Here at Tree Hugging Family, I mainly advocate making your own homemade green cleaners. Not only is it easy to make simple green cleaners, but very cost effective. That said, there will always be folks who want to buy, not make cleaners, so I figured we should take a look at which store bought cleaners are actually green.

The number one rule for choosing a green store bought cleaner is – read your labels. A pretty waterfall or little green leaf means nothing. Ignore fancy ‘green’ packaging and read your labels.

Terms you want to see on a cleaning bottle include:

• Ammonia free
• Chlorine free
• Plant based
• Biodegradable
• Certified organic
• Solvent free
• Phosphate free
• Chemical free
• Fragrance free
• Dye and artificial color free

Of course, one cleaner may note that it’s got certified organic ingredients or that it’s fragrance free, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. You need to read the whole label, not simply go by the first thing you see.

Terms you DO NOT want to see on a cleaning bottle include:

• “Poison” or “Danger.” Federal law mandates that these terms indicate the highest possible level of hazard.
• “Caution” or “Warning,” both mean a product carries a moderate hazard.
• “Wear gloves” – “Only use in a well ventilated area” and other likewise terms are big baddies. I’m sorry, but if you need to wear gloves or a face mask in order to handle a product, right there it’s a bad idea.

Next check for full ingredient disclosure: If a product says something like, “Natural ingredients” or has a super scanty ingredient list, I’d be leery. They could do better. Some products may be just fine, and list their healthy ingredients at their website, but they should include them on the package.

Lastly check the packaging:

• Is it excessive?
• Is it recyclable?
• Is it refillable? Some co-ops do offer refillable cleaning products.

Is it worth it?

All in all, this is a lot of work just to find a green cleaner. You could just make most of your own. If you need help making homemade green cleaners (or help choosing a green conventional cleaner) read the following:

Basic green cleaning

• 25 Safe, Non-toxic, Homemade Cleaning Supplies
• Hot Water for Cleaning – Yeah It Works
• Breathe In Some Green Air
• Homemade Organic Liquid Handsoap
• Are Sponges A Great Green Choice?

Nice scents

• Homemade Spicy Apple Air Freshener
• Natural Air Fresheners
• Pennyroyal, Cinnamon, & Lavender Air Freshener

Laundry

• Solar Stain Fighting
• Green Product Review: Biokleen All Temperature Laundry Liquid

Dishes

• Green Product Review: Biokleen Automatic Dish Powder
• Green Product Review: Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwasher Gel
• Seventh Generation Dishwasher Powder Review

Which cleaners do you buy vs. make?

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

I adore this soap. Here’s more on why I like it:

• Refreshing, but subtle scent. It has a citrus scent, but overall it just really reminds me of a clean-smelling kitchen. It’s not at all like some of the strong lemon-scented “kitchen soaps” for sale.

• It’s obviously gentle. The hypoallergenic soap is made for sensitive skin. It’s natural with soothing ingredients like aloe vera.

• Made in the USA, and not tested on animals. Sun & Earth products are even Kosher certified by the Orthodox Union.

• Refills are available! You can start with the cute 8 oz pump, and then keep it stocked with either a 16 oz. refill bottle, 1 gallon refill or a 5 gallon pail. I’m impressed. And prices are reasonable. One gallon refill is only $12. The 16 oz refill is $4.49. (online)

• The pump bottle is #1 recyclable.

• It cleans well and rinses easily.

• No dyes or perfumes. Natural ingredients are listed on the packaging.

Sun & Earth also offers a nice variety of household cleaners, including laundry detergent.

For more product info, retail locations and samples, go to Sun & Earth.

Image via Sun & Earth.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in July 2008

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“I was wondering if you (or any readers) knew of a cheap way to make your own liquid soap from all those crazy “soap slivers” that slime around the kitchen, bathrooms, showers and tubs?

There has to be a way to liquify them, right? Or am I in la-la land?”

Angelique is not in la-la land. I answered her question in the comments, but one I answered it with a short version (leaving out specific timing), and two, since maybe you missed that post, I figured I’d post about this topic.

You can make liquid soap from all those left-over slivers, or buy a natural, (detergent free) organic bar of soap. Depending on how much liquid soap you need buy a 3-4 oz bar, or save up enough slivers to equal the same.

