My "green" tips

I call it a "journey" because it's a process. As I go along I learn new things and make changes here and there. I'm not 100% green by any means but I'm working at becoming more aware and more responsible with the choices I make and resources I use.
Whenever I quit work and had a little more time to read I happened across a magazine called "Organic Style". Unfortunately, they don't make it anymore but I loved it! I learned so much. That's when I started replacing my "conventional" cleaners with ones that were "natural" or home made. The best thing about using natural, homemade cleaners aside from saving money and avoiding exposure to unnecessary chemicals is the safety around children. There is no need to worry about calling poison control because your child got into your cleaners. Vinegar, water, and baking soda aren't poisonous! My children often want to "help" me clean - sometimes even when I am doing something else and don't know they are "helping"- but I don't have to worry because they can't hurt themselves or any of my furniture. The cleaners are safe, effective, and gentle.
Inspired by some recent posts by my friend Dana over at Thoughts on Life and Dirty Diapers I decided to share my "green" arsenal. (She pretty regularly posts really great "green" tips - definitely worth the time to stop by and check out.)

The main staples here at the Tyree house are:

1. white vinegar
2. baking soda
3. borax
4. a new product I love (its actually been around a long time): Dr. Bronners castile soap
5. microfiber washcloths (I just buy them in the automotive sections - you get more for a better price). It's a good idea to have a stack of these. You can even cut them in half because they are kinda big. They help to cut down on the use of paper towels. Its easy to toss them in the wash and reuse. Because of the microfibers you don't even need any cleaner - plain old water will do. The germs and bacteria will be "trapped" in the microfibers.
6. polishing cloths (find in automotive section too). these are great to use with the "all purpose cleaner" (described below) for cleaning glass, mirrors, granite counter tops.
7. spray bottles
8. essential oils

My go to all-purpose cleaner is simply filtered water + vinegar + a few drops of liquid soap (or Dr. Bronner's) in a spray bottle and my microfiber cloth. You can also add a few drops of an essential oil if you prefer another smell or cut down on the vinegar smell. But, if you add a little Dr. Bronner's they are scented. I like the peppermint. Its a nice refreshing "clean" smell.

To clean floors a little Dr. Bronner's in a bucket with a mop is great. I also have a steam mop that uses only a microfiber (re-usable) pad and water.

To clean bathtubs, showers, sinks you can use the all-purpose spray but I like to have a little scrub. I mix borax or baking soda with liquid soap (usually dish soap). Adjust the amounts of baking soda/borax and soap until you get a consistency like frosting. It works great! Note: if you use borax it tends to be "sudsy". Baking soda is a little less abrasive as well.

A simple air freshener can be made with filtered water + your favorite essential oil(s) in a spray bottle. My personal fav is lavender + sweet orange. Ahhhh....relaxation!

Toilets: sprinkle baking soda into the basin then pour vinegar. It will make a really cool "fizz". Scrub with your toilet brush - easy as that.

If you have an extra downy ball its a good idea to add white vinegar in the ball with a load of laundry so that when it reaches the rinse cycle the vinegar will be released. The vinegar helps to get rid of the residue that can be left behind from the detergent. I do with with whites and towels.

Borax is also a natural booster for your detergent - you can just add a scoop with the detergent. You can also pre-soak extra stinky or stained clothes in it before you wash. There are lots of tips on the box for its many, many uses.

I've recently been having some issues with my dishes not getting clean in the dishwasher or coming out with a residue. Thanks to Dana (post on cleaning dishwasher) I've started adding some baking soda into the open slot each time I wash a load. Its been great. Vinegar added to the bottom during the rinse cycle also helps to make the dishes shine and keep the dish washer clean.

There are things I will buy from the store because I don't use them that often and either haven't found an equivalent I can make or I just don't want to like furniture polish and granite cleaner. For these I use Method brand (can be found at Target). Seventh generation, Mrs. Meyers, and Folex (great for carpet and upholstry stains) are a couple of others I've used and liked. I'm especially concerned about chemicals that are in things like baby shampoos and lotions. For these I use California Baby and Burt's Bees. California baby also has a wonderful calendula cream that is great for scratches, bug bites, pretty much any minor skin irritation. I use it for myself as well.

I know there are lots more out there. I just haven't gotten around to trying them just yet.

Speaking of....if you stop by Ms. Dana's blog that I've talked so much about you can leave her a comment or become a follower (but be one of mine too!) or both and earn some chances to win some free natural cleaning products from Eco Store USA. She's tried a few of their products and reported her results (they were good by the way!). I'm gonna get some extra entries to try to win them myself by making this post!!