Spring Cleaning - Green Cleaners (1 of ??)

So, back to writing after another hiatus, and I'd like to continue with what I was last writing about - Spring Cleaning.  There are a ton of products on the market - all of which are targeted towards different rooms, surfaces, dirt, etc.  BUT, an easy way to save money & avoid some of the fumes and toxic chemicals is to make some of them yourself.  After all, what did our ancestors do before we had all of these chemicals?

Earth911.org is a great website with information on a wide variety of green subjects. The main use is to determine where to recycle items.  Type in your location & what you want to recycle, and they'll tell you where you can take it!  But they also have articles and e-mails with green tips, tricks, and savings.

Here's their article on 5 cleaners that you can make yourself (link at the end of the article).  I'll follow up next week with information about Green commercial cleaners.

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The main ingredients

Most homemade household products contain the same ingredients. The first – and probably most obvious – is soap, which you can purchase in bars, liquids or flakes for less than $3. Soap itself is completely biodegradable and nontoxic. But when choosing your soap, opt for brands without synthetic scents, colors or other additives for the most eco-friendly results.

Once soap is dissolved in water, adding common kitchen ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice and salt is usually enough to get things clean. But for added power, some recipes use powdered wash soda (also known as sodium carbonate) and borax (also known as sodium tetraborate). Both ingredients are mineral-based and available in the laundry section of most grocery stores for about $4.

1. Laundry detergent

Store-bought detergents can cost up to $10 for 32 loads, which can really add up over time. But it’s easy to get the same fresh-smelling clothes the all-natural way for less than half the price.

Adding soap flakes to the warm water at the start of your wash cycle is a quick and easy substitute for detergent. If you’re washing in cold water, simply dissolve your soap in a small pot of water on the stove and pour about a cup in with each load. And skip the fabric softener. Adding 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle will soften clothes just as well.

You may run into problems with basic detergent recipes if you have “hard water” – meaning your water supply is very rich in minerals. When added to hard water, soap flakes can stick to your clothes and leave them a little less than clean. For hard water areas, add 1/3 cup of wash soda to water before adding clothes, and use dissolved soap in place of detergent (the wash soda softens water and helps clothes come out clean). Add 1/2 cup of borax for added cleaning power.

2. Glass cleaner

Pricey bottles touting a streak-free shine for all your glass surfaces can sell for as much as $5. But did you know a homemade alternative costs less than 20 cents?

Just mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar with 8 cups of warm water to give your windows, mirrors and glass countertops a shiny finish. You can apply your mixture with a towel. But if you prefer the spray-on method, pick up a reusable spray bottle from a local discount store, or reuse the bottle from a purchased glass cleaner.

3. Toilet cleaner

Cleaning the toilet is probably the ickiest (and most necessary) job in the house. And while many of us spend a bundle on “extra-strength” cleaners in an effort to stave off bacteria, all-natural methods can be tough on germs too – and cost way less. So, ditch those brand-name cleaners, and sub in a DIY alternative for less than a dollar.

To get the bowl clean, simply sprinkle in about 1/4 cup of baking soda and drizzle with vinegar. Let the mixture sit and fizzle away for about 1/2 hour, and scrub clean with a toilet brush. Your porcelain throne will be just as clean without the harsh chemical smells.

4. Tile and grout cleaner

It’s tough to clean tile and grout without being left with a sore elbow. And you may think that expensive cleaners make things easier, but a $10 price tag and a fancy label isn’t the only way to get the job done. About 50 cents worth of baking soda or vinegar is enough to leave your tiles clean and your elbow rested.

Usually, mixing 1/4 cup of vinegar with about 15 cups of water will be enough to clean your tile. But if you’ve got some tough spots, you may need something a little stronger. Make a paste using 1/4 cup of baking soda and a tablespoon of liquid soap and scrub it onto tough areas with a scouring pad.

5. Wood polish

You want to keep your wood furniture looking nice, but is $5 for a little can of polish really worth it? To get all your wood finishes looking shiny and spotless, skip the pricey polishes and do it yourself on the cheap.

For ugly rings on your wood tables, just make a paste using equal parts baking soda and toothpaste. Yes, we said toothpaste. Use a plain, non-gel toothpaste and apply your mixture over the ring with a cloth. Wipe off the film with a wet cloth, buff with a dry one and your table will be good as new.

To give surfaces a glossy sheen, mix about 1/2 cup of vinegar and a tablespoon of olive oil and apply like your usual polish. Vinegar will pull dirt out of your wood surfaces, while oil leaves them shiny and moisturized

http://earth911.com/news/2011/11/11/save-cash-go-diy/

Spring Cleaning - Organizing

Day 2 of the Spring Cleaning topic, Organizing.

This will be a short & simple post, since it is a short and simple topic.

