Mommy Goes Green

With the exception of detergents, my laundry routine was eco-friendly before I even wanted to be eco-friendly.

WASHING

I sort all the laundry into piles in the following order:

1. Adult or child
2. White, dark or color
3. Gentle or Heavy

While the sorting in itself isn’t all that eco-friendly, I do make sure that the piles are large enough to fill up the washer. No use in running half a load. If they aren’t, I’ll combine piles to make a load big enough.

I wash almost everything in COLD water. It saves $$ and energy and IT WORKS. Promise. The only things I wash in hot water are sheets, towels and anything with poop on it (thank you to my kiddos).

I use eco-friendly detergents like Seventh Generation or Earth Friendly Products. I don’t add fabric softener to the cycle but if you wanted to, Seventh Generation makes an eco-friendly version. I rarely use stain removers or bleach and if I do, they are…you guessed it. Eco-friendly stain removers or bleach. If I think something might be stained, I wash it at least once or twice to see if it will come out on its own. It generally does. If it won’t, I will use a stain remover, like BabyGanics or an eco-friendly bleach like Seventh Generation and voila – almost everything comes out.  We do occasionally having a clothing casualty but it’s rare.

DRYING

Almost all clothing gets thrown directly into the dryer for 10 – 20 minutes of light drying, enough to take out the excess water and wrinkles. I never use fabric softener sheets. Then I hang *almost everything* on a drying rack or on a hanger. I consider this to be the most important part of my laundry routine for several reasons:

• I rarely have to iron since everything is dried hanging and comes out wrinkle free.
• Clothes don’t shrink. Believe me, I’ve compared brand new dried in the dryer pants to brand new dried on the hanging rack pants and there was a whole size difference.
• Far less wear and tear. Colors don’t fade. Dark blue jeans stay dark blue. The fibers don’t get as ruffled and worn looking.
• There is no static cling.
• We save tons of energy and less wear and tear on our dryer.

I’m not going to lie, this does take more time than just throwing everything in the dryer but seriously, most of our clothes are wrinkle free and I could pass down my kids clothes for years because they stay in such great shape. I’ve even had friends comment on what great condition their clothes are in.

For sheets and towels, I use Seventh Generation Fabric Softener sheets. They are paper so once they are used, I can recycle them – LOVE THAT! I also dry sheets and towels in the dryer all the way. If I had the space for a laundry line outside, I would definitely put them on the line outside. The sunshine dries whites whiter!

There you have it – my laundry routine. Not as simple as most but has lots of great benefits! What is YOUR laundry routine?

If you plan on going green in your garden or home this summer, now is the time to purchase those items!  Earth Day (tomorrow!)  has mass retailers selling eco-friendly products at great prices. 

Home Depot

• 120 Gallon E-Composter with Base $49.97
• 57 Gallon Ruscany Rainwater Barrel $98
• 4×4 Raised Garden Bed Kit $29
• Ortho Ecosense Lawn Weed Killer $10
• 64 oz Ecosmart Home Pest Control $8.99
• BOGO All Organic Veggie, Herb and Flower Seed Packets
• Solar LED Walk Lights $3.88
• Martha Stewart Cleaning Products $3.98
• Honewell Programmable Thermostat $29.98
• Lutron Skylark Eco-Dim 600 Watt Dimmer $22.88
• TCP 14 Watt Soft White CFL Bulb $1.97

Target

• GE Energy Smart CFL light bulb $5
• Seventh Generation Dish Soap $2.49
• Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent $12.99
• Waterpik EcoFlow Showerhead $25

Fred Meyer

• Fiskars 48 gallon Rain Barrel $89
• Eco-Friendly Hoses $9.99 – $34.99
• Eco Fiber Bamboo Gloves $3.99
• Rain Bird Drop Patio Plant Watering kit $23.99
• 120 Gallon E-Composter $34.99
• 1  Gallon Kitchen Compost Carrier $16.99
• Easy Go Eco-Friendly Multi-Purpose Cart $26.99
• Concord Black Solar Light $4.99
• Earthwise Corded Electric String Trimmer $24.99
• Eartwise 3-in-1 Cordless Lawn Mower $289
• G-Oil 2 Cycle Engine Oil $5.99
• G Bar & Chain Oil $9.99
• Herbs in Pots 2 for $3
• Organic Veggies or Tomatoes in Pots 4 for $9
• All Seventh Generation Products 30% OFF

For Earth Day only freebies, check here.

