Dust Yourself Off For Spring

source image courtesy of HealthyChild.org

Ah yes, spring cleaning continues. Dusting is a quick and easy step towards a clean and healthy home. Here are some dusting tips that reduce your exposure to toxins that may be in your household dust or in your usual cleaning supplies:

 Skip the feather duster. Interior household dust often includes tiny paint particles from slamming doors and opening and shutting windows. If you live in a building that was constructed before 1978, this paint most likely contains some amount of lead - which if inhaled through dust can decrease IQ and lead to serious developmental issues. So, instead of using a dry duster that irritates particles back into the air, use a wet rag instead. Using a rag is also more efficient because many brands of paper towels are made from virgin forests! Warm water is also the best method because it ensures that you aren't replacing household dust with toxic cleaning chemicals. If the dust is particularly hard to remove, try using vinegar and lemon juice on the rag as well. 

Happy cleaning! 

New Perspectives: 7 Ways to Clean With Essential Oils

source image courtesy of lilablog

The essential oils from plants such as lavender, rose, tea tree, eucalyptus, orange, lemon, pine, and even peppermint can be very useful and pleasantly scented green cleaning products. Since each bottle is highly concentrated you only need a few drops to do a big job. It may seem to cost a bit more than other natural cleaning methods, but you actually use less and the wonderful smell makes up for any increase in cost! Here are some ways you can clean up green with essential oils:

1. Clean combs and hair brushes with tea tree, eucalyptus or lavender oil. Just twenty drops added to half a cup of vinegar and one and a half cups of water can get your brushes looking and smelling great. Let them soak overnight and then air dry. Make sure you remove any hair before soaking.

2. Get scuff marks off the floor with tea tree oil. Apply a few drops and then rub with a rag wetted with vinegar.

3. Orange oil is great for removing sticky or oily stains. Just apply a few drops to the stain with a cotton ball or rag and dab until stain or stickiness is gone. Wash the spot immediately afterwards with warm water to remove any lingering oils. Will not stain most fabrics.

4. Keep your shower doors looking shiny with lemon oil. Rub or spray on a few drops of lemon oil diluted with water to keep the scum away.

5. Keep your toilet looking and smelling great by mixing two cups of water with two teaspoons of tea tree oil. Spray onto the toilet and let it soak for half an hour. Then scrub to remove stains and scents.

6. Keep your bathroom smelling fresh all day long by adding a drop of fragrant essential oil to the inside of your toilet paper roll. Every time someone goes to use it the scent will be released. I love calming lavender myself!

7. Get windows clean and repel flies and mosquitos! Just add ten drops of lemon grass oil to two ounces of water and spray onto windows for a shiny, great smelling surface that flies and mosquitos can’t stand.

Author: This post is contributed by Christine Maddox. Currently she is pursuing her Master’s degree from University of Texas as well as blogging for www.4nannies.com. She loves to write anything related to parenting, kids, nanny care etc. She can be reached via email at: christine.4nannies @ gmail.com.

New Perspectives: Green Ideas for Home Improvement

The green movement isn’t just for environmentalists. It’s for everyone, including people like me. I’m a mother of two and a wife who’s trying to save some money. I care about protecting the planet, and I’ve learned that the going green can also protect your pocketbook. Here are some of the ways I’ve made my home greener and saved money in the process.

Green Appliances

I remember when the old refrigerator in our basement froze its last container of ice cream and then died. The next electric bill came in and had dropped by nearly $15. Those old appliances are incredible energy hogs. While we don’t rush out to buy new ones, we do invest in Energy Star appliances when it’s time for a replacement. Over time, I’ve watched my electric bill drop even as utility costs have risen.

Improve the Curb Appeal

New windows and doors make your house look better on the outside, and they also lower your energy usage. We replaced an aging wood casement with an energy efficient bay window. I immediately noticed that the room was more comfortable in the summer heat. We’ve also seen a significant drop in our cooling and heating bills. The older your windows are, the more you can save with energy efficient windows.

Water Conservation

There’s nothing quite like opening the water bill and being in for a huge shock. We scrape leftover food off dishes to limit how much they have to be rinsed, turn off the faucet when rinsing toothbrushes and have taught the kids how to take shorter showers. All of these changes are behavioral, and that makes them very cost-effective. Install aerators on sinks and invest in low-flow showerheads. You can also install rain buckets on the downspouts to capture rain from the roof and put it to use in irrigating the garden.

Add Insulation

Insulation makes the home warmer in winter and makes it easier to cool the home in summer. In addition to putting extra insulation in the attic where your old batting has crushed down, there are a few other areas you should bolster. Use a stick of lit incense to check for drafts around windows. If you find one, remove the frame and use spray foam insulation to fill the space. Do the same thing around doors. Buy special foam sheets that go around light switches and outlets on your exterior walls.

