Top 10 Reasons to Go Green with Home Cleaning Today

Why go green with home cleaning? I have found that there are a number of ways my family and I can benefit from cutting out the commercial cleaners and going green today. I feel much better about using alternative cleaning products in my home; these are just ten reasons to go green with home cleaning. 

1. You can save money. I haven't purchased cleaning products from the store since I started making my own at home. By using items I find in my own kitchen, which costs just pennies (or less) per use, I have saved a substantial amount of money. Many stores sell green cleaning products, but if you learn how to make your own, you can save a lot of money. 

(c) Tonya Mickelson 2014

2. Your health will benefit. Most commercial cleaning products, including laundry detergent, glass cleaner and bathroom cleaners, contain harmful ingredients that, when inhaled, can be toxic to your health. You might not even realize their impact until you stop using these products and go green with home cleaning. 

3. Your family will be healthier. Everyone in the house benefits from green cleaning: your spouse, the kids and even the family pets. The toxic chemicals have a much stronger impact on animals and small children than healthy adults. 

4. You can preserve the environment. Toxins from these cleaning products may directly or indirectly impact the environment. For example, when they are washed down the drain, these chemicals remain in the water that reaches local aquatic life, potentially killing them. 

5. Cleaning is much simpler. You won't need to buy a different product for each task; many household items can be used for cleaning multiple areas of the house. Vinegar, for example, is the main ingredient in almost all of my homemade products, from glass cleaner to floor cleaner. 

Click to learn more about green all-purpose sprays

6. You will save a trip to the store. When you run out of your homemade all-purpose spray, there is no need to make a trip to the store. Instead, simply whip up a new batch using ingredients that can be found in the kitchen for mere pennies. 

7. Your immune system will benefit. By avoiding harsh cleaning agents, your body will be able to build up a natural defense system and, therefore, will be able to fight off the flu and common colds much more effectively. 

8. Indoor air quality will be improved. Every time they are used, chemicals from commercial cleaning products seep into the indoor air you breathe. By removing these products from the home and going green with home cleaning, you can breathe easier knowing that your home has cleaner air. 

9. They are just as effective. Too many people associate the strong chemical odor with a "clean" smell. Because green cleaners don't smell so strong, does that mean your house isn't getting clean? I've haven't yet had a problem with my homemade products getting the house clean. 

10. You will be a role model. When others, particularly the younger generation, see that you are cleaning your house with healthier products, they will be inclined to do the same. Today, you can teach them the benefits of using green products to clean the home.

Three Toxic Chemicals That Could Be in Your Child's Toys

Beware of toxic chemicals in toys

A child's exposure to toxic chemicals can lead to many adverse effects, including bone softening, kidney problems, liver toxicity, estrogenic effects and more, depending on the exposed chemical. The frequent hand-to-mouth movement we often see in young children creates a pathway for toxic chemicals in toys and other items to enter their bodies. The same is true of chew toys that are made for our beloved pets, who ingest the chemicals in those toys during play. 

followtheseinstructions / https://www.flickr.com/photos/followtheseinstructions/

 Although there are laws and regulations regarding toys for children and pets, some companies still allow some of these harmful chemicals into their product. 

Lead

 

Children, infants and fetuses are most vulnerable to lead (Pb). Lead is a neurotoxicant that is harmful to the organs and most systems in the body. It can be found in painted toys and jewelry that has leaded metal clasps, chains or charms. It is used as a stabilizer in some toys that are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, but can leach out when kids handle them -- particularly when they come into mouth contact. Although the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) regulates lead in children's products, you can avoid problems by giving your children unpainted toys, like wooden blocks. 

Phthalates

 

Phthalates have been found to be reproductive and developmental toxicants. They can damage the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs. Rubber ducks and teething rings could potentially contain phthalates. Phthalates are used as softeners in PVC plastics, but they are not bound to the plastic substrate, so they can leach out when children are playing with toys that contain this toxic chemical. The CPSIA regulates six phthalates in products for children but, to be safe, avoid giving your child toys that are made of PVC plastics. Look for items labeled "PVC free." 

Bisphenol A (BPA)

 

BPA is used in manufacturing polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. We recently learned that baby bottles (as well as some canned food and dental sealants) contained BPA, and some companies might still be using it. This chemical has estrogenic effects and can have developmental, neural and reproductive toxicants. It has also been linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Exposure to pregnant women may even have an effect on the developing fetus. Look for toys labeled "BPA free."

