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Keeping Your Home Kleen and Green
So many people these days have been exposed to harsh chemicals that they have developed serious reactions to them whenever they are exposed again. Certainly the earth has had its share of exposures. Some of us just want to not only take it easier on our families, but on the earth too. So according to the “Queen of Green”, Karen Ironkwe recommends the following:
- Mrs. Meyers Clean Day all-purpose cleaner and Mrs. Meyers other products. They are getting easier to find, but not much. (I always find them in the World Market) Thank goodness Whole Foods is coming to Sugar Land and on a major highway intersection to be able to purchase all the other products that we can’t make ourselves. Some you can find in other supermarkets.
- Planet Ultra Dishwashing Liquid and Earth Friendly Product’s Wave automatic dishwasher gel
do not contain petroleum-derived agents and will biodegrade. Also good are Ecover tablet
and powder, Seventh Generation
, Method dish cubes.
- Environmentally friendly paper towels include 365, Atlantic, Best Value, Earth First, Fiesta, Green Forest, Pert, Marcal, Planet and Seventh Generation. Avoid Bounty, Scott and Viva. The ones to use mean they can be used in compost piles if you shred them a bit first
- The only type of aluminum foil is If You Care 100% recycled.
- Biokleen, Maggie’s Soap Nuts Laundry detergent
- Baking soda will soften fabrics, remove stains, clean and deodorize and contains no toxins.
- Cornstarch absorbs oil and grease
- Lemon juice is an alternative to bleach on clothes. It will remove perspiration and other stains from clothing and cut grease.
- Salt is a natural abrasive, will remove coffee and tea stains from cups, wine stains from rugs and tablecloths. It will also brighten faded fibers when added to water in the washing machine and clean brass when mixed with equal parts flour and vinegar.
- Vinegar is a great water softener and also removes stains and cuts grease. Will also remove lime deposits in glassware and faucet strainers.
Now that I live in rural NW America, complete with water restrictions, composting and a septic system, oh, yeah, and SERIOUS recycling, I appreciate these helpful hints to keep from soiling my nest, so to speak. Thanks, Ann! PS I loved the Got Milk Gas?, too.
I learned the many uses of salt and vinegar from the restaurant biz, but for some reason it never occurred to me to use them at home. (Kosher salt with a little lemon juice works REALLY well as an abrasive to clean stains. Vinegar and a piece of newspaper will clean glass/mirrors better than anything else.)
Thanks for the blog! Sometimes I get overwhelmed by the degree to which I'm part of the problem, and don't know how to change it. Advice like this helps!