Vodka, age-old Russian distilled spirits, which will burn your throat and warm your insides was first cultivated as medicine, and was used as one of the earliest disinfectants and antiseptics. Currently, crafted from a variety of grains and often aged in oaken barrels, centuries ago it was nicknamed "aquae vitae" or the water of life.
A Russian Treasure
Vodka, usually 37% alcohol, a longstanding, revered tradition in Russian culture and history, is more expensive than common chemical disinfectants, such as bleach, but it is completely biodegradable and quickly evaporates; and of course, it is edible/drinkable! Although I don't recommend drinking too much of it while you are cleaning or you may never finish your chores!
Cutting Boards, Counters and Cook-tops
For small jobs (such as a cutting board or counter) first wash with an all natural soap, rinse, then wipe down with vodka. This powerful combination acts as a totally natural disinfectant.
I first became aware of the handiness of having a large bottle of vodka around after enjoying a night at a Hibachi bar, where the chefs clean the grill-tops in between customers with a douse of vodka and a squeeze of fresh lemon .
This combo works great for range cook-tops, in particular. It really cuts through the grease! And I love the uplifting aroma of lemon!
It certainly makes for an enjoyable clean-up from a meal!
:) Take Care, GreenKeen aka Pamela Palmer
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Hand Wash Dishes with Eco-friendly Efficiency
Manual Dish Washing Using Less Energy, Chemicals, and Water
Dish washing by hand is green and economical. Using biodegradable detergents adds benefits. Disinfecting your dishes protects you and your family in the 'flu Season.
Recently, there has been some confusion over the “greenness” and economy of manual handwashing of dishes vs. using a dishwasher. A study from the University of Bonn cites that the new high-efficiency dishwashers use less water than hand washing.
High-efficiency Dishwashers vs. Hand dish washing
The new high-efficiency dishwashers are certainly more green than older dishwashers, using on average only 4-8 gallons of water vs. the average 15 gallons of older dishwashers. High-efficiency dishwashers use 13-41% less energy, than dishwashers manufactured prior to 1990.
According to the University of Bonn study, high-efficiency dishwashers also use less water than hand washing dishes. The big caveat is though, how consumers in the study washed their dishes. Many of the consumers washed their dishes in a constant stream of water!
Hand washing using the method below uses less than ½ the water of even the “greenest” of dishwashers and saves almost all of the non-renewable energy:
Recipe for Hand Washing Dishes:
Add Hot Water 1/3 full in 2 plastic dishpans, approximately 2 quarts each.
In one, add 2 teaspoons of Dr. Bronner's Lavender Soap, (or other all natural liquid soap) for the wash water.
Note: Dr. Bronner's soaps, one of the oldest, most respected brands of all natural, organic soaps, are very versatile and can be used for face, body, hair care and cleaning. Lavender has long been known to be relaxing and has antibacterial qualities.
For an extra boost of cleaning power, add and mix until dissolved, 1 t. of borax and 1 t. of baking soda.
Note: Don't expect tons of suds. Suds do not need to be present for cleaning action! Most detergents have added chemical surfactants to create more suds for the visual effect not the cleaning power.
In the other dishpan, add 1/4 c. white vinegar for the rinse water.
Hand wash dishes using a scrubbie, replacing water only when it gets too dirty or cools. For dirtier yuk, scrub with more baking soda and borax. A good order is silverware, then cups, bowls/plates, then pots-n-pans.
Rinse all items in the "vinegar" rinse water, air dry in dish drainer. Do not rinse the vinegar off. It will evaporate, killing more germs as it does.
To make it a complete disinfectant, that has been proven to work equal to bleach, you can spray the dishes with 3% hydrogen-peroxide solution after the vinegar rinse. This is particularly helpful if you are cleaning up after raw meat or poultry.
Never directly mix vinegar and hydrogen-peroxide, as it cause a toxic poison, but spraying one after the other is fine, because they both evaporate quickly.
What is So Great About This System?
This system of manual dish washing uses a minimal amount of water, which is great for conservation. The cleaning detergent is totally biodegradable and won't hurt the environment, like the toxic chemicals in most detergents and cleaners.
The combination of all-natural soap, lavender, borax, baking soda, and vinegar with hot water works like a disinfectant and will kill almost all germs. Spraying hydrogen peroxide on the dish surfaces creates a complete non-toxic disinfectant, that will evaporate safely.
Keep hydrogen peroxide in an opaque spray bottle because it will lose its potency in prolonged light exposure.
This dishwashing system uses hand power and not electricity, which conserves non-renewable resources and money.
Other Tips and Tricks
Keep all the "nubs" from your all natural bar soaps and put in a scrubbie bag to use as a substitute to liquid dish detergent.
Use a recycled container for the baking soda/borax mix. Label the outside to avoid misuse.
After washing the dishes, add soap to the vinegar rinse water to reuse it for washing the sink, faucets, and counters. Finish the disinfection by spraying with hydrogen peroxide and let it evaporate.
Happy Greencleaning! --GreenKeen aka Pamela Palmer
Dish washing by hand is green and economical. Using biodegradable detergents adds benefits. Disinfecting your dishes protects you and your family in the 'flu Season.
Recently, there has been some confusion over the “greenness” and economy of manual handwashing of dishes vs. using a dishwasher. A study from the University of Bonn cites that the new high-efficiency dishwashers use less water than hand washing.
High-efficiency Dishwashers vs. Hand dish washing
The new high-efficiency dishwashers are certainly more green than older dishwashers, using on average only 4-8 gallons of water vs. the average 15 gallons of older dishwashers. High-efficiency dishwashers use 13-41% less energy, than dishwashers manufactured prior to 1990.
According to the University of Bonn study, high-efficiency dishwashers also use less water than hand washing dishes. The big caveat is though, how consumers in the study washed their dishes. Many of the consumers washed their dishes in a constant stream of water!
Hand washing using the method below uses less than ½ the water of even the “greenest” of dishwashers and saves almost all of the non-renewable energy:
Recipe for Hand Washing Dishes:
Add Hot Water 1/3 full in 2 plastic dishpans, approximately 2 quarts each.
In one, add 2 teaspoons of Dr. Bronner's Lavender Soap, (or other all natural liquid soap) for the wash water.
Note: Dr. Bronner's soaps, one of the oldest, most respected brands of all natural, organic soaps, are very versatile and can be used for face, body, hair care and cleaning. Lavender has long been known to be relaxing and has antibacterial qualities.
For an extra boost of cleaning power, add and mix until dissolved, 1 t. of borax and 1 t. of baking soda.
Note: Don't expect tons of suds. Suds do not need to be present for cleaning action! Most detergents have added chemical surfactants to create more suds for the visual effect not the cleaning power.
In the other dishpan, add 1/4 c. white vinegar for the rinse water.
Hand wash dishes using a scrubbie, replacing water only when it gets too dirty or cools. For dirtier yuk, scrub with more baking soda and borax. A good order is silverware, then cups, bowls/plates, then pots-n-pans.
Rinse all items in the "vinegar" rinse water, air dry in dish drainer. Do not rinse the vinegar off. It will evaporate, killing more germs as it does.
To make it a complete disinfectant, that has been proven to work equal to bleach, you can spray the dishes with 3% hydrogen-peroxide solution after the vinegar rinse. This is particularly helpful if you are cleaning up after raw meat or poultry.
Never directly mix vinegar and hydrogen-peroxide, as it cause a toxic poison, but spraying one after the other is fine, because they both evaporate quickly.
What is So Great About This System?
This system of manual dish washing uses a minimal amount of water, which is great for conservation. The cleaning detergent is totally biodegradable and won't hurt the environment, like the toxic chemicals in most detergents and cleaners.
The combination of all-natural soap, lavender, borax, baking soda, and vinegar with hot water works like a disinfectant and will kill almost all germs. Spraying hydrogen peroxide on the dish surfaces creates a complete non-toxic disinfectant, that will evaporate safely.
Keep hydrogen peroxide in an opaque spray bottle because it will lose its potency in prolonged light exposure.
This dishwashing system uses hand power and not electricity, which conserves non-renewable resources and money.
Other Tips and Tricks
Keep all the "nubs" from your all natural bar soaps and put in a scrubbie bag to use as a substitute to liquid dish detergent.
Use a recycled container for the baking soda/borax mix. Label the outside to avoid misuse.
After washing the dishes, add soap to the vinegar rinse water to reuse it for washing the sink, faucets, and counters. Finish the disinfection by spraying with hydrogen peroxide and let it evaporate.
Happy Greencleaning! --GreenKeen aka Pamela Palmer
Friday, February 26, 2010
Natural Biodegradable Disinfectants
More Green Disinfectants Needed
EPA-Approved Natural Disinfectants
Bleach in Household Disinfection
Conclusion:
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Soap Nuts: Biodegradable and Hypo-Allergenic: Independent Review of the Only Tree-Grown, Sustainable Soap
Soap Nuts are one of the Earth's truly sustainable natural soaps. Actually, a fruit containing saponins, a natural soap, that is harvested from trees in India and Nepal.
Sustainable and Biodegradable
Not only sustainable, but biodegradable, chemical-free, gentle, natural detergent—for your laundry detergent choice look no further than the humble Soap Nut. They can be purchased on-line from buysoapnuts.com and other websites.
How to Use
They are very easy to use in your washing machine. Pop 3-4 soap nuts into one of the small cotton bags, also available at buysoapnuts.com . Tie and toss into the washer; add clothes and water. Each of these bags of soap nuts can be reused for 4-5 loads, then can be disposed of in your compost pile. A second option, according to Erin Johnson, who co-owns buysoapnuts.com with her husband, an online business that they run from their Melfort, Saskatchewan home in Canada, is to make liquid soap nuts laundry detergent outlined on her site.
You can also choose to add a 1/2 cup of borax or baking soda to the wash cycle to boost cleansing power or white vinegar to the rinse cycle, if you want greater germ-killing power. The soap nuts do not need to be used with any fabric softener, as they are naturally softening. Soap nuts are also exceptionally gentle, even on the most delicate of fabrics. And they are non-irritating, a wonderful perk for those with sensitive skin.
Do Soap Nuts Have a Fragrance?
The clean, fresh scent of Nature is the only "fragrance" that soap nuts have, which is often a plus for those with allergies. If you want to add fragrance, look for an all-natural, essential oil; a few drops into the wash or onto a clean rag tossed in your dryer will do the trick.
Soap Nuts and Dirty Jobs
When asked if soap nuts work with heavily-soiled items like dirty cloth diapers or a teenager's athletic socks, Erin, an experienced, young mom of one toddler in diapers, states that soap nuts work great to remove bad and musty smells. To disinfect and whiten though, you will need to add your choice of ½ cup of borax or hydrogen peroxide. She was amazed after starting to launder her daughter's dirty diapers with soap nuts at the natural clean smell (i.e. the lingering urine smell was gone). Another bonus was that the natural saponins in soap nuts worked to strip the old detergent residue from the cloth diapers, making them more absorbent again.
Soap Nuts and Your Conscience
Although some consumers are concerned with the energy costs of shipping products from the far corners of the world, harvesting and exporting Soap Nuts creates jobs for villagers in India and Nepal. These local co-ops provide sustainable, economic prosperity for local people. Often, the alternative is trees are cut down for a one-time use as fire wood.
The Nepalese supplier for buysoapnuts.com has recently applied for a Fair Trade certification, a certification whereby local business co-ops in impoverished areas link with importers in developed countries to market their products at a fair price to enable their communities to prosper.
Soap Nuts might look a little funny, but let's not judge the "package from the outside" – they pack a powerful, all-natural option to the chemical, manufactured detergents polluting our bodies and water. Try some; you might just keep on "buying soap nuts"
--Pamela Palmer
Natural Cleaning Product Reviews:
http://www.greenkeen.blogspot.com/
Suite 101 Magazine Contributing Writer:
http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/pamelapalmer
Women's Online Magazine Columnist
"Living Green Each Day"
http://www.womensonlinemagazine.com/category/family/living-green-each-day/
The copyright of the article Soap Nuts: Biodegradable and Hypo-Allergenic in Green/Simple Living is owned by Pamela Palmer. Permission to republish Soap Nuts: Biodegradable and Hypo-Allergenic in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Salt | Natural Cleaning Product Review
Common Table Salt: A Cheap Clean!
I recently changed over to using only Sea Salt in my food prep. What do I do with all my old table salt? Use it to clean!!
