What is your favorite green cleaning product?

I've heard from a few folks that green cleaning products haven't worked as well for them as conventional products. Sometimes the results were so discouraging and/or disastrous that the consumers went back to toxic products.

I've tried quite a few green duds myself, but I've also had great success with natural products. It's all about finding the right products, tools, and techniques for the job. This takes a bit of research, a willingness to fail and try again, and luck. A lot of people, understandably, don't have time for this.

Can you help make it easier for them to do the green thing? Please comment and tell us what is your #1 all-time favorite green cleaning product. Thanks scubberdoodle!

You asked. I answered! (GHLX edition)

People had some great questions for me at the Green Healthy Living Expo on Thursday. Some of the questions I was able to answer on the spot. Others I needed to research. In the spirit of learning from others' questions, I am posting some Qs along with some As.

Research!

How can I remove hard water stains from tiles?
Sprinkle borax on a damp sponge or cloth and wipe surface.

There were lots of questions about removing mold. 
A few months ago I shared a recipe and instructions for using hydrogen peroxide and vinegar to  kill mold and remove the stains it leaves on tiles. One of my favorite websites, Care2.com, explains 3 Ways to Kill Mold Naturally by using tea tree oil, grapeseed extract, or vinegar.


How can I remove blood stains?
Before the blood stain dries, rinse with cold water. (If it's already dried, scrape off what you can before rinsing.) If the stain persists, use washing soda to pre-treat, pre-soak, and to boost the laundry detergent. If putting the stained item in the wash isn't an option, there are lots of other ways to remove blood from clothes--and other places blood might end up-- including using salt, peroxide, and enzyme cleaners.

How can I remove scuffs from floors?
Use a green acrylic scrubby sponge and have some patience. I've used this method with success on sealed hardwood floors. (eHow has a few suggestions that are specifically for removing marks from tile floors.)

What should I use to wash delicates? 
It's time for real talk: I don't actually sort my laundry much. I toss all my clothes (skivvies, whites, colors, delicates, stockings, everything) in one load, our towels and bed linens in another load (since there isn't room with my clothes), and my uber dirty cleaning rags and our shower curtain in another. Occasionally something will run onto something else, but for the most part everything works out okay. I usually hang everything up to dry, so I think this reduces shrinkage and wear.

Enough about me. If you are the type of person who takes time to own and care for things that need to be hand washed, more power to you. According to the Borax website, you can use it along with detergent to hand wash delicate clothing.

Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds is my laundry detergent of choice, but I also like the Classic Magic All-One Liquid Soaps. Use 1/3 to 1/4 cup per load.

I had a great conversation about greening personal care with someone too.
Here's a link to two recipes for making your own mouthwash on Care2.com. 

Want more green cleaning recipes and ideas?
Check out my tips for building your own green cleaning kit. This juicy blog post has lots of ideas and links to more free online resources.
Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living by Annie B. Bond is a great investment if this kind of information tickles your fancy like it does mine.

New Friends at Common Ground Times Square

Yesterday, I was one of a few dozen local wellness businesses who displayed at the Green Healthy Living Expo at Common Ground's Time Square Building. I showed residents and staff affordable, green alternatives to toxic conventional cleaning products. I also shared a few cleaning tips. I had a fantastic time!

(Hello, to any new friends who might be reading this. It was great to meet you! I'll be emailing you some green cleaning recipes soon.)

Common Ground is a non-profit organization working to end homelessness in NYC in two ways. For the chronically homeless, they create safe, secure housing with on-site support services to help them address the psychosocial, mental, and physical health problems that are obstacles to independent living. They also offer affordable housing for individuals who find themselves at the edge of homelessness.

As a small child, my family was affected by homelessness when a fire destroyed our apartment. We lived in a shelter for several months before we found a new home. I don't remember much of that experience, but it's left me with the impression that the work of Common Ground (and other organizations like it) is very important. I felt so lucky to be able to partner with them and share some of my knowledge with the community.

Please visit Common Ground and consider making a donation to support their efforts to make sure everyone in the city has a healthy and happy home.

7 Dish Washing Tips for Super Stars Without Dishwashers

Where the dish magic happens in my kitchen.

My friend Eden requested a dish washing recipe. I don't have one, but I do have some suggestions:

1. The best "green" hand dishwashing liquid brands are Trader Joe's and Seventh Generation. This is based on my experience which I admit is somewhat limited because once I discover something works I don't stray.
2. Baking soda is great at assisting with the cleaning of tough pots and pans. 
3. Dish cloth or sponge? The jury is still out. Both seem to be safe as long as you use heat (microwave, boiling water, dishwasher) to kill the germs shacking up in them. Use whichever feels the best to you and roll with it. 
4. You've probably noticed it's harder to clean a dish once the remains of food and sauce have been chilling out for a while. If you don't like cleaning dishes to be hard--and why would you-- do the dishes right after your meal or at least rinse them off really well.
5. Protect your hands, Goddess! Cover your glamourizers with a pair of rubber gloves. If you're not going to wear gloves (I admit I don't), at least massage with hand salve or shea butter after washing. Detergents are all about stripping oils, my friends, and they can't distinguish between your pots and your skin. 
6. Do whatever it takes to make the time spent dishwashing enjoyable. I spend about an hour a day handwashing dishes. That's an effing long time to be miserable, so each day I decide to have fun instead. I appreciate the adorable little knick-knacks decorating the windowsill I face while washing. I listen to inspirational lectures or the Wendy Williams Show. I burn a scented candle.
7. I only wash dishes when I feel like it. Washing dishes when you are tired from a long day of work, sick, or otherwise exhausted sucks. If you live with others, get everyone in the house to rinse off the dishes after eating and deal with it when you can. Better yet, ask someone else to help out (especially if you're sick, germykins). Try "bartering" your dish washing services for something that you will enjoy like a home-cooked meal or NetFlix viewing queue domination.

Go Green USPS Forever Stamps

I found these Go Green stamps at the Adelphi post office today while I was there mailing the deposit for our new apartment. I feel I should mention the postal workers there were sweet as pie. One worker gently guided me to a two day mail envelope. The woman behind the window called everyone "baby" and "sugar" and wished me a great weekend with sincerity. Another worker took the time to notice and explain to an old woman she had a slip for UPS or "the brown trucks" before she waited on line for 15 minutes. Love is in the air in 11238.

Spotlight on Baking Soda #13: Safe for Hair? BGLH Reports

Seems like people are over shampooing these days. A couple of my friends have mentioned that they use baking soda as an alternative. My favorite natural hair care blog, Black Girl Long Hair, offers an examination of the pros and cons of using baking soda to clean hair.

Famous No Poo'er, Richard Glover

Do you include baking soda in your hair care ritual? I don't. I'm kinda hooked on Beautiful Curls and the benefits of baking soda don't seem to be overwhelming in comparison to sulfate-free natural products, but I'm curious to read about your experiences.

DIY Earring Display from Aye' Shanti Designs

My friend, the brilliant accessories designer Shanti, shows us how to make a gorgeous unique crochet earring display. Visit her blog for a step-by-step tutorial.

Finally a cute way to organize my post earrings!

Check it out, along with her fabulous Caribbean inspired journals and jewelry, at Aye' Shanti Designs.