Greening Your Laundry Room & Routine

A few simple changes in how you do your laundry can save you time, money, and benefit your family's health.  Today we'll talk about easy eco-friendly changes you can make both in how you do your laundry AND what's in your laundry room.

Let's start with your laundry routine...

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First off-stop doing so much of it!  Clothing can and should be re-worn.  Of course soiled, dirty, or sweaty clothing needs to be washed, but what about the jeans you simply ran errands in?  Or the blouse you wore to work where you sat at your desk, in your air conditioned office, all day?  It doesn't need to be washed every time you simply put it on.  Lessen your work load and you'll not only enjoy the benefits of spending your time elsewhere, but your checkbook will thank you on next month's bill.

Alas, there is laundry to be done so start by making sure you are always using cold water.  Wash full loads, but don't OVERLOAD.  If you're not sure how much your washing machine can take, check the labels or manual that should list its capacity.  If you're looking to replace your washer or dryer, look at the energy star products out on the market.  These appliances can significantly reduce the amount of energy used in your home.  For more information about how these products earn their energy star badge-check out the Energy Star website here.

What you put in the washer with your clothes is very important as well.  Make the switch to an eco friendly detergent or make your own!  Seventh Generation, Method, Mrs. Meyer, and Ecos are great options or you can check out Rodale.com and Seven Sisters for DIY recipes.  Replacing chemically laden fabric softeners with white vinegar also helps green your wash load.

Once your clothes are nice and clean, try these drying options...

Line drying is, of course, the most eco friendly measure you can take, but even hanging up a few items and using the dryer for the rest of your wash can reduce drying time and ultimately reduce the energy used.  According to treehugger.com, the dryer is the 2nd largest energy hog in your house.  Dryer balls, like Nellie's All Natural PVC Free Dryer Balls, can help reduce drying time.  Another tip is to make sure you're not adding wet clothes to a load that has been partially dried already-this will only cause your dryer to work harder.

Real Simple

Other ways to help green your dryer is by removing lint from the lint trap after every load (this can be added to your compost bin).  Check to make sure your vent is clear from debris to help maximize your dryer's performance.  This tip can go for any appliance in your house!

Speaking of green, do you know what part of your laundry is probably the least green aspect?  DRY CLEANING!  The dry cleaning process is very non eco friendly, however there have been movements to change this.  Check in your area for cleaners that use a greener approach, or even better, ditch the threads that have to be dry cleaned.

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As for the laundry room itself, try buying in bulk to save on packaging.  Also check out these nifty ways to line dry inside!

Lee Valley

Centsational Girl

Last, but not least-go through your closet.  I'll bet you can find 4 or 5 of nearly the same item in there.  Do an inventory so that the next time you go shopping, you're not bringing in a nearly identical black shirt or a 3rd cream cardigan.

These simple steps can really help your environment and save you a few pennies as well!  Now who doesn't feel good about that?

Feel free to comment about other ways you go green in the laundry room here or on our facebook wall!

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. 




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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!




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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!