Tuesday January 29, 2013, 12:05 pm
(Photo Credit: Living Green Magazine)


Many people have greened up their eating but may not have thought of some simple ways they can green up their household cleaning and lifestyle. Organic Bouquet offers these tips for a greener way of life.

Natural microwave cleaner. The easiest way to clean the greasy gunk build up in your microwave also allows you to “recycle” fruit. If you have lemons that are about to go off, instead of throwing them away, cut them into quarters, squeeze the juice into a microwave-safe glass bowl, then put the quarters in the bowl. Add about 1/4 cup of water, and set the dish in your grimy microwave. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. The steam from the lemons and water cut through the grease and eliminate lingering food smells. Wipe down the interior of the microwave with a clean, damp cloth and compost the lemons.

Natural disposal deodorizer. Deodorize your garbage disposal with a lemon or lime cut into small wedges. Throw the wedges in the garbage disposal and run some hot water while it works. Your entire kitchen will smell of fresh lemons/limes, and you will not be putting any harsh chemicals down the drain to refresh the smelly disposal.

Natural clothing softener. Naturally soften your clothes without chemicals, remove detergent residue, save money on softener, and help the environment. When washing your clothes, add two cups of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Or for an experiment, do laundry as you normally would except add two cups of white vinegar instead of detergent. Watch as clothes suds up when washing–just as if you put detergent in.

Natural toilet bowl cleaner. Here’s a toilet bowl cleaner that is safe for pets and the environment: Pour 3 cups of white vinegar into the toilet bowl. Swish around and up under the rim. Let sit for 30 minutes. Flush.

Here are a few more ideas for simple changes around your home.

Reuse your kitchen water. Pour the water from cooking corn on the cob into your garden to recycle the nutrients. Water your house plants with the water leftover from a vase of flowers, and the water used to rinse out food and drink containers before you recycle them.

Give away what you don’t need. De-clutter your life and help others by donating furniture and other items you no longer use. Check out your local Goodwill store, a women’s shelter, or www.freecycle.org.

Use 100% recycled paper products. Most facial tissue and toilet paper are made from old-growth trees to create that softness. Tough it up with recycled products, including your paper towels. If Americans changed their facial tissue choices to 100% recycled, we would save 280,000 trees!

Simple adjustments to everyday life make a huge impact on the environment. For more green tips visit the Do Good Feel Good page.

Organic Bouquet is the largest online provider of sustainable flowers and eco-elegant gifts, all the floral arrangements and gourmet gifts to unique home accessories have been certified by third-party agencies, such as USDA, Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance and/or provide for environmental benefits through through participation in Carbon Offset programs. They are an environmentally and socially conscience company that promots economic sustainability, grows their flowers in an environmentally friendly way, and provides its workers in underdeveloped countries everything from zero-interest loans, childcare, healthcare, education, environmental protection and supplies. Find out more at www.organicbouquet.com
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Editorial for Living Green Magazine.

Tuesday January 29, 2013, 12:08 pm

Save money, save our environment, how much better or easier does it get?

I use plain old white vinegar to clean the floors, the kitchen and bathrooms. Compare the price of a gallon of vinegar to one bottle of spray cleaner.

Tuesday January 29, 2013, 3:25 pm
Some good and useful tips there, thx Kit! Some I newly learned, others I've been using already.

Tuesday January 29, 2013, 6:16 pm
Many tips I've used often--thanks Kit!

Tuesday January 29, 2013, 10:35 pm
Very useful tips. Thank you. I am always looking for such solutions (solutions is an appropriate word in this case).

Wednesday January 30, 2013, 3:03 am
I do a lot of these anyway, but thanks for sharing

Wednesday January 30, 2013, 4:11 am
It's cool to be green!

Wednesday January 30, 2013, 8:24 am
This is a good share because so often many of us don't know where to start because we feel overwhelmed but these simple steps help get us in the right direction. Thanks.

Wednesday January 30, 2013, 9:48 am
good idea

Wednesday January 30, 2013, 9:50 am
noted

Wednesday January 30, 2013, 11:26 am
Thank you.

Thursday January 31, 2013, 9:33 am
thanks kit
already doing few things from the list ;)