We had a little visit from 4 firefighters tonight.  Our carbon monoxide detector was going off so we called the fire department and asked them to stop by. The good news is that everything was fine – no carbon monoxide in our house. It turns out that our carbon monoxide detector was about 5 years old and ready to be replaced.  While they were here, they suggested we make a few changes with our carbon monoxide installation because ours wasn’t installed properly.  We only had 1 installed (in our 2 story house) and it was on the ceiling upstairs.  Review these three tips to make sure your family is protected properly:

1. install a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your house
2. install carbon monoxide detectors at the floor level and preferably near a furnace vent
3. replace every 5 years or more frequently – regardless of whether or not it says it lasts longer

Several months ago, I read about Eco Mist Solutions but it had not yet been released in to the U.S. for sale.  They have a line of home products, professional products, and industrial products that are non-toxic and eco-friendly.  What I particularly was interested in was their non-traditional cleaning products – those that typically don’t come in ‘non-toxic’ versions like patio furniture cleaner, deck wash, BBQ grill cleaner, and LCD cleaner. 

Fortunately, I was able to get a couple bottles to test out while I was waiting and I’m happy to say that I really like the two products I’ve used:

Eco Mist Solutions LCD Plasma Cleaner - we have both LCD and plasma screens in our house and this worked on all of them.  It doesn’t streak and is odorless – I prefer odorless cleaning products.  It’s made with sugarcane, coconut extract and non-chlorinated water so it’s non-toxic and safe.

Eco Mist Solutions Granite and Counter - this is one of my favorite cleaning products in the house.  We have black, speckled granite counter tops in our kitchen and they show EVERYTHING ( my advice: don’t get black granite counter tops ).  I use a general cleaner every day in the kitchen and it always shows streaking.  Every couple days, I get out this Granite Cleaner and wipe down all the counter tops and there are NO streaks – they come out nice and shiny.  It’s made with non-chlorinated water, corn, tree sap, coconut extract and sugarcane.  Like all Eco Mist Solutions products, it’s scent free and non-toxic.

NOTE: The U.S. distributor does not carry the Granite and Counter cleaner but suggests: “using the All Purpose Cleaner would be a great substitute for cleaning granite top surfaces because it’s a multi-purpose cleaner for all surfaces such as – kitchens, bathrooms, appliances, fixtures, walls, floors and more.  Please ensure that it is sprayed lightly and wiped off with a damp cloth.”

WHERE TO BUY: In Canada, you can pick up Eco Mist products at Home Depot.  In the U.S., DewItGreen is the distributor.  For a 10% discount, use code MMUW04XE6RD4J by April 30, 2010.

WIN IT! 

CONTEST CLOSED.  Congratulations to Alison, Karen and Charity for winning!

 DewItGreen is generously giving 3 readers any 3 Eco Mist Solutions cleaning products they choose!

You can enter to win in any of the following ways:

• Leave a comment telling us what Eco Mist Solutions products you want to try out!
• Follow us on twitter @mommygoesgreen.
• Retweet this contest.
• Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link.

Leave your comment by Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 11:59pm PST. Contest open to all U.S. residents, ages 18+. We will choose 3 winners, at random, and notify them by email. Privacy Policy.

BonAmi is a great non-toxic alternative to Comet or Ajax.  The active ingredient in Comet is sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione dihydrate, a chemical rated ‘highly toxic’ by the EPA.  

Created over 120 years ago, BonAmi is made from calcite & feldspar mineral abrasives, and biodegradable detergent.  It contains no chlorine, dye, phosphorus, or fragrance.  It’s recommended for use by those with allergies or chemical sensitivities. I use it on all of my stainless steel appliances and in my ceramic sink – it’s not abrasive so it cleans without scratching.  At just over $1 per can, it’s totally affordable.

