Green Review: Seventh Generation Fabric Softener

If I am being completely honest, I must admit that going green is pricey when you have a very tight budget. So, finding green products can be a challenge for me. Seventh Generation products are not only green, eco friendly and quality products, they are AFFORDABLE!

One of my favorite Seventh Generation laundry products is what I will be reviewing today;

Product: Seventh Generation Fabric Softener
Scent: Blue Eucalyptus & Lavender
Where to Buy: Target or Publix

Review: I love this stuff. It smells awesome and it goes a long way. I do one part softener and one part water mixture and the clothes come out soft and smell fantastic. It costs under $5 for a 40 ounce bottle. Pretty fair when compared to other non green brands. By doing a half water half softener blend, I make it stretch longer…AND…it is better for my washing machine. I got that tip from a washing machine repair man.

Cons: None really. Other than, I wish I could find it at WalMart for even cheaper. LOL!

Final Thoughts: I think it is a great product and have found many more Seventh Generation Products that I love since. I will post some thoughts on them soon. Happy Washing!

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Nature’s Source Cleaners

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.

Copyright ©  2009, Becki, Green Christian Network, All Rights Reserved

               

Steam Mops – Economically and Environmentally Sound

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!

Copyright ©  2009, Becki, Green Christian Network, All Rights Reserved

               

Beer is Green and Clean!

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.

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Green Tip of the Day (3/12/09) – Use Less Water Washing Dishes

Washing dishes does require using water. However, we can cut down the amount of water we use to wash dishes drastically. A couple simple changes and you will be on your way to greenville. One way to save water while washing dishes is to only fill up the sink half way. Turn off water. Wash each dish and then dip it back into the soapy water, giving it a partial “rinse.” Then, turn on water and rinse. Only use as little water as you can. Just enough to rinse the dish. Another way, is to use your plates and cups more than once. The less you use, the less you need to wash, and the less water you will waste.

Any other ideas to save water washing dishes? Post them below!

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Green Tip of the Day (3/03/09) – Air Dry

Let’s face it, we all have this not so fun task, we can use it as an opportunity to go green. It can be another way for us to add a little more green into our lives.

One simple way to help laundry time become a more eco-friendly experience is to stop using the dryer to dry clothes. Or, a the very least, limit it. Instead, try air drying them. Hang them out to dry and let the cool (soon to be warm) breeze of God’s planet dry them for you. They will smell and feel better, and even better, you will save energy and money. Plus, you will be a better steward for God’s planet.

Go Green…air dry!

Any other ideas for going green with laundry? Post them below!

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Home Made Green and Clean

Contaminants are released into the air when using the conventional cleaning products that are more toxic and dangerous for your overall health. You have to understand that the poor air quality is likely to affect your overall health sooner or later.

It is a better choice to go for the green products.  They will help you to reduce your exposure to toxic contaminants. You are also protecting your family and children by going green and clean.

Make it a family affair…Try making your home made cleaning products as a family unit. It can be a green and fun family activity.

Home Made Green Product Ideas…

• Using white vinegar to soft your fabrics. Even if you have very sensitive skin, you will be pleased with the final results. The vinegar should stay undiluted. Simply add a half cup to the rinse cycle.
• Use baking soda to clean and absorb unpleasant odors. You can also use it to clean the bath tube or the kitchen sink.
• Lemon juice is another green and clean way to go.  It can be sued to dissolve hard water stains and soap scum. Lemon juice can also be used in order to make copper and brass shine. If mixed with baking soda and vinegar it will become a strong and natural cleaner.
• Alcohol and vinegar can be used in order to clean glass. You will need some basic ingredients in order to obtain an awesome green and clean glass cleaner. Mix 1 cup of rubbing alcohol with 1 cup of water and 1 tablespoon white vinegar. Mix well. This can also be used to clean mirrors and windows.
• Recycle your newspaper and use it to clean your mirrors and scum filled places. It will save paper by not using paper towels…or water by not using rags that will have to be washed!

It is easier and more cost effective to make home made cleaning products. It is also a great way to make God’s planet greener! Remember, all you will need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.  Making home made cleaning products can also help bring the family together and increase the desire to help with house cleaning and going green!

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Save Money and the Planet With Better Laundry Habits

We just added some great ways for you to help laundry go green with our newest article; Laundry Needs to Go Green for the Planet.

Below are a couple more tips to help with the green laundry movement.

5 Clothes Dryer Efficiency Tips

Exercise restraint when tempted to stuff your dryer to the brim with all of your laundry.  When you overload the dryer, you deny the inside of the dryer the necessary air to circulate between your clothing.  The extra space in the dryer allows your clothing the proper space it needs to have the most effective exposure to the heat/air.

If possible, open a window or door near your washer and dryer to increase airflow.  The accumulated, humid air is likely to decrease the effectiveness of the clothes dryer in an enclosed space.

The cool cycle is important and you will have to make sure that the clothes dryer completes its drying cycle with a cool-down cycle.

Make sure that the moisture is removed and the fastest cycle is to be used when your clothes are in the washing machine.

When purchasing a dryer, look for one equipped with a moisture sensor.  The moisture sensor automatically stops the dryer as soon as the clothes are dry.

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Laundry Needs to Go Green for the Planet

Yes…even dreaded laundry can go green! Most of us have learned our poor laundry habits from Mom who learned it from her Mom and so on. We now need to reteach ourselves and the next generation green laundry habits. The sooner change dirty laundry to green laundry the better!  Green laundry habits will help us preserve the natural resources of God’s planet.

