Green Cleaning

Back in March I mentioned that I was interested in trying out more natural, less toxic cleaning products. Mostly, this is motivated through love of a dog that loves to lick every surface she can find (I think she just likes the way things feel on her tongue), but I figured it couldn't be bad for the humans of the household, either. I found a website called www.realmama.org that posted an article about alternatives to commercial cleaners, mostly using borax, hot water and vinegar, so it has the added appeal of freeing up valuable storage space used by all the various cleaning products with specific purposes. Will let you know how it goes. I'm still looking for an alternative to cleaner for the kitchen floor, which is naturally a favorite of Harper's (aka, my sous chef).

Less chemical-y cleaning

I've had conversations and emails with both Suz and Jean about cleaning without bleach and chemicals, and since I posted the baking soda trick, does anyone want to contribute some more ideas? I would like, for myself, having all these tips together. (Jean, I could post that email you sent me if you wouldn't mind.)

You need a google account to reply to posts (this is to keep out the crazies), so if you don't have one and don't want to get one, just email me and I'll post it. Think of this as an exchange of ideas between people that I really meant to introduce to each other at my wedding but forgot. :)

As an aside, I got that baking soda thing from Martha Stewart, and she said it works better if you have fresh baking soda. If your soda isn't fresh, she had come up with this absurd replacement with things that I think you might need security clearance and a top secret supplier to get, things that no one would have around the house, so you might as well just run out and get some more baking soda!

Bloomingfoods for dinner with Suz. Yum! Suz wanted me to tell everyone a trick I learned: if you have a stained pot, just put a couple tablespoons of baking powder in a pot with a couple inches of water, then simmer for 15 min and then wash with soap and rinse. Should come right up! They didn't have the sandwich I wanted there, but they did have one with a grilled artichoke spread. I must learn how to make that.