All around us, signs of Spring are evident.  Early-blooming flowers and plants are starting to show signs of life after a harsh winter.  That must mean it’s time for Spring cleaning!  Here are some tips to keep it eco-friendly:

INSIDE YOUR HOME

Improve Indoor Air Quality by:

• Using natural cleaners and air fresheners (either store-bought or home-made).  They’re non-toxic to both your family and the environment.  See my earlier posts on the merits of vinegar and the scouring power of baking soda.
• Opening your windows on pleasant days to freshen the stale air inside (Also, turn off your heat or air conditioner whenever possible to reduce energy bills).
• Limiting “dry clean only” clothing and choosing machine- or hand-washable items.  If you can’t avoid dry cleaning, opt to patronize an organic cleaner.  If you can’t find one near you, be sure to air your clothing outdoors before bringing it inside to reduce toxic chemical residues from the dry cleaning process.

Tools of the Trade:

• Earth-friendly, plant-based cellulose sponges (by Twist or Scotch-Brite)
• Biodegradable, natural fabric towels, like Skoy multi-use cloths (instead of paper towels.  If you prefer paper towels, opt for those made from recycled paper, like Marcal brand).
• Recycled plastic bucket

Clear the Clutter by:

• Recycling stacked up junk mail and other recyclables.  For proper recycling of computers and electronics, see my earlier post.  For hazardous waste, many municipalities offer drop-off days in the warmer months.
• Removing your name from junk mail lists .
• Donating gently used clothing, shoes and accessories to your local thrift shop or used clothing bin.  Eyeglasses can be donated to the Lions Club or New Eyes for the Needy.  You can find a new home for household items and toys at Freecycle.org, Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore.
• Selling your stuff.  Garage sales, community yard sales, Craigslist.org, and Amazon.com are great venues.

OUTSIDE YOUR HOME

Keep it Green by:

• Cleaning windows with a simple mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar + 1 gallon warm water.
• Cleaning up spent foliage around planting beds which provides great outdoor exercise, as well as new composting material.  Learn how to compost here.
• Planning a vegetable garden which will supply you with fresh produce throughout the summer.
• Opting to use non-polluting tools, such as a rake (instead of a leaf blower) and a reel mower (instead of a gasoline powered model).
• Controlling weeds by applying corn gluten meal in early spring.  This not only helps prevent weeds from coming up, but also fertilizes your lawn with nitrogen which helps your lawn grow thicker to exclude weeds.  With consistent applications each year, you’ll see less and less weeds over time.  If you opt for a professional lawn care service, chose one that utilizes natural methods.
• Waterless car washes not only conserve water, but work very well removing salt, dirt and grime from your car.  Here’s info about one I personally use.

photo by Laura Nolte

To start off the new year right, you may be cleaning out your closets to make room for new holiday gifts of clothing and shoes.  Likely, you have a pile of old pieces that are still useable, but some are probably not wearable any longer.  It’s easy to donate your wearable clothing to local thrift stores, consignment shops and bins put out by non-profit organizations in shopping center parking lots.  But, what do you do with the worn out items?  By donating, you’ll help divert the billions of pounds of textiles clogging our landfills.

One option is to donate non-wearable clothing, blankets, towels, etc., to your local animal shelter where they’ll be used as animal bedding.

Another way to give your old clothes, rags and shoes a new purpose is to find organizations and companies that will recycle these items into new goods.  Here’s a list of a few places that accept these items:

• New York City residents can drop off clothing, shoes, handbags, belts, curtains, linens, and towels at several GreenMarket Farmers Markets.
• Nike’s Re-use-a-shoe program:  bring up to 10 pairs of shoes to any of their collection locations in Nike retail stores, universities, athletic clubs, and at special events.
• The Unique Boutique Thrift Shop in Boone, NC.
• City of Overland Park Community Recycling Center in Overland Park, KS.
• California residents can visit StopWaste.org for locations that accept scrap clothing and remnants.

