Eco Tips: Clean and Green

In 2013, I made a commitment to use Green Eco-Friendly cleaning supplies, to preserve the environment and reduce harmful irritants in the home. At first I was skeptical of the Green alternatives, particularly Dish and Laundry Detergent.  Much to my surprise I found the majority of eco-friendly products worked at the same level or with more efficiency than their toxic alternatives.   Green cleaning products reduce waste, reduces toxins drained into water systems, reduces factory emissions, protects forests (paper towels that are not recycled - means more oxygen giving trees are cut down, than suitable for even conservation cutting, leading to deforestation)...if you have allergies/sensitive skin the chemicals in traditional cleaners can cause allergic reactions (this has happened to me); the biggest benefit is you get a GREEN product without sacrificing the cleaning endurance and quality.

Here are my Eco-Tips for high quality Green Cleaning products for an affordable price. (I have used these products and find them essential in my household)

Laundry Detergent:
I'm a klutz, who spills everything from BBQ sauce to juice on my shirts.  As a hiker, my socks get muddy - so I need a strong detergent.  For years I was an avid TIDE user and was hesitant to switch.  I have since switched to the following two eco-detergents:

- Earth Friendly Products (ECOS): Sold at Cost-Co, and many grocery stores including Whole Foods, Co-Ops. Earth Friendly Products sells a wide variety of cleaning products - all which I recommend.  The concentrated form of liquid detergent is eco-on the budget allowing more loads per bottle.  Even my toughest stains come out in one wash and clothes are fresh and clean. 

- Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent: Seventh Generation has a full products of cleaning products that stand up to the test.  Their detergent runs around $11.00, but lasts twice as long as Tide did for us. 

(I also used BioKleen and it worked great!)

Dish Detergent:
Unfortunately we do not have a dishwasher right now.  Not only is a dishwasher a hassle-saver, it is far more eco-friendly than hand-washing dishes. Dawn actually is fairly good, in spite of not being officially Green, although we use Seventh Generation detergent for our sink. 

Trash Bags:
Seventh Generation:
Natural Value - these bags stand up to the kitchen trash test - we use their tall kitchen bags
*Glad - although not entirely Green, they have made a commitment to going GREEN and have a lot of recycled products that are sturdier to reduce overall plastic waste.

Paper Towels/Toilet Paper: I am a born and bred Bounty girl, but after learning that they have no recycled content, I decided to make a switch. If you don't go completely Green, then opt for the sturdiest paper towel (machine shop towels) with some recycled content.  A few good options:
White Cloud Green Earth
Seventh Generation Paper
Natural Value
Green Forest

Furniture Cleaner:
Mrs. Meyer's Cleaning Products - this are great on the environment and your house, even delicate furniture pieces (discovered at Restoration Hardware)
Murchison-Hume Furniture Spritzer

Surface Cleaner:
-Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner
-The Laundress Surface Cleaner
-Green Works by Clorox - although owned by Clorox, the Green Works line is a good cleaning option that is greener than the equivalent without loss of antibacterial fighting power
- iQ All Purpose Cleaner
Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyers, ECOS also have great Surface Cleaning options.

Bathroom Cleaner:
- Seventh Generation
-ECOS Earth Friendly - they have a wide array of products for bathroom (toilet, bath and shower...)

Drain Cleaner:
Citra Drain

Links to Top Green Clean Manufacturers:
-Seventh Generation
-ECOS Earth Friendly
-BioKleen
-Green Works by Clorox
-Natural Value
-Whole Foods 365 Products: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com
- Mrs. Meyers
- Simple Green
- J.R. Watkins
- Ecover
- The Laundress - http://www.thelaundress.com
- Murchison Hume: http://www.murchison-hume.com

I will continue to post about new Green Cleaning Products on Into the Great Unknown.  If you have any tips let us know!

Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas

This Christmas give eco-friendly American made gifts that will bring joy to your friends and family while making a positive difference.  Here are a list of out of the box, affordable ideas that are 'Green' and 'American Made.'  I will regularly be blogging about eco-friendly companies and American made-locally sourced products.  If you have any suggestions, feel free to comment!

- Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy has a wide array of eco-friendly gifts for the nature lover in us all.  From symbolically adopting an animal to adopting an acre of endangered wilderness, calendars, mugs and more...you gift from the Nature Conservancy will fight to protect our planet, while spreading good cheer.