Although the toys we played with as children may have contained harmful chemicals, it is somewhat reassuring to know that there are safer toys on the market today. Still, it is always a good idea to research and read labels before giving new toys to your children or pets, since not all toxic chemicals are regulated around the world yet. 

References:
Environmental Science & Technology Feature

Safe Sunscreen Options for All Year-Round

Go Green in 2014: Week 31

We are constantly told to wear sunscreen, yet how many of us actually wear it on a daily basis? I used to wear face moisturizer with sunscreen every day, but since I quit buying commercial products, I don't anymore. I don't spend a lot of time outdoors anyway, and I think a small amount of daily unprotected sun exposure can be a good thing. But what about those days when we spend a lot of time in the sun? I haven't bought sunscreen in a while because I have heard conflicting information about its benefits, including that it may promote skin cancer growth (source), and have decided that I would rather go without. However, that's actually not necessary. Did you know that you might already have a safer alternative in your home?

There are various products, which you might find in your kitchen, that can help filter the sun's rays.

Natural sunscreen options

• Coconut oil, SPF 4-6
• Shea butter, SPF 4-6
• Almond oil, SPF 5
• Carrot seed oil, SPF 35-40
• Red raspberry seed oil, SPF 25-50

Any of these products could be applied directly to the skin as a daily moisturizer that will also protect against the sun. I haven't tried them all, so I'm not sure if there are any negative effects caused by using them. I do know that coconut oil leaves my face looking a bit greasy, but in small doses, it might work for you.

Some of these products have a higher SPF than others; however, they don't have to be used alone. They can also be combined into a custom sunscreen blend.

Homemade sunscreen recipe

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup lotion (non-toxic, preferably homemade)
• .4 - 1.6 oz. uncoated, non-nano zinc oxide

Directions:

1. Warm the lotion (using warm bath water) and mix it with the zinc in a food processor. The more zinc you use, the higher sun protection you will get.
2. Store the sunscreen the same way you would store the lotion; certain oils may require it to be stored in the fridge.
3. Apply before sun exposure. There is no need to wait before going outside because it will be effective immediately.
4. Reapply sunscreen after swimming, since it is not waterproof.

Notes: You can add essential oils for fragrance and cocoa powder to tint the sunscreen; the zinc oxide can leave you looking a bit pasty.

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**Disclosure: Although this post may contain affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, think about trying one of the above natural sunscreen options.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Simple Ideas for "Greening" Your Coffee and/or Tea Habit

Go Green in 2014: Week 30

Ahh! The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts through the house....

We enjoy drinking coffee and hot tea in our house, as many of you probably do. And like with many other aspects of life, there are various ways to "green" our coffee and/or tea habits.

First, you might want to consider where your hot beverages came from. Maybe you've never thought about it, but coffee and tea can be acquired from organically- and sustainably-grown sources. And hopefully it is fair trade. It's not always easy to find products that fit all these requirements; I won't claim that everything I buy has these certifications. Not even close...but every little bit helps.

Let's go over some of the reasons why it's a good idea to look for these certifying logos.

Why choose "organic" and "fair trade"

• Organic farming relies on techniques like crop rotation, green manure, compost, and biological pest control, rather than harmful fertilizers and pesticides. Look for the USDA Organic seal on the packaging to be sure a product is actually organic.
• Fair trade is a system of exchange that ensures farmers and workers are justly compensated for their products and services (source). Look for the fair trade logo on packaging to be sure a product is fair trade-certified.
• Additionally, a product might be advertised as being "sustainably grown", which basically means it was produced without harming the eco-system. Sustainable agriculture reduces the risk of topsoil depletion and groundwater contamination, the decline of family farms, the continued neglect of the living and working conditions for farm laborers, the increasing costs of production, and the disintegration of economic and social conditions in rural communities (source).

Ideas for reducing coffee and tea waste

Another aspect of going green is trying to reduce waste every way we can. When it comes to our hot beverages, reducing the amount of wasted packaging is a huge step in the process of "going green". And believe it or not, we can actually reuse those old coffee grounds and tea leaves in various ways, as well.

Ways to eliminate packaging waste

• Rather than using disposable cups at home, use washable mugs - and if you like to pick up coffee at the gas station, make sure to have a travel mug along so you can reduce waste (and maybe even get a discount on your coffee??).
• Buy larger containers of coffee grounds and bigger boxes of tea to reduce packaging waste.
• Instead of buying individual K-Cups (for Keurig brewers), get a reusable mesh filter (affiliate link) that you can fill with your own grounds and wash between uses.
• Invest in a tea ball or loose leaf infuser (affiliate link) that can be used for straining tea leaves; this is a great way for tea enthusiasts to reduce packaging waste.
• Look for products with biodegradable packaging, and add them to your compost pile.
• Compost your coffee filters.
• Recycle packaging where you can: plastic containers and coffee tins, plastic wrapping, and cardboard boxes.

