There seems to be no limit to what you can do with old socks. My good friend Karen came up with a way to use them with the Swiffer.

As a pet owner, I love the Swiffer for keeping the hard floors clean. If you aren’t aware, you can also use it as a wet mop.

A greener option to the wet pads is using socks.

Take 2 worn out white socks and turn them inside-out. Run them under hot water with a few drops of dish soap and wring it out.

Stretch one over each end of a standard Swiffer sweeper. Make sure the rougher side is the part you will be using on the floor.

This cleans the floor better than the wet pads do because of the texture, and they are completely FREE.

Best of all, you can launder and reuse them!

I tried it out and it worked great. You can even replace the socks with dry ones to run back over the floor to dry it.

See more uses for your old socks.

Recently I’ve been trying out new eco-friendly products through a company called Blissmo.

At a 50% to 70% savings, you can try organic & sustainable alternatives to conventional products.

There are two purchase options:

• A monthly subscription where you select one from a few choices of boxes each month. The boxes don’t list the exact contents but are focused around a specific theme such as Fun in the Sun (water bottle, sunscreen, etc.)
• By purchasing the daily special.

I’ve ordered both ways, and was very happy with the products I received.

Learn About Blissmo

Blissmo was founded by social entrepreneurs with backgrounds working for companies such as Kiva, at which I’m a supporter. Read more about why you should buy sustainable and organic products on their site.

Other Eco-Friendly Places

Read about an online marketplace with similar goals at E-Commerce With A Conscience.

My local grocery store just started carrying the Green Genius line of trashbags that are biodegradable. I was excited!

I just can’t live without plastic bags but felt guilty about using them. I bought a box to test out. By the way, they weren’t much more expensive than my usual store-brand bags.

Testing Results

I’m pretty picky about my trash bags. My first surprise was that the bags are green! I’m feeling greener already. They felt thinner than my normal bags, but held up well and passed my test. There were no rips or leaks. I’ve used them for about two weeks now and have no complaints. I’m anxious now to try the lawn bags and sandwich bags.

This isn’t a paid review. I just wanted to share my experience. I’m so excited that a greener option is available in my grocery store and hope this becomes a trend.

Find out more at TheGreenGenius.com

Cleaning with vinegar

With my journey to find ways to live a greener life well on its way, I found myself at the grocery store investing in a few giant bottles of vinegar for cleaning.

From the look the clerk gave me, I think she had a few questions but was too afraid to ask.

I was hesitant to try the following vinegar uses because I was afraid someone would walk in my house and mistake it for a pickle-packing factory when hit in the face with a lingering vinegar aroma.

The good news is the vinegar smell disappears once it dries, though I can’t be responsible for any pickle cravings you encounter while cleaning with it.

White vinegar is a great disinfecting tool. It can be used for disinfecting, deodorizing, cutting grease and wax build-up, and removing stains on carpet, countertops, pots, pans, and coffee carafes. This acidic wonder can wipe out tarnish, soap scum, mineral deposits, and more.

Distilled white vinegar creates an environment that inhibits the growth of mold, mildew, and some bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella, says Jeffrey Hollender, author of Naturally Clean.

Vinegar is cheap

I purchased a gallon of the store brand vinegar for $2.79 at the grocery store. You can find it even cheaper at discount clubs if you are a member.

Use It to Clean Your…

Coffeemaker:

Pour equal parts vinegar and water into the machine’s water chamber; then switch on the brew cycle. Halfway through, turn off the coffeemaker and let the solution sit for about an hour. Turn it on again to complete the cycle; then run several cycles with clean water. – My favorite use!!

Dishwasher:

To disinfect the interior of the machine, pour 1/2 cup vinegar into the reservoir and run an empty cycle, says Hunter. Or place a small bowl filled with vinegar on the bottom rack and run an empty cycle.

