Green Christian Network » Eco Home

Nature’s Source Cleaners

Becki — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:27:36 +0000

I’ve recently begun using new cleaning products that have amazed me in every way. They are the Nature’s Source cleaners. The line includes glass and surface cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, and laundry stain remover. I’ve tried all but the laundry stain remover and based on my results I am certain that should I need it I will dash to the store to get that as well.

The Nature’s Source cleaners are made with biodegradable and plant-based materials. All products are eco-friendly and safe for you and your family. When I first tried them I was a bit skeptical. I wondered if they really would clean as well as other cleaners. What I soon found is that they not only clean just as well, but actually better! I’ve cut through hard water stains, grease, caked on dirt, and more. I am impressed with the light scent that doesn’t make everyone want to run out of the house and hide for a day as well as the fact that just a little goes a long way. These cleaners are lasting quite a long time and in today’s economically challenged world that is a good thing – families need to have products that last.

So many cleaners on the market are full of ingredients that would stump the finest chemist – I find it completely refreshing that Nature’s Source cleaners have ingredients that your average Joe can figure out. Things like lactic acid which is which is simply an acid produced from the breakdown of natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables. Also coconut oil and palm-kernel oil, and citric acid, not to mention other natural enzymes… Yes, Nature’s Source cleaners are definitely using nature to help people maintain clean homes. I would definitely recommend you give them a try.

Paint Disposal the GREEN Way

Lara Velez — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:05:00 +0000

So before you throw out that old paint stashed away in your garage here are some easy tips for green disposal:

Use it. Try to use up any old paint you may have where possible. If you’re redecorating you may not like the old paint colors you have but you may still be able to use the light ones as a base coat. Look around the house and see if you can put those old cans of paint to good use.

Donate it. As long as the paint is in good condition you may find someone who could really use it. Paint isn’t cheap and giving it away to someone who could put it to good use is a win/win situation for all involved. Ask friends if they would like it or know anyone that would. You can also check with charities who may need the paint to redecorate shelters or economy housing projects.

Check with the Dump. Some dumps will take and dispose of old paints properly. They don’t all do it so it’s worth checking before you go. They may also be able to direct you towards someone that can help if they can’t help you directly.

Dry it out. You should ONLY do this with latex paint as it is non-hazardous. For oil or other based paints dispose of them at your local waste center. For latex paints, pour out the leftover paint onto several sheets of newspaper and let it dry completely. Once the paint is dry you can wrap it up and throw it away. You may also be able to clean out and recycle the can.

Mix it up. This is similar to point #1. Perhaps you don’t like the paint colors you have but they may work well mixed with other colors. Think outside the box and you may be able to come up with a completely original shade you’ll love – and avoid having to dispose of the paint.

Stay Green!

Steam Mops – Economically and Environmentally Sound

Becki — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:05:06 +0000

I’m not big on having chemicals in my house and when I think of my kids playing around areas that have had chemicals poured on them I just don’t like the idea. Where I used to live there was a ton of carpet throughout the house so cleaning floors never brought this issue up for me, but when I moved it was into a house that has nearly as much tile flooring as carpeted. I immediately began searching for a solution to cleaning the tile flooring without having to use tons of chemical agents with my mop and that is when I discovered the wonderful world of steam mops.

Steam mops provide a way to clean that is not only good on the environment but also easy on your pocket book. You can buy a steam mop for anywhere from $60 all the way up to $300. The one I bought is the Shark Steam Mop and it cost just about $70 – not too shabby for something that you will use for years to come. I bought it through a warehouse store so it came at a great price with extra mop pads to boot.

There are two major features with the Shark steam mop that get my attention – the first is that it functions with nothing but water. You pour the water in the spout, close it up, pug it in, and presto – in 30 seconds it is steamed up and ready to go. No harsh chemicals on the floor to worry about with young children. The steam is very hot – in fact it is so hot that you can get burned if you were to spray yourself with it (so don’t do that). Being as it is so hot it gives piece of mind knowing that the floor is getting completely sanitized in the mopping process – and with such heat it actually dries almost instantly!

The second feature that I love is the mop pads – they are reusable. After mopping you just take it off and pop it in the laundry. It is so simple! There are no pesky pads to wad up and throw away and there are no dirty sponges to deal with – every time you use the Shark mop you get to use a clean pad because you have washed it since the time before. This means you don’t have to keep buying fresh pads – your wallet will thank you!