You also need distilled water. You can buy some or better yet, simply leave a gallon on water sitting open on your counter for a couple of days.

Chop the soap up super small or grate. Boil the water (start with 3-4 cups) and once hot, add the soap. Mix, let it sit on a low boil, and if needed add more soap and or water, let low boil, mix. Once it appears to be the right thickness, do a massive final mix, it needs to be completely blended or little soap hardened pieces will show up, which of course will clog your pump. After the final mix, run a test. Your test is to let it sit out overnight. If you come back and it’s too thick, heat and add more water.

Getting the thickness right is the hard part. It depends on the soap. If you add 3 oz of soap or so, start with 3-4 cups H2o and go from there. It will turn out different depending your soap, so this is a project you need to watch, at least the first time you do it. You can add a few drops of organic essential oils too.

Variations:

Scrubby shower soap: You can make this as a liquid shower soap with scrubby bits in it – such as ground almonds or oatmeal. However, you can’t put this in a pump, it’ll clog. You need to put it in a bottle.

Herbal: Before adding the soap, boil organic herbs in the distilled water. Remove and strain before adding soap.

Other additions: Other items you can play with as additions include; a few tablespoons of Aloe Vera, honey, coconut or olive oil, vanilla or cinnamon (boil whole sticks), flower essences, and more – really whatever you like. This is an almost free project, so mess-ups won’t kill you.

You can also use this to clean your house, not just your body.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

I’ve been considering trying to make this with natural veggie, plant, or fruit dyes, but I’m not sure how well it will work. If you do try to make painting soap with all natural dyes remember that not all plants are safe for kids to be slathering on their bodies.

If you aren’t sure that the plant is safe for your child (i.e. won’t cause an allergic reaction) then don’t use the dye in a body care product like this.

Gather together:

• 6 Tbs. cornstarch
• 2 Tbs. water
• Organic food coloring
• Your favorite essential oil – something mild like lavender or orange is good for children.
• 1 oz. unscented organic liquid soap – most natural food stores and co-ops sell clear organic liquid soap in bulk.
• A bottle or bowl for the soap paint

To make the painting soap:

1. Mix the cornstarch, water, and a few drops of oil. Stir well.
2. Add drops of color until you reach your desired shade. Mix the color in well.
3. Add the liquid soap to the mixture, mix, and adjust color if needed.
4. Store in your container.

Kids can use this to paint the bathtub and their bodies during bath time. It won’t hurt your kids or your tub. You can also put the kids in an empty kiddie pool outside and let them paint. Another option I’ve been considering is to buy organic soap flakes and use that instead of cornstarch and liquid soap. You could make little soap crayons (or balls). I haven’t tried it – but I bet it would work. Well, maybe.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Here are some likely items:

• Soap
• Shampoo – conditioner
• Loofah or sponge
• Face cleaner
• Bath toys
• Bubble bath
• Razor
• Shaving cream (often in those pesky aerosol cans)
• Shower caddy

Each of the items above represents an item I could write a lot about. Since this is a blog, not a book, we’ll look at some quick facts and solutions. Later on, at some point on this blog, I’m sure Peggy or I will cover the topics more in depth. If there’s one item you’d like to know about sooner, then feel free to leave a comment or e-mail Peggy or I.

Soaps and other bubbly, body cleaning items:

The problem with most commercial soaps, face cleaners, shampoos, and bubble baths is that many contain chemicals you don’t need (or want) on your skin. Another issue is that the chemicals in commercial products leaches out into our water supply – which can also harm aquatic life and other water bound animals.

A bigger problem, so far as the health of the planet, is packaging. So much plastic is used to make all those bottles. Options?

• If you do buy new bottles, only purchase natural organic products, and purchase from companies that used recycled plastics or other containers. You can often buy natural soap with zero packaging at farmers market and co-ops.
• What I do is re-fill my bottles. A LONG time ago I bought some bottles, which I simply take to the co-op and refill with shampoo and conditioner from the bulk area. You can also buy bubble bath and body and hand soap this way. If you don’t live by a co-op that offers this option, buy the biggest container you can. You can even look into wholesale – save money and plastic.
• Make your own soaps, scrubs, and shampoos, etc. Not so hard as it sounds – I make some of my own items. Still, too long for this post. Later today I’ll come back with at least one cool recipe.

