Green Options

photo credit: Andrew 94

Editor’s note: The following post was originally published on Green and Clean Mom. “Green & Clean Mom can inspire you to try a little harder, be a catalyst for change and to offer you some new tips and news on how to be the green, sexy and sassy mom…I know you are!”

Tomorrow my son turns five, and I’m feeling emotional. This week is a big roller coaster of emotions for me. My son had kindergarten round up, so I had to come to terms that he’s no longer a baby, toddler or even preschooler but heading into the school age realm where the world is much bigger and less sheltered. I’ll explain some of my observations during round up and how being a “green” mom I couldn’t not notice a few things that left lumps in my throat. But besides the birthday and kindergarten round up I head to my State capitol tomorrow with my son to advocate for early childhood services and programs. I’m emotional over this because it’s so important and dear to my heart and the idea of seeing thousands of parents, educators and children all rallying for our young children makes me feel so proud. I am excited for my son on his 5th birthday to be a part of such an important day and to see what his mom does and learn a small piece about government at such a young age. Oh and then there was my skin cancer examination went well and I have nothing to be worried about other than having melasma on my face - which has brought me to tears because most of the treatment options explored are far from “natural”.

I admit, I like The Complete Idiot’s Guides. They offer a lot of good advice packed into one no nonsense book of information.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Cleaning Second Editionby Mary Findley and Linda Formichelli is a newly updated version of the original Green Cleaning guide and is packed full of advice on how to clean anything and everything green.

Asbestos used to be highly regarded throughout the 20th century as an ideal building and construction material. Today, asbestos fibers can lead to the development of lung ailments and cancers.

For the past three years, the Center for Health, Justice and the Environment has been asking Disney to implement a green cleaning policy at their parks, resorts, hotels and restaurants for the health and safety of employees, visitors and the environment.

Some progress is being by Disney, however slow. According to the CHEJ :

“Disney World Parks & Resorts has made progress since CHEJ began its Disney Go Green campaign by introducing some green cleaning products and reviewing current practices. “Disney World absolutely understands green cleaning. Since we began our campaign, they have made progress, but until Disney World shows real leadership and commitment by implementing a written and comprehensive green cleaning policy, their job isn’t done.” said Renée Blanchard, Program Coordinator at CHEJ.”

They’d waited long enough. It was time to act.

I’ve been poor, dirt poor, caretaking a small cabin in the woods working on a basil farm.  During these slim economic times, I discovered that water, just water, was an effective cleaner.  Now that I am a little more affluent and have stainless steel appliances, water is once again my favorite cleaning product!  But what about the smears….enter E-cloth!

Jessica has already shared with our readers her love affair with microfiber, and I have to agree I’m in love with E-cloths.

E-cloth® uses microfiber technology to pull and capture dirt, dust, grease, oil and more from hard surfaces without the need for chemicals.   Perfect to have on hand in the kitchen to clean in between courses.  E-cloth® is made to clean hard surfaces from kitchen countertops to wood shelves to stainless steel appliances and glass (leaving no discoloration, streaks or smudges) all without a single chemical cleaner.  Specially cut fibers utilize pure tap water to clean at the microbial level, saving your family from having to choose between a dirty home and harmful chemicals.

I am NOT a coffee addict.

Am not.

But I dare say I might become one.

I do enjoy a good cup of coffee, but caffeine sometimes makes me edgy.  Though I have managed to mostly avoid the lure of Starbucks, I have been known to indulge in a white chocolate mocha at Second Cup, or a French Vanilla at Tim Horton’s… and don’t get me started about Iced Cappucino in the summer!!

Then I read 5 Ways to Green Your Coffee and I got the itch.

So I bought myself a french press and some fresh-ground, organic, Fair Trade coffee.  And I just had to share a little about the company behind my coffee.

