Making an Effort to go Green

As we get closer to the New Year, we hear more and more talk about New Year's resolutions.  We thought you might like to add one more resolution to your list, along with eating healthy, working out, losing weight, volunteering more, procrastinating less.....

Let's all make the resolution to use more eco-friendly alternatives!

Here are some easy ways to make the switch:

1. Bleach  -->  Vinegar: Vinegar has disinfecting and whitening properties, just like bleach!  Unlike bleach, however, it's easy on the lungs is safe to use around kids and pets.  Use it to clean floors, showers, toilets, countertops, etc.
2. Bleach --> Hydrogen Peroxide: This is a much gentler way to whiten fabrics and surfaces.  Use it on stains to pre-treat your laundry or put it in a spray bottle and use it on hard surfaces like your shower, sinks and toilets to whiten and disinfect.  It is also pH safe for granite and other natural stone.
3. Windex  -->  Microfiber Cloths: When using microfiber, you can use an all purpose, soap and water cleaner or even just plain water!  The secret to streak free glass is the microfiber!
4. Drain Cleaner  --> Baking Soda, Vinegar and Hot Water: Use this recipe in your drains every month or two and you'll never need commercial drain cleaner!  If your drains are already clogged, look for enzyme powered drain clearing products.  They're a little more expensive but so much easier on the earth!
5. Comet Scrub --> Baking Soda and Borax: Baking soda alone has great scubby cleaning power but adding borax gives it anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties.  It is especially great in toilets, tubs and sinks!  Just mix the two, half and half.
6. Laundry Detergent --> Homemade Powder Detergent:  You can see our recipe here. Not only is this detergent better for the environment, it is better for your wallet, skin and health as well!  It is a fraction of the cost of store-bought laundry detergent and doesn't contain harmful, irritating dyes and fragrances.
7. Air Freshener --> Essential oils: You can make a homemade air freshener spray with equal parts rubbing alcohol and water with a few drops of your favorite essential oils.  Or create a zen, spa-like atmosphere with an essential oil diffuser like this one on Amazon or switch to a humidifier that doubles as a diffuser like this one.
8. Soap Scum and Bathroom Cleaners --> Natural Dish Soap: We LOVE this dish soap. Soap scum is a buildup of soap residue and oils (grease).  What better to tackle greasy grime than a product that is made just for the job?  Dish soap!  Dish soap is our all-purpose go-to when cleaning just about everything.  We mix a cup of water with 2-3 tablespoons of dish soap to clean showers or fill a spray bottle with water and add a tablespoon of dish soap to make an all-purpose cleaning spray.
9. Plastic Food Wrap and Plastic Baggies --> Reusable Storage Containers:  We're sure that meal prepping or packing your lunch is also on your resolution list so this is a definite must-have!  This is both great for the environment and great for your wallet.  Let's jump on the Bento Box bandwagon and pack our leftovers in reusable food storage containers.  Bonus points if they're glass like these!
10. Paper Towels --> Microfiber or Terrycloth Rags: We use microfiber for almost everything cleaning related.  Microfiber cloths leave a great shine that you just can't get with a paper towel.  Terrycloth is great for kitchen spills and hand drying.  Instead of reaching for a paper towel after washing your hands, keep a kitchen towel hanging next to your sink to wipe your hands on!

We hope you have found these tips helpful!  What simple switches have you made in your life to be better to the environment?