Join Me as a Seventh Generation Toxin Freedom Fighter #FightToxins #MC

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central for Seventh Generation. I received a promotional item and product samples as a thank you for participating.

Seventh Genaration is one of the few brands that I will buy anything they make without hesitation. Why? Because I know I will get a quality product free of toxic chemicals. I have been faithfully using their products, particularly the laundry detergent and various household cleaners, for years now. When I started having kids and became more aware of the harmful ingredients in every single product in my home, I started making lots of changes around the house. Getting the toxic chemicals out was a top priority for me and Seventh Generation made it easy and affordable for me to find great natural products.

For me I think it is pretty obvious that toxic chemicals are bad for our health and the health of the environment. However not much seems to be happening in the way of removing them from products or even just making the public more aware of them. Change is long overdo and we need to let our government know that they need to do something. That is why I teamed up with Seventh Generation as a Toxic Freedom Fighter to help spread the word and get people to take some action.

Did You Know?

• There are over 80,000 chemicals available in the United States that have never been fully tested for their toxic effects.
• Scientists have linked exposure to toxic chemicals to many health risks, including Cancer, Alzheimer’s, learning disabilities, asthma, birth defects, and reproductive problems.
• The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was passed in 1976 but it has never been updated. As it currently stands, tens of thousands of potentially harmful chemicals continue to be used in the marketplace since the 1970’s without proper testing and without disclosure by the companies that produce them.
•  For additional information to learn more visit the Natural Resources Defense Council.

What Can You Do?

• Become a Toxin Freedom Fighter by signing Seventh Generation’s petition to urge Congress to reevaluate the Toxic Substances Control Act for the first time since 1976.
• Make sure that parents and the general public are aware that of the 80,000 synthetic chemicals introduced into the market since the Toxic Substances Control Act was passed in 1976, the EPA has required testing on less than 10%. Tell your friends, family, teachers, PTA members, and anyone else who will listen!
• Help Seventh Generation reach its goal of collecting 100,000 Signatures by April 24th by signing the petition for chemical reform and urging your friends and family to do the same!

So please take some time to join us as Seventh Generation Toxin Freedom Fighters and sign the petition today.  There are also some great resources there for you to use to help spread the word like sending tweets to your state's senators and sharing on social media.

Clean Green with Green Works All-Purpose Cleaner & Win in the Green Works Games!

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Green Works. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and promotional item as a thank you for participating.

So many people have this misconception that doing things a little more clean is harder and more expensive. When it comes to eliminating chemical cleaners from your home and replacing them with greener ones, that is not the case. When I started out on this green journey, there weren't a whole lot of options readily available to buy. So I easily made my own natural cleaners with things like vinegar, water and essential oils. Those work great and they are super cheap to put together. But as a mom to four very active young boys, making time to mix my concoctions isn't always easy. So I also like being able to just grab a bottle of cleaner when there is a mess to clean up. Green Works offers a line of affordable and effective natural cleaners that get the job done without harming your family or the environment.

From the cooktop to the countertop, Green Works® Naturally Derived All-Purpose Cleaner powers through grease, grime and dirt without leaving behind harsh chemical fumes or residues. Green Works All-Purpose Cleaner is safe to use on multiple surfaces throughout the kitchen and bathroom, including counters, appliances, stainless steel, sealed granite, chrome, cooktop hoods, sinks and toilets.

• Formulated using plant- and mineral-based biodegradable cleaning ingredients.
• Provides an easy and practical way to use naturally derived products without compromising cleaning performance.
• Packaged in bottles that can be recycled.
• Not tested on animals.
• Green Works All-Purpose Cleaner is now available with the innovative SMART TUBE® TECHNOLOGY that allows consumers to spray every drop of the liquid in spray bottles.
• Green Works® All-Purpose Cleaner is available in a 32-oz. bottle in both original and tangerine scents.
• Approximate retail price is $3.49.

Over the years I have used a variety of their products, from their glass cleaner to their cleaning wipes, and I have always been very pleased with them. Plus I love that they are budget friendly and available at major retailers and grocery stores.

Connect with Green Works
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Green Works Pinterest Game
How would you like a chance to win a $500 gift card while having some fun on Pinterest? You can do that with the Green Works Pinterest Game. After you figure out what a word is then you pin an image to your Green Works Games board to match it. Once your board is complete, you submit if ro a chance to win. Check out more of the details below.

