This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 at 4:44 PM and is filed under Home Staging Ideas. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Since the beautiful warm weather has greeted us this spring, I’ve become a little more motivated to do some spring cleaning. With the environment becoming a bigger issue, this year I’ve decided to replace my usual cleaners with some eco-friendly home remedies. Searching online for tips and recipes here are some of the highlights of what I’ve found and what I’ll be using:
Eco Cycle: Working to Build Zero Waste Communities
Besides providing many home-made eco-friendly cleaning supplies, Eco Cycle has many tips on recycling, composting, recycled products for purchase and how to reduce waste. Here are two of my favourite cleaning recipes:
Window Cleaner
Mix together:
2 tsp. vinegar
1 qt. warm water
OR
2 tbsp. borax
3 c. water
Rub dry with newspaper to avoid streaking.
Air Fresheners
Simmer: Cinnamon sticks
Orange peel, cloves
Water
To absorb odors, place 2 to 4 tbsp. baking soda or vinegar in small bowls in refrigerator and around the house and pour ½ cup baking soda in the bottom of trash cans.
Less Toxic Guide
The Less Toxic Guide is produced by the Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia (which is still applicable to all of Canada). They have many helpful tips on consumer advice, personal and baby care, household cleaners and pest control. The advice on this site that made an impression on me was their article on Green Washing. Many manufacturers of hazardous products know of our wishes to become more green and they market their products with images of flowers, fruit and the words “green”. They may may promote healthy sounding ingredients like goat’s milk or vitamin e, while the other main ingredients are not healthy at all. I encourage you to read the link.
What earth-friendly tips and tricks to you implement? I’d love for you to share them.
References: Eco Cycle, Alternative Cleaners and Recipes (Mar 31, 2010), Guide to Less Toxic Products, Beware of Greenwashing (Mar 31, 2010)
March 31st, 2010 at 8:20 PM
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April 2nd, 2010 at 12:00 PM
Yeah viniger really works well