- Sierra Club
The Sierra Club actively works to protect endangered ecosystems, maintain hiking trails and raise awareness about wild places.  Giving the gift of a membership to The Sierra Club entitles you to discounts in their online bookstore and gift shop, information about hiking meet ups and lectures in your area...a Sierra Club calendar is sure to please anyone on your guest list.

- Gift Museums
A membership to a local museum or zoological park not only funds vital expenses to keep these beloved non-profits afloat, it is a gift that one can enjoy year round, touring exhibits, taking part in membership events, meeting friends through museum outreach.  Members also typically receive a discount in the museum gift shop...

- Give the Gift of Outreach -
Catholic Charities, Episcopal Relief & Development, UNICEF, American Red Cross...are a few outreach organizations that assist with everything from domestic violence, disaster relief, medical relief, feeding the hungry...providing clean water...You can even purchase a heifer or donate towards building a school in Africa...


- Give the Gift of Time -
Commit to volunteer in honor of a friend or family member at their favorite non-profit.  You will receive joy in this giving...pick something you enjoy - volunteer at a soup kitchen, or if your forte is art then pick up a few shifts at an Art Museum...Even an hour or two helps.

- Give the Gift of Art -
Art can be costly, but if you rummage through local galleries, Co-Ops and Holiday Craft Fairs you can find quality prints, handmade jewelry, photography stills, pottery...for $10-$50.  This supports arts and cultivates community. 

- Adopt and Animal from Defenders of Wildlife. -
Living in Montana I have learned how vital bison, bears, wolves, elk, lynx...are to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem...Defenders of Wildlife persistently fights to protect wildlife based on scientific studies.  At $25-$50, coming with a cute stuffed animal, this is the perfect gift for a kid.

- Buy Green -
Green is the color of the season...there are lots of green stocking stuffers, toys, clothing to fit the fancy of even the pickiest Christmas Wish List.  Make a conscious effort not to buy plastic, focus on Fair Trade, ethically sourced, organic products.  Make-up like Burt's Bees is a great place to start...Whole Foods and Community Co-Ops are ground zero...
Ultimate Green Gifts
Get n Green (Montana based and online)

- Plant Trees -
For $10, ten trees will be planted on your behalf.  How cool is it to think that you are planting life giving oxygen, carbon eating trees to a friend - in my opinion it is the best gift of all.

Plant A Billion and National Forests are both excellent and trusted resources.  I prefer NationalForests.org slightly because it plants trees in the US...

- Give the Gift of our National Parks -
Buy a family member a National Parks Pass, available online through NPS or in store at REI.  Our parks are the backbone of America - they entertain our senses and preserve our land for future generations, with countless cuts to our parks this helps to support NPS...You can also support National Parks by supporting non-profit foundations like The Yellowstone Association, Grand Teton Association and Greater Yellowstone Association...if you have a favorite park you can donate directly to their foundation.

Buy Made in America:
From ornaments, to clothes, purses, food...when you purchase American made you cut carbon emissions from overseas imports and fuel our economy, which is great for everyone.  ABC News has tracked a lot of Made in America companies, you can learn about their reports online:
For clothing I recommend: 'Made in Heaven' It is akin to Chico's - affordable and completely American made!
https://www.facebook.com/AmericanMovement

Better yet...

Buy LOCAL - Each state has a plethora of Made in...novelties...Made in Montana - Huck Jam, or Made in NC furniture to Made in Washington State - organic wine...search your state's 'Made in __' and you'll discover terrific gifts and lifestyle items.

- Adopt or Fund a Shelter Pet -
Local humane societies are in desperate need of food, cash, supplies to help keep these innocent creatures alive.  You can also make a big step of giving the gift of a forever home to a deserving, cat, dog, rabbit...you name it...

-Animal Rescue/Greater Good Network -
They have a ton of cute gifts that go directly into their outreach programs.

- Buy Carbon Offsets to negate your carbon emissions in 2014


- Fund your local HRDC (Human Resources & Development Council); Homeless Shelter, Domestic Violence Shelter...
In Bozeman you can purchase a quilt to help fund our Warming Center.  It ran out of money last year and in this cold climate it is an essential resource, as many of the homeless have jobs, but are struggling to find apartments or have disabilities...

There are countless other ideas, but hopefully these will help kick start the brainstorming process.