As you know, we just moved into a new place & we are super gung-ho about kicking our old messy habits to ensure we keep our new house in pristine condition.

That is where these eight tips come into play from Delish.com!

What about using hydrogen peroxide to clean your countertops?  Ever consider using baking soda to mop your floors? – and then make them shine by a dose of white vinegar!  Au naturale & super clean.

Check out the article to find out more tips & even how to clean out the neck of your pesky vase necks.

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Granite Transformations is a bathroom and kitchen remodeling company, concentrating on surfaces. They provide the option of traditional countertops, mosaics, and glass. So what’s so special?

The Trend Glass option offers 72% post-recycled glass. But this is a company whose green roots grow a little deeper. 

Recently, their blog featured an article on five eco-friendly features from 5 of the greenest cities throughout America. You gotta see some of these photos!

Granite Transformations does an amazing job highlighting items such as  a Solar Access Ordinance in Colorado and Vegetated Fins in Oregon.  Oh no - you are going to have read the article to learn what a vegetated fin is – but I’ll gurantee it is fascinating!

Thanks for sharing Granite Transformations!

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The Natural Resources Defense Council recently investigated the chemical levels in some common air fresheners. The scary results? 12 out of 14 air fresheners had hormone-disrupting chemicals called phthalates in them. What’s even more frustrating is that some of the air fresheners they tested were labeled “unscented” and “all natural.” The only two air fresheners that were free of phthalates were Febreze Air Effects and Renuzit Subtle Effects.

Children and unborn babies have been found to be especially susceptible to these toxins. The state of California maintains the stance that five different types of phthalates are “known to cause birth defects or reproductive harm.”

I don’t know about you but I just love a fresh smelling car and home. To do it the “green way,” fill up a regular spray bottle with water and then add a dash of your favorite essential oil. One recipe I read said to mix 1 cup of water with 30-40 drops of oil. Just shake the bottle to mix the the oil before you spray each time.

A lemon or other citrus mixture would be nice for the kitchen and maybe lavender or other flower oil might be nice in your bedroom. For me, I’m going to make a peppermint spray for my car. Mint is proven to help you wake up and feel energized. That’s exactly what I need on my morning commute!!

Need some advice on where to get your supplies?

• Spray bottle – You can get cheap spray bottles at any drug store, Target, Walmart, Dollar Store, or Sally Beauty Supply. I always see them in the hair care section by the hair brushes, combs, etc.
• Essential oils – These are actually pretty easy to find if you know where to look. Check your local health food stores in the personal care section or a bath and body store like the The Body Shop. Of course, a google search of “essential oils” will also offer you a huge variety of online stores where you can buy in bulk. One of my favorites is a store called Leaves and Roots. They have a huge selection of oils, plus a great supply of natural herbs, extracts, and teas.

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While there are some great “green” cleaning products out on the market right now, you may want to consider some homemade, all natural cleaning with things you already have in the house. It’s a cheaper and healthier way to keep your home clean. There are a TON of homemade cleaning recipes out there if you Google search, but here are a few of the basics for easy access.

Drain Unclogger

You can use baking soda and vinegar to unclog any drain in your house. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drain and follow it with 1 cup of hot vinegar. It will bubble and steam, but don’t worry, that’s normal. Once the bubbles die down, pour hot water down the drain to clear it completely. This same mixture can be used as a toilet cleaner, but you don’t need a full cup of each. Just sprinkle a little baking soda and vinegar in and swish around with a cleaning brush. (Green Living Ideas)

Glass Cleaner

Mix equal parts vinegar and hot water in a spray bottle and you’ve got a wonderful glass cleaner. You can also use plain water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Use a squeegee or old newspaper instead of paper towels to avoid streaks and cut down on waste. (Martha Stewart)