Salt is a safe, natural cleaning product easily combinable with other soaps and cleaners to sanitize. Sprinkle salt in your toilet bowl, squirt some Dr. Bronner's Lavender soap, scrub and flush--for a quick clean method.
I still remember helping my mom scour copper-bottom pots with a sprinkling of salt and vinegar to make them shine like new.
Safe for Environment
Common Table Salt is a naturally-occurring crystallized mineral (sodium chloride or NaC1) that scours surfaces when used dry or semi-dry as a scrub. It quickly dissolves in water and is safe for the environment when used in typical household amounts.
Cheap!
Refined Table salt costs around a dollar for a small container. Pure Sea Salt is almost twice as much. Still for a quick, natural cleaner/scrub it is a great choice.
My Take on Salt as a Household Cleaner? Thumbs Up!
Have a Great Natural Cleaning Day! --Pamela Palmer aka "Green Keen"
I recently changed over to using only Sea Salt in my food prep. What do I do with all my old table salt? Use it to clean!!
Cleaning Uses
Salt has been used for thousands of years for cleaning and sanitizing. Although not a complete disinfectant, salt used in conjunction with soap or vinegar or lemon will kill most germs.
Salt is a safe, natural cleaning product easily combinable with other soaps and cleaners to sanitize. Sprinkle salt in your toilet bowl, squirt some Dr. Bronner's Lavender soap, scrub and flush--for a quick clean method.
I still remember helping my mom scour copper-bottom pots with a sprinkling of salt and vinegar to make them shine like new.
Safe for Environment
Common Table Salt is a naturally-occurring crystallized mineral (sodium chloride or NaC1) that scours surfaces when used dry or semi-dry as a scrub. It quickly dissolves in water and is safe for the environment when used in typical household amounts.
Cheap!
Refined Table salt costs around a dollar for a small container. Pure Sea Salt is almost twice as much. Still for a quick, natural cleaner/scrub it is a great choice.
My Take on Salt as a Household Cleaner? Thumbs Up!
Have a Great Natural Cleaning Day! --Pamela Palmer aka "Green Keen"
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Steam Cleaners - The Purest Way To Clean
Note from Pam:
Still enjoying the beauty of Arizona landscape! Toured Monument Valley in the Navajo Nation yesterday -- amazing grandeur! The following article highlights one way of green cleaning and disinfecting.
Steam Cleaning, obviously uses electricity, but it is a great method for deep cleaning without using any chemicals. Steaming Cleaning is a great option, particularly for families with allergies or serious health issues.
Enjoy Natural Cleaning Choices! Take Care, Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer
Steam Cleaners - The Purest Way To Clean
Author: Tyson J Stevenson
Steam cleaners are machines that clean surfaces using steam or hot water. Steam cleaners are usually used to kill allergens, dust mites, bacteria, mold, fungus etc on the surface being cleaned. Steam cleaners are used in hospitals, hotels, bakeries, restaurants, pharmacies, etc. Household steam cleaners are used to cleanse kitchens, bathrooms, carpets etc. Steam cleaners can be used to clean almost any surface like floors, curtains, furniture, and almost any surface which is heat resistant. There are two types of steam cleaners, traditional steam cleaners and vapor steam cleaners.
A traditional steam cleaner uses hot water to clean the surface. The traditional steam cleaner consists of a boiler, a collecting tank, a hose and brushes. Hot water is sprayed under pressure on the surface being cleaned. Then rotating brushes scrub the surface and the dirty water is suction extracted into the container. Some traditional steam cleaners also use cleaning agents to clean, while most rely on steam and brushes to do the job. Cleaning agents help to remove spots and grime on the surface. The use of traditional steam cleaners is usually restricted to floors only.
A vapor steam cleaner consists of a water container with a heater attachment (collectively known as boiler), a hose and a nozzle. Water is boiled in the container under pressure to produce super heated steam or dry steam. Dry steam is a steam which is heated to more than 100 degrees Celsius. This dry steam is then passed through a hose to the nozzle and onto the surface being cleaned under pressure. This loosens the dirt and grime on the surface being cleaned. Then a vacuum cleaner is used to clean the surface.
The steam generated in a vapor steam cleaner has very low moisture content, usually up to 5 percent. So when a surface is cleaned by steam it becomes dry within few minutes. They generally do not have continuous water supply hence are more convenient to use. Vapor steam cleaners can be used to clean any heat resistant surface like vehicle interiors, windows, bathrooms, etc with proper attachments. Vapor steam cleaners are generally used by people suffering from allergies or who do not want cleaning by chemicals.
There are specialized steam cleaners for carpets called carpet cleaners. They do not use steam but use hot water to clean the carpet. After wetting the carpet, the area is scrubbed with brushes and then the dirty water is sucked back into the receptacle. The carpet is left to dry. Switching on the Air Conditioner in a room dries the carpet quickly as it removes humidity from the air. Once the carpet is dry, it should be vacuumed to clean it thoroughly.
Steam cleaners can have an independent water container or continuous water supply. Continuous water supply is more convenient as the tank need not be refilled repeatedly. The dirty water is expelled after cleaning.
There are many models available in the market. The cost ranges from $100 for residential models to $2000 for commercial models. Before buying the buyer should look for boiler capacity, the attachments, mobility, warranty, user manual, demo CDs etc.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/steam-cleaners-the-purest-way-to-clean-39780.html
About the Author:
Tyson J Stevenson is a prolific writer of useful articles on a variety of topics. Related resources are Best Steam Cleaner and A Super Website as well as A Darn Good Site
Happy Green Cleaning! Green Keen aka Pam on Vacation
Pamela Palmer
Natural Cleaning Product Reviews:
http://www.greenkeen.blogspot.com/
Suite 101 Magazine Contributing Writer:
http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/pamelapalmer
Women's Online Magazine Columnist
"Living Green Each Day"
http://www.womensonlinemagazine.com/category/family/living-green-each-day/
Still enjoying the beauty of Arizona landscape! Toured Monument Valley in the Navajo Nation yesterday -- amazing grandeur! The following article highlights one way of green cleaning and disinfecting.
Steam Cleaning, obviously uses electricity, but it is a great method for deep cleaning without using any chemicals. Steaming Cleaning is a great option, particularly for families with allergies or serious health issues.
Enjoy Natural Cleaning Choices! Take Care, Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer
Steam Cleaners - The Purest Way To Clean
Author: Tyson J Stevenson
Steam cleaners are machines that clean surfaces using steam or hot water. Steam cleaners are usually used to kill allergens, dust mites, bacteria, mold, fungus etc on the surface being cleaned. Steam cleaners are used in hospitals, hotels, bakeries, restaurants, pharmacies, etc. Household steam cleaners are used to cleanse kitchens, bathrooms, carpets etc. Steam cleaners can be used to clean almost any surface like floors, curtains, furniture, and almost any surface which is heat resistant. There are two types of steam cleaners, traditional steam cleaners and vapor steam cleaners.
A traditional steam cleaner uses hot water to clean the surface. The traditional steam cleaner consists of a boiler, a collecting tank, a hose and brushes. Hot water is sprayed under pressure on the surface being cleaned. Then rotating brushes scrub the surface and the dirty water is suction extracted into the container. Some traditional steam cleaners also use cleaning agents to clean, while most rely on steam and brushes to do the job. Cleaning agents help to remove spots and grime on the surface. The use of traditional steam cleaners is usually restricted to floors only.
A vapor steam cleaner consists of a water container with a heater attachment (collectively known as boiler), a hose and a nozzle. Water is boiled in the container under pressure to produce super heated steam or dry steam. Dry steam is a steam which is heated to more than 100 degrees Celsius. This dry steam is then passed through a hose to the nozzle and onto the surface being cleaned under pressure. This loosens the dirt and grime on the surface being cleaned. Then a vacuum cleaner is used to clean the surface.
The steam generated in a vapor steam cleaner has very low moisture content, usually up to 5 percent. So when a surface is cleaned by steam it becomes dry within few minutes. They generally do not have continuous water supply hence are more convenient to use. Vapor steam cleaners can be used to clean any heat resistant surface like vehicle interiors, windows, bathrooms, etc with proper attachments. Vapor steam cleaners are generally used by people suffering from allergies or who do not want cleaning by chemicals.
There are specialized steam cleaners for carpets called carpet cleaners. They do not use steam but use hot water to clean the carpet. After wetting the carpet, the area is scrubbed with brushes and then the dirty water is sucked back into the receptacle. The carpet is left to dry. Switching on the Air Conditioner in a room dries the carpet quickly as it removes humidity from the air. Once the carpet is dry, it should be vacuumed to clean it thoroughly.
Steam cleaners can have an independent water container or continuous water supply. Continuous water supply is more convenient as the tank need not be refilled repeatedly. The dirty water is expelled after cleaning.
There are many models available in the market. The cost ranges from $100 for residential models to $2000 for commercial models. Before buying the buyer should look for boiler capacity, the attachments, mobility, warranty, user manual, demo CDs etc.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/steam-cleaners-the-purest-way-to-clean-39780.html
About the Author:
Tyson J Stevenson is a prolific writer of useful articles on a variety of topics. Related resources are Best Steam Cleaner and A Super Website as well as A Darn Good Site
Happy Green Cleaning! Green Keen aka Pam on Vacation
Pamela Palmer
Natural Cleaning Product Reviews:
http://www.greenkeen.blogspot.com/
Suite 101 Magazine Contributing Writer:
http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/pamelapalmer
Women's Online Magazine Columnist
"Living Green Each Day"
http://www.womensonlinemagazine.com/category/family/living-green-each-day/
 EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOODJoin me |
Sunday, May 17, 2009
A Natural Clean Saves Green | Natural Cleaning Product Review
Note from Pam: Still on vacation in Arizona, soaking in the sites and scenery. Sedona, in particular, was spectacular. We hiked at the Grand Canyon and on the lava flow from an extinct volcano north of Flagstaff -- awesome, glorious views.
Green Keen aka Pam
A Natural Clean Saves Green
Author: John Marshall
My wife recently cleaned our oven. Not the inside but the top. You know, around the elements where it is just burnt on. We recently have changed to natural cleaning. So when it came time for the oven, my wife used non-toxic general purpose cleaner. While this is highly concentrated, the stains were also quite old. So, she used it full strength. She didn't need a mask or gloves to do this. She just let it soak & then the baked-on crud slowly came off with some scrubbing.
Here's the point. The various commercial cleaners from the store contain petroleum distillates. They produce potentially deadly fumes & are harmful to our environment. Not to mention the fact they cost much more per ounce then the natural cleaners. Often their packaging is non-recyclable.
The store-bought cleaners are also pre-mixed. With the natural cleaners, you decide how strong you would like the solution. Just one quart of natural cleaner can make up to 32 gallons of safe cleaning solution. One quart of cleaner from the store equals one quart of cleaner.
The natural cleaning products are just as effective as their toxic counterparts. It's easy to save money with organic cleaning since the products are concentrated. We have cleaned quite a few things with the cleaner so far, & still have quite a bit of concentrate left. At just pennies per quart of diluted solution, there isn't a much more effective cleaner out there for the money.
Natural cleaners are effective everywhere in the home. While the kitchen & bathroom contain most of the more harmful cleaners, they can be found in all areas. Even air fresheners (aerosol) are harmful. Natural cleaning products can provide a safe home environment & help save money.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/a-natural-clean-saves-green-189959.html
About the Author:
John Marshall a.k.a. "Mr. Green Clean" is an advocate of natural cleaning. More info available at http://www.completegreencleaning.com/. Copyright (c) John Marshall. Reprint article only with this resource box included please.
Happy Green Cleaning! Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer
Pamela Palmer
Natural Cleaning Product Reviews:
http://www.greenkeen.blogspot.com/
Suite 101 Magazine Contributing Writer:
http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/pamelapalmer
Women's Online Magazine Columnist
"Living Green Each Day"
http://www.womensonlinemagazine.com/category/family/living-green-each-day/
Green Keen aka Pam
A Natural Clean Saves Green
Author: John Marshall
My wife recently cleaned our oven. Not the inside but the top. You know, around the elements where it is just burnt on. We recently have changed to natural cleaning. So when it came time for the oven, my wife used non-toxic general purpose cleaner. While this is highly concentrated, the stains were also quite old. So, she used it full strength. She didn't need a mask or gloves to do this. She just let it soak & then the baked-on crud slowly came off with some scrubbing.
Here's the point. The various commercial cleaners from the store contain petroleum distillates. They produce potentially deadly fumes & are harmful to our environment. Not to mention the fact they cost much more per ounce then the natural cleaners. Often their packaging is non-recyclable.
