Good for you, good for the planet.

I’m in a busy season in life, and it’s full of things to think about. So, right now, I’m trying to relax and recuperate, which means the thoughtful post I’ve been working on is yet to come. Perhaps that is why I’m intrigued by yet another example of how saving resources and living simply often go hand in hand. This article by Joanna Zucker, author of Millennium Mom, was featured on a commercial marketing site, but it’s full of great ideas that will reduce energy waste while preserving sanity during busy times. I’m a particular fan of the tips on reusable wrapping materials and saving boxes for future shipping (collapse them for storage under couches and beds). I’m also intrigued by the idea of cooking and freezing extral meals when you have the time to do it; the environmental benefit of firing up the kitchen appliances less often might be small, but it’s something.

Enjoy the article, and check back soon for one of my own.

Good Little Habits That Only Seem Hard

Hopefully, you have by this point in your life adjusted to turning off the lights when you exit a room and turning off the water while you brush your teeth. We all have slip-ups now and then, but these basic “green” skills are becoming such a part of our culture that most people are now doing something to help the planet. Some habits, however, seem too difficult to put forth the effort. They’re not. Below, five ways to up the eco-ante:

• Recycle your bottles and cans, already! If your area offers curbside recycling services, you basically have no excuse – all it requires is dropping the items into one bin versus the other. If you don’t have access to curbside recycling, set aside a place for your accumulations and take them periodically to the nearest recycling center on your way to somewhere else. Your conscience will thank you for it!
• Do the reusable shopping bag thing. The investment is minor – many chain grocery stores now sell inexpensive bags – and once you remember the bags a few times in a row, you’ll rarely forget them again. What I’m working on now is trying to widen my use of the bags to stores other than the supermarket.
• Set your computer on stand-by or turn it off for the evening. Not only does this not harm your hard drive, it also saves a great deal of energy and sets boundaries on computer-time in your life, which can only be a good thing. Go here for more details.
• Combine errands for more efficient car trips. All it takes is a little forethought, and you can visit the post office, the bank, and the grocery store in the same trip each week. Once again, this habit is easy to maintain after the initial effort required.
• Look for products with green label components, like certified organic, post-consumer recycled content, dolphin-safe tuna, and others. With so many companies coming on board with at least one environmentally-conscious practice, it’s not difficult to incorporate this into your shopping routine. Hey, you already compare unit prices and squeeze the fruit, don’t you?

Green Cleaning for Way Less (of Everything)

First of all, a shout-out goes to Ecollo for linking to my post on small habits with big consequences. It’s my first “official” link, and I’m stoked!

Now, to the topic at hand. Much as I love them, all of the green and supposedly-green cleaning products introduced or made popular recently can’t compare in economy to those made with multi-purpose household ingredients. Although I don’t clean as much as I should, I have for some years taken notice of the easily available materials that far surpass purchased products in simple, wholesome effectiveness. Despite the claims of all green cleaners, the simpler the product, the fewer the possibilities for allergic reactions and other harmful consequences from the ingredients. Natural, homemade cleaners have the potential to be better for indoor air quality and the health of our bodies and planet, if we do a little research first.

The heavyweight champion for general cleaning is white vinegar. It can be bought on the cheap, diluted, and used in countless ways (though some have tried to count them). Click here to go to Ideal Bite’s great post on the subject. Also, Heifer International’s World Ark magazine (September/October 2008) recently featured this tidbit on vinegar’s power as an antibacterial alternative:

A Simple Solution for Clean Produce

Those pricey bottles of produce wash aren’t the only way to make sure your fruits and veggies are bacteria-free. Good, old-fashioned white vinegar kills 98 percent of bacteria [emphasis mine], according to researchers at Cooks Illustrated and the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Tennessee State University. Simply mix one part vinegar to three parts water. Keep the solution in a spray bottle and use on smooth-skinned produce. Coat thoroughly–five or six squirts should do it–then rinse under cold water.

Be advised that some household cleaning standbys, like ammonia and chlorine bleach, may be traditional but not most desirable; gentler products are available, such as baking soda, tea tree oil, lemon juice and more. EarthEasy’s page has good starter information on safe and natural cleaning materials and formulas for specific jobs. As always, the web is an abundant resource, but use caution when following advice, and never mix products containing ammonia and bleach.

Finally, many books have been written for those on the quest for a cleaner, greener home; a classic is Better Basics for the Home by Annie Berthold-Bond. If you have any must-use formulas, feel free to share!