With so many chemicals in our cleaners today, it’s hard to know which ones are green or not. That’s when I found out the beauty of vinegar. Not only is it cheap, but it’s effective in helping with many household tasks. Best of all, it is non-toxic so it does not pollute and is much safer to store under the sink then other common cleaners. Here are some other household uses for vinegar.
- Freshen your laundry. For your next load of laundry, try adding a capful of white vinegar and your colors will come out brighter and your whites whiter. It’s also helpful for pesky stains like grass. Just mix 1/3 cup white vinegar and 2/3 cup water, apply to the stain and then blot with a clean towel. Repeat until you’ve removed as much green as possible.
- Clean your windows. Vinegar can clean your windows as well as any store bought chemical. Mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with a gallon of water, put into a spray bottle and squirt onto your windows. Interesting tip: scrub with newspaper rather than paper towels to get a streak free window.
- Break a sticky bond. Annoyed when you can’t get a price tag sticker off a newly purchased item? White vinegar can do the trick! It not only can take off a sticker but can be used to dissolve many common adhesives like glue. Another bonus is its good at cutting grease.
Click here for more vinegar tips.
People are growing increasingly concerned about protecting their health by carefully watching what they eat, drink and put on their hair and skin. Many people have even switched over to using all-natural products in an effort to improve their health and avoid exposure to toxic chemicals. People who have made the decision to eat well and use natural health care techniques are frequently concerned about their pets’ health and welfare, as well. Luckily, there are simple things that every pet owner can do to ensure that their pets get excellent nutrition, receive safe and natural solutions for ailments, and avoid the dangerous chemicals that are present in many products.
All-Natural Approaches to Pet Nutrition
Food choice is one of the most influential factors in determining your pet’s overall health and lifespan. In the past, pet owners were told to feed their animals a good commercial pet food and to avoid feeding them any “human food”. As the pet food industry has evolved over the years and more quality food options are being manufactured for animals, it is becoming increasingly apparent that our pets’ health is truly influenced by what they eat. Pet owners are now more educated about the ingredients that are put into dog and cat food, and are starting to demand higher quality products for their animals.
Most packaged pet food contains low quality meat, inferior grains, fillers, by-products and toxins like pesticides and preservatives. The food is also processed at high temperatures which destroy many important nutritional components such as vitamins, amino acids and natural digestive enzymes. Some research even suggests that processed pet food can suppress the activity of a pet’s immune system which, unfortunately, can lead to illness and premature death.
Luckily, there are many all-natural alternatives to processed pet food. Some owners take the time to make their own pet food using healthy, lean meats. There are also many natural pet foods available on the market today that do not contain by-products. Look for products without corn, wheat, soy, fillers, artificial colors and chemical preservatives. These products may be more expensive, but all-natural pet food can provide many health benefits to your pet. Many pet owners also use all-natural nutritional supplements to help ensure that their pets receive necessary vitamins and minerals.
After integrating these changes into your pet’s diet, you may notice that you animal has fewer skin ailments, allergies, and digestive disorders. After starting an all-natural diet, many animals also have increased energy and are able to maintain a healthier weight. All of these benefits improve your pet’s quality of life and help ensure that your animal will live a longer, healthier life.
Holistic Pet Care Products for Improved Animal Health
Proper nutrition is an essential component to building a better quality of life and increasing the longevity of your pet, but a holistic approach includes other aspects of animal care as well. Using all-natural pet grooming and pest control supplies can be extremely effective and allow you to protect your pet from the toxic chemical additives that are in many of these products. There are also many eco-friendly toys, beds, training aids and supplies available to environmentally-conscious animal lovers.
Preservatives and foaming agents are commonly used in human and pet products, however, there has not been much research done to test the long-term effects of these ingredients on people and their animals. These components are generally considered to be safe, but many people still choose to avoid using products with these ingredients until their impact on our and our animals’ health is completely understood. Luckily, there are many natural pet shampoos and conditioners commercially available that use herbal extracts like aloe, jojoba oil, calendula, chamomile, sunflower seed oil, muru muru butter, neem oil, lemongrass, lavender, and citronella to help protect pets’ skin and keep insects at bay.
Animals are much smaller than humans, so it is no surprise that it is more difficult for their smaller organ systems to filter and eliminate toxins that are encountered in everyday life. Owners can help protect their pets’ health, improve their quality of life, and increase their lifespan by simply taking a more holistic, all-natural approach to their pet care regimen. What organic, all-natural products do you use to keep your pet healthy and happy for years to come?
Spring is right around the corner and it’s usually the time
of the year when people toss out things their house has been collecting within
the past year and clean their homes from top to bottom. To be honest, I haven’t
given a thought about the importance of cleaning products; just as long as it
cleans like how it’s supposed to, it’s good enough for me. It wasn’t until I
saw a Target commercial advertising its new toxin-free cleaning supplies that I
really thought about it. Products that we use to clean our homes can contain
harmful chemicals that cause reactions such as headaches, nausea, allergic
reactions, and some can even contain harmful carcinogens. According to the
Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be 5 times more toxic than the
air we breathe outside.
If you’ve ever taken the time to read the back of those
cleaning bottles, you’ll find that many ingredients comprise the cleaning
solution. Some of those ingredients aren’t even pronounceable or have only seen
in high school chemistry text books. The bottles may also contain warnings such
as “flammable” or “poisonous”. These chemicals can be released in our
environment by being drained down the sink, flushed down the toilet, or thrown
away in the garbage.
If you don’t want to harm yourself or your environment, here’s
a list of brands that are toxin-free and non-polluting:
- Seventh Generation focuses on sustainability and
the conservation of natural resources.
The company got its name from the Great Law of Iroquois where it says we
should consider the impact of our decisions for the next seven generations.
Seventh Generation uses recycled and post-consumer materials in its packaging
and biodegradable, phosphate, and chlorine free ingredients in its products.
- Method focuses on producing non-toxic,
sustainable products with a focus on minimalist packaging. The company does not
test on animals and is taking steps to measure and reduce its carbon footprint.
- Begley’s Best is named after environmentalist
and actor Ed Begley, Jr. It is an all-purpose cleaner that’s made from extracts
of pine, de-acified citrus, maize, fermented sugar cane roots, and olive seeds.
The ingredients are all natural, non-toxic, and totally biodegradable.
- If you want an all natural home solution, try
vinegar and baking soda. With a little bit of elbow grease, you can make your
own natural cleaning product.
No one said greening the world would be easy, but the eco kind folks over at GreenHome.com sure are giving it a solid heave ho, nose-to-the-grind type of effort. On a mission to “take green to the next level,” as they state on the home page of the site, it strikes me as a great resource for both tips and green products.
A steady perusal of the left column on the home page reveals a host of links to specific appliances, bath, bedding, clothing and other green products (take for instance the Sanitizing Travel Wand).
Further down the left rail are links to FAQs, green tips and a Toxipedia that helps define eco terms for us laymen (and women).
I would say that it’s worth checking out and perusing the selection, though expect the prices in many cases to be steep. One thing that won’t change in the near future is the higher costs for eco and organic products.