Go Green with Cleaning

Green isn’t just about saving money and the planet, it’s also better for the family. Green cleaning compounds do not have dangerous fumes, and they won’t harm your furniture or your children. Green cleaners cost a little more to purchase, but you don’t go through as much of them, and the peace of mind they provide you with is priceless.

There are countless ways to improve your home and go green. You can teach the kids about recycling and embrace a green lifestyle that reduces waste. You can also go green while improving your home by adding insulation, updating windows and investing in Energy Star appliances. Even little changes can make a difference, and it’s better for your family, your finances and the environment.

Author Bio: Karla Jennings is the writer and owner of The Home & Moms, a home improvement blog all about home improvement, renovations, organization, and DIY decorating. She is also a freelance writer for Maid Brigade, a home cleaning service. Her work can be found on various interior design and remodeling blogs around the web.

Eco-Friendly Moving Ideas

image courtesy of Solid Frog

1. Instead of packing your stuff in trash bags, cardboard boxes, or anything else you might end up throwing in the trash, rent reusable plastic crates that can be returned after your move. Try LifeTotes.

2. Before throwing things in the trash, figure out if your stuff is worthy of donating, selling, or giving away on Craigslist. 

3. On the same note, check out local yard sales and craigslist postings before purchasing new furniture. 

4. If new furniture is needed for your new place, look for sustainable options - buy local, or check out eco selections from West Elm, or read about the latest innovations in eco friendly furniture on TreeHugger.

5. Use newspaper to pack fragile items instead of packing peanuts or bubble wrap. Packing peanuts are made from polystyrene...yuck! And bubblewrap doesn't biodegrade. Packing with newspaper is a good way to reuse, and can still be recycled at the end. 

6. Use eco-friendly cleaning supplies when scrubbing down the old and the new digs. Many stores  carry green cleaners, or you can make your own. 

New Perspectives: Green Ways to Decorate Your Kitchen

image courtesy of MidWestLiving.com

1. Use topiaries to add vegetation & style
Imagine using those spiral topiaries on your kitchen’s entrance? How about the hanging topiaries above your dining tables? Isn’t the thought of using these topiaries in your kitchen fantastic and elegant? The best part is, it isn’t very expensive. You can even make one yourself with some of the many topiary DIY idea boards on Pinterest. This is a classic example of being nature friendly and economical while getting the best results.

2. Strategically position your windows to capture sunlight
If you're re-doing your kitchen,  you can plan to save electricity by strategically positioning your windows.
Position it in such a way that it can capture the sunlight and also take note of the window's dimensions. If you make your windows big enough and positioned it correctly, you won’t have to use your lights not until dinner time.

3. Use plants that absorb air impurities 
For example, the "Mother in Law’s Tongue" plant is well known for helping absorb air impurities and dusts. That is why you commonly see this plant in houses especially in their entrance.
If you place these types of plants in your kitchen, not only will it help in cleaning your kitchen’s air but it’ll add to your kitchen's decor  as well.
Take the time to consider the price of the plant, the beauty it brings, and the function that these plants can do for you, you’d be a sure winner if you use them.

Now that I’ve shared some of my techniques in how to decorate your garden the “green way”, I’d love to hear from you. Whatever tips and tricks you can share to help others in designing their kitchen the green way will surely be appreciated. Share your tips in the comments section below!

Aileen Pablo is a home improvement blogger and writer from toptopiary.co.uk. Top Topiary began life in 2004 exhibiting at garden shows in the south of England and selling Topiary Frames to the visitors.

Guest Post: Organizing & Greening Your Home Office

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Many prefer to work from home. It is convenient and green to stay at home. However, working at home requires a high level of organization and time management - which makes an orderly home office imperative. 

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Here are some tips to make your home office organized and comfortable:

1.       Space – Regardless of the size of your home office, you can  turn it into a more spacious feeling place.  De-cluttering is a great way to make your home office more inviting and efficient. Try going paperless - it is a great way to save trees and keeping your office tidy.

3.       Furniture- The right furniture for your home office is essential.  Surroundings are a great source of inspiration so choose furniture that both reflects your style but also has a story behind it (like fair trade items from Ten Thousand Villages). 

4.       Home gadgets  - Don't place tvs, radios, or game consoles  in your home office. Not only are these distracting, but they waste electricity. 

5.       Light- Lighting is easy to neglect but a well lit office is important. Natural light sources like windows are of course the most pleasant and cost efficient. Also invest for your lighting source even though it may be costly up front (i.e. use compact flourescent or LED lightbulbs).

Sarah Del Rosario is a home improvement blogger from Thrifty Senyorita and currently partners with officefurnitureexpress.co.uk, one of the leading providers of accessories and furniture for Office. 