 

I had some fun too creating a Green Work Pinterest board of my own. You can check it out here: www.pinterest.com/greenmamaspad/greenworks-games.

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Home & Beauty Tips

During the holiday season, you probably use Arm & Hammer Baking Soda for making cookies and other holiday baking. But did you know that baking soda has so many uses beyond cooking? When I started down my green living path five yeas ago, one of the first things I learned is that baking soda can make a great natural cleaner. Not only can you use it to clean up around the house, you can also use Arm & Hammer Baking Soda to tend to some of your personal care needs. With the holiday season upon us, baking soda provides an inexpensive and natural way to spruce up our homes and pamper ourselves while prepping for holiday guests. Check out these six tips.

Prep Your Home

These household uses for baking soda will help you get your home ready for guests.

Freshest Flavor - Be sure to keep an open box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda in your refrigerator to ensure the freshest tasting ingredients for holiday entertaining.  This is especially important when storing garlic, onions or fresh holiday herbs and spices, which will transfer flavors to more delicate vegetables, meats and cheeses in the fridge.  Be sure to change the box once a month for optimal freshness.

Food Safe Surface Cleaning - Clean your food prep area and tools with natural, food safe Arm & Hammer Baking Soda instead of harsh cleaners. Sprinkle Arm & Hammer Baking Soda onto a clean damp sponge or cloth and wipe clean, rinse thoroughly and then dry.  Great for counters, stainless steel sinks, cutting boards, microwaves, wooden spoons, oven tops, range hoods and more.

Freshen Upholstery - Before guests arrive, remove lingering odors for fresh-smelling upholstered sofas and chairs with Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. Sprinkle baking soda on upholstery, wait 15 minutes and vacuum up.

Pamper Yourself

Whether you are exhausted from holiday shopping and need something to relax you or you want to make sure you shine for family photos, these tips will help do the trick.

Exfoliating Pedicure - Blend 2 tablespoons of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda in a basin of warm water. After a nice soak, make a scrub using 3 parts Arm & Hammer Baking Soda and 1 part water. Follow with an application of a rich moisturizer and a warm towel foot wrap. Let sit for 5-10 minutes. Feet will feel smooth and clean.

Facial Scrub and Body Exfoliant - For smooth, radiant skin, give yourself a gentle facial and body scrub with Arm & Hammer Baking Soda.  Make a paste of 3 parts Arm & Hammer Baking Soda to 1 part water.  Consider enhancing the treatment by including 1 part ground oatmeal. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate skin and remove dead skin cells. (Be careful to avoid eye area.)  Rinse clean with warm water.  Leaves skin feeling nourished and refreshed. Gentle enough for daily use!

Hair Care Help - Get rid of product buildup by sprinkling a small amount (quarter-size) of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo.  Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly.  The Arm & Hammer Baking Soda helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind so your hair is cleaner and more manageable.

So what is my favorite way to use Arm & Hammer Baking Soda? I would have to say I love using it to scrub the bathtub and shower. Soap scum is not fun to clean up, but the abrasiveness of baking soda really does it well. It is definitely one of my favorite ingredients for not only baking but cleaning as well. I always have at least 4 boxes of Arm &b Hammer Baking Soda in my house at any given time. One in each refrigerator, one in the pantry and one under the kitchen sink.

What other ways do you use baking soda around your home?


I wrote this review while participating in an Blog Tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Arm & Hammer and received product samples to facilitate my post and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

How To Green Your Swiffer Wet Jet

Do you love the convenience of your Swiffer Wet Jet but hate the waste it creates and the chemicals that are used? With 3 kids its hard to find time to break out the mop and bucket so in between deep cleans I loved using my Swiffer for quick clean ups. But then I got to thinking about how wasteful those darn pads are plus I was cutting out all chemical cleaners. I need to green my Swiffer and with just a few simple steps, you can to!

What you will need:

• Swiffer Wet Jet
• Empty Swiffer solution bottle, thoroughly rinsed
• Pliers
• Method oMop Microfiber Mop Pad (got mine at Target) or you crafty people can Make Your Own Swiffer Pads
• Natural floor cleaner

Step 1
Let's start by removing the top of the solution bottle. You will need the pliers for this and some muscle power. I was not able to do this myself and had to call in the big guns and have my husband do it. After this, it is easy to get on and off.

Step 2
Rinse out your bottle very well to get any chemical residue out. Let it soak overnight if you have to. Then fill it with your favorite natural cleaner. Right now I have a Method floor cleaner in there but normally its filled with a homemade solution.

