Our Go Green Sponsor is Envie Bath and Body
with their EMERALD ENVIE PROGRAM

At Envié Bath and Body, we recognize the importance of protecting our environment.  Our products are 99% natural, paraben free and formaldehyde free.  That still isn’t enough for us.  We currently package our products in plastic bottles and jars.  Unfortunately, plastic is not biodegradable and causes enormous problems in the eco-system.  In an effort to extend our reach we are offering the Emerald Envié Program.  We urge you to return your empty bottles and jars so that they can be reused.  We have a rigorous cleaning and sanitizing process to ensure that the bottles and jars are safe for reuse.  Feel free to inquire about our practices.

For every 4 containers you send back, you will receive a $5 discount on your entire order.  This is just our way of helping to minimize the plastic buildup in our oceans, rivers, lakes, streets and parks that diminish our ozone layer and reek havoc on our wildlife.

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By Laura Breiten

Laura is taking the steps to become Go Green savvy.  This section is for all of you who want to take the steps with Laura as she learns the basics of going green. Read her articles, implement these small changes, and make a huge impact on the environment along with her.

 

Spring Scrub-Down
Article 4

With spring approaching, many of us are eager to open the windows and get started on our spring cleaning. This is one of my favorite times of year ; it’s time to start “fresh.” Just as everything starts to bloom, we clean out all the clutter and get ourselves ready to start enjoying the beautiful weather.

Since I’m making an effort to “go green,” I figured I should find ways to make my spring scrub-down as green as possible. Consider the following tips:

Buy green cleaners. Most stores now carry environmentally-sensitive cleaning products. One brand to consider is Seventh Generation.

You don’t always have to stock up on sprays and powders. Make your own cleaners. To avoid toxic chemicals, consider making your own cleaners. Household items like baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar, and club soda can be combined to clean everything from carpets to toilet bowls.

Use old clothing and sheets for dusting and cleaning rags rather than paper towels. Reconsider using disposable mops and use a regular broom and mop. Save trees and landfill waste.

Avoid cleaners that contain phosphates as a water softener. Phosphates appear in a number of cleaners such as some dishwashing liquids and promote rapid algae growth which pollutes the water supply.

Let your houseplants do the cleaning! Some houseplants—such as Boston ferns, English ivy, rubber plants, and peace lilies—can help clean your indoor air by absorbing toxic chemicals.

Donate: When cleaning out your closets, basements, attics, etc. consider donating items rather than throwing them away.
For some of your big cleaning projects, consider the following:

Windows: Vinegar in a spray bottle will do the trick. A lot of people recommend wiping vinegar-sprayed glass with crumpled newspaper, but a lint-free washrag works well too. Don't clean windows when they're in direct sunlight, because they'll dry too fast and look "streaky."

Carpets: Before vacuuming, shake baking soda over the carpeting; it will help to absorb odors. For spot cleaning, try that natural wonder, vinegar. Spray it on, scrub out the spot with a washrag and don't worry about the vinegar smell; it dissipates quickly.

Tubs and toilets: Spray with vinegar first, then sprinkle on baking soda for a totally natural, fizzy cleaning power. Scrub with a sponge or toilet brush, then rinse clean or flush.

I hope you found these tips useful. I know I’m looking forward to a more green spring scrub-down!

These tips were found on: www.greenliving.suite101.com; www.thedailygreen.com; www.liveearth.org; www.greenamerica.org;  www.sparkpeople.com;