Challenge #3 is going great! I just love the Sun and Earth detergent and it's light citrus fragrance. We have used only this now for a little over a month.
The white vinegar did well for a while but leaving some clothes with a little too much static so for now I am using fabric softener sheets. When the weather will allow me to hang out clothes I will stop using these.
Showing posts with label challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label challenge. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
UPDATE:2012 Personal Challenge #2 - Find a better alternative for trash bags
Well Personal Challenge #2 started off easy with finding the right trash bags to use but we are still working on reducing our trash and composting. I really need to step this up as it has been over month.
What are ways your household reduces trash? Do you have a compost pile or container of some sort?
What are ways your household reduces trash? Do you have a compost pile or container of some sort?
Monday, February 20, 2012
UPDATE: 2012 Personal Challenge #1 - Give up Paper Towels
I thought I would take the time to update on my personal challenge #1 since it has been almost 2 months now.
I have stuck to this and we have not missed them in the least. I feel pretty confident in saying that this has now become a habit and a lifelong commitment and it feels great not adding those pesky paper towels to our trash pile.
Why not join me in saving a few extra dollars along with being a bit greener?
I have stuck to this and we have not missed them in the least. I feel pretty confident in saying that this has now become a habit and a lifelong commitment and it feels great not adding those pesky paper towels to our trash pile.
Why not join me in saving a few extra dollars along with being a bit greener?
Thursday, January 26, 2012
2012 Personal Challenge #3 - Green my laundry room
Well I started off the year with making my own laundry detergent and fabric softener sheets only to be disappointed in the detergent and not liking the messy softener.
The detergent worked great on everyday clothing without a lot of dirt but didn't do much for work clothes or my 2 yr old clothes so I have decided to try and find an inexpensive but good natural/green laundry detergent.
In my search I was able to find Sun and Earth laundry detergent at our Giant, regular price $8.99, on sale for $7.99 for 100fl oz and doing 52 loads. I love the light citrus smell and hope that it works well.
As for fabric softener I will be using white vinegar in a downy ball and sprinkling arm and hammer baking soda in the wash. I only use fabric softener in the winter as I hang my clothes to dry during warm weather.
After reviewing a ton of information regarding the use of oxi-clean I have chosen to forgo using this product and instead use Arm and Hammer washing soda which can be found in the laundry section next to the borax.
I already reuse the dryer lint to make homemade fire starters, I only use water when I iron, I use a timed setting on my dryer and I wash clothes in cold water. Not too sure if I can do anything else to make it greener except maybe vent the dryer into the basement during the winter to add some extra heat. Hmmmmmm that's a good idea so I guess I will be researching that also.
Updates for this challenge will posted in the future.
The detergent worked great on everyday clothing without a lot of dirt but didn't do much for work clothes or my 2 yr old clothes so I have decided to try and find an inexpensive but good natural/green laundry detergent.
In my search I was able to find Sun and Earth laundry detergent at our Giant, regular price $8.99, on sale for $7.99 for 100fl oz and doing 52 loads. I love the light citrus smell and hope that it works well.
As for fabric softener I will be using white vinegar in a downy ball and sprinkling arm and hammer baking soda in the wash. I only use fabric softener in the winter as I hang my clothes to dry during warm weather.
After reviewing a ton of information regarding the use of oxi-clean I have chosen to forgo using this product and instead use Arm and Hammer washing soda which can be found in the laundry section next to the borax.
I already reuse the dryer lint to make homemade fire starters, I only use water when I iron, I use a timed setting on my dryer and I wash clothes in cold water. Not too sure if I can do anything else to make it greener except maybe vent the dryer into the basement during the winter to add some extra heat. Hmmmmmm that's a good idea so I guess I will be researching that also.
Updates for this challenge will posted in the future.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
2012 Personal Challenge #2 - Find a better alternative for trash bags
This challenge has several parts to it. One, to find a better bag for our environment and two to cut back on our household trash.
The first one was easier than anticipated as I walked into Walmart on a search to find a trash bag easier on our environment. I was pleasantly surprised to find a bag made by Hefty called "Renew". These bags are a bargain at $3.34 for 20 bags and are made from 10% post consumer and 55% pre consumer materials for a total of 65% recycled plastic. You can also bring down the price by finding and using coupons.
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Now all I need to do is to cut back on the amount of trash we produce which will also cut down on the amount of bags we use making them even more earth friendly.
How do I intend to complete the second part of my challenge you ask?
Well, I plan on buying less prepackaged items, prepare more items from scratch, buy in bulk, recycle, up cycle, and making a compost pile. Look for updates on our progress in the near future.