So, how does organizing fit in with sustainability?  Its easy- if you know where things are and what you have, you won't spend time searching for it or have to go out and buy a new item.  How annoying is it to search and search for the tape, finally get a new roll, and THEN find the roll that you were originally looking for?  Or to find out that your produce has gone bad in the back of the refrigerator because you forgot that it was there?

So, I don't have any real tips on organizing, other than to say a) pare down what you own (see yesterday's post), and b) then arrange it in a way that makes sense & works for you!  For example, I have my books at home grouped by subject - it would be too exhausting to try and file them alphabetically by author, but at least if I'm looking for a book about rock climbing, I have a good idea where I would find it.  I also like making use of existing objects around my house to organize things with - such as tomato sauce jars for screws and nails, spice jars for Q-tips (I have some cool little spice jars that work perfectly), etc. The more that you can re-use, the better.

And just think how happy you'll be when you don't have to waste time searching for something that you *think* should be *here*.

Tomorrow - the "big" topic regarding Spring Cleaning - better (for you & the environment) cleaning supplies!

Spring Cleaning

After a week of writer's block, I'm back!

Its a bit early, but with the few days of warm weather we've been having here (mixed with days of snow - truly March), I'm thinking about spring cleaning - get rid of the clutter, simplify, get things clean and shiny for the spring and summer.

So, the different aspects of spring cleaning:
- Getting rid of things
- Organizing
- Cleaning

I'll cover one of these topics each day, and there'll be a quiz on Friday with answers on Monday.

So, for today - let's get rid of things & simplify!!

First of all, why?  We're in a society where more is often equated with better.  However, several studies and a book (The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less by Barry Schwartz) determined that too many choices make us unhappier - "Is there a better choice that we could have/use?", "I bet that there's something better on TV" - instead of just enjoying what we do have.

In addition, in The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, she finds that for many people, outer order contributes to inner calm.  Many of us are trying to be calmer, more rational and relaxed human beings, and being confronted by clutter upsets these senses.

Sometimes we buy things to satisfy a "fantasy" about ourselves - for example, tablecloths ("I'd love to use a tablecloth, if I get one, it will make me use it").  And then, it sits in the linen closet, reminding us that we not organized enough to use it and making us feel guilty.  These items that don't make you happy should GO.

“If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
-- William Morris


Ok, so we know WHY to simplify, but now HOW & what to do with the things we want to get rid of.


If you have things that no longer make you happy, but still have useful life left in them, see about donating them!  Many charitable organizations will take gently used items.  In the Sandy area, the Sandy Community Action Center accepts clothing (clean & in good condition), baby items, canned or dried food, and small household items.   Goodwill also accepts items in good conditions, including computer parts which they refurbish, reuse, or recycle responsibly.  Computer parts can also be taken to FreeGeek, where they will be refurbished, reused, or recycled.  Refurbished computers are then "earned" by volunteers, donated to non-profits, or sold in the thrift store.    The Sandy Lions Club accepts eyeglasses and hearing aids for recycling.  I'll add other links and information as I find them.


Another resource is the local Freecycle network, where items can be offered for free.  There are the following networks in our areas:  Mt Hood, Gresham, Clackamas.   You'd be amazed at what people will take - even if its not working.  Then again, you'll be amazed at what people won't taken - even if it does work!


So, if the items that you no longer want to keep are broken, dirty, or no longer in good condition - the best option is to see if they can be recycled.  At Earth911.com you can type in what you're trying to get rid of, and the website will let you know where you can take it.  Many more things are recyclable than what goes in the curbside pickup.  


Once you've exhausted all of those options, then its time to consider throwing the item in the trash.  Sometimes this is the only way, but make sure that you've taken anything hazardous (i.e. batteries) out before you put it in the trash.   

Paper Quiz - Answers!

Pop quiz to see if you read my posts over the past 2 weeks about paper.  I'll post the answers on Monday.  Feel free to respond in the comments, or ask questions!

1) I have a large report that is stapled together.  Do I really have to take the staple out before putting it in the recycling bin?
Nope!  The recycling process can handle miscellaneous staples, paper clips, etc.

2) Did you notice that paper towels and toilet paper come on cardboard rolls?  Can these be recycled?

(some brands are doing away with the cardboard rolls to save resources!)
YES!  They can.  Paper towels can also be composted in our compost bucket at City Hall.  And the cardboard boxes that tissues come in can be recycled, too.  

3) I just printed out 10 pages of labels and stuck them to the envelopes.  What should I do with the backing paper?
They have to be thrown away :(  The plastic coating that allows the labels to come off doesn't allow the paper to be recycled.  Alternatives include printing the addresses directly on the envelopes (and then you save the time of sticking the labels onto the envelopes)

4) All of our mail seems to come in those envelopes with windows.  Do I need to throw these away?
NO!  The recycling process can handle small amounts of plastic contaminants like these.