Ways to reuse coffee grounds

• Compost your used coffee grounds.
• Reuse coffee grounds in homemade body products, such as body and facial scrubs.
• Remove odors from your hands by rubbing used coffee grounds between them before washing with warm water and soap.
• Keep pests out of your garden by sprinkling coffee grounds around problem areas. This also helps keep cats away from your plants.
• Fertilize plants, inside and outside the house, by sprinkling used coffee grounds in the soil where they grow. It may seem strange, but plants love coffee!

Ways to reuse tea leaves

• Compost your used tea leaves.
• Soothe tired eyes with cooled tea bags; simply place them under the eyes for as long as it is enjoyable.
• Use cooled tea bags as a cold compress for the relief of bug bites, burns, and bruises.
• Or, use them as a hot compress to heal pinkeye, canker sores, and fever blisters. They can even help treat plantar warts by drawing out the infection.
• Feed your plants with used tea leaves. Sprinkle them in the soil around houseplants or in your garden to help it grow.
• Absorb odors in the fridge with used tea bags.
• Soak in a bath of warm tea; run the bath water over several used tea bags and soak for at least twenty minutes to soften your skin.

Now that we've gone over a few simple ideas for "greening" your coffee and/or tea habit, which to you prefer: coffee or tea? What are some of your favorite ways to reduce waste or reuse old coffee grounds/tea leaves?

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*Disclaimer: Although this post may contain affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, think about the ways you can go green with your coffee and tea and consider giving them a try.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Deodorant Alternatives and Natural Odor-Eliminating Ideas

Go Green in 2014: Week 29

 
It's not easy to give up deodorant. You probably count on that trusty ol' stick of deo to get you through the day without stinking. However, deodorant contains ingredients that can cause reactions in some people. My husband, Dan, is sensitive to the aluminum that is in most deodorant sticks, and it's not easy to find aluminum-free deodorant. I've never had a problem with it, but about a year ago, I decided that I wanted to stop using store-bought deodorant. So I decided to start making my own (recipe below).

It worked really well. Unfortunately, it turned out that I was sensitive to the baking soda in the homemade deodorant. The longer I used it, the more rashy my armpits became. I started using plain coconut oil instead, and it seemed to work - until a particularly sweaty day. So I gave that up and started using Dan's Arm & Hammer Essentials (affiliate link) deodorant stick, which actually contains baking soda, but in a smaller ratio, so it doesn't seem to bother me.

Once I get around to buying some arrowroot powder, I want to start making my own deodorant again. This time, I'll replace part of the baking soda with arrowroot powder, which is not nearly as harsh. I'll share both recipes so you can decide which you want to try.

Homemade deodorant with baking soda

Ingredients:

• 1 part coconut oil
• 1 part baking soda

Directions: 

1. Measure one part baking soda into a container of your choice.
2. Add one part liquid coconut oil (heat the jar in warm water if the oil is solid). 
3. Stir and allow the deodorant to cool. It may be either firm or soft, depending on the temperature of the room.
4. Use clean fingers to scoop a small amount of homemade deodorant and apply to the armpit area. It will soften and become spreadable with the warmth of your skin. 
5. Allow it to dry for a moment to avoid staining your clothes.

Homemade deodorant with arrowroot powder

Ingredients:

• 1 part baking soda
• 1 part arrowroot powder
• 2 parts coconut oil

Directions:

1. Measure one part baking soda and one part arrowroot powder into a container of your choice.
2. Add two parts liquid coconut oil (heat the jar in warm water if the oil is solid). 
3. Stir and allow the deodorant to cool. It may be either firm or soft, depending on the temperature of the room.
4. Use clean fingers to scoop a small amount of homemade deodorant and apply to the armpit area. It will soften and become spreadable with the warmth of your skin. 
5. Allow it to dry for a moment to avoid staining your clothes.

Note: Optionally, you can add essential oils of your choice to the deodorant. Simply add a few drops at a time to the mixture before stirring, adding more until you have reached the desired fragrance.

Odor-eliminating ideas to stay fresh naturally

• Eat as clean as possible. A clean diet can help your body product less odor naturally.
• Shave armpits frequently. By removing hair (and loose skin cells) in this area, your body will be better able to cool off without emitting a foul smell.
• Supplement with magnesium. Supplementing with magnesium has been said to help fight body odor. The best way to do so is with magnesium oil, which is applied topically and absorbed through the skin. I like to apply a small amount directly on my armpits (although not immediately after shaving - ouch!). Here's the brand I use (affiliate link).
• I think it goes without saying, but of course, showering or bathing regularly helps to eliminate bodily odors....