I’ve looked at many other steam mops and most also have the same features that I love about the Shark. I think when looking to make your household more green you just can’t go wrong with a mop that will keep your family safe from chemicals and save you money in the long run. It’s a win win situation no matter what brand of steam mop you choose!

Xeriscaping

Becki — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 04:05:34 +0000

I live in a desert region so when figuring out what to do with the landscaping at our new house one of the first things we thought of was xeriscaping. Xeriscaping is landscaping in such a way to avoid the use of unnecessary amounts of water. Xeriscaping is also known as “zeroscaping”, “water-conserving landscaping”, and in some places “smart scaping”.

Xeriscaping is a great way to save water and energy. With xeriscaping there is little to no use of water, there isn’t a lot of grass to mow so there is no extra fuel or energy consumption, and it is generally easy on the environment as you would just be using natural materials that are common in your area and these materials don’t require any sort of fertilizers or harmful pesticides.

When we started here with our new house we only planned out our front yard. Our back yard will take more work, but it will be xeriscaped as well. In the front we brought in common drain rock found at our local rock quarries – it is a form of river rock, only the smaller version. We laid the rock down around a few shrubs that fit naturally into the environment for the area directly in front of our house and then for the rest of the area we have the rock spread out with a few boulders mixed in. The result is a very simple yet beautiful yard with very little maintenance needed. The few shrubs in front are on a drip system that only runs for 20 minutes a day, three days a week – that’s it!

If you are looking for ways to reduce water consumption and save some energy as well there are some tips you should know before xeriscaping.

Xeriscaping Tips

Choose plants wisely. You should only choose plants that are drought resistant and that can survive where you live. If you live in a desert region like me you don’t want to pick tropical plants, this will defeat the purpose. Choose plants that are more native to your area to insure their survival.
Set up a drip system for plants. Drip systems only water when needed and it really allows the plants time to absorb what they need rather than get overloaded.
Make sure to weed on a regular basis. Weeds consume more water than your plants so you want to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Cover your soil. You can leave the ground bare, but covering with rock or mulch will keep it cooler and help your plants to need less water.
Aerate the soil before you cover it. Keeping the soil in good condition will help your plants thrive without the need for more water.
If you use rock, keep it natural. Don’t worry about bringing in fancy rock that has been chemically processed to create a neat color – natural rock will look better, be better on the environment as a whole, and it will save you money.

If xeriscaping is something you think you’d like to do the fall is a great time to get busy. Many landscaping companies lower prices at this time of year and you might be able to get plants for less. Remember, even though you are going for something natural you still need to get it from the correct resources. Just going out into nature and picking up rocks and plants is not only illegal in many places, but it is also destructive to the natural habitats of many species. Find a local nursery and a local rock quarry to work with, plan out what you want to do being careful to take good measurements of your area, and with the help of the experts you will be able to create an environment you will love.

Beer is Green and Clean!

Lara Velez — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:05:51 +0000

I use beer in a couple recipes I make. Many people also drink beer. What do you do with flat beer or the leftover beer from a recipe? Well, you can use it to be green and clean!

Green and Clean Beer Tips

Coffee and tea stain remover. Pour the beer on the stain and let it sit for a minute. Blot the stain and examine. Repeat as needed. Wash.

Polish your jewelry with flat beer. Pour beer into a small glass bowl and place your gem free jewelry into the bowl. Let sit for a couple of minutes, remove and dry thoroughly.

Furniture cleaner. Use your beer to clean your wooden tables and other wooden furniture. Dab beer on a clean, soft clot and apply. Dry with another clean, soft cloth.

Clean your garden of slugs and snails. It’s a long-standing gardening practice to use beer to attract snails and slugs to remove them from your garden. Pour beer into a shallow dish and place in your garden overnight. In the morning, you’ll find it full of slugs and snails that have drowned.

Copper cleaner. Beer is great for polishing copper. Try placing a little on a clean cloth and applying to the bottom of your copper pans to remove tarnish and add shine.

And…maybe not to clean, but beer is also good for plants…

Plant food. When watering your plants or garden, mix a few tablespoons of beer into the water and add to your plants.

As you can see, beer has several great green cleaning uses.

Stay Green!

Green Tip – (08/31/09) – Try Cork Flooring

Lara Velez — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:05:35 +0000

When choosing the right floor for your home there are many considerations. You want it to be durable, attractive, green friendly and affordable! Cork flooring has the ability to be customized to fit every lifestyle and décor choice. It can be stained, and be installed as tiles or planks, which creates a variety of pattern options. It’s durable, mold and mildew resistant, renewable, sustainable and environmentally friendly product.