Drains:

Clean drains―and the pipes they’re attached to―by pouring vinegar down them. After 30 minutes, flush with cold water. (Or use the vinegar/baking soda combination in this article.)

Floors:

Add 1/4 cup vinegar to a bucket of warm water to clean almost any type of floor except marble (vinegar can scratch it) or wood (use more dilute mix – vinegar can strip wood).
Glassware: For spotless hand-washed glasses, add 1 cup vinegar to the rinse water.

Laundry:

Instead of fabric softeners that are full of synthetic fragrances, try adding a small amount of white vinegar to your machine’s rinse cycle. This will help to rinse out the detergent completely and leave your clothes feeling soft.

Moldy walls:

Spray vinegar on the affected areas. After about 15 minutes, rinse and let dry thoroughly.

Showerheads:

To combat mineral deposits, pour vinegar into a plastic grocery bag and knot the handles over the neck of the showerhead, securing with rubber bands. Let soak overnight. Rinse with water in the morning.

Steam iron:

To get rid of mineral deposits, fill the iron with equal parts vinegar and water; press the steam button. Turn off, let cool, empty, and rinse.

Windows:

Mix 1/4 cup vinegar, 2 cups water, and a squirt of liquid Castile soap in a spray bottle. Spritz windows and wipe with a sheet of newspaper.

All-purpose:

Mix a solution of 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new store bought spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home. Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product as well as a disinfectant and deodorizer. Always test on an inconspicuous area. It is safe to use on most surfaces and has the added bonus of being incredibly cheap.

WARNING:

• Improperly diluted vinegar is acidic and can eat away at tile grout.
• Never use vinegar on marble surfaces.

Special thanks to Marianne B. for providing information for this article.

Have other cleaning uses for vinegar to share?

Take a moment and travel back to your childhood. Remember the fun of the volcano science experiment?

You carefully poured a box of baking soda into your paper mache volcano and impatiently anticipated the moment the vinegar would be poured in to trigger the “greatest eruption in the history of all elementary school science fairs.”

Guess what? The baking soda and vinegar combination can clean, too! Now you have an excuse to relive the fun of your childhood in your kitchen and bathroom. Who said cleaning has to be boring?

If your mom didn’t let you do the volcano experiment because “everyone was doing it” and she made you grow beans instead, now is your chance!

Use the baking soda/vinegar combination to clean…

Garbage Disposal and Drains:

Sprinkle some baking soda into the sink or shower drain and add vinegar. Let it sit 15-30 minutes before running water to rinse. The reaction will clean and dissolve muck in the pipes.

Does your drain have a lot of build-up? It is a good idea to use a very inexpensive tool first to clean out the big stuff first. This tool is a Zip-It and costs about a dollar at a hardware store. It goes down the drain, and when you pull it back up, little “teeth” detach the muck. Simply toss it in the trash. If you use the Zip-it without running the water, you will prevent the majority of the build-up from going down the drain.

After clearing the drain with the Zip-It, use the soda and vinegar on a regular basis to keep it clean and avoid a smelly drain. Put the soda and vinegar in the drain and leave it overnight or all day after using the shower for maximum effectiveness.

Toilet:

To clean your toilet, pour one part baking soda to four parts vinegar into the toilet basin. Let it sit 15-30 minutes before scrubbing and flushing thoroughly.

Who knew cleaning the toilet could be such fun and make you giddy with childhood memories? It’s ok. No one is looking. Feel free to jump up and down and clap with delight at all the fizzing.

If you haven’t been using baking soda/washing soda for cleaning, give it a try. It makes cleaning so many items easier.

Baking soda is effective at removing stains and absorbing odors, all the while being a chemical-free choice for cleaning.

Washing soda does a great job on tough jobs, but unlike baking soda, it is slightly stronger and can’t be ingested. Wear rubber gloves when handling it.

Know how expensive it is to stock up on all those cleaners? Restocking cleaning supplies can add $30-40 to a grocery bill. Baking soda is cheap! It costs about $1 per pound. Soda and vinegar are available at your local grocery store or in huge quantities at local club warehouses.