The store-bought cleaners are also pre-mixed. With the natural cleaners, you decide how strong you would like the solution. Just one quart of natural cleaner can make up to 32 gallons of safe cleaning solution. One quart of cleaner from the store equals one quart of cleaner.
The natural cleaning products are just as effective as their toxic counterparts. It's easy to save money with organic cleaning since the products are concentrated. We have cleaned quite a few things with the cleaner so far, & still have quite a bit of concentrate left. At just pennies per quart of diluted solution, there isn't a much more effective cleaner out there for the money.
Natural cleaners are effective everywhere in the home. While the kitchen & bathroom contain most of the more harmful cleaners, they can be found in all areas. Even air fresheners (aerosol) are harmful. Natural cleaning products can provide a safe home environment & help save money.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/a-natural-clean-saves-green-189959.html
About the Author:
John Marshall a.k.a. "Mr. Green Clean" is an advocate of natural cleaning. More info available at http://www.completegreencleaning.com/. Copyright (c) John Marshall. Reprint article only with this resource box included please.
Happy Green Cleaning! Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer
Pamela Palmer
Natural Cleaning Product Reviews:
http://www.greenkeen.blogspot.com/
Suite 101 Magazine Contributing Writer:
http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/pamelapalmer
Women's Online Magazine Columnist
"Living Green Each Day"
http://www.womensonlinemagazine.com/category/family/living-green-each-day/
| EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me |
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Natural Cleaning Bathroom Tips | Natural Cleaning Product Review
Note from Pam: In Arizona -- enjoying the cacti, desert flowers, and huge mountains, which rise from the desert sands as dark, jagged monoliths. Tomorrow we tour an Earthship, a sustainable house built from mostly recycled materials. I'll be writing about it soon....Talk soon, Green Keen aka Pam
Natural Cleaning Bathroom Tips
Your BFFs or "best friends forever" for natural cleaning in the bathroom are:
Keep all these in one bucket under your bathroom vanity or in a nearby closet.
Daily Quickie Bathroom Cleans of just the sink, faucets, toilet, light switches, and door handles really minimize the dirt, yuck, and germ build-up.
Here are my favs for each Natural Cleaning for Bathrooms BFF categories:
Natural All-purpose and Glass Cleaner-
Diluted White Vinegar (1/2 water) (For mirrors, try a sheet of old newspaper!)
Natural Disinfectant-
For Toilet Bowl:
1/2 cup baking soda with a squirt of liquid soap, scrub let sit 5 mins., flush. Follow with 1/2 c. white vinegar, let sit, at least 5 mins. or longer then flush.
For Everything Else:
Wash off visible dirt with soapy water. Straight White Vinegar, then straight Hydrogen-Peroxide. (Don't mix. Keep HP in a dark bottle. Use spray bottles.)
Natural Scrubbing Cleanser:
Baking Soda in a plastic shaker bottle (Try a recycled Parmesan Cheese Container to keep the original box from getting wet.)
Mix with a squirt of liquid soap and/or borax for more cleaning power.
To whiten stains, add 1-2 T. Hydrogen-Peroxide. (All of these are completely biodegradable.)
BFF Natural Sponges and Scrubbies:
Twist's Naked Sponges--Multiple sizes. 100% cellulose. Totally biodegradable. No dyes.
(See BuyGreen.com on Side Bar)
(P.S. Naked sponges, what a great idea! Why dye a sponge???)
Scotch-Brite Bamboo Cleaning Cloths--Inexpensive, very soft, yet absorbent, dries fast and are tough. Has texture to help with scrubbing. Bamboo fiber has antimicrobial qualities. (Only 60% bamboo though.)
Marcal's Small Steps Recycled Paper Towels--Best price. 100% recycled paper.
Recycled T-shirts and Cloth Diapers--You'll never look at old clothing the same. Many natural-fiber ex-clothing make great rags. Disinfect in the laundry. Cut as you need. Use until it falls apart!
Couldn't find a natural fiber toilet bowl brush!! A possible substitute is the coir bottle brushes (see this link toward bottom). Currently, mine is a plastic-handled, synthetic-bristled one.
***Let me know if you find one!!!***
Helpful Hints:
Line Bathroom Trash can with BioBag Compostable Trash Bags for the Bathroom $4.49 for 25 bags. (A little steep-priced, but they decompose as fast as food scraps!)
(Or use a recycled plastic grocery bag or a paper grocery bag, if they are lying around the house)
Put a sprinkling of baking soda in bottom of can first for a fresh scent.
Try old newspapers for a mirror-cleaning paper towel replacement--I think they work even better!
Scrub sink with a squirt of your hand soap and a dash of baking soda. Easy to do after brushing your teeth.
Disinfect the toothbrushes inside the drinking cup.
Use either hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol or listerine. Soak them, while you are cleaning the bathroom, 10-15 mins.?? (Don't combine, just choose one) Then rinse. And wash cup inside and out with soap and water. Done!
Keep all bar soap "nubbies" and add to a used/but clean nylon knee-high or another scrubbie mesh bag to keep using them. This really makes bar soap go a long way!
Disinfect the bathing scrubbies and sponges (loofahs/natural sponges - I recommend doing this once in a while.)
Method #1
Wash in soapy water, then rinse really well.
Boil in sauce pan full of water for 10 mins.
Let cool and wring out.
Hang to dry.
Method #2
Wash in soapy water, then rinse really well.
Put "wet" in microwave on high for 1 min.
Let cool and wring out.
Hang to dry.
Method #3
Wash and rinse by hand. Then add to a load of laundry.
Do not put in dryer. Hang to dry.
What is my favorite natural soap for hand washing and bathing?
Definitely Dr. Bronner's Lavender Scented.
Also, I love Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Bar soap, as well.
BUT my BFF is my own homemade cold-processed bar soap. I love mixing pine and lavender and bergamot essential oils. I'll do a post/slide show on making soap soon!
Peace,
Green Keen aka Pam on Vacation
Pamela Palmer
Natural Cleaning Product Reviews:
http://www.greenkeen.blogspot.com/
Suite 101 Magazine Contributing Writer:
http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/pamelapalmer
Women's Online Magazine Columnist
"Living Green Each Day"
http://www.womensonlinemagazine.com/category/family/living-green-each-day/
Natural Cleaning Bathroom Tips
Your BFFs or "best friends forever" for natural cleaning in the bathroom are:
- natural all-purpose cleaner/glass cleaner
- natural disinfectant
- natural scrubbing cleanser
Your best bathroom cleaning accessories:
- natural fiber scrubbie sponge
- recycled paper towels
- or old newspapers to clean mirrors
- natural fiber cleaning cloths
- or recycled rag
- toilet bowl scrubber brush (keep next to toilet)
Keep all these in one bucket under your bathroom vanity or in a nearby closet.
Daily Quickie Bathroom Cleans of just the sink, faucets, toilet, light switches, and door handles really minimize the dirt, yuck, and germ build-up.
Here are my favs for each Natural Cleaning for Bathrooms BFF categories:
Natural All-purpose and Glass Cleaner-
Diluted White Vinegar (1/2 water) (For mirrors, try a sheet of old newspaper!)
Natural Disinfectant-
For Toilet Bowl:
1/2 cup baking soda with a squirt of liquid soap, scrub let sit 5 mins., flush. Follow with 1/2 c. white vinegar, let sit, at least 5 mins. or longer then flush.
For Everything Else:
Wash off visible dirt with soapy water. Straight White Vinegar, then straight Hydrogen-Peroxide. (Don't mix. Keep HP in a dark bottle. Use spray bottles.)
Natural Scrubbing Cleanser:
Baking Soda in a plastic shaker bottle (Try a recycled Parmesan Cheese Container to keep the original box from getting wet.)
Mix with a squirt of liquid soap and/or borax for more cleaning power.
To whiten stains, add 1-2 T. Hydrogen-Peroxide. (All of these are completely biodegradable.)
BFF Natural Sponges and Scrubbies:
Twist's Naked Sponges--Multiple sizes. 100% cellulose. Totally biodegradable. No dyes.
(See BuyGreen.com on Side Bar)
(P.S. Naked sponges, what a great idea! Why dye a sponge???)
Scotch-Brite Bamboo Cleaning Cloths--Inexpensive, very soft, yet absorbent, dries fast and are tough. Has texture to help with scrubbing. Bamboo fiber has antimicrobial qualities. (Only 60% bamboo though.)
Marcal's Small Steps Recycled Paper Towels--Best price. 100% recycled paper.
Recycled T-shirts and Cloth Diapers--You'll never look at old clothing the same. Many natural-fiber ex-clothing make great rags. Disinfect in the laundry. Cut as you need. Use until it falls apart!
Couldn't find a natural fiber toilet bowl brush!! A possible substitute is the coir bottle brushes (see this link toward bottom). Currently, mine is a plastic-handled, synthetic-bristled one.
***Let me know if you find one!!!***
Helpful Hints:
Line Bathroom Trash can with BioBag Compostable Trash Bags for the Bathroom $4.49 for 25 bags. (A little steep-priced, but they decompose as fast as food scraps!)
(Or use a recycled plastic grocery bag or a paper grocery bag, if they are lying around the house)
Put a sprinkling of baking soda in bottom of can first for a fresh scent.
Try old newspapers for a mirror-cleaning paper towel replacement--I think they work even better!
Scrub sink with a squirt of your hand soap and a dash of baking soda. Easy to do after brushing your teeth.
Disinfect the toothbrushes inside the drinking cup.
Use either hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol or listerine. Soak them, while you are cleaning the bathroom, 10-15 mins.?? (Don't combine, just choose one) Then rinse. And wash cup inside and out with soap and water. Done!
Keep all bar soap "nubbies" and add to a used/but clean nylon knee-high or another scrubbie mesh bag to keep using them. This really makes bar soap go a long way!
Disinfect the bathing scrubbies and sponges (loofahs/natural sponges - I recommend doing this once in a while.)
Method #1
Wash in soapy water, then rinse really well.
Boil in sauce pan full of water for 10 mins.
Let cool and wring out.
Hang to dry.
Method #2
Wash in soapy water, then rinse really well.
Put "wet" in microwave on high for 1 min.
Let cool and wring out.
Hang to dry.
Method #3
Wash and rinse by hand. Then add to a load of laundry.
Do not put in dryer. Hang to dry.
What is my favorite natural soap for hand washing and bathing?
Definitely Dr. Bronner's Lavender Scented.
Also, I love Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Bar soap, as well.
BUT my BFF is my own homemade cold-processed bar soap. I love mixing pine and lavender and bergamot essential oils. I'll do a post/slide show on making soap soon!
Peace,
Green Keen aka Pam on Vacation
Pamela Palmer
Natural Cleaning Product Reviews:
http://www.greenkeen.blogspot.com/
Suite 101 Magazine Contributing Writer:
http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/pamelapalmer
Women's Online Magazine Columnist
"Living Green Each Day"
http://www.womensonlinemagazine.com/category/family/living-green-each-day/
| EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me |
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Best Natural Cleaning Tips and Tricks | Natural Cleaning Product Review
Side Note from Pam:
I'm going to Arizona next week for vacation with my hubbie and I'll be blogging from there....We will be visiting the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley (in picture) can't wait!!
Also, since the weather is perfect now where I live for hanging laundry outside….I have a couple of clothes lines hung on my sunny back porch.
Earlier this Spring my clothes pin holder, a cloth bag hung on the line, was confiscated by a little wren, who made a nest inside and laid some eggs, and now has 4 little babies, tweeting away for food….so, I’m sharing my clothes-hanging porch with some new "birdie friends" this season!
Luckily, most of my clothes pins were on the line, so I can still hang laundry!!
Best Natural Cleaning Tips and Tricks
Reuse the vinegar rinse water from hand washing dishes to wipe down counters and kitchen sink. Spray with Hydrogen peroxide and let sit for an easy sanitizing technique.
Reuse the vinegar rinse water from hand washing dishes to wash the kitchen floor.
Reuse a Parmesan Cheese container, in the kitchen, by filling it with baking soda for a non-toxic scrubbing powder. (Works great!)
Reuse the hot soapy water after washing dishes to pre-soak dirty pots or yucky refrigerator containers. (Let the soap and water do the work. You just wipe up after the mess is loosened.)
Also, since the weather is perfect now where I live for hanging laundry outside….I have a couple of clothes lines hung on my sunny back porch.
Earlier this Spring my clothes pin holder, a cloth bag hung on the line, was confiscated by a little wren, who made a nest inside and laid some eggs, and now has 4 little babies, tweeting away for food….so, I’m sharing my clothes-hanging porch with some new "birdie friends" this season!