What natural methods have you found to help eliminate body odors and feel fresh? If you try either of the recipes above, I would be interested in hearing how they worked for you.

Remember: You may go through an adjustment period after dropping the commercial deodorant sticks and picking up a more natural alternative. Give it a couple weeks, and keep as fresh as possible by following the above tips for eliminating odor.

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**Disclosure: Although this post may contain affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, consider making the switch to a safer method of eliminating body odor. 

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Air Freshener Recipes & Ideas for DIY Home Fragrance

Go Green in 2014: Week 28

Do you worry about the way your house smells when you have visitors? I never used to, but lately I have been particularly conscious about it, especially since we have pets. I also cook more now that we have a larger kitchen, so the trash can and food disposal can be major sources of odor.

Let's look at some of the ways we can eliminate odor, and ways we can fragrance our homes, naturally. I'll just assume you've already opened the windows, which is a great way to eliminate bad smells while letting in a fresh breeze.

If your home has an odor, the first step is to cut it off at the source. Then, you may want to add a bit of fragrance to the indoors. There are so many ways to freshen the air in your home with essential oils, and it's so easy to do, that once you get rid of your store-bought air fresheners, you should never have to buy them again.

Note: Stick around until the end for some great essential oil combination ideas!

Ways to freshen air naturally

• Eliminate garbage odors by sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of the new liner each time you take out the trash. Also, run the garbage disposal frequently to keep odors at bay, even if you don't put food in it very often.
• Freshen the bathroom by placing a few drops of your favorite essential oil on the inside of the cardboard in a roll of toilet paper. Each time you tear off a piece, a little bit of fragrance will be released.
• In a matter of minutes, you can achieve the scent of freshly-baked sugar cookies by placing a few drops of vanilla extract on a cookie sheet and baking it in the oven. This is a great trick to help sell your home, especially during the holidays.
• Place a few drops of your favorite essential oil(s) on a couple cotton balls, then hide them around the house for a fresh, but subtle, scent.
• Or, try the natural, DIY air freshener recipes below...

Air freshener spray recipe

Ingredients:

•  (1) 16-oz spray bottle or (2) 8-oz spray bottles
• 1 tsp. vodka or rubbing alcohol
• 25-30 drops your choice essential oil(s)
• 2 cups distilled or spring water

Directions:

1. Combine the essential oils with the alcohol in your spray bottles; if you are splitting the recipe between two smaller bottles, do that now. 
2. Add two cups of water to the spray bottle, or one cup to each of the smaller ones.  
3. Shake well before each use. Spray your homemade air freshener into the air, avoiding spraying it directly onto clothing or furniture.

Wax warmer refill recipe

Ingredients:

•  1 Tbsp. coconut oil (affiliate link)
• 25-30 drops your choice essential oil(s)

Directions:

1. Place the coconut oil in the ceramic bowl of your warmer and heat it up.
2. Meanwhile, place the drops of essential oil in the bowl with the coconut oil. Once it heats up, the fragrance will be released.
3. Add more drops of essential oil as needed; also, refresh the coconut oil as needed. When it cools, the coconut oil may harden again, or it may remain liquid, depending on the temperature inside your house.

Reed diffuser refill recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. carrier oil, such as jojoba
• 25-30 drops your choice essential oil(s)

Directions:

1. In the bottom of a small jar or vase, mix together the carrier oil (choose an oil that always remains liquid) and the essential oils. 
2. Add the reeds to the jar or vase and you will soon be able to smell your homemade air freshener. Refresh the oils as needed.

Essential oil combination suggestions

Odor Neutralizer: To get rid of unpleasant odors in the home, combine 15 drops of lemon oil with 10 drops of eucalyptus.

Citrus Lavender Blend: Combine 15 drops grapefruit oil with 10 drops lavender to achieve this pleasant aroma.

Insect Repellent: Keep insects out of the house with a blend of 10 drops lemon oil, 8 drops lavender and 8 drops rosemary.

Smoke Eliminator: Need to get rid of a smoky smell in the house? Mix 15 drops of peppermint oil with 15 drops of lime.

Sensual Aroma: Create a natural aphrodisiac fragrance with 15 drops of patchouli oil and 10 drops ylang-ylang.