Use baking soda to clean…

Can opener:

Dip an old toothbrush in a paste of 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1 teaspoon water and use it to dislodge gunk. After that, wipe your can opener blade clean after each use.

Carpets:

If your carpet is holding onto pet or other odors, sprinkle with baking soda before you vacuum.

Casserole dishes:

Soda will safely clean off the baked-on food.

Countertops, sinks, & tubs:

Mix a small amount of baking soda with liquid castile soap. For a “fresh smell” try adding a few drops of rosemary, orange or lavender essential oils.

Even more simple, just sprinkle some baking soda and use water to scrub these clean, too. The abrasiveness of the baking soda will take off stubborn stains. It helps to get hard water build-up off faucets, too.

Stained teacups and coffee mugs:

Fill with 1 part baking soda and 2 parts water and soak overnight; rub with a sponge and rinse.

Upholstered furniture:

To remove odors, sprinkle baking soda on the fabric, then vacuum.

Scuffed walls:

Erase crayon marks by applying a baking-soda paste (equal parts baking soda and water) to white painted walls (baking soda may dull colored walls). Let dry before brushing it off with a clean cloth.

Microwave:

Mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with water in a microwave safe cup. Boil in the microwave for a few minutes. The insides of the microwave will be damp and easy to clean with a paper towel or dishcloth. This has the added benefit of removing odors that may be clinging to your microwave oven.

Use washing soda to clean tougher greasier stains…

Garage floors (and other concrete surfaces):

Pour washing soda generously on oil and grease spots and sprinkle with water until a paste forms. Let stand overnight. The next day, scrub with a damp brush, hose down, and wipe clean.

Garden tools:

Dip a moist stiff-bristled brush in washing soda to scrub trimmers, clippers, and more. Rinse, then place in a sunny area to dry. (Don’t use washing soda on aluminum tools.)

Grills and barbecue utensils:

To combat tough grease stains, dip a moist stiff-bristled brush in washing soda and scrub away.

Stove burner grates: In a dishpan, soak them in 1 gallon warm water and 1/2 cup washing soda for 30 minutes. Rinse and dry.

Special thanks to Marianne B. and Jean B. for providing information for this article.

Happy 40th anniversary Earth Day!

Make a commitment to change

In honor of Earth Day, commit to making 3 changes in your lifestyle to help the environment.

What items do you use the most that you could find a more environmentally-friendly alternative for?

More Go Green articles

What are your three Earth Day resolutions?

Recycling is about more than cans and newspaper. These fabulous programs are putting “trash” to good use.

1. Rechargeable batteries and cell phones

   Many local stores collect rechargeable batteries from toys, tools, laptops, cordless phones, or flashlights for Call2Recycle. Visit Call2Recycle.org to find a drop-off location near you.

   
   

2. Used eyeglasses

   Don’t throw them away! The Lions Club has a wonderful recycling program for used prescription glasses. Visit www.lionsclubs.org to find a drop-off site and donate your old glasses.

   Many local organizations like schools, doctors’ offices, etc. collect the glasses for the Lion’s Club. You can make a difference in someone’s quality of life with your donation.




3. Ink and toner cartridge recycle programs

   Office supply stores offer rewards programs for turning in your used ink and toner cartridges.

   • Staples
   • Office Depot

   I believe Staples sends the rewards coupons more frequently, but both offer $3 credit for each cartridge you return to the store. Check the website of the office store you frequent to see if they offer similar programs.

   There are also other programs like FreeRecycling.com. I haven’t personally used them but the idea is interesting.

   
   

4. Computer/TV equipment

   LG, Dell, and Apple are a few examples of electronics companies that have recycle programs for their products.

   Check the website of your used equipment for specific details on how you can recycle your old electronics. Several of these companies also offer discounts on new products if you recycle your old one.

