Changing to a "green" lifestyle is more than a notion, but once you get good, practical information it becomes so much easier to acheive. I just want to share a few tips you can use to live green and save some green:)
Household Cleaning
Disinfecting with 70% Isoprofil Alcohol
My son has allergies gallore, so I'm always mindful of the products I use to clean our home. One of the easiest and least expensive things I've done is to use 70% Isoprofil Alcohol in a spray bottle to clean my kitchen and bathroom hard surfaces. Its a great alternative to using chemical laden products and is very effective at removing many harmful microbes.
Scrubing with Baking Soda and Lemon Juice
Need a great scruber to remove stubborn stains without having to wear a facemask to prevent fumes from overcoming you. Consider using baking soda and lemon juice. Mix 1/4 cup lemon juice with 2tbsps water and mix in enough baking soda to make a paste. Excellent for cleaning stains from the sink, tub or toilet. Be sure to use on hard surfaces only. Works well and smells great!
Natural Air Freshner
Cinnamon sticks and cloves make a great natural air freshner. Place 2 cinnamon sticks and a palm full of cloves to a simmering pot of 2 cups water and allow to simmer on low. The fragrance will fill your home with the warm, relaxing scent of spice.
Air Purifier
Plants, plants, plants. A study conducted by NASA found that for an average home of under 2,000 square feet, the study recommends using at least fifteen samples of a good variety of these common houseplants to help improve air quality. They also recommend that the plants be grown in six inch containers or larger.
The recommended plants are easily available from your local nursery.
1. Philodendron scandens `oxycardium', heartleaf philodendron
2. Philodendron domesticum, elephant ear philodendron
3. Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana', cornstalk dracaena
4. Hedera helix, English ivy
5. Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant
6. Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig', Janet Craig dracaena
7. Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii', Warneck dracaena
8. Ficus benjamina, weeping fig
9. Epipiremnum aureum, golden pothos
10. Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa', peace lily
11. Philodendron selloum, selloum philodendron
12. Aglaonema modestum, Chinese evergreen
13. Chamaedorea sefritzii, bamboo or reed palm
14. Sansevieria trifasciata, snake plant
15. Dracaena marginata , red-edged dracaena
For more on the study and its findings and recommendations visit http://www.cleanairgardening.com/houseplants.html
Fabric freshener for dryer
A few drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton gauze tossed into your dryer will freshen your clothes minus the synthetic chemicals used in conventional dryer sheets.
Floor cleaning
Although I don't usually recommend products, I will say that a good steam mop is well worth your time, money and health. You use tap water in the steam mop and its converted to steam while you clean the floors. No chemicals, no dirty water to dispose of, no gloves............... Just wash your cleaning pads when finished. Steam mops are awesome!
These are just a few great options to get started on your journey to green living. Stay tuned for more green living tips:)