The first one was easier than anticipated as I walked into Walmart on a search to find a trash bag easier on our environment. I was pleasantly surprised to find a bag made by Hefty called "Renew". These bags are a bargain at $3.34 for 20 bags and are made from 10% post consumer and 55% pre consumer materials for a total of 65% recycled plastic. You can also bring down the price by finding and using coupons.
<
Now all I need to do is to cut back on the amount of trash we produce which will also cut down on the amount of bags we use making them even more earth friendly.
How do I intend to complete the second part of my challenge you ask?
Well, I plan on buying less prepackaged items, prepare more items from scratch, buy in bulk, recycle, up cycle, and making a compost pile. Look for updates on our progress in the near future.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
2012 Personal Challenge #1 - Give up Paper Towels
For the start of the 2012 year I decided to forgo buying paper towels even with the family not being 100% on board with the idea. Questions like how do we prevent splatters in the microwave, drain grease from bacon and other fried foods, and wipe up spills etc... I didn't have all the answers and we are still trying to figure out the best alternatives for some of these things but It's been almost one month and it's working out just fine.
As a family of 6 we were buying 1 -2 six packs of paper towels a month. Not only were we wasting money but adding to our landfills. That's when I decided we needed to do something.
I purchased 8 bar mops from Walmart for $7.45 with the intentions of rolling or folding these up in a pretty jar or bowl and setting them on the counter but haven't found one I like yet so for now they're folded up in a drawer with one being hung on the oven door handle at all times and others taken out as needed.
So now some of the answers to the questions asked by my family.
1. How do we prevent splatters in the microwave? Well we are using leftover parchment paper I had in the pantry but as of yesterday I purchased a splatter cover from Walmart for $1.97.
2. How do we drain grease from bacon or other fried foods? By using paper bags instead of paper towels and we have a grease catcher to pour grease into from the bacon and other foods. Eventually we won't have to deal with this as I cut fried foods like bacon out of our diet or cooking it on a broiler pan in the oven. While at Walmart yesterday I saw a microwave plate that you cook bacon on and the splatter cover I purchased fits this. This may be a purchase in the near future.
3. As far as spills go... If on the counter, table, stove or in refrigerator use the dish cloth and then rinse out. If it's on the floor grab a rag and wipe it up.
I will update you in a month with our progress in this challenge.
As a family of 6 we were buying 1 -2 six packs of paper towels a month. Not only were we wasting money but adding to our landfills. That's when I decided we needed to do something.
I purchased 8 bar mops from Walmart for $7.45 with the intentions of rolling or folding these up in a pretty jar or bowl and setting them on the counter but haven't found one I like yet so for now they're folded up in a drawer with one being hung on the oven door handle at all times and others taken out as needed.
So now some of the answers to the questions asked by my family.
1. How do we prevent splatters in the microwave? Well we are using leftover parchment paper I had in the pantry but as of yesterday I purchased a splatter cover from Walmart for $1.97.
2. How do we drain grease from bacon or other fried foods? By using paper bags instead of paper towels and we have a grease catcher to pour grease into from the bacon and other foods. Eventually we won't have to deal with this as I cut fried foods like bacon out of our diet or cooking it on a broiler pan in the oven. While at Walmart yesterday I saw a microwave plate that you cook bacon on and the splatter cover I purchased fits this. This may be a purchase in the near future.
3. As far as spills go... If on the counter, table, stove or in refrigerator use the dish cloth and then rinse out. If it's on the floor grab a rag and wipe it up.
I will update you in a month with our progress in this challenge.
Monday, January 23, 2012
My personal challenge to give up paper napkins in 2011
A few years back I purchased six blue cloth napkins from our dollar store and six more from Kmart on clearance with all intentions of using them everyday. However, these were put in a drawer and only brought out occasionally. Then I hit the jackpot with someone offering a bunch of restaurant ones on free cycle. Once again I decided I was going to use these on a daily basis and failed. Well I didn't give up and now it's been a year since I've purchased paper napkins and strictly use the cloth ones. No more running out of napkins and no more extra trash in the landfill.
I know there are people out there who will argue that you are wasting more water, using more detergent, using more electricity etc...by having to wash them but I can honestly say there has been no difference in any of these things. No need to do a load of just napkins just toss them in with your towels and washcloths and you're done.
I know there are people out there who will argue that you are wasting more water, using more detergent, using more electricity etc...by having to wash them but I can honestly say there has been no difference in any of these things. No need to do a load of just napkins just toss them in with your towels and washcloths and you're done.
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