Luckily, most of my clothes pins were on the line, so I can still hang laundry!!
Best Natural Cleaning Tips and Tricks
Reuse the vinegar rinse water from hand washing dishes to wipe down counters and kitchen sink. Spray with Hydrogen peroxide and let sit for an easy sanitizing technique.
Reuse the vinegar rinse water from hand washing dishes to wash the kitchen floor.
Reuse a Parmesan Cheese container, in the kitchen, by filling it with baking soda for a non-toxic scrubbing powder. (Works great!)
Reuse the hot soapy water after washing dishes to pre-soak dirty pots or yucky refrigerator containers. (Let the soap and water do the work. You just wipe up after the mess is loosened.)
Microwave a rinsed-out, but wet kitchen sponge, for 1 min. to kill germs. Do this daily at end of each day. (See reference on scientific proof at link, "Homemaking Tips" section)
Wipe out your microwave after heating up the sponge; it will be moist from the steam and easy to clean.
Wash counters and tables with a dishcloth. It is easier to feel the grit and know that you got it all. When done cleaning up for the day, wipe up the floor around dining room table and the kitchen floor and throw in the wash. Changing kitchen dishcloths every day will keep germs at a minimum.
Use bamboo dishcloths which have natural antimicrobial fibers.
Quick Daily Disinfect Techniques
Don’t have time to disinfect everything? Disinfect only what you or your family normally touch with your hands. This can easily be done every day to minimize germ transmission.
***light switches, door handles, cabinet and appliance handles, trashcan lids, stairway banisters, toilet handles, faucets in sinks and showers, common counter areas, table and desk tops, highchair trays, computer keyboards, piano keys, TV remotes.***
Regularly, soak for 5 minutes, washable plastic or wood toys in a vinegar and lemon solution to sanitize. (See scientific proof.)
Stuffed animals and fabric toys can be hand washed or machine washed on delicate for regular sanitizing. (Using laundry soap and a vinegar rinse.)
Keep windows open during cool parts of the day to air out house. This minimizes germs and toxins from indoor pollution—without any energy consumption!
During other times let a HEPA air filter clear the household air of dust, pollen, and microbes. This greatly helps to minimize cleaning needs.
Sweep/vacuum daily. This also minimizes dust and cleaning needs. (I still need to improve on this, particularly because we have a Golden Retriever!)
Bathroom Quickie Clean
Clean bathroom tub and shower just before taking a shower, easy to rinse up, during your shower. This is only possible when using all natural, non-toxic cleaners!
Clean Bathroom Sink and Toilet just after using it and before washing hands. Easy way to keep it clean throughout the day, so no real dirt and germ build-up!
Reuse old toothbrushes for spot scrubbing fabrics, tile grout, small edges and corners. Just make sure you label the toothbrush “for cleaning only”!
Vinegar and Baking Soda Tricks
Use a little vinegar and squeezed lemon juice or concentrate in water to clean coffee pots, toasters, toaster ovens, tile floors.
Use baking soda and soap solution and as a scrub for refrigerators, microwaves, and sinks.
Essential Oil Air Fresheners
After cleaning and/or before company, place a small bowl of water, with a few drops of essential oils in front a fan or on a central tabletop, to freshen the room.
Citrus oils, like orange, tangerine, grapefruit, or lemon, brighten the mood. This is a great substitute to chemical “air fresheners”!
A dab of essential oil also can be placed on a cool light bulb before turning it on to permeated the aroma in a room.
Hope you enjoy these Natural Cleaning tips and tricks! I absolutely love finding out new techniques to streamline my green cleaning, recycling and reusing when possible, and having the pleasure of cleaning with natural cleaning products, that I am confident are healthy for my family and pets.
Peace, Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer
Friday, May 8, 2009
Alba Hawaiian Skin Care Line | Natural Cleaning Product Review
Alba Hawaiian Skin Care Line gets high marks as a Natural Cleaning Product Line, see Herbtraders on my sidebar. Drawing upon skin-helping ingredients from the Hawaiian Islands such as pineapple, papaya, and coconut, it is a natural cleaning experience that will enthrall you with Pacific scents.
A Complete All-Natural Skin Care Line with Natural Cleaning Ingredients
The Alba Company states on their website that “Our products are created to both delight your senses and to provide the benefits claimed. We use science-based nutrients, which means that the herbal botanicals and other ingredients we use are proven to be effective.”
Added to this natural cosmetic line are natural cleansers using coconut milk and pineapple enzymes for proven deep cleansing and exfoliation. Also, Alba adds a Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask and a Hibiscus Facial Toner to complete your facial natural cleansing.
One of My Favorite Natural Moisturizers
To moisturize without oil, great for young, acne-prone skin, they have their Hawaiian Aloe and Green Tea Oil-free Moisturizer. This product works great; I’ve reviewed it before in my Best Natural Skin Care Blog Post.
This natural moisturizer, with great all natural ingredients contains “certified organic aloe vera, green tea antioxidants and oil-free humectants absorb instantly to replenish essential nutrients and protect skin.”
Price
A Complete All-Natural Skin Care Line with Natural Cleaning Ingredients
The Alba Company states on their website that “Our products are created to both delight your senses and to provide the benefits claimed. We use science-based nutrients, which means that the herbal botanicals and other ingredients we use are proven to be effective.”
Added to this natural cosmetic line are natural cleansers using coconut milk and pineapple enzymes for proven deep cleansing and exfoliation. Also, Alba adds a Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask and a Hibiscus Facial Toner to complete your facial natural cleansing.
One of My Favorite Natural Moisturizers
To moisturize without oil, great for young, acne-prone skin, they have their Hawaiian Aloe and Green Tea Oil-free Moisturizer. This product works great; I’ve reviewed it before in my Best Natural Skin Care Blog Post.
This natural moisturizer, with great all natural ingredients contains “certified organic aloe vera, green tea antioxidants and oil-free humectants absorb instantly to replenish essential nutrients and protect skin.”
Price
$16.95 for a 3 ounce jar.
Alba’s Standards in Manufacturing
• Hypo-allergenic
• Oil-free
• pH balanced
• 100% vegetarian ingredients and no animal testing
Alba’s Standards in Manufacturing
• Hypo-allergenic
• Oil-free
• pH balanced
• 100% vegetarian ingredients and no animal testing
About Alba the Company and the Environment
Alba appears to be very committed to protecting the environment with their business practices. Here’s a sampling of their eco friendly action:
* Office and Warehouse are 100% Solar Powered.
* Comprehensive Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Policy and Practices.
* Recycle Printer Cartridges, Bottles and Cans. Proceeds Donated to Non-Profits.
* Purchase and Use Recycled Office Paper with minimum 35% Post-Consumer Content.
* Organic Acres Farmed Increased as a Result of Our Organic Ingredient Choices.
* Use New Leaf (Recycled) Paper for Our Printed Promotional Materials.
* Products are EU Safe Cosmetics Directive Compliant. More than 1,300 commonly used ingredients are banned in the European Union because they are known or suspected of causing cancer, birth defects or fertility problems. We don't use any of them.
My Take on Using Alba’s Hawaiian Natural Cosmetic Line:
I highly approve of this line. Although I have not used every single product in this line, I have reviewed most of their ingredients and find them to be very healthy and non-toxic.
I really like the company’s involvement in the environment too, but especially, I love the efficacy and aromas of these natural cleaning products!
Double Thumbs Up! For Alba’s Hawaiian Natural Skin Care Cosmetic Line with Natural Cleansers.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Best Natural Facial Skin Care For Any Skin Type | Natural Cleaning Product Review Part Two
Best Natural Facial Skin Care For Any Skin Type (Part 2 of 2)
Background Facts On Each Step:
African Black Soap, for a really natural cleaning product; see my detailed article.
Background Facts On Each Step:
African Black Soap, for a really natural cleaning product; see my detailed article.
Witch Hazel for a toner, is high in tannins, good for astringency-- tightening pores and removing excess oil, also acts as a natural, green cleaner.
Aloe Vera Gel, has been used for thousands of years for skin care. “Fresh is Best”, see yesterday’s post on directions.
Aloe Vera is rich in anti-oxidants, which are known for their anti-aging properties. It has anti-inflammatory properties, anti-bacterial properties, and heals the skin without leaving scars.
It also acts as a natural cleaning product, removing old cells, cleaning the pores, and stimulating new cell growth.
Because Aloe is a succulent, it helps to maintain the natural moisturizing agents in the skin -- helping retard natural evaporation and drawing moisture from the air around us. Aloe Vera gel heals the skin from acne, thanks to the sulfur and salicylic acid found in it; both are used topically to treat acne.
Tea Tree Oil used again for thousands of years, fights bacteria, and is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anti-microbial against cuts, burns, bites, and a host of skin ailments, including acne.
Olive Oil also has been used for cosmetic care for thousands of years. It is also a good source of vitamin E and other antioxidants, which not only protect and rejuvenate your skin, but the special fats in olive oil cause deep, long-lasting moisturizing.
Water is the simplest form of "moisturizing", which by definition literally means “to add moisture”. Drinking a sufficient amount of water throughout the day helps the skin preserve a necessary moisture balance--65% to 90% of our bodies are water, not drinking regularly depletes that balance quickly.
Sunscreen every day needs to be part of your regime before going out to prevent premature aging from the sun, and protect from skin cancer.
Alba’s Aloe & Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer (Found at Herbtraders on Sidebar)
Hawaiian Skin Care (The description from their website)
Signature ingredient: This oil-free, daily moisturizer infuses the skin with rejuvenating aloe vera, one of the world's most perfect substances for skin-repair, and green tea, a powerful antioxidant which protects from free radical damage, has anti-inflammatory properties and repairs and strengthens.
Product description: Certified organic aloe vera, green tea antioxidants and oil-free humectants absorb instantly to replenish essential nutrients and protect skin against dehydration for a soft, healthy, luminous complexion.
Features and benefits: A potent blend of aloe vera, green tea, hibiscus, cucumber, and organic mango and shea butter, this intensive moisturizing system quickly penetrates the skin, healing, toning and smoothing without residual oiliness.
Who should use this product? Light and oil-free, this moisturizer is perfect for all skin types, though it's especially useful for people who have trouble tolerating heavier moisturizers.
Price: 14.09 for 3 ounces.
Check out Alba’s herb and ingredient glossary on their website: A complete guide to the benefits, properties and sources of their ingredients.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Best Natural Facial Skin Care for Any Skin Type Part One | Natural Cleaning Product Review
Best Natural Facial Skin Care for Any Skin Type (Part One of Two)
Your face--it is the most expressive part of your body. Faces are said to be “readable”just like a book. Faces are how we primarily recognize each other. It has been proven that even newborns can recognize faces.
Surprisingly, the facial skin is the most delicate skin on our body; needing special care and protection. Here is my best natural facial skin care regime. Developed mostly by my teen daughter who loves natural stuff as much as I do!
Our primary goals for our skincare system were: natural, non-toxic ingredients; simple and easy to use; inexpensive choices for anyone to use.
This is just one possible skincare system using all natural cleaning products and green moisturizers, but we think that it is the best! There are many out there to choose from and experiment with. We hope that we inspire you to baby your skin, so you can “put your best face forward”! Enjoy our “Best Natural Facial Skin Care for Any Skin Type”.
Washing
I use African Black soap to wash my face with each night. I have written extensively on African Black soap in a number of different articles.
The main reasons I choose this soap for my face are its total natural-ness, deep moisturizing and yet effective cleansing properties, and its mild, exfoliating properties. I have seen an actual reduction of skin irregularities on my own complexion after using this soap over a period of 6-8 weeks—fine lines and “age spots” and some blotchiness, have diminished.
Note: My daughter says don’t wash with soap in the morning, just rinse with water, so that you don’t over-dry your skin by removing your own natural skin oils.
Toning
For toning I sometimes use witch hazel on the oily parts of my face. Over the counter witch hazel, found in any drug store does have alcohol, but I find that it is still gentle enough to use on my skin. It is a natural cleaning product that is certainly very inexpensive compared to manufactured "toners".
Also, it sounds easy to make your own “witch hazel tea” to tone your skin with from witch hazel leaves, although I have never tried that yet. You can find witch hazel leaves and products at Herbtraders (see right sidebar).
Weekly Steaming
Steaming your face weekly acts as a toner, by deep cleaning your pores causing them to naturally close. This is a natural cleaner; as natural as they come!