Cork flooring is a renewable resource. Instead of having to cut down a tree, cork is harvested from a tree without causing it any harm. The harvesting process is actually pretty interesting; cork, made from the bark of oak trees, is only harvested from a tree once every ten years. And it’s biodegradable, which means you don’t have to feel guilty when your flooring has reached the end of its life and needs to be replaced.

Stay Green!

5 Home Energy Saving Tips

Lara Velez — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:00:43 +0000

Saving energy at home means saving money, something in today’s not so good economy, we can all relate to.

5 simple home energy savings tips

Smart strips. Every day appliances consume energy even when they’re turned off. Microwaves, coffee makers, computers, televisions, the list goes on and on. Rather than let this valuable energy go to waste, plug your appliances and electronic equipment into a smart strip. A smart strip is a strip of outlets with an off/on switch. When you’re not using the appliances and equipment, say at night when you’re asleep, simply turn the smart strip off. You’ll save thousands of watts each year.

If you have a fireplace, make sure the damper works well and is closed when not in use. You can lose a significant amount of heat during the winter and cool air during the summer through an open fireplace damper.

Check doors and Windows. Some don’t seal well. Particularly if you live in an older home where the walls and floors may have settled and shifted. Air can easily escape through cracks around your door causing your furnace or air conditioner to work harder thus wasting energy.

Passive solar. The sun is fantastic for heating and lighting our homes. If your home has a southern exposure you can harness the power of the sun to heat your home in the winter and to provide daylight year round. Eastern exposures can open the curtains in the morning to heat and light the home and western exposures can open the curtains in the afternoon.

Check your insulation. Too much insulation causes your energy to be lost through your windows while too little insulation causes energy to be lost through your roof or attic.

Stay Green!

Green Tip – (07/15/09) – Go Fluorescent

Lara Velez — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:00:06 +0000

Compact Fluorescent. Compact fluorescent bulbs use significantly less energy, about 75% less. The added bonus is that while these bulbs cost a bit more at the store, they last for years. The average light bulb used in a high traffic area lasts 4-6 months. A compact fluorescent bulb lasts up to 10 times longer. This is just one simple way to help save energy in our homes. A few simple steps can save you hundreds of dollars a year and conserves energy.

Stay Green!

Green Tip – (06/25/09) – Green Bedding

Lara Velez — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:00:31 +0000

We spend about 1/4 of our lives in bed. It would be a good thing to make sure we are greening up the bedroom!

Believe it or not, most mattresses and linens are still made with synthetics and chemicals that are bad for the environment. For most people, buying an organic mattress and bedding may be out of reach financially. Do not let that get you down! There are other ways we can at least make a greener choice in the bedroom!

Greener Bedding Choices

Buy cotton or wool linens. Avoid permanent press and triclosan.

Buy organic fabrics when possible.

Go for low impact dyes or none at all.

Save your money and invest in an organic mattress. Or at least one that is made to last a lifetime!

We can make a difference for God’s planet…ONE green choice at a time!

Stay Green!

Compost Anyone?

Becki — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:00:05 +0000

We just moved into a new house and with that comes a whole new yard. I told my Husband that I would really like to plant a garden, but he informed me that the soil quality where we live is very poor and that I would have to buy topsoil and other nutrient-rich additives if I was to have the hopes of anything actually growing. At first I was a little bummed out, but then I thought this was the perfect time to start that compost bin I have always wanted to start. If I start now, by the next planting season I should definitely have something substantial to add to the poor soil that is already here. My Husband likes this idea so a compost bin is in the works and will be placed out back soon.

I know you can add things like rotten fruits and veggies to a compost bin, but there is so much more!

Below is a lit of stuff that you can add to a compost bin…

…things I never knew before!

Pet hair
Lint
Old herbs and spices
Coffee grounds with the filter
Tea bags and leaves
Egg shells
Kleenex tissues
Old potato chips (stale)
Moldy cheese
Shredded cardboard cereal boxes
Hair trimmings including those your Hubby shaves off his face
Toenail and fingernail clippings
Cooked rice
Old plain pasta
The liquids from canned veggies and fruits
Pencil shavings
Cotton swabs with the cardboard sticks (not plastic)

And those are just a few of the weird and unusual things I found that can be composted! In addition to that of course you can all old kitchen scraps (as long as they don’t have meat products), grass clippings, pine needles, leaves, etc…

I can wait to get my compost bin started and along with creating some nutrient rich material for my garden I am also helping keep necessary waste out of the landfills – it is win win for everyone!