   
   



5. Running shoes

   There is quite a list of companies collecting used shoes which are then given to people in need. If they aren’t wearable, they can be recycled into playground surfaces and sports courts.

   I am personally familiar with Nike’s program, but there are many listed at RunThePlanet.com.

   
   

6. Greeting cards

   Mail used greeting cards to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, where the fronts will be reused to make new cards. They don’t just collect Christmas cards, but also thank you, birthday, and general cards, too. Another way to support this program is to purchase cards from them.

   
   



7. Packing peanuts

   Drop off plastic packing peanuts for reuse. Find a collection center in your area at LooseFillPackaging.com.

   
   

Have any other recycle programs to add to the list?

Related articles:

Recycle-Reuse-Reduce
10 Great Uses for Bags
Go Green – Getting Started

RECYCLE

Make recycling convenient

Recyclable cans, bottles, and newspapers will actually make it to the recycling bin if you make it convenient.

Place the collection bins in the garage near the door so you can simply toss them in quickly. If your bins are located on the other side of the garage from the door, then you are less likely to recycle that diet soda can.

If your sanitation department has a recycling program, check their website for a list of the items they accept. Occasionally they will add new items to the list. Tape the recycle list at eye level by the bin as a reminder.

Hazardous Waste

Batteries should not be thrown into the trash. Keep a bag near the new batteries to collect the old ones.

Items that contain harmful substances, such as mercury and lead, or precious metals that can be reused should be taken to a hazardous waste collection center.

Examples of these items include:

• Paint
• Florescent lights
• Household cleaners
• Pesticides
• Expired fire extinguishers
• Electronics
• Batteries

Many cities host “e-waste” drop-offs throughout the year.

Designate a small area in the garage to store these items until you collect enough to warrant a trip. Ask friends and neighbors if they have anything you can take for them, and maybe they will return the favor and save you a trip next time.

REUSE

One person’s junk is another one’s treasure

Freesharing.org and Freecycle.org are great for passing along items that you can’t use anymore but are too nice to throw away. There may also be local freecycle-type Yahoo groups in your area.

Not only is this a way to give items a second-life but it’s also a way to find items you need for free rather than buying them new. It is also great for finding odds ‘n ends for school projects.

Magazines

Recycle your magazines by sharing them with a friend or neighbor when you are done reading them.

Fly often? Leave your books/magazines in the airport or airplane for others to enjoy.

Waiting rooms are another spot to leave used magazines if they are fairly current.

Plastic bags

Plastic bags from the grocery store have many uses. Store them in a closet using one bag to hold all the rest.

Printer Paper

Use the back of “trash” paper for scrap paper. Great for making “to-do” or grocery store lists. Cut a stack in half and staple it together at the top. Voila…your new scrap paper pad.

REDUCE

Use reusable cloth bags

Use reusable cloth bags when shopping. Most stores offer them for $1 per bag, and it is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic and paper bags. Store them in the back of your car so you don’t forget them.

Rechargable Batteries

Invest in rechargeable batteries and a charger. Not only are you helping the environment, but you will save money, too. Check out Best Rechargeable Batteries of 2010 for information on the choices available.

Minimize your junk mail by taking your name off lists

CatalogChoice.org – remove your name from catalog mailings or contact the companies yourself.
DoNotMail.org – another place to reduce junk mail
DMAChoice – Direct Marketing Association
Valassis – Redplum coupons
CoxTarget.com – Valpak coupon envelopes
Acxiom
YellowPagesOptout.com – Eliminate phone book deliveries
Stop preapproved credit card and insurance offers by calling (888)567-8688 to opt out of 4 major credit bureaus at once.

What other ways do you recycle, reuse, or reduce?

Related Articles:

7 Recycle Programs You May Not Know About
10 Great Uses for Bags
Go Green – Getting Started.

Did you know that regularly changing/cleaning your air filters saves you money on your electric bill by allowing your heating and A/C system to run more efficiently?