Apple Cider Vinegar dates back to over 10,000 years ago. Not everyone knows that apple cider vinegar can be used in variety. It’s not just for your salad or for pickling. Apple cider vinegar is an old folk remedy known as a cure all for many types of ailments. Not only does it promote health but it is used for home cleaning and beauty enhancement.

Apple cider vinegar is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic. It’s a germ and bacteria fighter. It’s also great for balancing your body’s pH levels. A daily dose of apple cider vinegar is equated to having “your apple a day…” It’s rich in enzymes and potassium.  ACV will help your body absorb calcium and magnesium. A teaspoon of ACV added to an 8 oz. glass of water, can offer a numerous benefits to your health. It can increase energy for one and fight off a cold for two.  At the first sign of a cold add one teaspoon of ACV to a four ounce glass and drink several cups throughout the day. It’s great for adding to a Neti Pot or humidifier for stuffed up nose, sniffles and allergies.

The many wonders of apple cider vinegar are endless. For home cleaning you can add it to your dishwasher where the rinse aid would normally go.  It will cleanse your dishes better and help remove hard water spots. Works great in conjuction with an eco friendly dishwashing detergent! In the laundry, you can forgo bleach for good. Use it to brighten your whites, keep clothes from fading, as a stain remover and it rinses clothes more throughly from any lingering detergent. If you’re worried about the smell, don’t be. ACV will not leave a smell on your laundry. Apple cider vinegar is a great disfectant. Simply use it to wipe off counter tops and even areas that tend to collect germs such as your door-knobs, phones, computer, lightswitches, etc. You’ll want to dilute it in water using a 50/50 mix.

But here goes.

I was sent a sample of Eco Store’s Automatic Dishwashing Soap, and I almost fell over when the box arrived. Peanuts, it was packed to the brim in packing peanuts.

I don’t even know what to say. I was (and am) startled that a company who wanted to be sustainable would ship in a packaging that will outlast my Great Grandchildren. What’s worse is this.

I love the product.

On a day-to-day basis I’m perfectly satisfied with cleaning with vinegar and baking soda; it’s effective and reduces my family’s chemical exposure.  When the flu virus rears its ugly head, however, my gut instinct is to pull out the the big guns: the Clorox bleach.  I can’t help it.  I’m looking for total annhilation.  I want to keep my kids healthy; I hate to see them sick.  I want those germs stopped in their tracks.

Don’t worry.  Knowing bleach has no place in the home, I stopped buying it long ago.

What can you do when you want to avoid exposing your children to toxic chemicals like bleach, but still kill the germs that will make them sick?

It’s simple. Keep white vinegar in a spray bottle, and 3% hydrogen peroxide in another.  (The bottle containing the hydrogen peroxide should be opaque, as it will degrade in a clear bottle.)  Spray your contaminated surfaces with the vinegar and follow with the hyrogen peroxide.

One of the first “green” cleaning products I ever used was Simple Green.  I would clean carpets, cars, bathtubs, floors, etc. with this green liquid.  I even converted my mother to a Simple Green user.  As I became “greener”, I switched to homemade cleaning products and greener labels.

It is only recently that I began to wonder if Simple Green really is as ecologically friendly and safe as the name of this cleaning product implies.

A friend of mine’s baby just crossed that threshold from sweet smelling breastfed diapers to the offensive food eating bowel movements.  Diaper changes are now done in a hurry, especially when other people are around, and the baby has joined the ranks of the rest of the family that can stink up a room.

PureAyre makes several organic odor eliminating sprays that really do work for the smells babies, kids, and adults produce in the bathroom.

In our family of four, we have only one bathroom. Sometimes in the mornings, we can’t wait for the air to clear before another family member needs to brush their teeth before school.  We keep a bottle of PureAyre on the back of the toilet, and it really does works to eliminate odors without masking them.  I don’t really understand how it works, but the strong smells just seem to disappear.  I’ve tried lavender bunches, matches, scented candles, etc., but nothing compares to PureAyre’s ability to eliminate odor.