photo by Fred Hsu

• Remove odors from plastic food storage containers and garbage cans:  Add warm water and baking soda to container and soak overnight.  Leave an opened box of baking soda in the fridge and freezer to absorb odors as well.
• Remove spots on laminate and other man-made countertops, sinks, and enamel stovetops:  Scrub with a sprinkle of baking soda and a damp sponge.
• Loosen burned or crusted-on foods from pots and pans:  Soak or boil a solution of 2 tbsp baking soda per quart of water in each pan. Let stand until particles are loosened, then wash as usual. Use a mild or moderate abrasive if necessary.
• Remove marks on walls and painted surfaces:  Many ink spots, pencil, crayon or marker spots can be cleaned from painted surfaces using baking soda applied to a damp sponge. Rub gently, then wipe and rinse.
• To freshen laundry and help remove grease stains from clothing:  Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the washing machine along with the detergent.
• To polish silver:  Line a pan with aluminum foil and fill with water; add a teaspoon each of baking soda and salt. Bring to a boil and immerse silver. Polish with a soft cloth.
• To polish brass or bronze:  Polish with a soft cloth dipped in a lemon and baking-soda solution.
• To clean stainless steel, chrome, fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain or enamel fixtures:  Dissolve 2 tbsp baking soda in 1 qt of water. Spray onto fixture and polish with a soft cloth.
• To remove small oil and grease spills on the garage floor:  Add baking soda and scrub with wet brush.
• Oven Cleaner: Minimize use of the self-cleaning oven option since it consumes a lot of energy.  Instead, a little elbow grease is all it takes:  Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Use 3/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup salt and 1/4 cup water to make a thick paste, and spread throughout oven interior. (avoid bare metal and any openings) Let sit overnight. Remove with spatula and wipe clean. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots.
• Carpet Freshener:  Combine 3/4 cup baking soda, 2 tbsp corn starch, and 1/4 cup perfumed talcum powder. Sprinkle on dry carpet, let stand 5 to 15 minutes, then vacuum.

These last three were included in my previous post about cleaning with vinegar, but they bear repeating since each one uses baking soda as well:

• Tub and tile cleaner:  To remove film buildup on bathtubs, apply vinegar full-strength to a sponge and wipe with vinegar first. Next, use baking soda as you would scouring powder. Rub with a damp sponge and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
• Toilet bowl cleaner:  Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into basin and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. This combination both cleans and deodorizes. Use a pumice stone to remove any remaining hard water rings.
• Drain opener for slow-moving drains:  Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover the drain, if possible. Let set for a few minutes, then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to flush it. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD AFTER ANY COMMERCIAL DRAIN OPENER HAS BEEN USED OR IS STILL PRESENT IN THE STANDING WATER.

Sources:  Earth Easy, Organized Home, Michigan State University Extension

• Household cleaner (for kitchen and bath countertops, backsplashes, stovetops, and exterior surfaces of toilet):  mix together 1 cup of white vinegar & 1 cup of water in a spray bottle.
• Window cleaner:  use above mentioned spray and dry with a soft cloth.  Helpful tip:  avoid washing windows while the sun is shining on them because they dry too quickly and leave streaks.
• Tub and tile cleaner:  To remove film buildup on bathtubs, apply vinegar full-strength to a sponge and wipe with vinegar first. Next, use baking soda as you would scouring powder. Rub with a damp sponge and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
• Floor cleaner and floor polisher:  Dull, greasy film on no-wax linoleum can be washed away with 1/2 cup white vinegar mixed into 1/2 gallon water.  For Wood Floors:  mix a 1to 1 ratio of vegetable oil and vinegar into a solution, apply a thin coat, and rub in well. For Brick and Stone Floors:  mix 1 cup white vinegar into 1 gallon water; scrub the floor with a brush and the vinegar solution; rinse with clean water. For Ceramic Tile: mix 1/4 cup white vinegar (more if very dirty) into 1 gallon water. This solution removes most dirt without scrubbing and doesn’t leave a film.
• Toilet bowl cleaner:  Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, then drizzle with vinegar and scour with a toilet brush. This combination both cleans and deodorizes. Use a pumice stone to remove any remaining hard water rings.
• Clogged showerheads:  place 1/4 to 1/2 cup undiluted, white vinegar in a plastic food storage bag, and secure the bag to the shower head with a rubber band. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then rinse and buff the fixture to a shiny finish.
• Fabric Softener:  add 1 cup of undiluted, white vinegar to the laundry rinse cycle.  To get wool and
  cotton blankets soft and fluffy as new, add 2 cups undiluted, white vinegar to a full tub of rinse water.  DO NOT USE VINEGAR IF YOU ADD CHLORINE BLEACH TO YOUR RINSEWATER. IT WILL PRODUCE HARMFUL VAPORS.  If you feel you must use chlorine bleach, cut the amount in half by adding 1/2 cup baking soda to top loading machines or 1/4 cup to front loaders.
• Paintbrush cleaner:  boil a cup of undiluted, white vinegar and rest hardened bristles in it overnight to loosen up dried on paint.
• Air freshener:  boil 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in 1 cup of water to eliminate unpleasant cooking odors.
• Remove onion odor from hands when cooking:  rub undiluted, white vinegar on your hands before and after slicing.
• Oven cleaner:  retard grease buildup in your oven by dampening your cleaning rag in vinegar and water before wiping out your oven.  Minimize use of self-cleaning feature as it uses a lot of energy.
• Stainless steel cleaner/polisher:  moisten a cloth with undiluted white or cider vinegar and wipe clean.
• Copper, bronze, brass, & pewter cleaner/polisher:  dissolve 1 teaspoon salt in 1 cup white vinegar. Add enough flour to make a paste.  Apply paste to metal surface and let sit for 15 minutes to 1 hour. Rinse with clean, warm water, and polish dry.
• Chrome cleaner/polisher:  wipe with a soft cloth dipped in undiluted white or cider vinegar.
• Remove price tags and other stickers from glass, wood, and china:  Apply undiluted, white vinegar to label and let soak for a few minutes before rubbing it clean.
• Drain opener for slow-moving drains:  Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover the drain, if possible. Let set for a few minutes, then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to flush it. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD AFTER ANY COMMERCIAL DRAIN OPENER HAS BEEN USED OR IS STILL PRESENT IN THE STANDING WATER.