How To Steam Face
Boil 2-3 cups of water in a pan. Place pan on a hot pad on your Dining Room table.
Lean your face over pan, careful not to touch the hot pan.
Cover you head and the pan with a towel to create your own “little sauna”.
Steam for around 10 minutes and then immediately wash face with African Black soap.
Acne Treatment and Healing
Daily dot specific blemishes or coat an entire break-out area with Tea Tree Oil. It is a little pricey, around $14.00 for a small bottle; available at Herbtraders from right sidebar.
Tea Tree Oil does smell strong, but the turpentine-ish aroma quickly dissipates. The main thing is that IT WORKS!
It is an all natural, topical antibiotic that kills the bacteria which cause break-outs and it helps to dry out current blemishes. It can be applied numerous times throughout the day or at bedtime, just remember to apply it when you are not going “out” for 15-20 minutes, since it does have a distinctive aroma.
I have grown to appreciate this Australian-original, botanical oil, because it really works to obliterate blemishes and stop break-outs—without expensive, side-effect-causing medications!!
Moisturizing
Use Fresh Aloe Vera-purchased at grocery stores, usually found near the exotic fruits and vegetables. Or you can purchase your own plant and cultivate it. Clip off a 1-2 inch piece, pull open, and wipe the “gel” directly on skin using your fingers. Apply everywhere, even on eyelids.
Aloe Vera helps to moisturize, acts as a humectant (attracting water to the skin), and heals up imperfections and scars. You will see healing take place over a few weeks of consistent use.
Also, you can apply aloe vera multiple times to problem areas each day if you wish. It quickly soaks in and leaves your skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. I’m haven’t read this anywhere else, but I think that aloe vera also has some toning qualities, as well.
Fresh Aloe Vera Storage
Fresh aloe vera is usually bought in a large “leaf” piece 1-1 ½ feet long. Keep in a cool place (or can be refrigerated) and cut new piece off each day from one end with a pair of scissors.
Why Not Aloe Vera From a Bottle?
If you can find straight aloe vera gel in a bottle, you can certainly use it. However, often, if you read the labels, it is FULL of other ingredients, like alcohol, and will not work, as well as, the fresh.
Fresh Aloe Vera leaves have all the vitamins and enzymes, intact. The bottled kind has been processed in some way to preserve it and might not be as effective. Try the fresh if you can find it—it works great!
Best Moisturizer Combination!
After the aloe vera application, then apply a natural moisturizer. The one I want to highlight today is Alba’s Aloe & Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer from their Hawaiian Skin Care line; this particular one is great for young skin. My teen aged daughter raves about it, after having tried many different kinds.
Alba products are also available at Herbtraders (see sidebar to the right).
This oil-free moisturizer is a healthy, non-toxic moisturizer, that works great to protect from acne. The ingredients get high "natural" marks from the Environmental Working Group.
For Older Skin Add Olive Oil
I add a small amount of olive oil to Alba’s Aloe & Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer for my moisture-needing, older skin! I mix the two directly in my hand in the bathroom and coat on my face--very rich and effective! Mediterranean women have been moisturizing with olive oil for thousands of years!!
Other Keys to Moisturizing
1. Drink a lot of water daily. Moisturize from the inside out!! This can't be said enough, because we all forget it regularly!
2. Protect with SPF sunscreen daily YEAR-ROUND! I have heard 80% of aging comes from sun exposure! Alba also has a line of sunscreens to choose from, available at Herbtraders on the right sidebar.
I hope you try out our Best Natural Facial Skin Care Regime using natural cleaning products and do-it-yourself techniques. It is simple. It is green. It is inexpensive.
This is Part One of Two--The Next Post will include some background facts to WHY these products work the best for an inexpensive, green, natural cleaning and moisturizing system.
Happy Green Cleaning! Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer
Your face--it is the most expressive part of your body. Faces are said to be “readable”just like a book. Faces are how we primarily recognize each other. It has been proven that even newborns can recognize faces.
Surprisingly, the facial skin is the most delicate skin on our body; needing special care and protection. Here is my best natural facial skin care regime. Developed mostly by my teen daughter who loves natural stuff as much as I do!
Our primary goals for our skincare system were: natural, non-toxic ingredients; simple and easy to use; inexpensive choices for anyone to use.
This is just one possible skincare system using all natural cleaning products and green moisturizers, but we think that it is the best! There are many out there to choose from and experiment with. We hope that we inspire you to baby your skin, so you can “put your best face forward”! Enjoy our “Best Natural Facial Skin Care for Any Skin Type”.
Washing
I use African Black soap to wash my face with each night. I have written extensively on African Black soap in a number of different articles.
The main reasons I choose this soap for my face are its total natural-ness, deep moisturizing and yet effective cleansing properties, and its mild, exfoliating properties. I have seen an actual reduction of skin irregularities on my own complexion after using this soap over a period of 6-8 weeks—fine lines and “age spots” and some blotchiness, have diminished.
Note: My daughter says don’t wash with soap in the morning, just rinse with water, so that you don’t over-dry your skin by removing your own natural skin oils.
Toning
For toning I sometimes use witch hazel on the oily parts of my face. Over the counter witch hazel, found in any drug store does have alcohol, but I find that it is still gentle enough to use on my skin. It is a natural cleaning product that is certainly very inexpensive compared to manufactured "toners".
Also, it sounds easy to make your own “witch hazel tea” to tone your skin with from witch hazel leaves, although I have never tried that yet. You can find witch hazel leaves and products at Herbtraders (see right sidebar).
Weekly Steaming
Steaming your face weekly acts as a toner, by deep cleaning your pores causing them to naturally close. This is a natural cleaner; as natural as they come!
How To Steam Face
Boil 2-3 cups of water in a pan. Place pan on a hot pad on your Dining Room table.
Lean your face over pan, careful not to touch the hot pan.
Cover you head and the pan with a towel to create your own “little sauna”.
Steam for around 10 minutes and then immediately wash face with African Black soap.
Acne Treatment and Healing
Daily dot specific blemishes or coat an entire break-out area with Tea Tree Oil. It is a little pricey, around $14.00 for a small bottle; available at Herbtraders from right sidebar.
Tea Tree Oil does smell strong, but the turpentine-ish aroma quickly dissipates. The main thing is that IT WORKS!
It is an all natural, topical antibiotic that kills the bacteria which cause break-outs and it helps to dry out current blemishes. It can be applied numerous times throughout the day or at bedtime, just remember to apply it when you are not going “out” for 15-20 minutes, since it does have a distinctive aroma.
I have grown to appreciate this Australian-original, botanical oil, because it really works to obliterate blemishes and stop break-outs—without expensive, side-effect-causing medications!!
Moisturizing
Use Fresh Aloe Vera-purchased at grocery stores, usually found near the exotic fruits and vegetables. Or you can purchase your own plant and cultivate it. Clip off a 1-2 inch piece, pull open, and wipe the “gel” directly on skin using your fingers. Apply everywhere, even on eyelids.
Aloe Vera helps to moisturize, acts as a humectant (attracting water to the skin), and heals up imperfections and scars. You will see healing take place over a few weeks of consistent use.
Also, you can apply aloe vera multiple times to problem areas each day if you wish. It quickly soaks in and leaves your skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. I’m haven’t read this anywhere else, but I think that aloe vera also has some toning qualities, as well.
Fresh Aloe Vera Storage
Fresh aloe vera is usually bought in a large “leaf” piece 1-1 ½ feet long. Keep in a cool place (or can be refrigerated) and cut new piece off each day from one end with a pair of scissors.
Why Not Aloe Vera From a Bottle?
If you can find straight aloe vera gel in a bottle, you can certainly use it. However, often, if you read the labels, it is FULL of other ingredients, like alcohol, and will not work, as well as, the fresh.
Fresh Aloe Vera leaves have all the vitamins and enzymes, intact. The bottled kind has been processed in some way to preserve it and might not be as effective. Try the fresh if you can find it—it works great!
Best Moisturizer Combination!
After the aloe vera application, then apply a natural moisturizer. The one I want to highlight today is Alba’s Aloe & Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer from their Hawaiian Skin Care line; this particular one is great for young skin. My teen aged daughter raves about it, after having tried many different kinds.
Alba products are also available at Herbtraders (see sidebar to the right).
This oil-free moisturizer is a healthy, non-toxic moisturizer, that works great to protect from acne. The ingredients get high "natural" marks from the Environmental Working Group.
For Older Skin Add Olive Oil
I add a small amount of olive oil to Alba’s Aloe & Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer for my moisture-needing, older skin! I mix the two directly in my hand in the bathroom and coat on my face--very rich and effective! Mediterranean women have been moisturizing with olive oil for thousands of years!!
Other Keys to Moisturizing
1. Drink a lot of water daily. Moisturize from the inside out!! This can't be said enough, because we all forget it regularly!
2. Protect with SPF sunscreen daily YEAR-ROUND! I have heard 80% of aging comes from sun exposure! Alba also has a line of sunscreens to choose from, available at Herbtraders on the right sidebar.
I hope you try out our Best Natural Facial Skin Care Regime using natural cleaning products and do-it-yourself techniques. It is simple. It is green. It is inexpensive.
This is Part One of Two--The Next Post will include some background facts to WHY these products work the best for an inexpensive, green, natural cleaning and moisturizing system.
Happy Green Cleaning! Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer
Friday, April 24, 2009
Arm & Hammer Essentials Multi-Surface Refillable Cleaner | Natural Cleaning Product Review
Side Note from Pam: I saw Disney's "Earth" last night with my teens and a friend of theirs--we all loved it!! Very moving. Incredible Photography. Scenes from our beautiful world that I had never seen. Definitely a must for the "big screen experience". Plus, if you go before the end of the weekend, in honor of Earth Day, they will plant a tree for each movie ticket bought.
Arm & Hammer,
the brand name of the natural cleaning product and friend of homemaking consumers everywhere, the humble baking soda, has created a line of 3 color-coded cleaners recently released, called "Essentials". One of which is their green-colored, Multi-purpose Cleaner.
Price
Essentials cleaners are sold in packs of 2 concentrated, small bottles for approximately 4.00 each and are equal to 2 regular-sized cleaner spray bottles. This green cleaning system saves on storage, transportation costs, and plastic--reducing their plastic packaging use by 93% according to Arm & Hammer.
This is a brilliant, eco friendly manufacturing and distribution plan, that I personally think every company in manufacturing needs to adopt. Why pay extra for water in cleaners, when you can fill up the reusable bottle included in this set from your tap?
Plus, according to their website: "you’ll save money every time you refill your ARM & HAMMER® Essentials™ Cleaners bottle — up to 25% compared to buying traditional cleaners".
Speaking of Earth Day...
Arm & Hammer, around since before the American Civil War, has a long history of recycling and working towards eco-friendly business practices. They state on their website that they have been using recycled cardboard containers since 1907! They also were the producers of the first phosphate-free detergent and the first corporate sponsors of Earth Day, both in 1970. They have a long-standing reputation as a natural cleaning product manufacturer.
Ingredients and Controversy
Arm & Hammer, owned by Church and Dwight Co., Inc. is currently being sued in the State of New York for not listing their ingredients transparently on labels. This is a very pervasive practice in the United States--total lack of listing or partial listing of ingredients.
According to Earthjustice, the non-profit, legal, environmental Watchdog suing them: "independent studies into chemicals contained in cleaning products continue to find health effects ranging from nerve damage to hormone disruption. But ingredient disclosure requirements are virtually non-existent in the United States." This litigation could have a nationwide effect.
For Arm & Hammer's Essentials Multi-Surface Cleaner the ingredients are COMPLETELY in the DARK listed on the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) as "proprietary" i.e. a "secret, trade marked formula". So...to use their product, you have to completely trust them on its safety.
Playing Detective?
The clues to the ingredients are simply this: contains "powerful plant-based cleaners derived from coconuts and palm kernel oil and other biodegradable eco-sensible cleaners".
The term "eco-sensible" is a new one to me....Sorry, Arm & Hammer, but WHAT does that mean? Eco-sensible defined by whom?
Pros
Effective Cleaner for counters, appliances, sinks, kitchen & bathroom tile, glass, and other surfaces.
Biodegradable, plant-based
No ammonia or phosphates.
Pleasant, mild aroma (much better than the Arm & Hammer Essentials Degreaser)
Great economical, environmentally-friendly packaging system
Easy-to-use and refill.
Cons
Insults our intelligence by withholding ingredient content. I want more information to protect myself and my family from possible toxic chemicals. Don't You?
Summary
Thumbs Up
For providing a biodegradable multi-purpose cleaner that smells great and works well.
