Posted in Home, Home Archive | Friday, May 7th, 2010
This post is dedicated to all of you moms out there making ends meet and keeping your family moving everyday. I’ve collected some comments/emails from moms about changes that they’ve made around the house to keep their families healthier, their budget’s tighter, and the planet greener. We can ALL learn something from them:
MsTiffany TiffanyMs - “I started using vinegar as a household cleaner especially in the bathroom where me and my baby girl bathe. Still learning tho and doing research. Everything I’m learning is so shocking lol I feel like I’ve been living in a bubble all these years. Not much of a story but u inspire me to be conscious about the products I use in my home and on my body.”
Clarissa - “I threw out all the MICROWAVE POPCORN!* I found out there are DANGEROUS CHEMICALS that LINE the bags of microwave popcorn (the grease lining). I also, found out the same applies to SODA POP CANS as well. Also, as Ms Tiffany. We use Apple Cider Vinegar for many uses! We drink a tsp a day (add it to water w/ a tsp of honey). Also, we use vinegar as … See Morea glass cleaner. Instead of pouring HARSH CLEANERS down the sink to clean I use Lemons they clean and REFRESH the drain. We use baking soda to clean out sinks (great for removing rust stains).* Just naming a few changes we have made!*”
Karen - “I put 1/2 cup popping corn in a plain brown lunch bag. Fold the toip over very tightly 3 or 4 times and put in microwave for 3-5 mins (depending on your microwave)… It makes FABULOUS “air popped” corn… then add what ever toppings you like… I prefer Old Bay seasoning instead of salt or cinnamon for a sweet version.”
Dddiva – “We love to make popcorn with coconut oil- no butter needed, so much healthier.”
Angela - “For the last 2 months, I have stopped using dryer sheets or anything else for that matter. All I use is a ball of aluminum foil. I have used the same one the whole time. I do about 15-20 loads/week.”
SisterBoyd – “I’m making as much of our beauty products as possible. I use containers that I already have in my home. And if a mix doesn’t work for me I share it with someone else – maybe it will work for them. If its cheaper and it works then I’m sticking with that. We do recycle at home and out. I have a shredder and its contents go into a huge, plastic bag that we reuse for this purpose and when the bag is full we dump the contents into the larger recycle bin. Also, I’m working on eliminating some of the meat products in our diet.”
Shak - My son submitted some art work for a contest that displays the things that he does to help save the planet, and I was very proud to see how much just doing a little is so ingrained in his mind. For instance, he (really “we”) turns off the power strip that his computer and desk lamp is plugged into. He doesn’t leave the water running while he brushes his teeth. He recycles at school and at home. Also, unless it is an unplanned trip, we either reuse the shopping bags we have, or use tote bags (I always laugh when people look at me like I’m crazy for bringing my own bag). All light bulbs in the apartment are the energy efficient ones, and one other thing that I actually learned, courtesy of a Good Morning America piece is to save money on that energy bill by not leaving your rechargeable electronics plugged in all day (wireless “land line” phones, cell phones, even laptop computers). We simply try to use the energy we actually need (kinda like the ‘eat to live’ not ‘live to eat’ way of thinking).
Jennae – I have used Dr. Bronner’s for most of these uses (including as pet shampoo and in place of toothpaste), but never thought to try it in the dishwasher, to wash the car or as shaving cream. This soap never ceases to amaze me though. And given that we pay about $12 for the medium sized bottle, I’m heading over to the Savvy shop now to buy the gallon. We generally prefer to use the Almond fragrance, because the peppermint is a little harsh for my daughter. But lately, she’s been using organic bar soap (my fave…Nostaligia Organics), so the hubbs and I can go back to peppermint 
Melissa W. – “We use coconut oil in cooking, on scrapes/scratches, for diaper rash, as a lotion, and as a make-up remover.”
hippygreenchick - Baking soda is great and it’s one of the least expensive cleaning products to buy, I use it to clean my stainless steel pots and pans. Cleaning products with chemicals make my head hurt.
Brenda – I stopped buying paper towels after watching Oprah’s green show a couple of years ago, and I didn’t miss them either. I use kitchen towels to clean up spills and when they get dirty, I just toss them in the washing machine with the rest of the laundry,
MandiFran - I use cloth dishtowels for washing, drying, spills and they don’t get washed everyday. They get rinsed in really hot water and soap and hung to dry until the next use probably for a week. The cloth napkins don’t get washed unless they are severely stained. They can last a week or two. I LOVE my microfiber cloths! They clean almost anything with just water. I have to do laundry anyway and those few extra towels don’t take up that much room.
About Savvy Brown
I believe being healthy doesn't have to be complicated, being green can be easy and being broke isn't an option!
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Savvy, this is excellent! You are right. We can all learn a lot from each other. Can’t wait to share these tips with my own family and friends.
Great list of ideas!
Wow! I never saw this before. I feel so important now hahaha
This came right on time because I was coming to tell you that I cleaned my bathroom with almost all natural products. I scrubbed the sink, toiliet, and tub/shower with baking soda, vinegar, and a little of Dr. Bonner’s peppermint soap. The only non-green cleaner was what I used on the floors, counters and mirrors. I bought it so I’m going to finish it…plus I want to use that bottle for my mix when I finally start mixing my cleaning products.
Thanks Savvy for helping me with this green thing because I was the offender of the green movement.