FreeCycle

One of the greatest challenges to re-users and recyclers is finding a common ground to share items. Now sweeping the nation by storm is the freecyclers. Freecycle is a yahoo group that may be in your area too. Free to post and free to request, you post your wants and needs to your local group. We have given away many clothes, toys, grass clippings and even a broken T.V. someone needed for parts. We have received craft products, games, kids clothing and shoes as well as home decor items. Things that would have ended up in the landfill, were left on the porch with my name on it. We were even able to freecycle our dryer that died to a serviceman that fixes them up for the needy.

If you haven't checked all ready, go to yahoo groups.com and search for your local freecycling group. You will be able to give away things that others are needing, and feel good doing it.

Toothpaste Cleaner

I used to love a product that had a little abrasive to it but was smooth and gel like. I liked it until it started to irritate my skin. Finding a product that was safe to use, but still gave a good scrubbing to my bathtub and sinks was my mission.

First off I found that baking soda and salt can give me a good abrasive quality while keeping my house safe from toxic fumes and irritants. Mix equal parts of baking soda, salt and water together. For hard to reach stains, and tight spots use a toothbrush to scrub away.

Secondly we found that a good white, cheap, toothpaste did the job for little messes. Cleaning off fingerprints from light switch plates and door jams where you do not want chemical abrasives scrubbing off the paint. Wipe on with a toothbrush or washcloth and wipe off with warm water. It's perfect. On another little note, white toothpaste is perfect for covering up nail holes on a white wall.

Weak Tea Spray for Allergens

It's that time of year again. The crocuses are popping up their colorful little heads, trees will be blooming soon and the grass will green up with the first truly warm day. All these beautiful signs tell us that spring is near. Allergy suffers know the time is near too as their noses begin to stuff up, their head throbs with sinus pain and they begin to itch all over.
One of the best ways to cut allergens in your home is to vacuum using a micro filter. Keeping your home dust free and your bed sheets washed will help to bring some of those little buggers under control. Another green way to cut allergens in your home is to make a solution of weakened black tea and put it in a spray bottle. Spraying your rug, couches and bed after vacuuming  will help to settle the allergens down in your home. The tannic acid in tea binds to the proteins in the allergen molecules and neutralizes them. The added benefit is you are using no heavy chemicals that could increase your allergy sufferings. Enjoy spring this year.

Green Rug Cleaning - Product Review

We just cleaned our rugs. With a dog, three cats, and three kids, winter can take it's toll on a white carpet. Even though spot cleaning can keep it at bay, a good cleaning once in a while is needed. While I hate using chemicals that can hurt my kids, animals or the environment, there hasn't been a lot of choices until recently in the carpet cleaning area. I did a little research and found a store that sold the Rug Doctors Oxy-Steam Green cleaner. I was hoping it could help my white carpets while providing me with some peace of mind in bringing chemicals into my house.

How did it work? My carpets look great! We did not see any residue in the carpets and did notice any off gassing. Our dog especially seems to leave marks where he lays, and even though hand cleaning did not take it off the carpet, this cleaner did.

I would give this product a 4 on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being best. I would really like it to be labeled better and a list of ingredients on the bottle so I can use this product with even more confidence in the future.

Buy Reuseable Water Bottles

For less then $20.00 you can purchase a stainless steel bottle that can be used for water, coffee or tea. Most coffee shops are very willing to fill your personal cup with your choice of beverage. Coffee shops on average go through 500 cups a day, many of which will end up in landfills. For the price of two bottles, one for water and one for coffee or tea, you will save almost 600 cups or bottles out of the landfill in one year. If you were able to convince your co-workers, family, and friends to do the same think of the impact you could have in one year.

There are many types of water bottles, coffee cups and sports bottles on the market today. They come in many colors, sizes and styles. While it may cost a bit more at first, quality should be the number one factor in choosing your bottle. You should choose a BPA free bottle with enough room to hold your favorite sized drink. Remember if you like your water cold to get a bottle with a wide lip to accommodate ice cubes. Replace the juice boxes in your childrens lunch boxes with smaller water bottles too. These small changes will not only be better on your health, but better for our environment as well.

Glass Food Storage

It's time to make the switch. Storing food in plastic containers while cheaper in the short term, will forever have it's impact on our environment and even your health. Switching your food saving containers to glass now will save you and your children in the long run. Only now are they beginning to discover the effects of plastic on our food, health and environment. Heating your food in reusable plastic containers or washing them in the dishwasher only breaks them down faster and leeches many chemicals into the meal we were just about to partake in.
Don't think you have enough room to store all those glass containers? Many companies make small glass containers with lids that will fit any size leftover, or storage solution. 

Go green this year by tossing that plastic for some glassware that will protect your family today and the generations to come.