Thumbs Down
For not informing the consumer clearly as to what is in their product!
Arm & Hammer Essentials Multi-Surface Cleaner has a refillable bottle system and hopefully we can trust their integrity as a long-standing, environmentally-conscious company that this Multi-Surface cleaner is a green cleaner in reality and not in color only.
Enjoy using natural cleaning products all around your home! Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer
Arm & Hammer,
the brand name of the natural cleaning product and friend of homemaking consumers everywhere, the humble baking soda, has created a line of 3 color-coded cleaners recently released, called "Essentials". One of which is their green-colored, Multi-purpose Cleaner.
Price
Essentials cleaners are sold in packs of 2 concentrated, small bottles for approximately 4.00 each and are equal to 2 regular-sized cleaner spray bottles. This green cleaning system saves on storage, transportation costs, and plastic--reducing their plastic packaging use by 93% according to Arm & Hammer.
This is a brilliant, eco friendly manufacturing and distribution plan, that I personally think every company in manufacturing needs to adopt. Why pay extra for water in cleaners, when you can fill up the reusable bottle included in this set from your tap?
Plus, according to their website: "you’ll save money every time you refill your ARM & HAMMER® Essentials™ Cleaners bottle — up to 25% compared to buying traditional cleaners".
Speaking of Earth Day...
Arm & Hammer, around since before the American Civil War, has a long history of recycling and working towards eco-friendly business practices. They state on their website that they have been using recycled cardboard containers since 1907! They also were the producers of the first phosphate-free detergent and the first corporate sponsors of Earth Day, both in 1970. They have a long-standing reputation as a natural cleaning product manufacturer.
Ingredients and Controversy
Arm & Hammer, owned by Church and Dwight Co., Inc. is currently being sued in the State of New York for not listing their ingredients transparently on labels. This is a very pervasive practice in the United States--total lack of listing or partial listing of ingredients.
According to Earthjustice, the non-profit, legal, environmental Watchdog suing them: "independent studies into chemicals contained in cleaning products continue to find health effects ranging from nerve damage to hormone disruption. But ingredient disclosure requirements are virtually non-existent in the United States." This litigation could have a nationwide effect.
For Arm & Hammer's Essentials Multi-Surface Cleaner the ingredients are COMPLETELY in the DARK listed on the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) as "proprietary" i.e. a "secret, trade marked formula". So...to use their product, you have to completely trust them on its safety.
Playing Detective?
The clues to the ingredients are simply this: contains "powerful plant-based cleaners derived from coconuts and palm kernel oil and other biodegradable eco-sensible cleaners".
The term "eco-sensible" is a new one to me....Sorry, Arm & Hammer, but WHAT does that mean? Eco-sensible defined by whom?
Pros
Effective Cleaner for counters, appliances, sinks, kitchen & bathroom tile, glass, and other surfaces.
Biodegradable, plant-based
No ammonia or phosphates.
Pleasant, mild aroma (much better than the Arm & Hammer Essentials Degreaser)
Great economical, environmentally-friendly packaging system
Easy-to-use and refill.
Cons
Insults our intelligence by withholding ingredient content. I want more information to protect myself and my family from possible toxic chemicals. Don't You?
Summary
Thumbs Up
For providing a biodegradable multi-purpose cleaner that smells great and works well.
Thumbs Down
For not informing the consumer clearly as to what is in their product!
Arm & Hammer Essentials Multi-Surface Cleaner has a refillable bottle system and hopefully we can trust their integrity as a long-standing, environmentally-conscious company that this Multi-Surface cleaner is a green cleaner in reality and not in color only.
Enjoy using natural cleaning products all around your home! Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap Basil Scent | Natural Cleaning Product Review
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap, Basil Scent, 12.5 fluid ounces, is their newest scent, described on their website as “cool and crisp”, an herb “known for its uncanny ability to ease the nerves and perk up the senses”.
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Hand Soap also comes in some other wonderful aromatherapeutic scents such as: Lavender, Lemon Verbena, Geranium, Baby Blossom, Snap Pea, and scent-free; so you are sure to find one that you love!
This luscious, biodegradable hand soap contains aloe vera gel, olive oil, and a unique blend of natural essential oils. It contains nothing that could cause harsh fumes, no parabens, no solvents, no petroleum distillates, no bleach, no phosphates, and has not been tested on animals.
Mrs. Meyer’s company website states that “most of our products have a near neutral pH that makes them safe for skin contact”. In fact, they recommend that you could use this hand soap on your entire body if you wanted.
FYI
There really is a Mrs. Meyer! She is retired now, her daughter started and named the company in honor of her mother, who raised 9 children and has been cleaning her own home now for over 40 years—so she knows a thing or two about cleaning!
Price
12.5 liquid ounce pump bottle for 3.99—it is a little steep in my estimation.
Ingredients
• Deionized Water
• Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate *
• Glycerin
• Lauramide DEA *
• Essential Oils of Basil, Parsley & Black Pepper
• Essential Oils of Eucalyptus Golbus Leaf & Cedarwood Bark
• Fragrance
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine *
• Aloe Barbadensis Gel
• Olive Oil
• Isostearimidopropyl Morpholine Lactate
• Polyquaternium 7
• Sodium Benzoate
• Potassium Sorbate
• Tetrasodium EDTA
• Sodium Chloride
• Citric Acid
I appreciate that the Mrs. Meyer’s is transparent with their ingredients, and most of their ingredients have great or very low toxicity ratings, however the few that are noted with an asterisk have a moderate toxicity rating, due to possibility of contaminates with serious health risks. Mrs. Meyer’s Company states on their site that they are strictly enforcing the monitoring of their ingredients to minimize any contaminates.
In regards to sodium laureth sulfate or SLES, Mrs. Meyer’s website states that it has “a long history of safe use and high-performance cleaning” and that "it is milder on skin than SLS", a close chemical “cousin”.
Although I agree that SLES is easier on the skin than SLS, I have to disagree that is has “a long history of safe use”. Certainly, it has been used extensively in cosmetics and personal products, but the data gap of real science to test the true safety is huge, according to Skin Deep the Cosmetic Safety Database of the Environmental Working Group.
I would like to see that change. I hate using ingredients for myself and my family that are untested, even if in miniscule amounts!
My Take Using Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap, Basil Scent
I love the aroma of this new basil-scented Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day soap. It was therapeutic and invigorating; that is particularly important to me in the kitchen, after cleaning up something dirty and messy! And a big plus, since Mrs. Meyer’s Company uses real essential oils for their scents, the aroma stays around for a really long time. I love that!!
This natural cleaning product is a great choice for your hand soap at the kitchen sink or in the bathroom. I may criticize various aspects of the natural cleaning products that I review, but I HIGHLY recommend them all over ANY non-green or not natural cleaning product.
Summary
BIG Thumbs Up! Nice new scent! Works great. Thumbs on the Side--for some questionable ingredients.
Enjoy all your green cleaning with natural cleaning products like Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Basil-scented Hand Soap! --Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Hand Soap also comes in some other wonderful aromatherapeutic scents such as: Lavender, Lemon Verbena, Geranium, Baby Blossom, Snap Pea, and scent-free; so you are sure to find one that you love!
This luscious, biodegradable hand soap contains aloe vera gel, olive oil, and a unique blend of natural essential oils. It contains nothing that could cause harsh fumes, no parabens, no solvents, no petroleum distillates, no bleach, no phosphates, and has not been tested on animals.
Mrs. Meyer’s company website states that “most of our products have a near neutral pH that makes them safe for skin contact”. In fact, they recommend that you could use this hand soap on your entire body if you wanted.
FYI
There really is a Mrs. Meyer! She is retired now, her daughter started and named the company in honor of her mother, who raised 9 children and has been cleaning her own home now for over 40 years—so she knows a thing or two about cleaning!
Price
12.5 liquid ounce pump bottle for 3.99—it is a little steep in my estimation.
Ingredients
• Deionized Water
• Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate *
• Glycerin
• Lauramide DEA *
• Essential Oils of Basil, Parsley & Black Pepper
• Essential Oils of Eucalyptus Golbus Leaf & Cedarwood Bark
• Fragrance
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine *
• Aloe Barbadensis Gel
• Olive Oil
• Isostearimidopropyl Morpholine Lactate
• Polyquaternium 7
• Sodium Benzoate
• Potassium Sorbate
• Tetrasodium EDTA
• Sodium Chloride
• Citric Acid
I appreciate that the Mrs. Meyer’s is transparent with their ingredients, and most of their ingredients have great or very low toxicity ratings, however the few that are noted with an asterisk have a moderate toxicity rating, due to possibility of contaminates with serious health risks. Mrs. Meyer’s Company states on their site that they are strictly enforcing the monitoring of their ingredients to minimize any contaminates.
In regards to sodium laureth sulfate or SLES, Mrs. Meyer’s website states that it has “a long history of safe use and high-performance cleaning” and that "it is milder on skin than SLS", a close chemical “cousin”.
Although I agree that SLES is easier on the skin than SLS, I have to disagree that is has “a long history of safe use”. Certainly, it has been used extensively in cosmetics and personal products, but the data gap of real science to test the true safety is huge, according to Skin Deep the Cosmetic Safety Database of the Environmental Working Group.
I would like to see that change. I hate using ingredients for myself and my family that are untested, even if in miniscule amounts!
My Take Using Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap, Basil Scent
I love the aroma of this new basil-scented Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day soap. It was therapeutic and invigorating; that is particularly important to me in the kitchen, after cleaning up something dirty and messy! And a big plus, since Mrs. Meyer’s Company uses real essential oils for their scents, the aroma stays around for a really long time. I love that!!
This natural cleaning product is a great choice for your hand soap at the kitchen sink or in the bathroom. I may criticize various aspects of the natural cleaning products that I review, but I HIGHLY recommend them all over ANY non-green or not natural cleaning product.
Summary
BIG Thumbs Up! Nice new scent! Works great. Thumbs on the Side--for some questionable ingredients.
Enjoy all your green cleaning with natural cleaning products like Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Basil-scented Hand Soap! --Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
50 Ways to Use Essential Oils Around Your Home In Cleaning and Cosmetic Care -- Part Four | Natural Cleaning Product Review
Note from Pam: HAPPY EARTH DAY! I am looking forward to seeing the Disney movie "Earth" that comes out today.
Disney is planting a tree for everyone who goes to see the film opening weekend.
Due to advance tickets sales, the company has already committed to planting 500,000 trees. The company plans to plant the trees in "critical areas of biodiversity," including Brazil's Atlantic rain forest, which, according to Disney, is one of the most endangered in the world, having been deforested 93%. Disney is committed to ensuring the trees are planted and cared for to provide the greatest long term benefit for the planet.
And we in the blogosphere will be watching to make sure they actually follow through!! So take your family to Disney's "Earth" and enjoy! This is a great way to inspire yourself and kids on "Earth Day" to practice living green in everyday life!
We all need "vision" for why we do things--Disney's "Earth" is a vision-builder for "going green".
Excerpt from "50 Ways to Use Essential Oils for a Cleaner,
Sweet-smelling Life" Part Four:
37. Make your own copper polish. Add 1 drop of Lemon EO to a soft cloth and gently buff.
38. When washing out the fridge, freezer or oven, add 1 drop of Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Mandarin or Orange EO to the final rinse water.
39. For burns or scalds, drop Tea Tree oil directly onto the affected area.
40. To aid digestion and relieve an upset stomach - place 1 drop of Peppermint oil in 1/2 glass of water and slowly sip.
41. To relieve teething pain in children, use 1-drop Chamomile oil on a washcloth wrapped ice cube.
42. To cool the body in summer and protect it in the winter, add 6-8 drops of Eucalyptus oil in the bath
43. To bring out a radiant glow in your skin, add 1 drop Geranium oil to your facial moisturizer.
44. For thicker hair, or to promote growth, place 1 or 2 drops of Rosemary on your hair brush before brushing.
45. When flu is going around add a few drops of Thyme to your diffuser or simmer in a pan on the stove.
46. To bring fever down, sponge the body with cool water to which 1 drop each Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Lavender oils have been added.
47. Create a better work environment. Lavender creates a calm, tranquil atmosphere while Grapefruit stimulates the senses and clears up stale air.
48. Alleviate anxiety and depression. Blend Geranium, Lavender & Bergamot, and use in a diffuser or add 6-8 drops of this blend to the bath.
49. A wonderful massage blend for babies is one drop Roman Chamomile, 1 drop Lavender, 1 drop Geranium diluted in 2 Tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil.
