Going Green!! - Rochester,MN

I use vinegar for SO many things:
I put a 50/50 water vinegar mix in a spray bottle and use it to wipe the counters or to spray where the cats miss the litterbox
I put baking soda down the drain and pour vinegar over it - helps degrease and remove odors
I use baking soda in the fridge and pantry where my garbage is to help get rid of odors
Coffee grounds are also great for odors in the fridge- put a little bowl in there
Vinegar is great for removing lime or hardwater stains/buildup
Clean out the coffee pot/humidifier with it
Put vinegar in the wash instead of using a softener - it removes body oils from sheets/clothes.
Pour vinegar around the collar of shirts or in armpit areas before you wash them to get rid of the ring around the collar/pit stains you get from body oil

Use baking soda like cleanser

I highly recommend the book "Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean" - it has TONS of green remedies for cleaning the house and other stuff

Some other green things I do (sorry if off topic but thought readers might be interested):
Buy green liquid detergent, keep the old bottle, fill it half way and use water to dilute and stretch it
Buy cloth napkins at estate sales for super cheap- they are really nice and you use them until they're soiled - sometimes it's once, sometimes it's multiple times, then throw in wash
Use dehumidifier water to water plants outside
Use Trader Joe's TP, kleenex and paper towels - made of 100 percent recycled paper, but the TP is soft, not like some green TPs
Can or freeze things that are in season
Use www.freecycle.org to get free stuff so I'm not consuming, using more energy, creating more waste (I got everything for my nursery on freecycle.org, plus clothes, highchair, exersaucer, etc.)
I use native plants in my landscaping and got rid of lawn. Native plants are adapted to local climates, don't need fertilizers and watering
Grow my own veggies
Joined a CSA (community-supported agriculture) - basically it's an organic farm where you buy a seasonal "share" and get organic veggies every week
Never throw any product in the garbage - I take it to GoodWill and take a tax write off and keep it out of the landfill
Shop at antique stores, resale shops, etc. - why buy something new and create more consumerism, waste, production, when something is already out there that's used?
Take a cloth napkin to work and only use a ceramic cup at work - even when we have staff lunches
Compost all of my veggie/fruit/bread food waste (I keep a sealable ceramic jar on the counter and empty it once or twice a week)
Use Yesterday's News (recycled newspaper pellet product) for cat litter
Use CFLs
Ask for foil in restaurants to wrap food- it's recyclable, unlike styrofoam
I threw away all plastic cups and use glass or stainless steel
I don't use any bug sprays or chemicals in the house
I use an organic mosquito repellent when necessary
Buy as much organic product as I can find - not everything's available in organics

Finally, a good website that every mom should visit: http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/index.jsp this site lists all different fruits, veggies and nuts and tells you about pesticide/chemical residues on nonorganic produce. If this doesn't make you want to go organic, nothing will.

That's everything I can think of right now

This is really cool. I buy green cleaning products and have been for over a year. I have noticed a huge difference in my house and can tell when I go to someone else's house or even a restaurant that uses the nasty stuff. I have even gone green with my bath and body. I thought at first everything would be more expensive, but the products I use are very concentrated and I am actually saving money.

One thing I want to learn is composting.

I am also hoping to find a dishwasher soap recipes. You can use vinegar in place of jet dry--major savings per ounce.

Good for you! Going green feels like the right thing to do, doesn't it?

I don't make my own things, but if you ever want to try using green things and save money in the process, you MUST check out Shaklee's Basic H2. Costs PENNIES a bottle. Feel free to look through my website:

http://K..myshaklee.com

Live green!
K.
P.S. Shaklee isn't just a company that has jumped on the green bandwagon to make money - they have been green for over 50 years and are the first company in the world to be certified Climate Neutral by the EPA. It's in their DNA.

Hmmm...I've never made a dishwasher detergent. Now I want to!! You can make cloth napkins and paper towels. If he's old enough, you can have him help get fabric and help you cut it out. You can decorate recycling bins, for glass, plastic, etc. I wish I had more ideas! I'm excited to see the responses.

I sell and use non-toxic cleaners in my entire house. Not only are you doing a service to our earth, but to the health of your family! Did you know there is often more pollution in a private home than outside!?

I do sell a phosphate free automatic dishwashing detergent if you are interested. Just let me know.

Tip #1 - NO BLEACH. Use natural enzymes.

YOU GO Girl!