If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

What is it about washing your car that seems like so much….work? The water, the soap and finding a place to wash it that doesn’t cost and arm-and-a-leg on top of that just seems like too much work. I usually wait for rain.

Except I live in California. It doesn’t rain much these days.

Eco Touch has a great solution to my ails. Their Waterless Car Wash works without water. Just spray, wipe and your car is clean. I think you might have to scrub to get that bird poop out.

It’s made of water, some natural cleaners based from soy and coconut and an organic solvent. A bottle will run you $10 and is good for about 4-8 washes, depending on how big your car is.

Get the Eco Touch Waterless Car Wash

Share This

I really like hte old-school look of JR Watkins skincare and now they’ve started on the home. The type-crowded look kind if remidns me of Dr. Bronner’s.

J.R. Watkins Natural Home and Body Care : TreeHugger

Share This

Remember when I was talking about how I clean with vinegar?

Well, also in my arsenal is baking soda. Really between the two and maybe some borax or Dr. Bronners, you don’t need much more.

I usually just use baking soda as an additive to my cleaning spray or use it to clean the drain, but I’ve started scrubbing with it.

To scrub, all you need is to mix a teeny tiny bit of water with it, enough to make a paste. I spent a hour or so scrubbing all my pots to a shine, and then my tub. It’s great at soap scum and you don’t have to feel guilty about sending it down the drain.

The mix is about 3 parts baking soda to one part water. Go ahead and use you hands to scrub if you want, it’s a natural exfoliator, so you’ll come out all soft to boot.

You can also scrub fruits and veggies with it.

According to the Arm & Hammer folks, there’s a shaker bottle as well as the classic box. I need to go find that now.

Share This

Low Impact Living has some more recipes for green cleaning that are slightly different than the ones I use, but still worth checking out.

Check it out at Low Impact Living. 

Share This

Ally is my baby. She’s three and she’s a fiesty little cat. I love her regardless and refuse to use chemicals around the house, for me and her.

So I clean with vinegar, borax, baking soda, lemon essential oil, and Dr. Bronner’s.

I use the following recipes:

All-purpose cleaner 

Mix 2 tbls of white vinegar with 1 tsp borax. Mix that with 1 cup of hot water and pour into a spray bottle and then add more water and 1/4 cup Dr. Bronner’s. I add 20 drops of lemon essential oil on top of that.

For clogged drains

I put a 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain with about a cup or so of white vinegar. I let that foam it’s way down and wait about 30 minutes. Then I pour some boiling water to finish the job (don’t use too much!). I only do this max of once a month or so and it keeps my cloggy shower drain clean.

Scouring

I make a paste of water and baking soda, and scrub away. Then I wash it off with water.

 Hand soap

I use mix 2 parts water to one part Dr. Bronner’s. It cleans well, but is pretty runny.

Share This

I’ve long been grossed out by the amount of product and waste I use when I Swiffer. It’s just so convenient, I don’t know how to stop (that and I’ve got a Costco-size box to go through).

I’ve told myself that when I’m done with this box I’ll go out and buy one of those method thingies and make my own Swiffer juice, but then today I came across this great idea at Curbly.

Make your own reusable Swiffer.

OK, I can do that. Some old sweatshirts or new fleece and we’re good to go. But can I use it wet?

Go to the project. 

Share This

The folks at Curbly pointed me to this great list of how to clean everything in your house without chemicals. I’ve posted a lot of lists, but this is pretty comprehensive and includes recipes I’ve never seen before.

Link

Share This

The home blogging world is talking about method’s new omop, which is supposedly the green alternative to Swiffers. I do love my swiffer, but I often worry about all the little cloths that I’m constantly throwing away. The omop has a microfiber cloth that you can use with or without the mop fluid.

The mop itself looks more ergonomic, with a curved handle to better pressure on the floor.

My question? What do you do with your old Swiffer? Maybe you can use the microfiber pad on the Swiffer?

Share This

I’ve been playing hippie. Sustainable clothing and such is tough to find and stylish sustainable items are in a whole other realm. Add on to that affordable, stylish sustainable goods and you’ve got a challenge.
But, you’re in luck! I found some.

Did you know over 14 million plastic bags are used each year in the U.S? Myownbag makes an adorable reusable shopping bag. Better yet, it folds up into itself so you can take it with you if you suddenly find yourself in a fantastic farmer’s market.

The DivaCup is a alternative to tampons and pads for the ladies. Instead of spending $3 every month or so on the latest, best palstic applicator, invest in the DivaCup. It might be messy at first, but they last for ten years and you’re saving the Earth. I found mine at Lucky Vitamin (pssst they also carry Alba Organics, my favorite line of organic skin care). DivaCup’s web site also has a store locator function.

Remember when the little dishwasher tablets came out and we were all excited? They were so easy and premeasured! Well, now you can have the same joy out of doing laundry. Dropps are environmentally safe and pre-measured.

Share This