Green living

Baby steps to living green

Being more environmentally friendly doesn't have to be hard or expensive. Probably, if your grandmother did it 50 years ago, it is green and frugal. Just look through this list and see what you can do now. Don't try to do it all at once. Don't go and throw out all of your other products unless they are a health concern. It is better to just use up what you have now, and buy the greener products when you run out. This is just a very concise list. I will be going over it in detail at the Green Talk on Saturday, July 4, 2010.

Household

All purpose cleaner

 * vinegar
   Get a spray bottle of half water half vinegar and use as an all purpose cleaner around the house.
   For gunk that is set in, let sit in full strength vinegar for 1 hour to a day to loosen it up.
 * baking soda
   For jobs that need a little bit of scrubbing help, make a paste of baking soda and water and scrub away.

Energy saver

 * put bubble wrap on windows to insulate them link
 * buy an insulating blaket for water heater

Laundry

 * wear clothes more than once (within reason!)
   As long as you aren't getting sweaty and stinky at work, take your clothes off when you get home and hang 
   them up. They are good for at least one more wearing before they need to be washed.
 * use cold water to wash clothes
 * use less detergent
   You typically can use less than the recommended amount
 * buy a drying rack link

Gardening

 reuse cooking water to water plants

Plumbing (clogged drains)

 * baking soda followed by boiling water
   Not recommended with PVC pipes, but check the manufacturing.
 * baking soda followed by vinegar
 * use a plunger for a really bag clog. You can even do this in the sink and bathtub.

Packing material

 reuse shopping bags as packing material. use several to wrap up breakables and to fill in extra space.

Personal

Shampoo/soap:

 Use (or make!) vegetable oil based soaps, no plastic

Conditioner:

 * Vinegar rinse
   Use 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar to 1 cup of water. Apply to hair after washing and let it sit
   for a couple of minutes before washing out. 

Deodorant:

 * Baking soda
   Apply with a small makeup brush. May cause burning to freshly shaved armpits!

Toothpaste:

 Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

Face cleanser:

 Oil cleansing method link

Skin Lotion:

 Virgin Coconut oil

Women:

 Menstrual cup link

Hair Removal:

 Sugaring link

Personal lubricant:

 Olive Oil, Coconut Oil (not to be used with latex)

Pets

Biodegradable litter (Corn or wheat cat litter)

shredded paper for small critters (or as packing material)

recycle boxes for small pets

Pests

Cockroaches:

 borax
 catnip
 hedgeapples

Ants:

 * mint
   Plant mint around your house to keep out ants, but be careful, it will spread like a weed.

Flies:

 bay leaves
 lavendar

Car

Drive less than or equal to the speed limit. DON'T SPEED! Saves gas, less pollution.

Food

Buy food in bulk and bring your own containers

 You can do this at Earth Fare. Take your containers to customer service for them to weigh it first, so they don't charge you. 
 If your container weighs more than 1 lb, they will charge you for the extra amount. Their computers only allow them to take 
 off up to 1 lb. 

Buy local, farmers markets

Compost leftovers. Do not compost meat or dairy. Eggshells are fine.

Eat less meat. Eat sustainably.

List of essential supplies

white vinegar

apple cider vinegar

baking soda

extra virgin olive oil

virgin coconut oil

 not refined, bleached, deodorized, or hydrogenated

castor oil

buy used whenever possible!

Extra links

Safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products cosmeticsdatabase.com

Natural Insect Pest Control eartheasy.com

Buy used craigslist.org