As I have mentioned before, I am a petite mama who is trying to create a greener and reduced chemical environment for our baby girl. I don't think you can throw a rock in the air in a store and not hit some product pronouncing themselves as "greener," "natural," or "earth-friendly." Clearly the world is making a choice and manufacturers are responding. But, you have to know what you are really looking for, and you have to become a label reader. Where does a petite mama get answers as to what really works and doesn't? How do you know where to begin to greenify your home?
I found answers in reading a book called Healthy Child Healthy World. I could have done without the celebrity stories, but there is a lot of great information, and their website is also a great resource. After reading the book, I filled up a trash bag full of cleaning products and started the trial and error process of finding green products that didn't make me want to go back to my harsh chemical ways. Rest assured; I learned that a green cleaning product doesn't mean more elbow grease to get to the same level of clean. I also didn't have it in me to go the totally natural route and make my own products, I still prefer to buy something prepackaged and created for me.
Here is a list of some of my favorites:
1. Window Cleaner: Method. Not much to say here other than that it works, and it doesn't streak.
2. Bathroom Cleaner: Le Scrub by Method. It works just as well as any non green product I've tried, by far the only bathroom cleaner I've used that makes me not miss my Clorox with Bleach when scrubbing a tub. It also doesn't scratch as the particles are finely milled.
3. Kitchen Cleaner: Seventh Generation Kitchen Cleaner. Does the job well, cuts through all the grease on a stovetop or counter without extra scrubbing.
4. Laundry Detergent: Biokleen Laundry Powder. Free and clear works excellent on baby clothes and adult clothes. Also has gotten rid of the musty smell in my HE front loading washer, which rumor has it that can be caused by liquid detergents. Love it!
5. Automatic Dish Soap: Biokleen. Dishes come out clean and spotless. Just be careful to use only a small amount.
6. Dish Soap: Seventh Generation. I like the Free and Clear version. Does the job, no residue, no feeling like I am short changed on cleaning power.
I hope this has shed some light on how to begin to greenify your own home, and will hopefully save you some money by not having to try as many cleaning products as I did in order to be satisfied with making the switch.
Finally, don't be nervous when you see the prices listed in the links below as they are often for a package containing multiple units of the product.
I found answers in reading a book called Healthy Child Healthy World. I could have done without the celebrity stories, but there is a lot of great information, and their website is also a great resource. After reading the book, I filled up a trash bag full of cleaning products and started the trial and error process of finding green products that didn't make me want to go back to my harsh chemical ways. Rest assured; I learned that a green cleaning product doesn't mean more elbow grease to get to the same level of clean. I also didn't have it in me to go the totally natural route and make my own products, I still prefer to buy something prepackaged and created for me.
Here is a list of some of my favorites:
1. Window Cleaner: Method. Not much to say here other than that it works, and it doesn't streak.
2. Bathroom Cleaner: Le Scrub by Method. It works just as well as any non green product I've tried, by far the only bathroom cleaner I've used that makes me not miss my Clorox with Bleach when scrubbing a tub. It also doesn't scratch as the particles are finely milled.
3. Kitchen Cleaner: Seventh Generation Kitchen Cleaner. Does the job well, cuts through all the grease on a stovetop or counter without extra scrubbing.
4. Laundry Detergent: Biokleen Laundry Powder. Free and clear works excellent on baby clothes and adult clothes. Also has gotten rid of the musty smell in my HE front loading washer, which rumor has it that can be caused by liquid detergents. Love it!
5. Automatic Dish Soap: Biokleen. Dishes come out clean and spotless. Just be careful to use only a small amount.
6. Dish Soap: Seventh Generation. I like the Free and Clear version. Does the job, no residue, no feeling like I am short changed on cleaning power.
I hope this has shed some light on how to begin to greenify your own home, and will hopefully save you some money by not having to try as many cleaning products as I did in order to be satisfied with making the switch.
Finally, don't be nervous when you see the prices listed in the links below as they are often for a package containing multiple units of the product.
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