How often do you change the air filter(s)?

Do you have pets? How many people live in your house? These factors can make a difference in how quickly the filter gets dirty.

It is the first of the month, which is my reminder to change/clean the air filters in my home. I have three kids and a dog, so my air filters cannot go longer than a month without seriously affecting the way my system runs. I can literally hear the air struggling to get through the dirty filter by the end of the month.

If you only have one or two people in the home, you could probably go 2-3 months before changing them. Check them monthly until you figure out how long yours lasts before it gets dirty.

Install it correctly

When replacing the filters, make sure you don’t put it in upside-down which is a common mistake. There is an air flow direction on most, and it is marked on the side of the filter with an arrow.

Go Green and use a permanent air filter

Go green and purchase a filter that can be washed and replaced. They are not cheap, but over time you will save money over buying the disposable filters and help the environment at the same time. NOTE: They do eventually have to be replaced, too.

I have a large reusable filter and love it. My duct was an odd shape, and finding disposable filters for it was impossible. After tiring of cutting flimsy cheap filters to fit, I decided to order a custom reusable one. I simply hose it off to get rid of the dust, let it dry, and replace it.

For more information on air filters go here

Do a Google search for “reusable air filters” to find a list of companies that sell the permanent filters.

Don’t get me wrong – I am a believer in those reusable cloth bags for grocery trips. However, for short trips, I tend to forget to bring them with me.  I am new at the whole  “Green” thing and am still getting used to using them.

So what do you do with those plastic bags?

Don’t toss them – they have many wonderful uses.

Using a nail or thumbtack, hang one plastic bag on the wall in your pantry or laundry room and store the others in it.  Larger bags from departments stores get folded and stored in the biggest bag (one of those nice handled paper ones works great).  Keep them in a closet.

1. Line small trashcans

This is my favorite use! Use small plastic bags to line the little trashcans in the bathroom that tend to have wet yucky things thrown into them.  I like to use them in the kids’ trashcans, too, to avoid having gum or lollipop sticks stuck to the bottom. Now the trashcan will stay clean.  Just lift out the bag and tie it up when it is full. I have found storing a few in the bottom of the trashcan before lining it keeps a supply handy, so when I toss one I can quickly replace it.

2. Dog walking bag

There’s no need to buy special bags to clean up after your dog on a walk. Use the small plastic bags. They tie up tightly to help reduce odor.

3. Cleaning out the car

Why is it that my children are unable to make a five-minute trip to the store without taking every small toy they own? Once or twice a week I clean out the car using a couple of bags. One bag is for collecting all the toys scattered around the backseat and another to gather up any trash. With all the toys in the bag, I can easily hand them to the offender with the instructions: “Please put these away.”

4. Car travel trash bag

Keep a few small bags in the car to gather up trash during long car trips. This also comes in handy just in case someone gets car sick.

5. Donation bags

Those larger bags from departments stores make great bags for transporting items you want to donate. I keep a “donation” bag handy to toss things in. When it fills up, I take it where it needs to go. I do the same thing for clothes I need to take to the consignment shop.

6. Easy transportation

I am always sending in various items to school with my children. A bag makes it easier for the kids to carry them.

7. Packing material

When mailing a package, use them to fill the box instead of purchasing fillers.

8. Diaper disposal

Keep a few in a diaper bag in case you have to do an emergency change and there is no trashcan in sight. It will help reduce the odor in the car until you can dispose of it. This saved me many times when my kids were in diapers.

9. Kitchen use

When cutting up meat, use the bag to catch the yucky scraps and tie it up before putting in the trash. This will help keep the odor of the trash can to a minimum while waiting for trash day.

10. Protect your frozen meats

Wrapping up your meats in a bag before freezing them gives them an extra layer of protection.

Got too many bags to ever use?

Take the grocery bags back to the store and put them in the recycle bin.

Have any other great uses for bags?

I would love to hear them!