What do you do to make your home environment a "greener" environment?

@whittby (3072)
United States
February 24, 2008 4:16pm CST
What cleaning products do you use? I love the smell of these commercial cleaning products and they work oh so well, but I should be using more vinegar and baking soda right? I shouldn't be buying particle board because of out-gassing - do you think about the materials in the furniture you buy? And what about re-cycling - do you re-use stuff or toss it out? Or why should I bother if my neighbor is into all those chemicals and over-consumerism, am I making a difference?
3 people like this
7 responses
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
24 Feb 08
I don't use a dozen different products, but only one or two that do many things. I stick with as natural as possible (I'm the vinegar queen!), but also use Melaleuca products (I'm no longer a distributor, so this isn't a plug for me). I tend to use things until they are completely worn out (like the sneakers I'm wearing right now that are falling apart. What can I say? They're comfortable!) My small part may not be making a big impact on the whole world, but it sure makes a difference in my own household. I am soooo much healthier since getting rid of all the chemicals in my cleaning/personal products.
3 people like this
@whittby (3072)
• United States
25 Feb 08
I have to get out my vinegar list again. One of the tv shows had a use for white vinegar where you soaked paper towels with it and put them on your bathtub and tile - If you kept them wet all day, the scum would disappear. A little more work, but beats gagging on fumes.
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
25 Feb 08
For bath tub grim and soap scum take a lemon and cut in half. Put baking soda on the lemon and use the lemon like a sponge. It will take it all away. You have to put more baking soda on it a couple times or wet the area with water and put baking soda on it then use the lemon. It works wonders. I had to use it on shower doors that were GROSS to say the least. Those shower doors had never been so clean.
1 person likes this
@whittby (3072)
• United States
25 Feb 08
I just put lemons on the shopping list. I sure hope there is a good sale on them. The houe will smell good for sure.
1 person likes this
@Riptide (2758)
• United States
25 Feb 08
I do believe one person can make a difference. I recycle and reuse and I also build solar panels for a living lol. So I know I'm doing my part. Think about that maybe you lead a good example for your neighbor and others,so that they will start recycling and using nature friendly products.
2 people like this
@Riptide (2758)
• United States
26 Feb 08
Solar Energy is actually taking of really well where you live. A lot of states are passing bills to give homeowners incentives to install solar panels. They even build a solar powerplant in the state where you live. http://news.mongabay.com/2006/0209-solar.html
1 person likes this
@whittby (3072)
• United States
27 Feb 08
Thank you for the link - went and read up on it. I'm seeing more solar panels on top of the houses here - look a little odd with the round tiles, but wouldn't ever complain about it.l
@whittby (3072)
• United States
26 Feb 08
I think we're going to need a whole lot more solar out here with all the energy stuff in the paper lately!
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
25 Feb 08
I have been trying to go "green" lately. I bought the reusable bags and actually bring them to the store every time. (I buy mine at target they are the biggest and most durable) I recycle every thing that I can. Wether it be in the recycling bin or reuse. I seen a commercial for the "green" cleaning products and I plan to get them next time needed. I am also trying to buy more organic foods. I already use organic milk for my daughter. I can't bring myself to even try it but I started her from the begining so she doesn't know the differance. As for using green products when you neighbor doesn't I think that yes it does make a differance because you are one more person helping the enviroment. One of these days probaly not real soon but I'd say with in the next 20 years every thing will be "green". I hope for my kids sake it happens sooner.
1 person likes this
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
25 Feb 08
I personally do all most all my shopping at Target. They have like 3 different types of reusable bags. I buy the large ones that are 1.49 they are made from recycled material. I take them every where too. My local grocery store Giant Eagle's bags are horriable! I brought my Target bags to the grocery store and the cashier had the nerve to tell remind me that I wan't using Giant Eagle bags. Thats all I said was I know.