Uplifting Citrus Blend: You can use either a combination of clary sage, lemon and lavender -- or a combination of grapefruit, lemon, orange and cinnamon essential oil.

Germ Terminator: Does someone in the house have a cold? Spritz some natural air freshener that has a combination of eucalyptus, lavender and rosemary oils to get rid of lingering germs.

What are your favorite ways to fragrance the home naturally with essential oils? Do you have a favorite oil blend?

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**Disclosure: Although this post may contain affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, use the above ideas to make your own, non-toxic air freshener.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Making the Switch to Cloth Napkins & "Unpaper" Towels

Go Green in 2014: Week 27

Why use cloth napkins and "unpaper" towels? The main reason I wanted to make the switch was to reduce waste. Although we rarely use paper napkins in our house, we do use paper towels on a pretty regular basis. I'll admit, they are handy: Just tear off a piece, clean up your mess, and toss it away.

The second reason to make the switch is to save money. Although it does cost money to wash laundry, napkins and small cloths take up very little space in the machine, so we can just toss them in along with the rest of the dirty laundry.

Finally, I just like the idea of using cloth napkins and decorative pieces of cloth for cleaning up small messes. They can be cute, and perhaps, even add an elegant touch to a dinner party. Best of all? You actually don't have to make a huge initial investment in your collection.

Where to buy cloth napkins and "unpaper" towels

• You can, of course, buy cloth napkins brand-new in department stores or order them online if you wish.
• There are numerous stores at Etsy.com that sell various styles of decorative cloth "unpaper" towels, as well as sets of cloth napkins.
• You could follow the route I took and look at thrift stores for gently-used sets of cloth napkins (pictured above, you can see the set of eight that I recently bought for less than $5 at the Salvation Army).
• Or, you could buy fabric in a pattern you like and create your own paper product alternative at home.

Have you purchased a set of cloth napkins or a reusable paper towel alternative? Where did you buy them from?

DIY ideas for no-sew cloth napkins and reusable towels

As someone who hasn't quite mastered the art of sewing (yet!), I love the idea of no-sew cloth napkins. Keep scrolling down for three no-sew ideas.

Cut up old sheets to use as cloth napkins

Flat sheets are easier to work with, but fitted sheets could work too, once the elastic band is removed from the edges. Measure and cut cotton or linen sheets to the desired sizes, pre-washing if they are brand new. Once they have been used and washed a time or two, the edges might start to curl up a little, but they should work still.

Or, here's how I made fancy, no-sew linen cloth napkins (inspired by the blog On Sutton Place):

1.  First, buy a piece of fabric in the color or pattern of your choice. I found a couple pieces at the local thrift store that I liked. Measure and cut the fabric into your desired napkin size, keeping in mind that they will be slightly smaller on each side once finished.

2. Start pulling out the threads on each edge, creating a frayed look, until the frays are about a quarter of an inch long. Trim each edge to neatly finish it off.

3. Wash your cloth napkins and trim the edges a little more if needed. Mine didn't turn out to be the exact same size - they aren't even perfectly square - but that's okay. As long as they are pretty close to the same size, slight imperfections shouldn't be noticeable.

Replace paper towels with washcloths

I once used a pack of washcloths to make a Mother's Day gift of "unpaper" towels. I even added snaps so they can snap together onto a roll, similar to regular paper towels. Of course, you can always keep your designated kitchen clean-up washcloths in a napkin holder or the like, but if you want them to resemble a roll of paper towels, here's how I did it.

You will need a dozen washcloths, an empty cardboard paper towel roll, snap pliers (affiliate link), and snaps in your preferred color. Pre-wash the cloths. Apply two "female" snaps and two "male" snaps to the corners of each washcloth, measuring them equal distances apart so the female edge of one cloth will snap into the male edge of another cloth. Additionally, apply two snaps to the cardboard roll, measuring the correct distance between the two so it is equal to the distance between the snaps on the washcloths.

Snap them all together, rolling each washcloth around the roll as you go.

(I apologize that I don't have pictures of the process. Maybe I'll make them again someday and post pictures afterward.)

Cut up old t-shirts to use as rags for cleaning

Of course, there is always the option to save old t-shirts and other pieces of clothing to cut up for use as cleaning rags. We do this quite frequently at our house. There are always old t-shirts that are too worn to be used as clothing anymore, so we use them for cleaning bathrooms and particularly yucky areas that need to be wiped down.

Tip: If you do choose to use paper napkins and towels on occasion, take note that they can be composted; check out this post on composting to learn more.

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**Disclosure: Although this post may contain affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, think about ways you can switch to cloth napkins and non-paper towel alternatives.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**