Green at Home Mom

Actually, that's a common misconception. Heating u...

2009-11-15T19:28:30.652-08:00

Actually, that's a common misconception. Heating up the water when you get back *always* takes less energy than keeping it heated. Some people even keep their water heaters on a timer, and only have them on during shower time.

The same thing applies to cooling down or heating up the house too.

I also wrap them up in a plastic bag to use later....

2009-10-26T18:15:22.296-07:00

I also wrap them up in a plastic bag to use later. Although I have never put them in the refrigertor and the seem to do just fine if they are wrapped really tight. I have found that some of the plastic bags that the ads are in (the ones you get on your mailbox) are the perfect size for this!

Trey still loves his shark tale/Nemo bag! And I d...

2009-06-30T23:33:43.747-07:00

Trey still loves his shark tale/Nemo bag! And I definitely appreciate it, too. :)

What a great idea to make your own rain barrels! ...

2009-06-24T12:18:14.861-07:00

What a great idea to make your own rain barrels! I have really been wanting to buy some, but they are so expensive :( I was thinking that instead of using a hose I could use a big watering can...

Will go in the recycle bin here, of course! ;)

2009-05-11T00:28:00.000-07:00

Will go in the recycle bin here, of course! ;)

OK I have been wondering how to clean Aaron's suit...

2009-04-26T20:35:00.000-07:00

OK I have been wondering how to clean Aaron's suits without taking them to a dry cleaner: is that a hand wash only, or can I throw it in the washing machine on gentle?

I never thought of washing these in the laundry--w...

2009-04-26T20:33:00.000-07:00

I never thought of washing these in the laundry--we just do ours in the sink with dish soap. I think your way sounds a lot faster and easier, though.

I didn't know about the overdrying, so I set my dr...

2009-04-15T05:47:00.000-07:00

I didn't know about the overdrying, so I set my dryer to a shorter drying time, and my static cling is so much less! Thank you, thank you, Sam I Am!

Agreed! I haven't dry cleaned anything in years -...

2009-04-14T16:44:00.000-07:00

Agreed!

I haven't dry cleaned anything in years - including Lance's suits. I have found that just about anything can be hand washed or washed in the machine on the gentle cycle, and I've never had anything ruined.

We even skipped the dry cleaning on my wedding dress. Instead of spending all that money on having it cleaned and put into a storage box, my mom tossed it all in the washing machine set to gentle. (Except the beaded top, but luckily that was separate.) The rest was all satin and turned out immaculate! Not that I'll ever get into that dress again, but if a wedding dress can survive the wash, then most other things can, too! (Plus it saved a ton of money.)

So I have been trying to figure out what to use ou...

2009-04-09T21:14:00.000-07:00

So I have been trying to figure out what to use outside when summer comes. I think we will just go with a retractible clothesline, but I am curious about your idea for a decorative laundry arbor. Is that something you made up, or is there something specifically marketed as such?

We don't use dryer sheets or dryer balls here, and...

2009-04-09T21:11:00.000-07:00

We don't use dryer sheets or dryer balls here, and almost never have static anyway. But in answer to your question about non-PVC dryer balls: I have seen some made of felted wool. I am guessing they are knit or crocheted wool, stuffed with wool scraps or seomthing and then heated to felt. Don't know exactly, though. Seems like a pretty good idea, though. I have been thinking about trying them not for static but to lessen dryer time. Maybe you could just throw a pair of kids shoes in there... hmmm...

I also do not use heat cycle for dryer. Just cool ...

2009-03-25T23:21:00.000-07:00

I also do not use heat cycle for dryer. Just cool air.It saves the energy in my house, since I have piles of dirty clothes to wash every day.
Thanks for visiting my blog!

I always notice how out of all my laundry my OWN i...

2009-02-28T19:50:00.000-08:00

I always notice how out of all my laundry my OWN is about .4%. If only everyone could re-wear their clothes as much as I do. Kids these days. :)

We have paper towels on hand for milk spills that ...

2009-02-22T15:32:00.000-08:00

We have paper towels on hand for milk spills that would sour in cloth and for oil that would catch the dryer on fire and sometimes for spills that will stain (depends on how I care about the cloth towels we have on hand)....but a roll only lasts a few months here. You went a whole year? Maybe somebody's been using the paper towels behind my back-lol. I am SO impressed!

I did this before I got married. I should go back...

2009-02-16T19:04:00.000-08:00

I did this before I got married. I should go back to it again now that I have 4 kids and TONS of laundry!

Hi. I can't email you because my outlook isn't ope...

2009-02-13T09:55:00.000-08:00

Hi. I can't email you because my outlook isn't operational... but have you heard of Earth Hour? I would love to get the word out about it, but it is beyond the scope of my blog. It would be perfect for yours! Email me for details... ae at healthbeginswithmom .com

I keep a pile of cheap thin wash cloths in one of ...

2009-02-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

I keep a pile of cheap thin wash cloths in one of my kitchen drawers just to clean-up whatever messes the kids make. So much better than paper towels!

If people want to get serious (and cleaner) about ...

2009-02-09T22:08:00.000-08:00

If people want to get serious (and cleaner) about the environment then they should get a Bathroom Bidet Sprayer from www.bathroomsprayers.com and you won't even need toilet paper anymore, just a towel to dry off! It's cheap and can be installed without a plumber; and runs off the same water line to your toilet. . You'll probably pay for it in a few months of toilet paper savings. And after using one of these you won't know how you lasted all those years with wadded up handfuls of toilet paper, nasty. Now we're talking green and helping the environment without any pain.

Your kitchen looks beautiful!! I love it!

2009-02-02T22:16:00.000-08:00

Your kitchen looks beautiful!! I love it!

I think that is so cool that you have countertops ...

2009-01-30T05:46:00.000-08:00

I think that is so cool that you have countertops that can be recycled.

It looks great Marisa. And I love the tile!

2009-01-28T19:36:00.000-08:00

It looks great Marisa. And I love the tile!

Awesome!

2009-01-28T00:55:00.000-08:00

Awesome!

Green remodeling is a process of learning and then...

2009-01-19T17:39:00.000-08:00

Green remodeling is a process of learning and then using (and reusing). As a design/build firm in Portland, (and a re-user from WAY back) we specify as many green/sustainable products as possible, from sheetrock with recycled content! to No-VOC paint and anything you can find at the rebuilding center. We use Deconstruction Services from the Rebuilding Center at the start to save anything that can be saved/re-used. I applaud your convictions.

It sounds like you found some really cool things. ...

2009-01-19T17:23:00.000-08:00

It sounds like you found some really cool things. I can't wait to see the finished remodel!

Thanks for this reminder to reuse! I also love th...

2009-01-14T14:44:00.000-08:00

Thanks for this reminder to reuse! I also love the idea of buying used from your last post.