50. Headaches? Rub the back of the neck with 1-drop Peppermint oil diluted in 1-teaspoon vegetable oil.
51. Perfume! Make a blend of 20 drops Neroli + 10 drops Lemon + 5 drops of Patchouli. Umm, yum. Age for 2 weeks; add an equal amount of high-proof alcohol. Age again and use.
For More resources visit http://www.fitnessclub4u.com and http://mymarketingsecrets.net
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/
Note from Pam: This is Post 4 of 4 in a series on Essential Oils for natural cleaning and cosmetic care around your house. Explore EOs in your green cleaning!
Disney is planting a tree for everyone who goes to see the film opening weekend.
Due to advance tickets sales, the company has already committed to planting 500,000 trees. The company plans to plant the trees in "critical areas of biodiversity," including Brazil's Atlantic rain forest, which, according to Disney, is one of the most endangered in the world, having been deforested 93%. Disney is committed to ensuring the trees are planted and cared for to provide the greatest long term benefit for the planet.
And we in the blogosphere will be watching to make sure they actually follow through!! So take your family to Disney's "Earth" and enjoy! This is a great way to inspire yourself and kids on "Earth Day" to practice living green in everyday life!
We all need "vision" for why we do things--Disney's "Earth" is a vision-builder for "going green".
Excerpt from "50 Ways to Use Essential Oils for a Cleaner,
Sweet-smelling Life" Part Four:
37. Make your own copper polish. Add 1 drop of Lemon EO to a soft cloth and gently buff.
38. When washing out the fridge, freezer or oven, add 1 drop of Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Mandarin or Orange EO to the final rinse water.
39. For burns or scalds, drop Tea Tree oil directly onto the affected area.
40. To aid digestion and relieve an upset stomach - place 1 drop of Peppermint oil in 1/2 glass of water and slowly sip.
41. To relieve teething pain in children, use 1-drop Chamomile oil on a washcloth wrapped ice cube.
42. To cool the body in summer and protect it in the winter, add 6-8 drops of Eucalyptus oil in the bath
43. To bring out a radiant glow in your skin, add 1 drop Geranium oil to your facial moisturizer.
44. For thicker hair, or to promote growth, place 1 or 2 drops of Rosemary on your hair brush before brushing.
45. When flu is going around add a few drops of Thyme to your diffuser or simmer in a pan on the stove.
46. To bring fever down, sponge the body with cool water to which 1 drop each Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Lavender oils have been added.
47. Create a better work environment. Lavender creates a calm, tranquil atmosphere while Grapefruit stimulates the senses and clears up stale air.
48. Alleviate anxiety and depression. Blend Geranium, Lavender & Bergamot, and use in a diffuser or add 6-8 drops of this blend to the bath.
49. A wonderful massage blend for babies is one drop Roman Chamomile, 1 drop Lavender, 1 drop Geranium diluted in 2 Tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil.
50. Headaches? Rub the back of the neck with 1-drop Peppermint oil diluted in 1-teaspoon vegetable oil.
51. Perfume! Make a blend of 20 drops Neroli + 10 drops Lemon + 5 drops of Patchouli. Umm, yum. Age for 2 weeks; add an equal amount of high-proof alcohol. Age again and use.
For More resources visit http://www.fitnessclub4u.com and http://mymarketingsecrets.net
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/
Note from Pam: This is Post 4 of 4 in a series on Essential Oils for natural cleaning and cosmetic care around your house. Explore EOs in your green cleaning!
Monday, April 20, 2009
50 Ways to Use Essential Oils Around Your Home In Cleaning and Cosmetic Care -- Part Three | Natural Cleaning Product Review
Note from Pam: Hope you are enjoying this series, one more to go, countin' up to 50!
Essential Oils are natural cleaning product accessories that add to your green cleaning supplies. Synthetic Fragrance (i.e. manufactured imitations of EOs) are soon to be a thing of the "unenlightened" past.
Why smell a "chemical rose" that could harm you, when you have a real rose in your hand?? Check out Herbtraders.com (see right sidebar) for a bountiful supply of botanical Essential Oils and Enjoy!
Excerpt from "50 Ways to Use Essential Oils for a Cleaner,
Sweet-smelling Life" Part Three:
25. Eliminate a troublesome wart by directly applying 1 drop of Lemon or Moroccan Blue Artemis EO to it. Apply daily until the wart is gone.
26. Rosemary and Basil promote alertness and stimulate memory. Inhale occasionally during long car trips and while reading or studying.
27. Selling your home? Fragrance sells! Fill the kitchen with the aroma of spices, such as Clove, Cinnamon and Vanilla by simmering a few drops of Cinnamon or Nutmeg EO. Create a warm, cheerful, inviting mood by sprinkling Geranium oil throughout your home. Add Cinnamon or Lemon oil to furniture polish and wipe down the wood.
28. Create a lovely, aromatic art piece by adding EOs to paper-mâché.
29. Infuse bookmarks and stationary with EOs. Use a few drops on paper, place in a sealed plastic bag & leave overnight to infuse the aroma. Send only good news on the perfumed letter.
30. To make gifts such as neck pillows or padded and decorative hangers more memorable put a couple of drops of EO on them before giving them as gifts.
31. Overindulge last night? EOs of Juniper, Fennel, Cedarwood, Grapefruit, Lavender, Rosemary and Lemon help soften the effects of a hangover. Make your own blend of these oils and use a total of 6-8 drops in a bath.
32. For a wonderfully scented wood fire, use EOs of Vetivert, Cypress, Atlas Cedarwood, Frankincense and Myrrh. Drop approximately 2-3 drops of oil or blend of your choice on a dried log and allow time for the oil to soak in before putting the log on the fire.
33. Flies and moths dislike Lavandin oil. Sprinkle in on the outside of your window frames.
34. For restful sleep, place 1 or 2 drops of sleep enhancing oils, such as Chamomile, Lavender, Neroli, Marjoram or Hops on your pillow before retiring.
35. When moving to a new home, first use a water spray containing your favorite EO and change the odorous environment to your own. Do this for several days until it begins to feel like your own space.
36. Ideal scents for the bedroom are Roman Chamomile, Geranium, Lavender or Lemon.
For More resources visit http://www.fitnessclub4u.com and http://mymarketingsecrets.net
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/
Note from Pam: This post is 3 of 4 posts in a series on Essential Oils for natural cleaning and cosmetic care around your house. Explore EOs in your green cleaning!
Essential Oils are natural cleaning product accessories that add to your green cleaning supplies. Synthetic Fragrance (i.e. manufactured imitations of EOs) are soon to be a thing of the "unenlightened" past.
Why smell a "chemical rose" that could harm you, when you have a real rose in your hand?? Check out Herbtraders.com (see right sidebar) for a bountiful supply of botanical Essential Oils and Enjoy!
Excerpt from "50 Ways to Use Essential Oils for a Cleaner,
Sweet-smelling Life" Part Three:
25. Eliminate a troublesome wart by directly applying 1 drop of Lemon or Moroccan Blue Artemis EO to it. Apply daily until the wart is gone.
26. Rosemary and Basil promote alertness and stimulate memory. Inhale occasionally during long car trips and while reading or studying.
27. Selling your home? Fragrance sells! Fill the kitchen with the aroma of spices, such as Clove, Cinnamon and Vanilla by simmering a few drops of Cinnamon or Nutmeg EO. Create a warm, cheerful, inviting mood by sprinkling Geranium oil throughout your home. Add Cinnamon or Lemon oil to furniture polish and wipe down the wood.
28. Create a lovely, aromatic art piece by adding EOs to paper-mâché.
29. Infuse bookmarks and stationary with EOs. Use a few drops on paper, place in a sealed plastic bag & leave overnight to infuse the aroma. Send only good news on the perfumed letter.
30. To make gifts such as neck pillows or padded and decorative hangers more memorable put a couple of drops of EO on them before giving them as gifts.
31. Overindulge last night? EOs of Juniper, Fennel, Cedarwood, Grapefruit, Lavender, Rosemary and Lemon help soften the effects of a hangover. Make your own blend of these oils and use a total of 6-8 drops in a bath.
32. For a wonderfully scented wood fire, use EOs of Vetivert, Cypress, Atlas Cedarwood, Frankincense and Myrrh. Drop approximately 2-3 drops of oil or blend of your choice on a dried log and allow time for the oil to soak in before putting the log on the fire.
33. Flies and moths dislike Lavandin oil. Sprinkle in on the outside of your window frames.
34. For restful sleep, place 1 or 2 drops of sleep enhancing oils, such as Chamomile, Lavender, Neroli, Marjoram or Hops on your pillow before retiring.
35. When moving to a new home, first use a water spray containing your favorite EO and change the odorous environment to your own. Do this for several days until it begins to feel like your own space.
36. Ideal scents for the bedroom are Roman Chamomile, Geranium, Lavender or Lemon.
For More resources visit http://www.fitnessclub4u.com and http://mymarketingsecrets.net
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/
Note from Pam: This post is 3 of 4 posts in a series on Essential Oils for natural cleaning and cosmetic care around your house. Explore EOs in your green cleaning!
50 Ways to Use Essential Oils Around Your Home In Cleaning and Cosmetic Care -- Part Two | Natural Cleaning Product Review
Note from Pam: Experimenting with EO's is fun and creative. Find your own "favorite" aromas. Find aromas that your family loves; everyone is responds uniquely to different scents. Start with buying one or two; explore their uses and build up a collection. I try to think of essential oils as all natural cleaning product accessories, part of my arsenal against grime and yukky smells AND as therapeutic substitutes for aerosol sprays. Herbtrader.com (see sidebar to the right) has a wonderful, comprehensive supply of essential oils.
Excerpt from "50 Ways to Use Essential Oils for a Cleaner,
Sweet-smelling Life" Part Two:
13. Household odors? Put a few drops of your favorite EO on a cotton ball and place in your vacuum cleaner bag. Lemon and Pine are nice; Rose Geranium helps with doggy odor.
14. To fragrance your kitchen cabinets and drawers, place a food scent EO dabbed on a cotton ball in an inconspicuous corner.
15. Are mice a problem? Place several drops of Peppermint oil on cotton balls and place them in problem locations.
16. Scent the bathroom by placing oil-scented cotton balls in inconspicuous places or sprinkle oils directly onto silk or dried flower arrangements or wreaths.
17. To promote healing, apply 1 or 2 drops true Lavender oil and Tea Tree oil directly to cuts, scrapes or scratches.
18. Homemade soaps are pleasant and offer therapeutic effects when scented with EOs. Use Spirit Soaps that contain pure aromatics.
19. Home-made sachets are more fragrant when EOs is blended with the flowers and herbs.
20. Scent an entire room, set a calming or uplifting mood. Use a drop of EO on a radiator, scent ring, or light bulb. Do not put EO in the socket.
21. For “scent-ual” hand washables, use a few drops of your favorite EO or blend in the final rinse water.
22. Anise oil has been used by anglers for years to cover up the human scent that scares the fish away. Use a drop or two on the fingertips and hands before baiting up.
23. Create your own personal essence! EOs and blends make wonderful perfumes. Add 25 drops to 1 oz. perfume alcohol. Let age two weeks before using.
24. To dispel mosquitoes and other picnic or Bar-B-Q pests, drop a few drops of Citronella OR Eucalyptus citriodora oil in the melted wax of a candle or place a few drops on the Bar-B-Q’s hot coals.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ For More resources visit http://www.fitnessclub4u.com and http://mymarketingsecrets.net
Note from Pam: This post is 2 of 4 posts in a series on Essential Oils for natural cleaning and cosmetic care around your house. Explore EOs in your green cleaning!
(See Next Post for Continutation -- Part Three)
Excerpt from "50 Ways to Use Essential Oils for a Cleaner,
Sweet-smelling Life" Part Two:
13. Household odors? Put a few drops of your favorite EO on a cotton ball and place in your vacuum cleaner bag. Lemon and Pine are nice; Rose Geranium helps with doggy odor.
14. To fragrance your kitchen cabinets and drawers, place a food scent EO dabbed on a cotton ball in an inconspicuous corner.
15. Are mice a problem? Place several drops of Peppermint oil on cotton balls and place them in problem locations.
16. Scent the bathroom by placing oil-scented cotton balls in inconspicuous places or sprinkle oils directly onto silk or dried flower arrangements or wreaths.
17. To promote healing, apply 1 or 2 drops true Lavender oil and Tea Tree oil directly to cuts, scrapes or scratches.
18. Homemade soaps are pleasant and offer therapeutic effects when scented with EOs. Use Spirit Soaps that contain pure aromatics.