For tips on how to use BonAmi for cleaning crystal, swimming pools, wooden decks and other items, check out the BonAmi website.

WHERE TO BUY:  BonAmi is available at grocery stores, mass retailers, hardware and health food stores.  You can search for a local retailer by state.

VOC free paint isn’t cheap but it is worth it as the chemicals in paint can off gas in your house for over 3 years!   That’s over 1000 days of breathing in chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and perchloroethylene – not so good for the body and particularly not good for our little children’s bodies.  In the past couple years, several children’s furniture and decor companies have partnered with paint companies to design VOC free paint lines specifically for children’s areas.  The next time you need to paint, check out these safe, non-toxic options.

The Land of Nod and Mythic Paint – Mythic Paint is a VOC free, solvent free and carcinogen free latex paint.  In 55 colors with names like ‘Grass Stain’ and ‘Tutu’, your child can have fun picking out their next room color!  You can purchase online or at some Land of Nod locations.  4oz samples are available for $6.99 and 1 gallon cans are $44.99.

Pottery Barn Kids and Benjamin Moore Paint – Benjamin Moore’s line of VOC free paint is called ‘Natura’.  Natura is a waterborne acrylic paint that is VOC free both in the base paint and the colorant.  Natura is very low odor – I used it to paint my son’s nursery and with the window open for a day or two, the smell was gone (unlike other “low odor” paints I’ve used).  Pottern Barn Kids comes out with a new paint palette 2 times a year and you can pick up the current paint deck in their stores.  Their current spring/summer line has 15 cheery colors. You can purchase online or at Benjamin Moore stores.  8oz samples are $7.99 and 1 gallon cans are $49.99.

Restoration Hardware Baby & Child - The RH Baby & Child line of latex paint is VOC free and low odor.  Available in 6 signature colors, they perfectly match any of the bedding and decor items from Restoration Hardware.  Available in satin sheen and sold online only. 4oz samples are $4.25 and 1 gallon cans are $29.00.

Lead is often a topic of concern in children’s toys and there are numerous recalls every year just to prove it. Lead poisoning can cause damage to the brain and kidneys.  Research has linked lead with lowered IQ in kids and high blood pressure in adults.  During pregnancy, a baby receives lead from the mother’s bones which may affect brain development.

Toys are not the only source of lead contamination.   Water, paint, dust and even candy can contain lead.  Last spring I sent a sample of our standing water to the city water bureau for lead testing.  A standing water test uses the water that has been sitting in your pipes.  

The standing water test results returned telling us that we had 2 parts per billion of lead in our drinking water. Compared to the EPA Action level of 15 parts per billion, that seemed pretty safe.  However, on further review, I found that there is NO known level of lead is considered safe.  Particularly for pregnant moms and young children – we had both in the house.

Since we had young children, the water bureau offered to perform another test of our water but this time, we did it with running water.  A running water test uses water after the faucet has been turned on for two minutes.  The results?  Non-detected!

Since then, we have been vigilant about running the water until it’s very cold and we never use warm water for the baby bottle.  We just pop the cold water in a glass bottle in the micro for a few seconds to warm it up.

To reduce your family’s exposure to lead in water, follow these tips:

• run your water for a minimum of 30 seconds up to 2 minutes until it becomes cold, if using for drinking or cooking
• ONLY use fresh, cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula
• use a water filter and make sure it reduces lead as not all filters do
• buy low-lead plumbing fixtures
• have your child’s pediatrician do a blood lead level test
• have your water tested

To have your water tested, call your local water bureau to see if they perform testing.  For residents in the Portland, Oregon Metro area, FREE testing is offered by the water bureau – take them up on it.  If your water bureau doesn’t offer testing, the National Water Council will test it for $9.97.  The NWC will test for lead along with other common contaminants.

