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

Cleaners

 vinegar
 baking soda

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!)
 use cold water to wash clothes
 buy a drying rack link

Gardening

 reuse cooking water

Plumbing (clogged drains)

 baking soda followed by boiling water
 baking soda followed by vinegar

Personal

Shampoo/soap:

 Use local vegetable oil based soaps, no plastic

Conditioner:

 Vinegar rinse

Deodorant:

 Baking soda

Toothpaste:

 Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

Face cleanser:

 Oil cleansing method link

Skin Lotion:

 Virgin Coconut oil

Women:

 Menstrual cup 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

recycle boxes for small pets

Pests

Cockroaches:

 borax
 catnip
 hedgeapples

Ants:

 mint

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

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