Razors:

Guess how many disposable razors get thrown away each year? Some research says about two billion razors and blades a year. Wow. Of course a plastic razor is going to refuse to biodegradable. Darn razors. Burning them up creates a toxic cloud of pollution, and they have a terribly short life span. What can you do?

• Shave less often.
• Use an electric razor. The environmental destruction caused by plastics is worse than the small amount of energy you’ll use with an electric.
• Use an old school razor – one with a longer lasting metal and replaceable blade.
• Buy recycled. Remember the post I did on Recycline toothbrushes and razors? No? Oh, well, go read it. They make nice recyclable razors that are mush better for the planet than traditional disposables.

Shaving cream:

There are lots of good natural and non aerosol shaving creams. You still have to deal with packaging, unless you make your own, but the natural and non aerosol aspects are better than nothing. I’m not sure why, but so many organic companies make natural shaving cream in really small containers. Wasteful. Still, here are some options I’ve liked.

• Organic Men’s Stock North Woods Shave Cream – I stole some of this from my ex one day. It smells a little strong, but works well.
• Kiss My Face makes many shaving creams; I like the Lavender/Shea Moisture Shave best.
• Body Shop men’s shave cream.

Your local natural foods store will have lots more.

Sponges:

You can simply use a washcloth – it lasts longer than most loofahs and sponges. Or you can use nothing or go natural. There are all sorts of better sponges and hemp scrubbers you can buy.

Shower caddy:

I love this sustainable shower caddy from Gaiam. Love it. Another option, of course is to use no shower caddy – although it does get a little nuts without one sometimes. If you do have one make sure you clean it weekly. This will expand it’s life, and keep it in no-mildew shape so you’ll be less likely to toss it. If you do get rid of yours, make sure you check around to see if recycling is an option.

What other ideas do you have for creating a more sustainable tub and shower experience?

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

There are a few places online that are still taking last minute holiday orders. Shipping may cost you but it’s possible to still save because you aren’t in your gas drinking car driving around frantically. If you’re going with online solutions check the fine print of the shop’s shipping policy carefully.

Here are a few online ideas:

Dirt Candles: First off, these candles are soot free (yippee). The perks just go up from there. Each candle is made from organically grown American soybeans and natural essential oils. Recycled glass and papers are used for packaging. Plus a portion of profit from each candle goes to a select charitable cause. Also they come in crazy fun scents:

• Bah Humbug: bayberries and cranberries with a top note of fresh crushed cinnamon bark and a hint of orange.
• Catch 22: patchouli, sandalwood, spice and fresh Spanish moss
• Slow Poke: fresh lavender and vanilla
• Old School: begins with old-fashioned notes of natural bergamot, galbanum, lemon, petitgrain and lime, leading to a sweet-spicy middle of amber, vanilla, nutmeg, and clove, with rich bottom notes of ambergris, balsam peru and sandalwood (WOW; can someone send me Old School!)
• And many, many, more.

Soaptopia: Eco friendly, delicious scents, and as they say, “100% junk-free” body products that come in a seriously large array of selections. Also, they’ve got some killer holiday sales and shipping deals going on. Just look what you can find:

• Build a MACHO Gift: Fun for the guys; choose from various eco -friendly and manly bath products.
  
• Festival of Lights: Shea Massage Candle, 50/50 Body Balm, 2 Soap Bars, Allota Bubbles, Salt Soak and Remi Mitt.
• Way more soaps than you can believe (on sale – $5 for $25) in cool slices like: Candy Cane, Blue Pearl Jam, Soap. Revolt!, Tequila Sunrise, Lean Mean Tangerine, Staying A-Lime (shown to the side), and more. Go look because the real fun is seeing these soaps; each one a work of art. Amazing shades and textures.
  

Soaptopia also offers lovely eco-gift wrap. Free!

And in super easy chocolate gift giving is the Endangered Species Chocolate of the Month Club. Almost everyone will love this gift. And bonus, no wrapping. Just send. This gift includes a 3-pack of 3oz. all-natural chocolate bars and a 3-pack of 1.4oz. organic chocolate bars each month. You can choose between dark chocolate only or a mix of milk and dark chocolate. Available in both 3 and 6 month gifts.

Next up some green gift solutions you can find right in your own town — for the brave few waiting until this next weekend to shop.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family