19. Home-made sachets are more fragrant when EOs is blended with the flowers and herbs.
20. Scent an entire room, set a calming or uplifting mood. Use a drop of EO on a radiator, scent ring, or light bulb. Do not put EO in the socket.
21. For “scent-ual” hand washables, use a few drops of your favorite EO or blend in the final rinse water.
22. Anise oil has been used by anglers for years to cover up the human scent that scares the fish away. Use a drop or two on the fingertips and hands before baiting up.
23. Create your own personal essence! EOs and blends make wonderful perfumes. Add 25 drops to 1 oz. perfume alcohol. Let age two weeks before using.
24. To dispel mosquitoes and other picnic or Bar-B-Q pests, drop a few drops of Citronella OR Eucalyptus citriodora oil in the melted wax of a candle or place a few drops on the Bar-B-Q’s hot coals.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ For More resources visit http://www.fitnessclub4u.com and http://mymarketingsecrets.net
Note from Pam: This post is 2 of 4 posts in a series on Essential Oils for natural cleaning and cosmetic care around your house. Explore EOs in your green cleaning!
(See Next Post for Continutation -- Part Three)
Sunday, April 19, 2009
50 Ways to Use Essential Oils Around Your Home In Cleaning and Cosmetic Care -- Part One | Natural Cleaning Product Review
Note from Pam: For the next few posts, I wanted to share with you an excellent list of uses for essential oils. Essential Oils gleaned from a cornucopia of botanicals have been used for thousands of years by homemakers and people "in the know" and now you can too.
Essential Oils can be used in cleaning and cosmetic care. Try some yourself and you will be pleased and surprised; a little can go a long way--and all as a natural cleaning product!
Check Herbtrader.com (see sidebar to the right) for a great supply of Essential Oils!
Excerpt from "50 Ways To Use Essential Oils for a cleaner,
sweet-smelling life" Part One:
1. For Scent-Sational wash, place a few drops of your favorite EO onto a small piece of terry cloth and toss into the clothes dryer while drying. Alternatively, add 5 drops of EO to 1/4-cup fabric softener or water and place in the center cup of the wash.
2. Revive potpourri by adding a few drops of EO.
3. Freshen air by adding a few drops of EO to water in a spray bottle and spray.
4. Add a few drops of EO to a pan of water and simmer on a stove or in a potpourri pot.
5. For a scented candle, place a drop or two of EO into the hot wax as the candle burns.
6. Eliminate household cooking odors; add a few drops of Clove oil to a simmering pan of water.
7. For tired, aching muscles or arthritis, mix 1-drop Cajuput, Sage, and Basil oil to 30 drops vegetable oil and use as a massage oil.
8. Ease headache pain by rubbing a drop of Rosemary/ Lavender oil onto the back of your neck.
9. Blend your own massage oil by adding 3 drops of your favorite EO to 1 oz. Jojoba or other skin-nourishing vegetable oil.
10. For fresher smelling carpets, add 10 drops of EO to a box of cornstarch or baking soda, mix well, let set for a day or two and then sprinkle over the carpets in your home. Let set for an hour or more, and then vacuum.
11. To make a natural flea collar, saturate a short piece of cord or soft rope with Pennyroyal or Tea Tree oil, roll up in a handkerchief and tie loosely around the animal’s neck.
12. Smelly feet or shoes can be remedied by either dropping a few drops of Geranium EO directly into the shoes or by placing a cotton ball dabbed with a few drops of Lemon oil into the shoes. Athlete’s foot? Tea tree oil is great.
Article from ArticlesBase.com
For More resources from this article's author: visit http://www.fitnessclub4u.com/ and http://mymarketingsecrets.net/
Note from Pam: This post is 1 of 4 posts in a series on Essential Oils for natural cleaning and cosmetic care around your house. Explore EOs in your green cleaning!
(See Next Post--Part Two--for a Continuation )
Essential Oils can be used in cleaning and cosmetic care. Try some yourself and you will be pleased and surprised; a little can go a long way--and all as a natural cleaning product!
Check Herbtrader.com (see sidebar to the right) for a great supply of Essential Oils!
Excerpt from "50 Ways To Use Essential Oils for a cleaner,
sweet-smelling life" Part One:
1. For Scent-Sational wash, place a few drops of your favorite EO onto a small piece of terry cloth and toss into the clothes dryer while drying. Alternatively, add 5 drops of EO to 1/4-cup fabric softener or water and place in the center cup of the wash.
2. Revive potpourri by adding a few drops of EO.
3. Freshen air by adding a few drops of EO to water in a spray bottle and spray.
4. Add a few drops of EO to a pan of water and simmer on a stove or in a potpourri pot.
5. For a scented candle, place a drop or two of EO into the hot wax as the candle burns.
6. Eliminate household cooking odors; add a few drops of Clove oil to a simmering pan of water.
7. For tired, aching muscles or arthritis, mix 1-drop Cajuput, Sage, and Basil oil to 30 drops vegetable oil and use as a massage oil.
8. Ease headache pain by rubbing a drop of Rosemary/ Lavender oil onto the back of your neck.
9. Blend your own massage oil by adding 3 drops of your favorite EO to 1 oz. Jojoba or other skin-nourishing vegetable oil.
10. For fresher smelling carpets, add 10 drops of EO to a box of cornstarch or baking soda, mix well, let set for a day or two and then sprinkle over the carpets in your home. Let set for an hour or more, and then vacuum.
11. To make a natural flea collar, saturate a short piece of cord or soft rope with Pennyroyal or Tea Tree oil, roll up in a handkerchief and tie loosely around the animal’s neck.
12. Smelly feet or shoes can be remedied by either dropping a few drops of Geranium EO directly into the shoes or by placing a cotton ball dabbed with a few drops of Lemon oil into the shoes. Athlete’s foot? Tea tree oil is great.
Article from ArticlesBase.com
For More resources from this article's author: visit http://www.fitnessclub4u.com/ and http://mymarketingsecrets.net/
Note from Pam: This post is 1 of 4 posts in a series on Essential Oils for natural cleaning and cosmetic care around your house. Explore EOs in your green cleaning!
(See Next Post--Part Two--for a Continuation )
Friday, April 17, 2009
Seventh Generation's 2X Ultra Free and Clear Natural Laundry Detergent | Natural Cleaning Product Review
Seventh Generation, one of my favorite green cleaning product companies, makes a super-concentrated natural laundry detergent safe for both high-efficiency and standard washing machines that is "free and clear" of perfumes and dyes. (And it works great!)
This natural cleaner for laundry qualifies as super-concentrated, because it is formulated with hardly any water, so that you use less detergent per load, you use less packaging per load, you are not "buying water" when you buy the detergent. This is a trend with environmentally-aware manufacturers; a win-win-win situation, for the consumer, the manufacturer, and the environment.
For more background on Seventh Gen, you can check out my post on their dishwasher detergents.
On the back of the bottle of this natural laundry detergent, Seventh Generation states an inspiring fact: "If every household in the U.S. replaced just one bottle of 50 oz. 2X ultra petroleum based liquid laundry detergent with our 50 oz. 2X ultra plant based product, we could save 233,000 barrels of oil, enough to heat and cool 13,400 U.S. homes for a year!"
Wow! Even though at times I criticize some green cleaning product manufacturers for questionable ingredients, I want to stress that using ANY of the plant-based green cleaning products on the market today is a MUCH BETTER choice than ANY "conventional" or petroleum-based detergents! Conventional detergents are not in the same league at all with green cleaning products in regards to safety for the consumer and the environment!
If you haven't made the switch to natural and green cleaning products, I hope that my Natural Cleaning Product Review blog will help to convince you to do so!!
Please make that switch; try out Seventh Generation's 2X Ultra Laundry Detergent or another green cleaning competitor. I know you will be pleased and feel satisfied being a "good steward" of the Earth and your family's health.
Price
I found it for 8.23 on sale online at the Wellness Grocer. In retail stores the price can be as high as 11.00, but currently there are 1.00 off coupons for Seventh Gen on their website and through online ads; take advantage of those, you can print 2 at a time.
Ingredients *
Water
sodium laureth sulfate, (see more info. on this ingredient at this post; scroll to ingredients list)
coconut alcohol ethoxylate & glycerin (plant-derived cleaning agents)
sodium citrate (water softener)
oleic acid & glyceryl oleate (plant-derived anti-foaming agents)
sodium hydroxide (alkalinity builder)
sodium borate (alkalinity builder and soil dispersant) **
amylase, cellulase & protease (non-animal derived enzymes)
calcium chloride (cleaning enhancer)
hexahydro-1,3,5-tris (2-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine (preservative, less than 0.05%)
* Important Note: All of these ingredients have been rated low or no toxicity by the Environmental Working Group, however just as with almost all chemicals used in manufacturing today, there is a huge "data gap" on ingredient safety, i.e. not nearly enough testing done on the ingredients that we all use everyday!!
** Important Note: One important qualifier I just learned!! Borax or sodium borate is not recommended for use on infant skin by the The Cosmetic Ingredient Review, an independent trade association of the cosmetic industry supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In other words, use detergents or cosmetics without sodium borate or borax in them for your infant's care.
My Take on Using 7Gen's 2X Ultra Free and Clear Natural Laundry Detergent
Big Thumb's Up! It works great! It has high marks for healthfulness and has no dyes or fragrances, which is a plus for many folks.
Enjoy your green cleaning with natural cleaning laundry detergent!
Green Keen a.k.a. Pamela Palmer
This natural cleaner for laundry qualifies as super-concentrated, because it is formulated with hardly any water, so that you use less detergent per load, you use less packaging per load, you are not "buying water" when you buy the detergent. This is a trend with environmentally-aware manufacturers; a win-win-win situation, for the consumer, the manufacturer, and the environment.
For more background on Seventh Gen, you can check out my post on their dishwasher detergents.
On the back of the bottle of this natural laundry detergent, Seventh Generation states an inspiring fact: "If every household in the U.S. replaced just one bottle of 50 oz. 2X ultra petroleum based liquid laundry detergent with our 50 oz. 2X ultra plant based product, we could save 233,000 barrels of oil, enough to heat and cool 13,400 U.S. homes for a year!"
Wow! Even though at times I criticize some green cleaning product manufacturers for questionable ingredients, I want to stress that using ANY of the plant-based green cleaning products on the market today is a MUCH BETTER choice than ANY "conventional" or petroleum-based detergents! Conventional detergents are not in the same league at all with green cleaning products in regards to safety for the consumer and the environment!
If you haven't made the switch to natural and green cleaning products, I hope that my Natural Cleaning Product Review blog will help to convince you to do so!!
Please make that switch; try out Seventh Generation's 2X Ultra Laundry Detergent or another green cleaning competitor. I know you will be pleased and feel satisfied being a "good steward" of the Earth and your family's health.
Price
I found it for 8.23 on sale online at the Wellness Grocer. In retail stores the price can be as high as 11.00, but currently there are 1.00 off coupons for Seventh Gen on their website and through online ads; take advantage of those, you can print 2 at a time.
Ingredients *
Water
sodium laureth sulfate, (see more info. on this ingredient at this post; scroll to ingredients list)
coconut alcohol ethoxylate & glycerin (plant-derived cleaning agents)
sodium citrate (water softener)
oleic acid & glyceryl oleate (plant-derived anti-foaming agents)
sodium hydroxide (alkalinity builder)
sodium borate (alkalinity builder and soil dispersant) **
amylase, cellulase & protease (non-animal derived enzymes)
calcium chloride (cleaning enhancer)
hexahydro-1,3,5-tris (2-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine (preservative, less than 0.05%)
* Important Note: All of these ingredients have been rated low or no toxicity by the Environmental Working Group, however just as with almost all chemicals used in manufacturing today, there is a huge "data gap" on ingredient safety, i.e. not nearly enough testing done on the ingredients that we all use everyday!!
** Important Note: One important qualifier I just learned!! Borax or sodium borate is not recommended for use on infant skin by the The Cosmetic Ingredient Review, an independent trade association of the cosmetic industry supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In other words, use detergents or cosmetics without sodium borate or borax in them for your infant's care.
My Take on Using 7Gen's 2X Ultra Free and Clear Natural Laundry Detergent
Big Thumb's Up! It works great! It has high marks for healthfulness and has no dyes or fragrances, which is a plus for many folks.
Enjoy your green cleaning with natural cleaning laundry detergent!
Green Keen a.k.a. Pamela Palmer
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