1 person likes this
@whittby (3072)
• United States
25 Feb 08
My grocery store just sent a coupon in the mail yesterday for a free reusable shopping bag. They look kind of like a woven plastic kind of material, maybe recycled. Not real impressed with them at the moment. I'll look at Target especially since I'm trying to do more shopping there instead of the big W. Organically certified food is a little more expensive for sure. I think it's going to take some time, but let's hope green becomes the norm...whit
1 person likes this
@mac1946 (1602)
• Calgary, Alberta
25 Feb 08
in most cases,with furniture,it is hard to say what it is made of as they have a nice habit of hiding the real material under venier,but I do use the engergy saving light bulbs,I recycle as much as I can of the packaging from food,cover all windows to save heat in the summer and stay warm in winter,( less use of gas for furnace),and basically only use electric power tools including lawnmore.I also refuse to use disposable diapers in my house for the children I babysit.I also reward families that only use cloth diapers,training pants and underwear with plastic pants instead of disposables. I also recycle all pop cans and plastic bottles. I believe that every single person that does anything from above helps,all it takes is for one person to start and others will follow.
@mac1946 (1602)
• Calgary, Alberta
25 Feb 08
thanks for you reply,yes,unfortunatly,now adays,unless you can have furniture made to order,which is very exspensive,they make almost all of it out of particle board now,and as for the diapers,I have been rewarding for cloth for close to 30 years now in my store,and have had a great many change over after seeing the big differance cloth makes,both in environmental as well as monetary savings.I have made a study of the pro's and con's of both,and believe me,in reality,you are saving both by using cloth,including the fact that children will train faster with cloth than disposables,but there are many(and I am not saying everyone or actually any on here are like this,but the main reason behind the disposable fad is lazyness,it is just to easy to take it off and dump it.
@whittby (3072)
• United States
25 Feb 08
My thing for furniture is trying not to buy the particle board that has the formaldehyde or whatever in it. It's really hard to do much about the furniture itself. Sheets and towels you can buy, but the price is prohibitive. That's a hard stand on disposable diapers since all moms seem to want to use them now - some may argue that all the electricity used in washing them, the water filtration, etc. may equal out. I haven't decided yet...whit
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
26 Feb 08
we try to buy biodegradable produts I like some of the smells too and we tried some of the washing products to be greener and they didnt stay freash smelling and the only thing that smelt any good was the dryer sheets lol and they cost alot more than what ya can get else where I gues got ot go label reading huh?
1 person likes this
@whittby (3072)
• United States
26 Feb 08
I think we're spoiled with our fresh smelling laundry - we love it. I use all the "free and clear" detergents because anything else makes me itch. I know there's a way to add scent to your laundry by using some lavender or other oil on a pad you toss in the dryer. You could add any scent you wanted I would think. whit
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
27 Feb 08
I bet we could just didnt think of it and Lavender would make us real relaxed lol
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
24 Feb 08
We recycle. The recycling gets picked up every other week and we always have a LOT more recycables than regular garbage. My wife makes her own cleanser with vinegar, a drop or three of dishwashing sopa, water, and a few drops of various oils for a nice aroma. I have never thought about anything else like what my furniture is made of etc. But I practice the 3 R's. Reduce,reuse,and recycle. HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
2 people like this
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
25 Feb 08
We re use our water bottles. When we lived in FL we bought our water by the 2 gallon size and filled out bottles. Now that we are in PA we drink the tap water and use soda bottles or whatever to fill up for on the go.
1 person likes this
@whittby (3072)
• United States
25 Feb 08
I reuse mine quite a bit too. They generally aren't sturdy enough to last more than a week, but every littled bit helps.
1 person likes this
@whittby (3072)
• United States
25 Feb 08
With all the folks drinking bottled water out here, you can imagine how much plastic recycling SHOULD be going on here. I used to recycle tons of stuff back east, not to mention giving away stuff on Freecycle. Tell your wife I'll be using her cleanser formula today!
1 person likes this
@Ohara_1983 (4117)
• Kuwait
27 Feb 08
you will never bother anyone, if you make in the right place, if you think it will be work good so why not. & share with other atleast you help them & save more.