What’s all the Fuss?

The average load of laundry is packed full of negative effects on God’s planet. Below are several reasons why green laundry habits are a must to help God’s planet go green!

• 34 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions that would be saved if every U.S. household used only cold water for washing clothes. 700 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions are saved each year by line-drying your family’s laundry. Plus, you would save money! 99 pound of carbon dioxide emissions saved per household each year by running only full loads of laundry.
• Chlorine should be avoided for so many reasons, including, skin irritations can occur, can form toxic chlorine gas, which can damage our airways, over 25,000 kids were either exposed to or harmed by household chlorine bleach in 2002 alone!
• 90% of  the total energy used by a typical washing machine to heat the water; only 10 percent is used to power the motor.
• Common Laundry detergents and brighteners have negative effects on people AND the planet. Including; rashes, asthma, fish & water life, mammals, skin, burns, cataracts & corneal damage, lungs, and so much more.

Hopefully that is enough information to get you thinking…if not, you may be hopeless!

Go Green Laundry Tips

Avoid Ironing. YES! I love this one! It uses energy that could be used for something more important! If you can avoid ironing, do!

Eco-Friendly Soap. There are many green cleaning companies out there that offer Eco friendly cleaning supplies. Find one and use the products!

Speaking of Laundry Soap. Concentrated detergent is to be best. It uses less packaging and that means a smaller carbon footprint.

Invest in an Eco-Friendly Top-Loading Machine. Sure, this may be a pricey adjustment. However, it is well worth the investment into God’s planet in the long run.

Wash Cold. Whenever possible wash in cold or warm. Try to avoid hot water washing. It will save energy.

Water Heater. Lower the thermostat in your water heater to about 120 degrees. It will save energy and money.

Fill ‘er Up. Make your loads large enough to fill the washer. Do not over stuff, simply use the space available to its fullest.

Dry Together. Dry your clothes in categories. Dry your heavy jeans together and your light items together. Avoid mixing. Doing this will help your clothes dry quicker and more evenly, thus saving energy!

Wet Adds. Avoid adding wet clothes to a load that is already drying. This will cause the dryer to work more and take more time to dry, and use more than necessary energy.

Do Laundry All In One Day. This is especially good for drying. If you dry one load after another, the dryer is hot and will use less energy to heat up than if you put your clothes in a cold dryer.

Use Dryer Less in Winter. Using the concept above will give you an idea of what I mean. A cold dryer takes longer to heat up. If possible, line dry more in the winter.

Clean Lint Trap. You should lean the lint trap after every dry. This will keep your dryer working well and use less energy.

Dryer Exhaust Vent. Keep it clean and clear of debris. Check it at least monthly.

Line Dry. If you can, avoid using a dryer all together. This will save TONS of energy.

Wear Them Out. Make it a point to wear your clothes more than once. Obviously, if they stink, do not wear them again. However, if you wore jeans and a shirt to lunch, do not come home and toss them in the laundry pile. Fold them and wear them again. You should try to wear your jeans and pants 3x – 4x before washing and shirts 2x.

Never Use Bleach. Bleach is horrible for the environment and you. Instead, go the green way! Use 1 cup of borax or 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar instead. Vinegar is awesome. It will not only help your clothes get whiter, it will reduce static cling, lint and sweat stains.

Fabric Softener. Use a natural and better alternative. Again, vinegar will help with this. Put 1/2 cup into your rinse cycle. Or use 1/2 cup baking soda instead.

Avoid Dry Cleaning. If you can, avoiding it all together is best. If not try to find a dry cleaner that uses carbon dioxide (CO2) dry cleaning. Or, at the very least, wear less dry clean only clothing!

These Green Laundry Tips are sure to help make God’s planet greener. Let’s be good stewards of the earth He gave us and help our laundry GO GREEN!

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Help God’s Planet with Green Cleaning

There are many things that people do not know about basic cleaning supplies that they have cleaned with for most of their lives but due to the new Green cleaning marketing that you see everywhere, people are learning. While cleaning with the basic products that we have always used, you might not realize that you might actually be making your home a lot worse than it should be. A lot of the cleaning supplies are petroleum based and the toxins that are in them are not good for the air that you breathe and the environment around you.

There are so many products on the market today and so many websites that you can visit in order to get tips and tricks on how to clean using natural products that it would be just silly to continue to use the basic toxic products to clean because why would you not want to help save the environment while at the same time saving yourself more money due to the fact that Green cleaning is less expensive. You can go to the store and see a lot of the products that have the bold word green printed on them that tell you these are good cleaning products.

Once you find these products, you should compare the prices of them with the prices of the regular cleaning products that you have been using and you will be surprised at the difference you will save by going green. There are probably products in your home that clean just as good as your basic non green products but you just were not informed. That is why there is so much information on the Internet in order to tell people that it is easy to get into Green cleaning and they should take advantage of all the information that is available.

If you have a chance to do your part in helping to clean up the environment and make the earth healthy again, then you should definitely do it and Green cleaning is a way to give you that chance. Throw away all of your non green cleaning supplies the correct way and research on all of the other substances you can use that will still have the same affect in keeping your home really clean and smelling fresh but with an extra additive called giving. By doing this, you are giving to the environment the stability that it so desperately needs.

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