Sources:  Organized Home, This Old House, Michigan State University Extension

The concept of a waterless car wash may sound a bit dubious, but there are actually products on the market designed to clean cars without a water-spewing hose. ‘The EPA states that cleaning a vehicle using soap and a water hose, can waste up to 116 gallons of water per car wash. Even an automatic car wash uses about 40 gallons per car wash and requires a vast amount of energy (which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions)’.

I tried some of these products this weekend and was pleasantly surprised. Not only did the non-toxic waterless car wash from Freedom work well, but it was easy to use and it even smelled great! The Super Polymer Formula One cleans, polishes and protects an automobile’s painted, glass, chrome, fiberglass, and plastic surfaces. The bottled car wash is water-based and therefore can be used on wet or dry surfaces and be used anywhere (ideal for apartment/condo dwellers or those located in drought-stricken areas).

I simply sprayed on the product, wiped it with a micro-fiber towel, then lightly buffed it off with another clean micro-fiber towel, which left my car remarkably clean and shiny. I also tried the Eco Tire Protectant which left my tires looking brand new. This product can be used on interior rubber, vinyl and leather surfaces as well. I was a little concerned when I finished and looked down at my dirty fingernails, but upon one good wash in the sink, all of the residue was easily removed. The company offers a 2 Wax + Polymer Original Formula which contains natural waxes to protect a car’s surface, but I didn’t have a chance to try that one yet.  Every bottle of product allows for 5-10 car washings and is recyclable upon emptying.

While I had been given these products by the manufacturer so that I could personally use them and post my experience with them, I have not received any compensation to provide a good review.  I simply have been genuinely pleased with the Freedom waterless car wash products and highly recommend them to any car owner.

Not only is this type of system gentler on your allergies, but it’s easier to physically maneuver the vacuum attachments and lightweight hoses around the house, especially on stairs.  It does a superb job of cleaning and is quieter than a portable vacuum.  A “kicksweep” inlet located at the base of kitchen cabinets makes sweeping away dirt a breeze.

There are two options for the type of canister system:  bagged and cyclonic.   The canister in the bagged variety holds a disposable bag and usually a HEPA quality filter.  The bag needs to be changed when full, about every few months (depending on how many furry dogs live with you!).  The cyclonic system is bagless and typically contains a HEPA filter too.  With this type of system, the canister needs to be emptied and the filter cleaned about twice a year (not the best option for those allergic to dust!).

Don’t worry if you neglected to add a central vac system to your home while it was under construction, it can be retrofitted into older homes too (although labor charges will be a couple hundred dollars more).  Cost is $1,000 to $2,000, including installation in a 2,200 sq. ft. home.

photo courtesy of H-P Products, Inc.

Soap contains surfacants, or surface active agents, which are derived from petroleum or animal fats (tallow, lard) or vegetable oils.  Commercial soaps contain artificial scents and dyes and other potentially harmful substances.  Antibacterial soaps typically contain triclosan which has been found to mutate bacteria which have become resistant to antibiotics.

