2007 March ::

Archive for March, 2007

Kermit’s wisdom

As it turns out, Kermit was quite right. It’s not easy being green. Check that. If you’re living on a budget, it’s not easy being green. Environmentalists tend to be upper-middle class folks who can afford the luxury of being green. Check out this article from the Washington Post today. And the author has a [...]

Thursday’s tip: Re-use dryer sheets

When you pull that load of laundry out of the dryer, don’t be so quick to trash the anti-static dryer sheet. Here are some great uses for it:

Dust lampshades and wood furnishings
Drop it in the bottom of a trash can, between the can and the liner to dispel odors
Tear it in half and put each [...]

In the news: corporations catering to “eco-geeks”

CNET published a great article today noting the trend of major corporations like Wal-Mart and Hewlett-Packard to re-design some of their practices and goods to please the eco-friendly consumer.
We’re a finicky bunch, but if major companies like these are willing to take even baby steps in the right direction, I’ll accept that! Sure, it may [...]

Essential Oils: Eucalyptus

Mmmm… one of my favorites… That slightly sweet, woodsy yet menthol-ish homey scent… I use it to spruce up my homemade cleaning products, I add it to the humidifier, use it to make bath salts, and I keep a few sprigs of eucalyptus tree (when I can find it fresh) atop my piano in the [...]

Thursday’s tip: Clean your disposal

Two easy ways to clean and freshen your disposal:

citrus peel: the next time you have an orange or grapefruit (or a lemon or lime), throw the whole peel down your disposal. Run the water and turn on the disposal. The citrus not only cleans it, but freshens the air, dispels odors, and keeps those pesky [...]

Parents Magazine: Go Green!

Yesterday we noted that Parenting Magazine had a (very) brief article on greening the air in your home.� Well, Parents Magazine has outdone them! Thanks, Parents Magazine, for the following features:
Test your GQ (Green Quotient)
8 Reasons to buy a Hybrid Car
28 Ways Your Family can Protect the Earth
Watch out for the myriad ads, but these [...]

Thursday’s tip: Spot mopping ease

Just because you don’t like the chemicals in convenience cleaning products like Swiffer doesn’t mean you can’t use the idea! Don’t ditch your Swiffer! Just keep a spray bottle next to it filled with a mixture of 1 part white vinegar, 1 part water, and scented with your favorite essential oil. I recommend eucalyptus and [...]

Parenting magazine: Clean the air!

This month Parenting magazine offers some tips to help keep the air free and clear in the baby’s nursery.
Thanks Parenting!

Thursday’s tip: Natural air fresheners

I love having a pleasant-smelling home, but I’m appalled at how air fresheners work. They use fake scents to trick your nose, and they actually have chemicals that attack your olfactory sense and render it useless for a period of time. It’s pretty awful when you think about it. It’s like nasal fraud… So what [...]

Lemongrass – Essential oil

I tried something new today, and I’m so happy with the results! I ordered a concentrated organic cleaner that’s unscented, and when I diluted it to clean my floors, I added some Lemongrass oil. The result is amazing! I have beautifully clean floors (even hardwoods!), and my house now has the clean, uplifting scent of [...]