Remember, lead doesn’t only enter our bodies through water, it can also enter through lead-based paint and contaminated dust.  Houses built before 1978 are likely to have some lead-based paint.  According to the CDC, “approximately 24 million housing units have deteriorated leaded paint and elevated levels of lead-contaminated house dust. More than 4 million of these dwellings are homes to one or more young children.”  If your house was built before 1978, make sure you stay away from any peeling paint and the phrase “don’t eat the paint chips” absolutely applies here.   If you are renovating a house built in this time period, the CDC recommends that pregnant women and children not be present.  Also, clean your children’s hands and toys frequently as they can get contaminated dust on them.  Finally, regularly wet mop floors and wet wipe all window components to remove any leaded dust.

Seventh Generation has come out with another great line of eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaning products.  This time, they have joined forces with CleanWell, using their patented technology based on thymol, a component of thyme oil, to create a line of disinfectant wipes and sprays, including both a multi-surface cleaner and a bathroom cleaner.

Their disinfectant line kills over 99.99% of household germs commonly found in your home, such as Influenza A, H1N1, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli.  Now you clean AND disinfectant safely, in one step.

Look for their new line wherever you normally purchase Seventh Generation products including mass retailers such as Target, Walgreens, Toys ‘R Us and natural food stores such as Whole Foods.

Print a coupon for $1 OFF any Seventh Generation product.

January is National Radon Action Month, designated by the EPA, as radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer for smokers.  That’s approximately 20,000 deaths per year in the U.S. 

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, and colorless gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Because radon is a gas, it can enter homes through openings or cracks in the foundation. The radon gas itself decays into radioactive solids, called radon daughters. The radon daughters attach to dust particles in the air, and can be inhaled.

According to the EPA, over 8 million homes in the U.S. have dangerous levels of radon gas – could yours be one of them?   You cannot smell, taste or see radon so the EPA suggests that EVERY home regardless of age, location or type of construction be tested for radon gas. You can purchase a test inexpensively at a home improvement store or online for about $15.00.

I purchased our test in the fall and finally conducted it in early January.  It’s VERY simple, you basically hang it up in your house for 4-7 days while it collects the surrounding air particles and then mail it back in.  I got the test results within days.  The good news is that our home has a level of less than 0.3 pCi/L which is basically equivalent to the radon found in fresh air.

Purchase a radon test kit TODAY for your home and if you are planning to rent or purchase a new home, make sure you conduct a radon test as part of your inspection period.  If there IS radon, it’s not necessarily a deal breaker as there are ways to fix it.

I’ve been toying with the idea of wallpapering the wall behind my bed and was curious about what my wallpaper options are.   Frankly, I’ve never wallpapered anything but I’m always up for trying something new!

What I didn’t know was that most stock wallpaper is made with or coated with vinyl (PVC) - a product I stay away from.   The stinky smell from products made with PVC ( new cars, plastic shower curtains, etc. ) emits hazardous VOCs in your house contributing to indoor air pollution.  Our indoor air is already 5x more polluted than the outdoor air, let’s not add to it with PVC wallpaper!  As I often find, there are better alternatives – vinyl FREE wallpaper.

Mod Green Pod vinyl-free wallpapers use water-based inks on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper and finish the product with a water-based glaze that can tolerate light wiping.  They’ve got some fun prints, check out the photo above!

For more prints, Graham & Brown has 46 wallpaper prints that are VOC-free and printed on paper from managed resources.

I love this Juicy Jute grasscloth wallpaper – it’s got great texture and is made with jute, a natural fiber.  It also comes in 29 different vegetable dyed hues.  For other natural fiber wallpapers, check out raffia or hemp.

Traditional wallpaper paste has a bunch of chemicals, too, so try this great DIY recipe from Annie B. Bond.

• •1 cup flour (wheat, corn, or rice)
• •3 teaspoons alum
• •water
• •10 drops oil of cloves (natural preservative)

Combine the flour and alum in a double boiler. (If you don’t have a double boiler, set a smaller pan inside a bigger one that contains enough water that can be brought to a boil without overflowing). Add enough water to make a consistency of heavy cream; stir until blended. Heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened to a gravy texture. Let cool. Stir in the clove oil. Pour into a glass jar with a screw top. Apply with a glue brush. Makes 1 cup. Shelf life: 2 weeks refrigerated.