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.

Lemons are a natural cleaner

The acid in lemon juice helps cut through grease and removes dirt and rust stains. It’s especially effective when mixed with salt, which makes “an excellent scouring paste,” says Karyn Siegel-Maier, author of The Naturally Clean Home.

The many uses of lemons include:

Air Freshener:

Combine 1/2 quart hot water with equal parts baking soda and lemon juice (about a teaspoon each)

Cleaner for…

• Countertops: Dip the cut side of a lemon half in baking soda to tackle countertops; wipe with a wet sponge and dry. Don’t use on delicate stone, like marble, or stainless steel (it may discolor).
• Cutting boards: To remove tough food stains from light wood and plastic cutting boards, slice a lemon in half, squeeze onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.
• Dishes: To increase the grease-cutting power of your dishwashing detergent, add a teaspoon of lemon juice, but don’t use with silver.
• Faucets: Combat lime scale by rubbing lemon juice onto the taps and letting it sit overnight. Wipe with a damp cloth.
• Garbage disposal: Cut a lemon in half, then run both pieces through the disposal. “The lemon cleans it and makes it smell great,” says Linda Mason Hunter, a coauthor of Green Clean (Melcher Media, $17, amazon.com).
• Grout: Spilled morning coffee on your tile countertop or backsplash? Here’s how to tackle grout stains: Add lemon juice to 1 or 2 teaspoons cream of tartar (an acidic salt that acts as a natural bleaching agent) to make a paste. Apply with a toothbrush, then rinse.
• Hands: When you touch raw fish, the smell can linger on your fingers. Rub your hands with lemon juice, which will neutralize the odor.
• Laundry: To brighten whites, add 1/2 cup lemon juice to the rinse cycle for a normal-size load.
• Plastic food-storage containers: To bleach stains from tomato soup and other acidic foods on dishwasher-safe items, rub lemon juice on the spots, let dry in a sunny place, then wash as usual.

Yummy Pancakes

I am the worst pancake maker. They always turn out thin and rubbery, so I can’t wait to try out a new pancake recipe as well as a few others from DelightfulRepast.com

Boost Energy

21 ways to boost your energy has some great tips on how to get your energy back. I’m going to try the peanut butter banana smoothie when I start to dose off this afternoon!

Eco-friendly replacement for cotton balls

Tired of going through cotton balls like crazy? With two teens in the house, we use a lot! Check out eco-friendly face cleaning with facial scrubbies which you can wash and reuse. Fantastic idea! I ordered some to try out.

Social media fun and my favorite blog

Addicted to Farmville? Spend too much time on Twitter? Social media addicts will love Blogsession. This is currently my favorite blog to read because the author is creatively hysterical. Even her “follow me” description on the right of the blog makes me laugh.

What’s your name again?

I can never remember people’s names. I think I am the worst. Tips for Remembering Names had some great advice I will attempt to use.

Toy Story 3, a Life Lesson

I am a huge Don Miller fan and highly recommend his book “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years”. It is about how you can change what you are doing to live a better story, and it’s one of my all time favorites. He has a wonderful article, Toy Story 3: What We Can Learn From a Great Story, on his website in a three part series. I find his insight on life inspiring and interesting.

Find anything interesting this week that you would like to share?

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.

No, I’m not talking about your significant other..I am talking about the lost matches to socks building up in the laundry room. Now before you say..”Whoa there..I do not want to invite thirty kids over to make a sock puppet theater!”, that isn’t where I am heading with this.

Ok, ok…you can use a few for a sock puppet project if you wish; however, socks make excellent rags. My mother “claims” she is never missing a match, yet I seem to collect about 15 to 20 over a few months.

Every few months when you are sure the match just isn’t going to show up, move them to the rag bag. Cut a slit at the top so you know that sock is now a rag when you wash them.

Which brings us back to the missing partner. His fate is now sealed, and he will become a rag…if he ever shows up.

Why Green?
Going green is about doing your part to help keep the environment clean and healthy for you and your loved ones. You can get started by simply paying attention to your actions and making some small changes that can have large impacts. Here are some tips to help you on your way to being green.

Save Energy
Reducing energy use promotes clean air by using fewer fossil fuels and can save you money on your electric bill.

Turn off/unplug appliances and lights when not in use
Use the microwave to cook small meals – it uses less power than an oven
Insulate your home, water heater, and pipes to prevent wasted heat/cool loss
Conserve Water
Reducing water use protects water stores during dry seasons, reduces energy needs at municipal water systems, and can save you money on your water bill.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving
Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes
Repair leaky faucets and toilets – those small drips can add up to a lot of water
Reduce Waste
Recycle all you can – making products from recycled materials can use less energy than starting from raw materials
Compost – food scraps buried in a landfill let off stinky methane, but composting gives you rich nutrients for your garden
Buy products with less packaging and/or those made of recycled materials to complete the reuse cycle
Use reusable shopping bags instead of paper or plastic – many stores give you a reward for this
Drop the water bottle habit by using a reusable metal or BPA-free plastic bottle and fill it at a faucet – the water from your tap is better regulated than that sold in bottles, so it’s not just cheaper, but most likely cleaner – use a filter if your water has an unpleasant taste
Start out with a few items and in no time you’ll be discovering even more ways to green your life. For more Go Green ideas, check out the EPA’s Go Green Newsletter

Special thanks to my sister, Dr. Marianne, for this article.