Furniture Polish

For finished wood, mix 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice in a bowl to make the polish. Dip a soft, dry cloth into the mixture and rub into the wood (in the direction of the grain). Use a soft toothbrush if you need to get in small spaces or between grains. Wipe off excess with a clean cloth. For unfinished wood, add 1 teaspoon lemon oil to 1 cup of mineral oil for the polish and follow the same steps as above. (eHow)

Mold/Mildew Remover

Add 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil to 2 cups of water in a spray bottle and shake it to blend. Spray directly on mold or mildew in your shower, on your shower curtain, or even on a moldy ceiling. Do not rinse. Make sure the area is well ventilated because the tea tree oil smell is very strong. I’ve also read that you can sprinkle a couple drops of tea tree oil on any area where bugs like to come in. It will keep them away from that area. (care2)

Air/Fabric Freshener

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a spray bottle of water. Spray anywhere to freshen up the air or make a room smell better.

Stain Remover/Metal Polisher

A wedge of lemon or fresh lemon juice can be used to get out any stain on a counter or to polish metal. Squirt lemon juice onto the stain and allow it to dry. A wedge of lemon is a great way to freshen up your sink too. Rub the lemon all over the metal in the sink. For tough stains, try sprinkling baking soda on the lemon before you begin. (CHEC)

Do you have any homemade cleaning recipes of your own? Share ‘em with us and we’ll post it on our site. Happy cleaning loves!

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Yes, I really meant a Compost Potty vs. Compost Party.  While a Compost Party could be a great time, and a long party, this particular post is to send kudos to those Denverites in the great state of Colorado.  I recently headed west from the humid climate of Florida to my happy place, the mountains of Denver. 

While avoiding bears and hiking trails, the call of nature reached my bladder & to my happiness, I found the image you see to your left.

This may look like an ordinary outhouse -  but oh the amenities.

Toilet paper, feminine waste bag, clean, and instructions (for some at eye level).  Instructions are necessary when making waste in the woods and mountains.  For a closer look, see the image below.

It reads:

You are using a recycling toilet by Clivus

1. This toilet uses no water or chemicals.
2. Waste is being composted in the equipment below this building.
3. Do not throw cigarettes, plastics, bottles, or cans into this recycling toilet.

Thank you for helping us preserve the environment.

For states and nature trails and Clivus that have already adopted this technology for public use, we commend you.  This outhouse has provided a haven for my digestive system in the middle of the Lair o’ a Bear,  and assisted my friend Mother Earth.

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Do you have t-shirts that are holey, smelly, and with dark yellow pit stains?  Get a clue, your local thrift store doesn’t want them.  The dog won’t go near them.  But they still have potential. 

Cut ‘em up.  Old sleeves make a great head scarf and the remaining shreds make excellent cleaning rags!  Spray some eco-friendly all-purpose cleaner and you’re off!  This way you can avoid more garbage, and the multiple handiwipes it takes to clean the surface of your table. 

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When driving down the green-way of life, don’t overlook the smallest room in your house—the bathroom. There are plenty of ways to convert your potty to that of an eco-friendly environment through the basics: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Reduce: Something as simple as cutting down on one square of t.p. per meditation period could reduce how much packaging is wasted because it will cut down how much toilet paper you have to purchase. Grocery saving: BONUS!

Reuse: While we don’t recommend reusing those squares, look at incorporating a plastic, washable cup for your toothbrushing routine instead of purchasing Dixie cups.

Recycle: Save those cardboard rings and either use them for arts-n-crafts with the kiddies, throw them in your hamster cage, or place them in your neighborhood recyling pick-up. A double use makes scraps that much more useful.

A not-so-basic investment: a hemp shower curtain. You may not have ever thought the thin plastic lining of your shower curtain could create so much waste—and a waste that can last a lifetime! Hemp is naturally resistant to mold and bacteria, is quick drying, and will bring a natural feel to your bathroom. It will get wet, but the water will not go through the fibers, so no liner is needed: BONUS! I am not going to lie, it is a little bit pricier than your average $11 shower curtain from Bed, Bath, & Beyond, but wash wisely and you won’t need to buy another one again.

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