Cleaning Green

I don't know how many of you have taken the leap and converted to naturally derived plant-based cleaning products, but I think it is an important step in becoming more environmentally conscious, and here are some reasons why.

I'm here to give you a quick review of the products I've tried and prefer.

1) GreenWorks Natural All-purpose Cleaner (simply tangerine scent) - contains no phosphorus or bleach, great for general cleaning.

2) GreenWorks Natural Biodegradable Cleaning Wipes (original scent) - I like that these are biodegradable, and thus compostable. I'd like them even more if I had a yard and garden for composting. The packaging is also 25% recycled plastic, which is nice. However, compared to cleaning wipes with harsh chemicals, these are definitely a lot drier. I almost always squirt some all-purpose cleaner around before I wipe with the wipes.

3) GreenWorks Naturally Derived Laundry Detergent - leaves clothes clean and smelling great. Enough said.

4) Seventh Generation Natural Tub and Tile Cleaner (emerald cypress and fir) - I really like the scent, and it cleans very well. Again, recycled packaging, always a plus.

5) Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid - I've tried other natural dish soaps in the past, and I always felt like I had to keep squirting more on the sponge to get the job done. This one is very bubbly and foamy, and cleans a sinkful with one liberal squirt.

6) Nature's Source Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner - This is made by Scrubbing Bubbles. Same credentials as the other cleaners, it's my go-to TBC.

7) Nature's Source Natural Glass and Surface Cleaner - Made by Windex, this is the only natural glass cleaner I've tried that that does not leave streaks, which is definitely a must.

I'm so happy that so many companies have jumped on the natural ingredients bandwagon, though Seventh Generation definitely blazed the trail. What's more, I've found that all of these products are comparable price-wise to their chemical counterparts.

Bonus: There are coupons available on the GreenWorks website, and if you become a member of the Seventh Generation Nation, they send you coupons via email.

Say No To Draino!

Unfortunately, it's a known fact that girls clog bathtub drains with their luscious locks. If you live in an older apartment complex, this becomes more problematic, as the plumbing is probably old as well.

Which brings me to my challenge for today. Tub is clogged, my first thought is Draino. I figure this is probably not the most eco-friendly option out there, so I go online to look for some natural home remedies. I come across this blog with a catchy tagline, and tried their baking soda/vinegar/boiling water idea...AND IT WORKED! I'm feeling really good about this, and although I already buy the natural cleaning products from Target (Green Works, Method, and Seventh Generation), I'll be looking into more things to clean with baking soda, and other cheap things already in my kitchen.

Also, check this out. Love this website, very informative. The videos (especially the bottled water one) even captured the attention of most of my out of control 9th graders.