Guest Post: How to Revamp Your Kitchen Using Recycled and Eco-friendly Materials

image courtesy of http://cocoonhome.com/

The kitchen is one of the busiest and traffic-prone areas in the home. Often, gatherings and other family events usually take place in the kitchen, causing the kitchen easily lose its shine and glamour.  Most people think that kitchen revamp is costly, but redoing a kitchen doesn’t need to be grand. Simple changes can make a dramatic difference.

Because of the rising cost of energy and improved environmental awareness,  homeowners are careful when choosing the appliances and furniture that they’re going to use in their
kitchen revamp.

image courtesy of http://www.homedsgn.com/

Here are some quick tips for a cost efficient, eco-friendly, kitchen makeover:

Let it be Green - Consider putting a plant in your kitchen. This will alter the look and
ambiance of your kitchen while also improving indoor air quality.

Paints - Apply a new coat of low-VOC paint to an old counter top.

Faucets- Inspect your kitchen faucet regularly. Immediately repairing leaks is a great way to update your kitchen and conserve water at the same time.

Light- Replace all incandescent lightbulbs with CFLs or LEDs.

Appliances- If you’re planning to buy a new set of appliances for your kitchen, consider Energy Star products. In addition, make sure to unplug all your unused appliances.

Recycle bin- Learn your town's recycling policies. If your municipality has single-stream recycling, make sure to have one, clearly-labeled recycling bin. Otherwise, set up a recycling area so that people can easily separate glass, plastic, and paper.

Eco-friendly Cleaning Materials- Try making your own cleaning products to avoid using synthetic chemicals all over your kitchen.

Help save your environment and Enjoy your Eco-friendly Kitchen.

Daniel Argent is a home improvement blogger and is the guy behind The Home Fixers - where you can find  the best local plumbers.

Today is World Water Day!

Today is 20th Annual United Nations World Water Day!

image courtesy of eminayiden.wordpress.com

Here are 5 quick tips for reducing your water use this spring:

1. Your yard is probably looking pretty nasty after a snowy winter, but let it grow naturally this spring - don't water or fertilize!

2. Spring cleaning? Be mindful how much water you use for household cleaning - does your mop bucket really need to be that full?

3. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn, so you don't need to water as often.


4. Car covered in salt and sand after the winter? Research carwashes before going - some reuse water!

5. Spring is a great time to re-asses your daily routine. Consider a shower timer and aim for 5 minute showers or less.

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ePantry: Proof that Green Living is Easy Living

My friend and Just Us Gals co-author, Suzanne, recently told me about the California start-up ePantry (FUN FACT: though this company is based in San Francisco, its roots can be traced back to MA: the founders met at Amherst College). The idea behind ePantry is similar to Peapod by Stop & Shop, except that ePantry specializes in delivering green household products (ie. sustainable toilet paper, laundry detergent, soap, etc.) straight to your home depending on your needs and schedule.

You may be wondering how this is more sustainable than going out to buy the eco-products yourself. Well, how many times have you gone into CVS to pick up partyware or paper towels just to find that the most sustainable option has run out or is not available? This happened to me just last week! I ran out to pick up some plates for my Valentines Day Soiree (I don't have enough reusable plates in my tiny apartment for 15 people), and I was hoping to pick up a corn-based biodegradable option, or maybe plain paper - but no - the only option was styrofoam (YUCK!). Needless to say, I made my guests share my reusable plates because I refused to by styrofoam. ePantry is a simple way to avoid this issue. By using ePantry you can make sure your home always has the right amount of sustainable, safe supplies. I look forward to joining, and never having to run out at 8:00am on a Sunday to pick up (unrecycled) toilet paper!

New Years Resolutions for 2013

Time to compile a list of resolutions for 2013! Some of my resolutions from last year made the list once again - maybe I'll actually accomplish them this time. There's always hope! 

1. Shower in less than 7 minutes. 

2. Avoid fast fashion.

3. Travel somewhere new (and purchase carbon offsets for the trip).

4. Purchase less processed foods. 

5. Attend two green events per month.

6. Take more of my own photography for Boston Green Blog.

7. Do an unplugged workout 3 times per week. 

8. Clean with home-made natural supplies. 

Cooking with Less Waste

Over the holiday weekend I did a lot of cooking with my family. Like many families, our Christmas traditions revolve around food. There is cookie decorating, the Christmas morning quiche, the elaborate bloody marys, and when we're finished opening presents and eating brunch, its already time to begin preparing the Christmas dinner feast! Luckily, my family is totally behind me in this whole "going green" mentality, so our quiche was made with organic, cage-free eggs, and we had many vegetarian side-dishes to choose from. But our new green Christmas tradition is composting!