Step 3
Since the bottom of the Swiffer Wet Jet is almost Velcro-esque, the oMop pad sticks nicely to it. If you do not have the oMop pad or a homemade pad, you can use a small microfiber towel and a few clothes pins. Lay towel on floor and place Swiffer in center of it. Wrap it around to the top of the base, be sure to not cover the sprayer, and fasten with clothes pins. I did this for a while and it worked just fine.

Step 4
That's it, really! No more wasteful pads, no need to buy more solution bottles and no more chemicals. Easy peasy!






Bonus: Homemade floor solution
As I mentioned I normally use a homemade solution in my Swiffer. I fill the empty bottle up with mostly water, squirt in some Dr Bronner's Sal Suds and then I put in about 10 drops of lemon essential oil. I used to put a little bit of white vinegar in there but then I learned that it can damage your wood floors, so don't do that if you are using this on wood. If this is just for tile, then you can add the vinegar if you want - its a natural disinfectant. I also use this same solution, with the vinegar, in a spray bottle as an all purpose cleaner. :)

For more "Make It Monday" fun, please visit
All Things Mama and Prissy Green!

This post contains affiliate links.

Seventh Generation Natural Dryer Sheets Review

I’ve spent a good portion of the past 18 months in search of a good natural dryer sheet. I really hate when our clothes are filled with static and most of the natural dryer sheets I have tried have not done a good job at reducing. Did you know that static is caused by the synthetic materials that are drying in the dryer? So sure, I can get rid of it by only wearing clothes made from natural fibers like cotton. But let’s face it: it is New England, it is cold and my boys sleep in warm polar fleece (polyester) blanket sleepers. I’ve also tried home made solutions like adding a cup of vinegar to my wash or rinse cycle, but that did nothing.

The first natural dyer sheet that I tried was something I found accidentally at Walmart. The brand was Eco-Select and they did a good job. Then several months later, they disappeared off the face of the Earth. I scoured the internet trying to hunt some down, but all I found was other people wondering what happened to them. So my search was back on. I found another brand at Walmart called Simplicity. I want to say they were better than nothing, but I’m not so sure that they are. They really weren’t effective at all. I decided to start dividing my washes by fabric type to try to minimize static. All colored cotton in one wash, all synthetics in another and occasionally a load of cotton whites. Doing my laundry this way eliminated static from all our cotton clothes, but man that synthetic load was a like a big electricity ball!

So earlier this year when I saw that Seventh Generation finally came out with Natural Fabric Softener Sheets I was thrilled. I have been using their Free & Clear Laundry Detergent for over a year and I am extremely happy with it. I finally ordered the dryer sheets two weeks ago and they have been working great so far. My cottons are nice and soft and static free. The polyester clothes still have some static, but it is so much better then before. It’s actually tolerable now. What I also love about these sheets is that they are plant based so no nasty chemicals and the paper is unbleached. Plus not only are they biodegradable but they are recyclable as well. So after I am done with them I can toss them in my recycling bin. I don’t know much about composting (ok nothing) but I suppose since they are biodegradable and plant based you could put them in your compost. Not 100% sure on that though, any composters want to chime in?

If you are in the market for a natural dryer sheet, I would definitely recommend you give this one a try. It is, by far, the best one that I have used.

Going Green: Switch to Natural Laundry Detergents

There are many reasons why you should make the switch to natural. Traditional laundry detergents are petroleum based and petroleum is a nonrenewable resource. Most also have chemical fragrances and phosphates that build up in bodies of water (streams, lakes, etc.) and starve fish of oxygen. They may also contain chemicals that have been linked to reproductive issues and cancer. Oh and those chemical fragrances may cause allergies, asthma, eczema and may even contain phthalates. We’ve discussed that yucky chemical before (see my posts about air fresheners and shower curtains).

You will also need to nix the chlorine bleach. They release chloroform into our air which is a carcinogen. And when chlorine bleach is washed down our drains it can create organochlorines. This is another suspected carcinogen and is also toxic to the reproductive, neurological and immune systems. All that damage just for whiter whites?

So what are your alternatives? For starters, switch to a natural, plant-based detergent. I also happen to prefer “free and clear” versions. Now that I am so used to unscented cleaners, I find that even the natural fragrances in these detergents can give me headaches. I once tried a lavender scented natural detergent from Costco. I only did one wash in it and then I returned it because it was just too strong for us. My twins were still nursing at the time and Josh disliked the smell so much they he refused to nurse on the days when I was wearing a shirt washed in it. My favorite detergent is Seventh Generation Free & Clear. Others to try: ECOS Free & Clear and Ecover Laundry Wash.