Natural soaps with ingredients such as olive oil, coconut oil, canola oil, soybean oil, tea-tree oil, or shea butter, are gentler and more moisturizing than commercial soaps.  Castile soap is a pure, mild soap made from vegetable oils.  If you like a little freshening fragrance, look for soaps that contain essential oils instead of perfumes or fragrances.  Glycerin is another beneficial ingredient to look for, as it acts as a natural skin softener.

RealHandmadeSoap.com has put together an extensive list of natural soapmakers.  Or, if you’re feeling creative, you can even make your own soap!  There are plenty of websites out there that explain the short list of natural ingredients and show the step-by-step process.

Source:  sci-toys

1. Laundry detergent: Conventional laundry detergents contain petroleum-based solvents, surfactants, and additives that are not eco-friendly. On the other hand, natural laundry detergents are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, chlorine-free, biodegradable, and are usually free of dyes and perfumes making them suitable for chemically-sensitive people and babies. Many natural products are cruelty-free and not tested on animals as well. These products are also best for septic systems and grey-water reclamation systems. My favorite is Sun & Earth, but other great cleaners include: Seventh Generation, ECOver, Bi-O-Kleen, and Method.
2. Spot Remover: There are some natural spot removers on the market, but if you have a hard time finding one, you can easily make your own that will remove even the toughest stains.
3. Fabric Softener: Some conventional fabric softeners contain animal by-products, but natural plant-based softeners don’t. You can find it in liquid form or in dryer sheets (some manufacturers, like Sun & Earth, offer ones that biodegrade in just 21 days). You can even forgo the commercial softeners and add about 1/4 – 1/2 cup of white vinegar to keep things soft and static free with ‘no smell’.
4. Water: Wash your clothes in cold water and you’ll save on energy bills.
5. Washing Machines: Older, top-loading washing machines can use up to 40 gallons of water per load! Reduce your water usage and the electricity needed to power your machine, by washing only full loads. If you need to purchase a new washer, consider a high efficiency front-loading model (look for the Energy Star label which use at least 40% less energy and up to 65% less water than a standard washer). Most appliance stores pick up and arrange for recycling of old washers when they deliver your new one.
6. Drying clothes: Line-dry by hanging clothes outside, or even inside (like on a dryer rack or from the bathtub/shower curtain rod) to dry. This will save energy and reduce your electricity bills by not running the dryer. If you’re only option is to use a dryer, choose one with a moisture sensor which will shut off your machine when clothes are dry. An air-dry feature, which dries clothes with cold air, reduces energy use and wrinkles. By removing clothes from the dryer upon completion of the cycle, you’ll minimize wrinkles and reduce the need for ironing.
7. Lint: If you do use the dryer, be sure to empty the lint trap every time. Built-up lint is a fire hazard and this will reduce the amount of time it takes for your clothes to dry (another energy saver). For some creative uses for lint, click here.
8. Clear the Air: Since the laundry room is typically a smaller room, the air quality of the space should be considered. When freshening up a room with a new cheerful color, choose zero- or low-VOC paints. These paints contain minimal amounts of Volatile Organic Compounds that are harmful to your health.

photo by Paul Keleher

I tried some of these products this weekend and was pleasantly surprised. Not only did the non-toxic waterless car wash from Freedom work well, but it was easy to use and it even smelled great! The Super Polymer Formula One cleans, polishes and protects an automobile’s painted, glass, chrome, fiberglass, and plastic surfaces. The bottled car wash is water-based and therefore can be used on wet or dry surfaces and be used anywhere (ideal for apartment/condo dwellers or those located in drought-stricken areas).

I simply sprayed on the product, wiped it with a micro-fiber towel, then lightly buffed it off with another clean micro-fiber towel, which left my car remarkably clean and shiny. I also tried the Eco Tire Protectant which left my tires looking brand new. This product can be used on interior rubber, vinyl and leather surfaces as well. I was a little concerned when I finished and looked down at my dirty fingernails, but upon one good wash in the sink, all of the residue was easily removed. The company offers a 2 Wax + Polymer Original Formula which contains natural waxes to protect a car’s surface, but I didn’t have a chance to try that one yet.  Every bottle of product allows for 5-10 car washings and is recyclable upon emptying.

All-in-all, I think the Freedom waterless car wash products are great, functional green items for any car owner.