Green My Home!

[Pixi]

Green My Home!

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Hi there, I have noticed there are many threads in this section but to save me reading every post in every thread I was wondering if anyone could help me with ideas/suggestions.

I want to make my house more environmentally friendly and thought (as we're on a VERY tight budget) that I might go about it room by room...

I'll write down anything I have done so far so please add to it if you have any ideas.

Nursery:
*Purchased one cloth nappy so far (its too expensive to buy them all at once)
*Using environmentally friendly disposable nappies/wipes/bags

Bathroom:
*Using Botani Facewashes/bodywashes etc.

I was wondering about the vinegar/bicarb cleaning. Do you mix them together, or do you use them seperate?

What's a good thing to use to clean the toilet?

Are there any brands that aren't very pricey that make products to clean the bathroom with? (I had been using earthchoice but found out it's not very safe at all!)

Laundry:

Again, had been using the earthchoice detergent.

Does anyone have any nice safe washing detergents for toploaders?

Kitchen:
Again, using the earthchoice in here too. Been trying to preserve water as much as possible though!

what is a good washing up detergent? Is there one you can make yourself?

Car:

any good safe car cleaning products?


Sorry to be quite vague but I just thought someone might have some ideas!?

[unique muma]

Re: Green My Home!

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Firstly with the bedroom/baby wipes.To save money as well as environmently friendly have you thought about using cloth wipes? I have bought some bright all the same face washers(so you no they are wipes and not washers) and keep them in a seperate container.I used to have a container with cooled chaomile tea with the wipes in in it and use them for each change.Now I have a spray bottle with lavender oil and tea tree that I spray the wipes then wipe the bum. Cheaper then $6 for wipes every week.

Washing powder personally I use the "aware" from planet ark,it contains no petro chemicals or other nasties and it can be used in front & top loaders.

Hope this helps and im sure some others will be along soon with some more great tips

D'nelle

[lcorteen]

Re: Green My Home!

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Firstly, good on you for seeking solutions that are gentler on your family and our lovely planet.

I know you said you didn't want to read through the posts to save you time, but to be honest, I don;t want to rewrite my suggestions to save MY time... so I suggest that you do take the time to read through them as there are some wonderful suggestions in there. There is a great, long thread on washing detergents and another called 'return to the crunchy life' or something similar - these two spring to mind straight away

Good luck xx

[hanabi]

Re: Green My Home!

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I can summarise a few tricks:

1. Use terry flats. Yes, AIOs and modern cloth are wonderful, and it's worth having a few in your stash, but at home, terry flats work fine, and once you master the folds, you won't look back. Also, see hint #2 NB, you can treat them meaner than AIOs and fitted nappies too - as putting them through a hot wash requires only half as much detergent. PS, I use Trinature and love it - but it must be bought in bulk.

2. Invest in a few (as many as you can afford) microfibre cloths. They last a long time, assist in cleaning without any chemicals (even soap/vinegar/bicarb) and because they are so absorbant they can double as soakers for your terry flats as suggested in #1. Just ensure you use a liner so they don't irritate bub's skin.

#3. Ditch the commercial cosmetics and lotions and go for stuff in your kitchen cupboard. Wash with warm water and a clean face washer (it works just as well and it's unlikely to irritate) or if you think you need it, swab with some camomile tea. And, if you dare, dab a little olive oil on your skin for a moisturiser. I don't use any cleansers on my face, but I do regularly take a nice hot bath and the sweat-factor is better at cleansing my pores than any expensive facial treatment. Wash hair with dilute bicarb (about two cups water to one tablespoon bicarb) and apply to wet hair in the shower with a squirt bottle. It will make your hair squeaky clean. You can dilute apple cider vinegar about 1:1 with water and rinse clean. After that, apply a mild leave-in conditioner (V05 or similar) or your usual mild styling product and you may be surprised by the results. Ordinary sorbelene is also a fabulous skin cleanser for in the shower and it doubles as a moisturiser for after shower if you need it (like in winter). Otherwise, some olive oil applied to still-wet skin and then towelled off gives skin a nice glow. Add essential oils if you find the olive smell a bit too much. Almond oil or peach kernel oil are more luxurious and expensive, but also have a multitude of uses on the skin.

That's three tips that will save you a small fortune. The other stuff you're doing is on the right track.

Yes, those threads that Louise recommened are the bomb. You'll be surprised what you learn in them.

[Ama]

Re: Green My Home!

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Hi,
I'd also like to advocate for Tri Nature. I have been using a few staple products of theirs for at least 15 years and love the fact that because it's bought in bulk from a distributor, I don't even have to go up the "poisons aisle" when shopping. I know it saves me money and the disinfectant which can also be used for room spray smells lovely. I even have a little bottle to spray on my hands after nappy changes rather than using the commercial hand sanitisers or juggling baby while trying to wash my hands
Also, I'd probably go for the terry flat nappies too. No need for nappisan since I use the Tri Nature Pre-soak and a few hours in the sun and they're bright white again.
I know there are a few goodies out there when it comes to inexpensive and green products, but I tend to stick with what I know.
Good luck. Your choices make a difference!