Hello everyone,

Last time I wrote I enjoyed writing about some of the things that we have done to save money by going green I thought I would share some more.  Last time I talked about some of the greener things that we have done in order to shave a few dollars off our electricity bill.  This time I thought I would share some things that we have changed to shave some money off of our monthly budget by going green.

One thing I have found that some of the simplest things make the best cleaning products.  Like most people I would spend a fortune on Pine Sol, Ajax, and glass cleaners etc.  Needless to say that these products on a monthly or even every other month adds up to a lot of cash not to mention all the chemicals that you are exposing yourself and family to.  So I went on a quest to see what some cheaper alternatives were.  Some of the ideas I remembered from watching my mama and granny with their old home remedies, researching on the Internet, and watching shows like "How Clean is your House" on BBC America.

The first thing that I decided to get rid of was the general cleaning products and find one or two products that were safe around kids, pets and could be used for a lot of things.  In my research I found out about Shaklee. 

Shaklee offers a lot of great products for environmentally friendly cleaning.  Basic H can be used for just about anything in the world that you can think of.  We have used it for bug repellent in the summer, laundry detergent, dish detergent, bubble bath, floors, window and glass cleaner, pool cleaner, dishwasher spot remover and the list goes on.  Shaklee's Basic H is fragrance free so it is great if you have babies or anyone is has allergies to strong perfumes.  When I first purchased this stuff I was not only skeptical but thought it was a bit pricey, however it is super super concentrated and a very little goes a long way and if you use it according to the directions it will last forever.  For us a gallon jug would last us for about 9 months to a year. 

Another great product that Shaklee also offers is Basic G.  This is their disinfectant.  Like the Basic H it is super super concentrated and will last forever.  What I like about it is that a lot is it kills germs and the "funk" just as well if not better than Lysol or bleach but it does it without all the nasty side effects of conventional products.

If Shaklee is out of your budget, and these days that is the case for many, I found that Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds is a great alternative.  It doesn't last quite as long as the Basic H.  But it comes in a close second.  I have been lately using Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds a lot lately because I really like the smell.  And where it is a green cleaner I can mix it with my Basic G and not make a noxious gas cloud.  This product I have also used for cleaning floors, woodwork, bathrooms, clothes, dishes. 

For scouring powder, or paste I have found that my mama's recipie works the best.  She and my grandmother would make a past of baking soda and regular old hydrogen peroxide and rub it into what ever need a little scrubbing action.  When I use this combination I just rub it into the stain (normally in my sink, on my counters, shower floor or the tub ring) and let it set for a while.  Use a damp sponge or cloth and wipe off.  Then clean your sink, toilet etc as usual with your cleaning product of choice.

Baking Soda, Borax and Apple Cider Vinegar or Distilled White Vinegar are also great green cleaners.  Not to mention that they are incredibly cheap.  All three you can add to your laundry to make your laundry detergent go farther, and will also make your clothes brighter.  I only add either baking soda or Borax the laundry not both. 

You can also mix baking soda and Vinegar together to clear your drains of clogs.  Just a pour a cup of Baking Soda down your drain add a cup of Vinegar (it will bubble up but it is harmless) then run or pour really hot water down your drain.  It will make your drains run faster and make them smell a lot better.  You can also boil some straight vinegar and pour it down your drains (without the baking soda) let it set for 5-10 minutes then run hot water down the drain.  Repeat until the clog is cleared. 

I also use vinegar for my floors, stove top and counters.  I use 1/4 cup liquid soap (I use Basic H or Sal Suds), 1/2 cup vinegar and two gallons of hot water you will be amazed at how clean your floors feel.  Not to mention that vinegar is a natural antiseptic.  I have also added Borax to this mixture as well.  But before you mop or wipe up make sure it is dissolved completely.

For glass cleaner I use either a few drops of Basic H to a large spray bottle filled with water or 1 tablespoon of vinegar to a quart of water.  Mix the vinegar and water in a spray bottle and clean away. 

These are obvisiously only some of the many green cleaning tips that I have stumbled upon.  And I am always experimenting so I will continue to update these ideas as I stumble onto new things.  The most important thing though is that you will save money, help the environment, and it is better for your home and family in the end run.  If anyone reading this has any other green cleaning tips I would love to hear about them. 

Lindy