Cleaning
Veggie and Fruit Wash Soap Labels
Now those stickers on your fruit can serve a purpose other than at the register. Scott Amron has come up with a clever dual purpose UPC label sticker which not only tells the checkout clerk how much to charge, but also will clean the fruit once you are home.
For those who are unaware, fruit can be covered in all kinds of pesticides, wax, fertilizer, bacteria and nastyness, so it’s always a good idea to wash your fruits and vegetables, whether they are organic or not. This label just makes it easier since the wash comes on the fruit rather than buying it separately!
Engineered to only dissolve when rubbed with water, it is actually water resistant and won’t fall off before it reaches the check stand, and can always be peeled off if desired. It is also made from organic biodegradable materials which won’t harm the environment. › Continue reading
Remove Indoor Toxins with these Specializing House Plants
Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum)
I’ve been reading a lot lately about air filtering house plants and which ones are the best for the job. Turns out, most are specialized to remove specific toxins, so lets first look at the list of indoor toxins so we can find out which plants you need to remove those toxins. Pretty much all plants are going to improve air quality, these have just been researched more than others and/or are better performing at removing certain things. Also keep in mind that many of these are also invasive weeds, so please keep them in pots in your home and take care when disposing of them.
Trichloroethylene (TCE) in the home is introduced from dry cleaning, printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes, and adhesives. This chemical is considered by the National Cancer Institute as a potent liver carcinogen.
Benzene is present in many common items including gasoline, inks, oils, paints, plastics, and rubber. It is an eye and skin irritant as well as being a contributing factor to leukemia in humans. Repeated skin contact with benzene will cause drying, inflammation, blistering and dermatitis.
Formaldehyde is a extraordinarily common in almost every indoor environment. Found in everything from particle board or pressed wood products used in many furniture pieces, to grocery bags, facial tissues and paper towels. Even common household cleaning agents and air fragrances contain formaldehyde. With carpet backings, fire proof coatings, permanent-press clothes and natural gas all containing the toxin, it is nearly impossible to avoid.
Eco Friendly Laundry Detergent – Vaska
I have been interested in the different eco friendly laundry detergents out there for awhile now, mostly what seperates them? Are some better than other for the environment, are some better at cleaning? I set out to find out. I have been using Second Generation and Method laundry detergent for some time now, and from time to time I will buy Ecos, all of which I have been very happy with.
Enter Vaska, fairly new to the scene – they were nice enough to provide me with bottle to try out, so I gave it a shot. The Vaska came just in time to soak a fish oil stain out of a brand new pair of my boardshorts, and it worked flawlessly. I liked the unscented formula although it had a very mild lavender scent due to the botanical solutions being derived from real lavender.
In a washoff against leading brands certified by the major laundry industry group, Association of Linen Management, VASKA outperformed all the brands tested: Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyers, Ecover, Ecos, Tide and Arm & Hammer. VASKA removed eight common household stains—ketchup, mustard, red wine, grass, dirt, lipstick, coffee and olive oil-more effectively than all of its competitors.
Not only does it clean great, it is also clean when it comes to the environment. Recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Design for the Environment (DfE) program, both laundry detergent formulas are screened for toxins in their ingredients. It is also biodegradable and not tested on animals with only the following ingredients:
* Plant-based surfactants
* Vegetable conditioner
* Water-soluble degreasing agent
* Lavender extract
* Lavender scent (Light Lavender only)
* Filtered water
Aromatherapy Natural Cleaning Supplies
I’ve reviewed several kinds of natural cleaning supplies including Method and DIY cleaning kits, but this one is a bit unique. Aromatherapy Naturals uses aromatherapy from pure essential oils to give your cleaning a fresh natural scent. Developed by Patti Page and used in her own personal cleaning service since 2006 after tiring of years of using harsh chemicals.
Clean without Phosphates, Ammonia, or even vinegar. Aromatherapy Naturals uses only grain alcohol, organic plant based surfactants (coconut, olive or other oils), water and a few other key natural ingredients. Produced and distributed from a small town in Indiana, it is safe for your whole family including your pets.
Eco-Me Clean with Green – DIY Natural Home Cleaning Kits
With all the eco-friendly green cleaning supplies out there (Method and now Clorox coming out with greener alternative called Green Works) why not just make your own? Eco-Me shows you how to create your own cleaning products out of baking soda, vinegar, oil and water, and provides you with the tools and containers to do it. Mix to your own concentrations and strengths, and add the provided essential oils to your own taste.
Created by Robin Levine, after her very active and health conscious 36 year-old sister was diagnosed with breast cancer with no family history of the disease, took a deeper look at the chemicals we surround ourselves with. It may be shocking to learn that there is no government regulations on cleaning or personal care products, and many chemicals used in these products are carcinogenic, hormone disruptors and general health hazards. Starting as a home based natural product, Eco-me grew into an environmental ‘action figure’ when featured in Women’s Health Magazine.
Formulated from basic safe and natural household ingredients with the thought that if its safe to eat, its probably safe to use in your home and on your body. Pepper in pure plant essential oils selected for their antibacterial & antiseptic properties as well as a great aroma, and you have a clean, fresh smelling, safe cleaning product. Independently lab tested for safety and effectiveness, the Eco-me home kit test results state a reduction and elimination of up to 96% bacteria, and the removal of dirt and odors from all general household cleaning surfaces.
The bottles provided in the kit are PET #1 plastic, a safe plastic that stands up against the 5% acidity of household vinegar (a core ingredient called for in mixing eco-me products) and since the kits are meant to be mixed and remixed, with available refills you can reuse the bottles time and time again. Additionally, PET #1 is one of the most purchased post consumer plastic from recycling centers, Patagonia even makes fleece out of this plastic.
Eco-me is currently sold online and in over 500 stores in the US and Canada and will be expanding into Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland and other international territories in 2009. Their natural product line includes a body care kit, a baby care kit, and a care kits for your cat and dog even. They also offer a new line of pre-mixed cleaning products so you don’t have too- an all purpose cleaner, wood polish and scrub cleanser. Mix up your own natural cleaning and care products with up Eco-me’s natural cleaning products.
Green Cleaning METHOD
People against dirty. Methods line of products covers everything from bathroom to body care, all while being non-toxic biodegradable and great design to boot! Products are formulated from all natural materials like soy, coconut and palm oils, so you know they are easy on the environment. They even come in fragrance-free forms for the hypo-allergenic.
Carbon credits and renewable energy offset production and employee commutes making the company more than just a producer of eco-friendly products. Additionally the company does not test on animals, so your pet will be happy about method products as well. All wonderful things we like to hear about a company doing the right thing. But wait, there is more! Have you seen the packaging? Not only is it made from the most readily available materials, to allow for easy recycling, but it looks great and is functional too. World-renowned designer Joshua Handy was enlisted to give the product line a modern stylish look, so you can proudly display that bottle of hand soap.
things we’re for:
- cleans on contact
- derived from plants
- biodegradable
- fresh lavender
- bare hands
- recyclable packaging
- pro-clean
things we’re against:
- kills on contact
- derived from chemical plants
- biohazard
- fake pine
- rubber gloves
- reckless packaging
- anti-bacterial
Within the wonderland that is their website, you can order new products and refills. It even show you the ingredients of each product with detailed descriptions of the purpose of it being in there.
Method is readily available and can be found at large retailers such as target and bed bath and beyond.