Up in the 'burbs, we have a big woodsy yard, so this summer my parents decided to start a compost pile behind our house. The whole process is surprisingly easy. We keep a small bowl in the kitchen where we toss coffee grounds, egg shells, and fruit/vegetable scraps. At the end of each day, one of us empties the bowl into a larger, air-tight container in the garage. (Like the one pictured below). When this container is full, its slowly biodegrading contents are put on the compost pile in the yard. The decomposition process is slower in the winter, but in the warmer weather we will begin turning the pile. And eventually, we will have nice rich soil to use in our vegetable garden!

image courtesy of crafts.kaboose.com

America Recycles Day is a Week Away!

Since 1997, people across the United States have celebrated America Recycles Day to motivate and educate communities about recycling and reducing waste. This year, America Recycles Day takes place November 15! Throughout the country, communities will participate in events and activities to inspire recycling and keep waste out of landfills.

Many companies and townships are hosting special events to promote recycling next week:

Evergreen Packaging has some interesting tips on how to recycle or reuse paper cartons: www.recyclecartons.com and more craft and recycling tips, check out: www.choosecartons.com

Boston Public Works is hosting a hazardous waste collection in West Roxbury from 9am - 2pm: http://www.cityofboston.gov/recycle 

And Salem is hosting a textiles drive on November 17th. http://salem.com/recycling

To learn about recycling events near where you live, visit: http://americarecyclesday.org

Required Reading: Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano

Not unlike Starre Vartan's Eco Chick Guide to Life, Gorgeously Green is a fun, girly, and informative guidebook to making your daily life as sustainable as possible without giving up style or little luxuries. The 8-step guide is a great resource, I want to carry a copy with me whenever I go shopping! It has lists of chemicals and products to avoid, product recommendations, and even recipes. The book also corresponds with Sophie's website Gorgeously Green - which has countless more green lifestyle ideas. The book and the website have checklists and quizzes to test your progress (like a girls-only version of Practically Green). 

Gorgeously Green is a New York Times Bestseller and has been recommended by many of the world's most stylish women (I mean, come on, the foreword is written by Julia Roberts!). Its easy to see why people love this book - it is super user friendly. I highly recommend checking out a copy from the Boston Public Library or surfing the website. 

How to Make a Green Cleaning Kit

Today's post on green cleaning comes from a guest author. Enjoy!

The commercial cleaning products of today are chock full of toxic and harsh chemicals which should be avoided whenever possible. Although their formulas are usually very effective their long-term effects and hazards posed if applied the wrong way make them a danger you don't really need in your home as long as you can avoid them by using natural alternatives. You'll be surprised at how much can be done by using the products our ancestors used for centuries without resorting to commercial products and at how much of a cheaper alternative they actually are. Here are some tips on what you will need to get the kit ready:

Baking soda, distilled vinegar (white), washing soda, tea tree oil, liquid soap and some glass jars and spray bottles.

Using the aforementioned you can make a few useful products of your own, for example:

Mixing baking soda with the liquid soap until they are blended into a creamy texture will provide you with an excellent way to clean your bathtubs and sinks. It has a clear texture and won't leave anything behind since the baking soda will dissolve as you wash it away with water. You should usually make some of it only when you use it, however you can store it if you place it in a glass jar and add some glycerol to keep it moisturized. The added benefit of this cleaning alternative is its extremely reduced toxicity compared to the usual scrubbers sold commercially.

A great way to make window cleaner is by mixing about half a table spoon of liquid soap with three spoons of vinegar and about two cups of water. The mixture can be placed in a spray bottle and it will do the exact same thing commercial products do and is much cheaper to make obviously. The soap will help you clean away the streaks left behind by those products as well, so adding it to the mix works great.

Cleaning your oven has always been a very unpleasant task right? Well by mixing a cup of baking soda with water and some of the liquid soap mentioned earlier you will have a perfect way of cleaning the fat and grime that collects inside ovens. Just sprinkle enough water and then baking soda to cover the bottom of it and spray some water until the mixture is wet. Let the whole thing sit overnight and wipe it away on the morning. You'll find out it loosens and dissolves the worst of the mess inside. You can clean the rest by using liquid soap and water.

Polishing furniture is also possible by utilizing these products; just add half a teaspoon of oil (olive oil, sunflower oil or whatever strikes your fancy) and a quarter of a cup of vinegar or just lemon juice in a glass jar and use the mixture to polish surfaces. It can be easily stored within the jar for a very long time and reused at your leisure without losing its properties.

Vinegar can also be used as a deodorizer to kill unwanted smells and contrary to what you may believe its smell will dissipate with a few hours after drowning out the unpleasant smells it was meant to cover. It can also be used to kill most common mold, reportedly up to 82% of what we encounter in our kitchens and bathrooms.

As you can see there are plenty of opportunities and alternatives to commercial cleaners, so try them out and see for yourself!

Learn more at: http://www.londoncleaners.co.uk/