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How cool is this use it up soap deal? Very cool. Learn more at Treehugger.

By now I’m sure you know I’m against disposable plates. I don’t buy them.
However, if you’re planning a large gathering for Memorial Day, and you’re going to use disposables, consider EarthShell — available at many stores, including Wal-Mart. I saw them at my local grocery store as well.
Why EarthShell? The plates are made from renewable ingredients like potatoes, corn and limestone. What’s natural becomes natural again! In other words, they biodegrade. And that’s much better than a styrofoam plate that will still be in the landfill long after your time. Plus, trees will breathe a little sigh of relief if …read more

Most people want to have their homes painted after buying a house. I sure did, especially after tearing down the horrible elephant-print wallpaper.
I keep seeing ads for Mythic paint in art magazines, which I’m prone to wander through. So, I decided to check it out some more. Plus, their marketing group was kind enough to give us some info on the paint as well.

Here’s what makes Mythic paint different. It’s . . .

The only high-performance paint available with zero VOCs, zero toxins and very low odor
Free of the yucky new paint smell
Not required to carry a government warning label
Safe for …read more

As promised in my rant about Palmolive eco+ Dishwasher Gel, I’m reviewing Seventh Generation’s dishwasher detergent. I could not find the gel at my local grocery store, so I went with the powder. I paid around $4 for the 45 oz. box. I snagged the photo below from Seventh Generation’s site. Even though I like the company, I was a bit skeptical before trying Seventh Generation’s Free & Clear Automatic Dishwasher Powder. I had read a few reviews concerning a filmy residue left on dishes.
I loaded my dishes as normal, put the phosphate and chlorine-free detergent in the regular wash …read more

 
CleanWell seems to care about making products naturally and kid-safe. They sent me their hand wash and hand sanitizer spray to try out. By the way, CleanWell is available at Target, but you can also order online.
So, I’ll make this easy. I’ll tell you what I liked, then what I’d change if I could. But please click over to read the rest of this review. I don’t want you to miss the really nice hand sanitizing spray.
All-Natural Antibacterial Hand Wash (foaming)

What I liked:
•Rinses easily and leaves hands feeling clean
•Has all-natural ingredients, including the fragrance
•Certified cruelty-free
•Biodegradable and paraben-free
•Uses sustainable …read more

Marye at Baking Delights posted about finding old cookbooks at thrift stores. And, that’s really like cheating since you get to use someone else’s cooking notes. You can even bake a recipe and give it to a special person with an old cookbook as a unique birthday gift. Wouldn’t that be just precious?
Her post reminded me of the Used for the New Year post I did as a guest blogger here just after Christmas. Soon, it will be garage-sale season, but it’s always thrift-store season.
I encourage you to try shopping used. It might take some looking around just a bit, …read more

Earlier, we discussed permanent coffee filters and their advantages. I told you about the one I use, made of mesh and plastic.
But, there are greener options. I didn’t really know about hemp filters when I bought my permanent coffee filter.
Available at several places online, including Hemp Sisters or amazon, hemp coffee filters are natural and more earth friendly than plastic.
Since I’ve never tried them, I can’t attest to how easy they are to wash, but hemp is a very durable fabric. And the filters are affordable. They sell for around $6.
If you have tried a hemp coffee filter, please …read more

When I mentioned in my page Tree Hugging Family Co-blogger Peggy that I stopped using paper coffee filters, one reader asked me what I use instead.
I chose a Mr. Coffee permanent filter last year and have never used paper coffee filters again.
What are the advantages?
•No paper filter waste.
•Saves resources since you reuse the same filter each time.
•They last a very long time. (Mine has a 10-year warranty.)
•No more buying coffee filters!
•You won’t have to skip coffee because you forgot to buy filters.
•More coffee taste. The coffee will be more oily, but try it. I like it.
•You save money.
•Most filters …read more

If you want to get rid of a disposable item that may be lurking in your house and on your shopping list, consider banning the disposable bathroom cup.
Whether they are made of paper or plastic, disposable bathroom cups create an abundant amount of waste. Even if you recycle them, you are still using energy.
What are the alternatives? I don’t like cupping my hands under the faucet, and forget putting my mouth under the sink. I see some people do this, but it just isn’t for me.
The easiest alternative is probably to take stock of your glasses. Choose a small one …read more

The grand prize winner of Core77’s Greener Gadgets Competition for 2008 is the EnerJar, an easy-to-build* power meter that accurately reports the power draw of electrical appliances.
Designers Matt Meshulam and Zach Dwiel hope the device will help users gain a better understanding of the amount of power appliances use, even in standby.
The device will not be commercially available, but plans for making it will be online. While the designers are still optimizing the EnerJar, preliminary schematics are available at www.enerjar.net. (*This project should be carefully undertaken by adults only.)
The second-place winner in the Greener Gadgets competition is also very interesting: …read more