Don't use your dryer...

I mean really, what do you think it's for??? Just kidding. But really. Don't use it.

What?

Okay. The dryer uses a ton of energy. A ton. Not to mention that it heats up your house big time. In the winter, that's no big deal. Energy costs are rising, though, and it's easier to be cool in the winter than to be hot in the summer. In this house, anyway. So trying to keep you house cool, and keep those energy prices down? Ditch the dryer.

Do this. Run it to dry towels, socks, undies, pj's and things like that. ONLY for those things.

Here's what you do. Run a load in the wash. Then throw the whole load in the dryer. Let it toss on high while you are loading the wash with your second load. Then open the dryer and start to hang anything that you can.

I have a small rack in my laundry room that holds a good many clothes. It just stays in there. Then I use the door frames to hang things too. Hang anything that you can. Especially things like men's tee shirts. Those things take forever to dry. Mens' jeans, fold over a hanger and let them dry for a day. Then flip them over and let the other side dry. Or you can hang them from a hanger with clothes pins. I got tired of losing and buying pins, so I just fold them over a hanger.

This reduces the amount you dry to about a load for every 4 loads you wash in the washer. You never have to iron, because everything gets nice and hot in those 5 to 10 minutes in the beginning, and when the items dry, they are nice and wrinkle free. Your clothes stay nicer longer, because it's the friction of the clothes rubbing together that make them fade. (More money saving tips-use cold water to wash everything. I use warm for a minute or two to dissolve the detergent, then use cold. I've done this for years, and our clothes are very clean!!!)

In the summer, your house stays cooler because no dryer is running, but the very strange thing is that the wet clothes give off coolness and humidity. The wet clothes help keep your home cool and comfortable while they are drying.

It's just takes a day, and I can put them away the next morning. Nice and straight. No ironing and that saves energy too!!

Happy hanging!!!!

Natural Cleaners

Lung caner is the leading cancer killing women today. More than breast or any other type of cancer. The number one killer of women is hearth disease and second is lung cancer.

Obviously smoking is a huge risk factor. But lung cancer is killing women who have never smoked.

Our sensitivity to environmental factors, such as radon and/or asbestos are likely. Too, I think it's the fumes we inhale from cleaners most of our lives.

Fumes from cleaners are toxic. No way around it. The residue they leave behind is toxic too.

You can buy organic/green cleaners.

Or you can use things you have in your home already.

All you really need is baking soda and vinegar. Some people use lemon juice too. Borax is a great product to. I use Borax some, but I mainly use vinegar and baking soda.

Vinegar diluted takes the place of Windex or any window or stainless cleaner. I use half vinegar and half water. Vinegar also kills germs. I keep a bottle of full strength vinegar that I use for my sink, counters, toliet and anything else I need to "zap."

Baking soda can be used in any way that you would use Comet or an abrasive cleaner. I use it to scrub my stainless sink, my other sinks, the tubs and in the toliet.

Both of these cleaners are cheap, environmentally friendly and safe to inhale.

And you will get over the urge to eat a salad after cleaning with vinegar!!!!!

Here's some more info:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/vinegar-kills-bacteria-mold-germs.html

http://www.nursesnotebook.com/vinegar_health_benefits.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/cantina/homemaking/vinegar.html

http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm

Sale on Seventh Generation

Why use green cleaning products? I'll get to some products later, but using Green detergent for clothes and dishes is very important. Why?? Please scan the information below:

Why Use a Natural Dishwasher Detergent?

There are two primary reasons why you should seek out a "natural" dishwasher detergent. The first reason is environmental. After bubbly dishwasher detergent disappears down our drain, they are treated at municipal treatment plants, then discharged into nearby waterways. Most ingredients break down into harmless substances during treatment or soon afterward. Others, however, do not, and they threatening water quality or fish and other wildlife.

The second reason to choose a natural detergent is for reasons of health and safety. While the chemicals in these cleaners are meant to disinfect our dishes, many also contribute to indoor air pollution, are poisonous if ingested, and can be harmful if inhaled or touched. Some cause acute, or immediate, hazards such as skin or respiratory irritation, watery eyes, or chemical burns, while others are associated with chronic, or long-term, effects such as cancer.

Below we have identified two common dishwasher soap ingredients that you should be concerned about....phosphates and chlorine.

Why no Phosphates? Phosphates are water-softening mineral additives that were once widely used in laundry detergents to enhance the performance of surfactants. They can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested, and because it is corrosive, it can cause severe skin irritation. When phosphates enter waterways, they act as a fertilizer, spawning overgrowth of algae. This overabundance of aquatic plant life eventually depletes the water's oxygen supply, killing off fish and other organisms.

Why No Chlorine? Chlorine bleach is highly caustic and may cause skin irritation and redness. Its fumes can irritate eyes, nose and airways, and it can be fatal if swallowed. If combined with other cleaners that contain ammonia it can cause toxic gases to form. It is also bad for the environment. Chlorine bleach combines with carbon molecules, creating harmful organochlorines such as dioxin. Dioxin is a known carcinogen.

Making the change to natural cleaning products is easy. They are everywhere, and not so expensive to buy off brands at Whole Foods. They carry Seventh Generation at Publix and Walgreens.

WALGREENS IS HAVING A SALE THIS WEEK!!!

Some of their Seventh Generation products are on sale, and if you go to http://www.seventhgeneration.com/ and print out coupons, the products are even cheaper! A great way to help your and your family's health, save the environment and help your wallet!!!!!

Kid safe sippy cups

If you are getting on the plastic danger band wagon, welcome aboard!!!

I ordered these for us today. I am glad I can finally chunk all the plastic. WOO HOO!!!!!

http://www.reusablebags.com/store/klean-kanteen-stainless-steel-sippy-stainless-p-687.html


You can get an extra 20% off by using the code " code - f70838."