. Use reusable grocery bags.

 



8. Use rags or towels instead of paper towels.

9. Participate in your community's recycling program.
10. Use tupperware or reusable containers instead of plastic bags.
11. Unplug electronics that are not being used.
12.  Collect rainwater from your downspouts to water your garden.

13. Opt out of receiving catalogs and junk mail.

14. Try composting.

15. Line dry your clothes.

16. Shop at the local farmer's market.

17. Try going meatless for one meal a week.

18. Bring plants indoors to help purify the air.

19. Use your own coffee mug at the office instead of a paper or styrofoam one.

20. Add rocks to your toilet's tank to help displace the water and save on your water bill!

21.Use energy star products for major household appliances.

Happy Earth Day!



pictures are from the following sources (in order of appearance): clipartsmart.com, care2.com, frjamescoles.wordpress.com, washingtongardener.blogspot.com, apartmenttherapy.com, zerowasteblog.recyclematch.com

Keeping It Clean And Green

Now that the clutter has been cleared, let's keep it that way by using some eco-friendly products and ideas. 

Starting in the kitchen...

Use drawer organizers to keep utensils in the correct spot with an expandable bamboo tray found at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Store your bulk food items in glass containers, like these ones from Oggi, found at Macy's.

Keep counter tops clutter free by a creating mail organizer or message center. 




http://fromthetortoiseandthehare.blogspot.com/2010/01/window-shutter-wall-display.html

  

http://www.noodle-head.com/2010/05/mail-organizer-tutorial.html

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/message-center-674324/

Moving into the closet...

Keep dirty clothes at bay with a colorful and collapsible hamper.  Now should you ever be able to collapse it because you have no dirty clothes...then we applaud and envy you!  This cute one from The Container Store is offered in several colors.

Keep your shoes, sweaters, and t-shirts organized with a hanging shelf.  Canvas and bamboo are a great eco friendly choice.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=112412&RN=302&

Finally, let's move to the garage...

Use mesh bags to round up the kids' equipment.  You can keep everything they need for their sport together and the mesh fabric allows cleats and pads to breathe.

Also try to create an organized recycling solution by using colored bins.  If you're waste management company collects everything in one bin, make sure you know exactly what they accept, so as not to contaminate the load.

Now that everything is clean and put in place...sit back, relax, and enjoy your green and clutter free home.

Spring Cleaning: Ridding Yourself of the Unwanted

So you've gone through your closets, pantry, and drawers and realized...there's a bunch of stuff here I don't want.  So get rid of it!  If it's something you haven't worn in over 6 months-get rid of it.  If it hasn't expired, but has sat in your pantry for several months and you have no intention of using it-get rid of it.  If it has expired and has sat in your pantry (or refrigerator)-get rid of it FAST!

Once you've pulled out all of the unwanted things-be it clothing, food, or knick knacks-sort it into two or three categories.  1.) Donate 2.) Trash  3.)Sell (only if you really, really, REALLY think you can and will sell it).

If food is past its prime-toss it.  If you have unopened items that are still good, think about donating it to a homeless shelter or food drive.

You have several options if the unwanted item is clothing.  If they are in good condition you could sell them in a garage sale or to a consignment store.  You can also just donate them to Goodwill or The Salvation Army to get them out of your house.  For t-shirts in poor condition-turn them into rags to clean the house or wash the car.  Jeans can sometimes be cut into shorts, turned into a skirt, or even a purse.  Old sweaters can be turned into mittens or even pillows!




http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/




http://www.notjusthandbags.blogspot.com/

http://www.brassyapple.blogspot.com/

Collect the miscellaneous items hiding in drawers like batteries, old electronics, the excessive amounts of plastic grocery bags, or even old appliances hiding out in your garage and find out where you can donate them.  Some companies will even come to your house to pick up items free of charge.

Now that the clutter has been cleared stay tuned for the next post about what products can help you stay organized.

Happy Cleaning!

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring is in full effect and we've got the pollen and allergies to prove it!  Not to mention the undeniable urge to clean our house from top to bottom, nook to cranny, for that annual thing they call "spring cleaning."  This week's post will have spring cleaning tips and tricks to help get your house in order, the green way. 

We'll start with the doer of all...white distilled vinegar.  It's edible, it's effective, and you can use it in every room of your house.  And did we mention is costs only a few bucks for a GALLON! 

Vinegar is one of the most popular natural cleaners due to its acidic level.  It can effectively kill germs, bacteria, even mold!  You can pour it straight into a spray bottle and happily go about your chores, or you can dilute it with water.  Have a stubborn stain-just add a little baking soda to your vinegar to form a paste and voila!  Stain...gone.  Clean the whole kitchen and bathroom top to bottom with just one spray bottle.  Don't worry about the smell either, it will completely disappear as soon as it dries. 

Baking soda, as mentioned before, is also a great compliment to vinegar, or use it alone for its deodorizing characteristics.  Like vinegar, baking soda can be used all over your house, is non toxic, and costs pennies compared to other cleaners.

Most of us have these ingredients in our home, but are unaware of the endless list of uses for them.  Try using baking soda on your dog's bed or in your cat's litter box.  Sprinkle some on your carpet and vacuum it up to freshen a room.  Try doing the same thing on upholstered furniture or drapes.  It can even rid the smell from tupperware and other food containers...and what's awesome about it is...it's safe!  For you, for baby, heck we use baking soda when cooking and brushing our teeth! 

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a natural mineral that dissolves easily with water, and it's non abrasive so it really is a natural wonder.  You can even use it to remove grease and oil in clothes, in the garage, or in the kitchen.  Have a clogged drain?  Instead of using harsh, toxic chemicals that end up polluting the water supply, use these two green ingredients together.  Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar.  Let sit for about 20 minutes then flush with a kettle full of hot water and your clog should be draining like new.

Check back later for more tips and tricks to clean the green way.

Happy Cleaning!