5) After I microwave my frozen Lean Cuisine lunch, what should I do with the box that it came in?
It has to be thrown away :(  The boxes that frozen food comes in contain "wet strength" - a chemical that keeps it from breaking down in water.  Since the recycling process relies on water to break down the paper, this is a problem.

6) We used paper plates for a sandwich-type lunch.  No food got on the plates.  Can we recycle them?  NO!  The plates often have either a plastic or wax coating, or wet strength added, so they don't break down in the recycling process

7) What about the paper cups that we used that had water in them?
No.  Same reason as above.

8) I shred all my sensitive documents.  Can I recycle them? What should I put them in? (hah - 2 questions here!)
YES!  Shredded paper can be recycled.  Most waste management companies ask that you put it in paper bags, but we can also work with Hoodview Disposal to have a special pick-up of large amounts of shredded paper in plastic bags.

9) Name 1 benefit of recycling paper and/or using recycled paper with high post-consumer waste content.

saved 3.6 million trees

- reduce air emissions

- save water

- prevented the release of waste into the wastewater system

- requires 40% less energy than making paper from virgin wood products

- releases 38% fewer green-house gases

10) At least on the Planning & Building side of City Hall, we use carbonless paper for hand-written receipts, building inspections, etc.  What should we do with the scraps and other pieces that we don't need?

This was a trick question, since I just updated the answer in the blog about paper recycling.  YES, it is!

Bonus Question:  What is the one exception to question 5 above?
Amy's Organics.  These have been confirmed to NOT use wet strength chemicals.

Paper Quiz

Pop quiz to see if you read my posts over the past 2 weeks about paper.  I'll post the answers on Monday.  Feel free to respond in the comments, or ask questions!

1) I have a large report that is stapled together.  Do I really have to take the staple out before putting it in the recycling bin?

2) Did you notice that paper towels and toilet paper come on cardboard rolls?  Can these be recycled?
(some brands are doing away with the cardboard rolls to save resources!)

3) I just printed out 10 pages of labels and stuck them to the envelopes.  What should I do with the backing paper?

4) All of our mail seems to come in those envelopes with windows.  Do I need to throw these away?

5) After I microwave my frozen Lean Cuisine lunch, what should I do with the box that it came in?

6) We used paper plates for a sandwich-type lunch.  No food got on the plates.  Can we recycle them?

7) What about the paper cups that we used that had water in them?

8) I shred all my sensitive documents.  Can I recycle them? What should I put them in? (hah - 2 questions here!)

9) Name 1 benefit of recycling paper and/or using recycled paper with high post-consumer waste content.

10) At least on the Planning & Building side of City Hall, we use carbonless paper for hand-written receipts, building inspections, etc.  What should we do with the scraps and other pieces that we don't need?

Bonus Question:  What is the one exception to question 5 above?

Paper Substitutes

There are numerous substitutes for paper products - many of which we used to use before disposables and their convenience and cleanliness.  For times when we must use disposable items, find ones with the highest percentage possible of post-consumer recycled content. If every household in the United States replaced just one roll of virgin fiber paper towels with paper towels made of 100 percent recycled paper, we could save 544,000 trees, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Office paper: While this cannot truly be replaced, its use can be reduced by the following actions:
- Print double-sided
- Use paper that has already been used on one side for drafts and non-important printing
- Keep documents electronically instead of printing them out

Paper cups and plates:
- Use durable plates, glasses and mugs, and wash them in the dishwasher

Paper Towels
- Use rags or sponges for spills
- Use hand towels and wash weekly/as needed

Napkins
- Use cloth napkins whenever possible. A large collection from scrap material is an easy way to make sure that you always have enough clean ones.

Remember that the 3 R's of the environmental movement start with REDUCE, and then REUSE, with RECYCLE as a last resort.

Benefits of Paper Recycling

There are numerous reasons to recycling paper, and a typical piece of office paper can be recycled five to seven times before the fibers become too short to be used again!

Recycling paper helps preserve natural resources:
In 2007, the Metro regional area recycled 457,000 tons of paper, which:
- saved 3.6 million trees
- reduced air emissions by 566,884 tons (equivalent of 68,000 cars for one year)
- saved 1 billion gallons of water
- prevented the release of 2,100 tons of waste into the wastewater system
- requires 40% less energy than making paper from virgin wood products
- releases 38% fewer green-house gases

Paper recycling saves space in landfills (although that is not currently an issue in the PNW), protects forests, saves energy, and is cost effective.  In addition, reducing paper usage to begin with, and buying paper with high post-consumer recycled content further helps preserve our natural resources.

Tomorrow I'll discuss alternatives to the paper that we use on a daily basis.