If you really need bleach, choose one that is chlorine free. Try an oxygen based one which is better for the environment and easier on your clothes. Some bleaches to try: Ecover Non-Chlorine Bleach, Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Bleach, OxiClean Free and OXO Brite.

Be sure to choose a natural fabric softener as well. All the companies mentioned above also have fabric softeners. Or you can try some homemade solutions like putting a cup of vinegar in with your wash, preferably during the rinse cycle. I promise that your clothes won’t smell like vinegar!

You know, while we are “greening” our laundry detergents, we might as well find some other way to make doing laundry more environmentally friendly. Here are just a few tips:

Try to only wash in cold water though you may want to stick with warm water for your sheets.

Only run your washing machine with a full load.

Wash loads back to back that way when you use the dryer it is already heated up.

Take advantage of warm weather buy hanging your clothes outside to dry.

If you are in the market for a new washer, choose a front loader. They use a fraction of the water and are more energy efficient.

Make your own household cleaner!

One of the first things I did away with in my house was all the nasty chemical filled cleaners. The only chemical cleaner left is Windex, and that is only because my husband refuses to give it up. There are a lot of chemical-free, natural cleaners out there and I have tried a few. The Seventh Generation and Method cleaners work really good. Clorox Green Works also works well, but I am still a little skeptical about it. But I’m weird like that. Honestly though, the all-purpose cleaner that I like the best is the one I make myself. No I am not crazy! It’s super easy to make and super cheap as well.

So here is my recipe, give it a try and I promise you will love it!

You will need: a 24oz spray bottle, distilled white vinegar, water, natural liquid soap and your favorite 100% natural essential oil (optional).





1. Spray bottle. Make sure you buy a new spray bottle. Do not reuse an old bottle from another cleaner, even if you rinsed it out. You don’t know what kind of chemicals will be left behind or how they will react with our concoction. You can get them pretty cheap. I bought mine at Wal-Mart for under $2.00 and most dollar stores sell them too. You will fill the bottle with about 20oz of water.

2. Next you will put in about 2oz of distilled white vinegar. Vinegar is super cheap. The gallon container that I keep in the house is usually around $1.50. Why are we adding vinegar to our cleaner? Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and cuts through grease nicely. Now the smell might not be your favorite, so that is where the essential oil can come in later.

3 . Now you want to add a couple of squirts of your favorite natural liquid soap - I do about 3 good squirts. I use Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds and many ladies I know use one of the Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps (castile soap). The Sal Suds has a pine scent but the Magic Soaps comes in a variety of scents – I have the citrus which is nice and many people rave about the peppermint. Some of the Dr. Bronner's soaps are sold at Target.

4 . Now you can add some essential oil to make your cleaner smell nice. This is optional, you may be perfectly happy with the smell of the mixture you already have. Personally, I am not all that crazy about the pine smell of the Sal Suds so I use some Lemon essential oil. Another favorite of moms is Sweet Orange. Add about 5 drops. Note: Be sure that what you have is essential oil and not fragrance oil. Many fragrance oils contain synthetic scents which I like to avoid. Now screw on the top and give it a gentle shake and you are almost ready to go!

5. Finally, it is very important to label your bottle and all bottles with the ingredients. That way you and other members of the house know what is inside and if god forbid a child should ingest it, you can tell the doctor or poison control exactly what is inside. Be sure to keep all cleaners out of reach of children. Once you do this, you are done!!! Happy Cleaning!

Extra!What makes this even better and even “greener” is to stop using paper towels and switch over to reusable microfiber cloths. If you head over to the automotive section of Wal-Mart, you can get a pack of 8 for only a few bucks. They can be thrown in the wash, just be sure you do not use chlorine bleach, fabric softener or dryer sheets as they will reduce their absorbency. I wash mine with my other towels and then hang them to dry.


Extra! Extra!The same ingredients also makes a great solution for cleaning your floors. Get out your big bucket and mix hot water (enough to fill the bucket to your desired level) and about a cup of vinegar. You still only need a few squirts of soap and a few drops of essential oil. This works great on our ceramic tile and wood floors. Happy mopping!

Do you have your own cleaner recipe that works great for you? Please share it with us!