Green Living
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
New to green living please advise.
I have been lurking around on the board gather ideas to implement in my home. So far I have made the following changes: 80% of new clothes are from thrift stores; I try not to use my oven and instead use the stove or crock pot; I have a drying rack for my clothes and only use my dryer when absolutely necessary; I shop at local farmers markets for our vegetables and fruits. SO I was wondering what are some things that I can do to go as close to 100% green living as I can? Could I maybe get some pointers on cleaning solutions or places to shop? Websites? I was thinking about buying a CSA share, does anyone have experience with this?
TIA!
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Re: New to green living please advise.
Honestly, when I had free time over the span of a few weeks I read back through every single post on this board. I learned a LOT and was able to see other links and do my own research on things talked about here. Probably not for everyone, but I'm a nerd like that.
One thing you could do is just start making your own cleaning solutions. I use vinegar for almost everything (cleaning floors, cleaning windows, disinfecting countertops, laundry softener, in lieu of tilex after a shower, etc) and add some baking soda in for the tough scrub jobs like the stove or microwave. I know some people make their own dish soap and laundry soap, but I'm not there yet.
I also make my own hygiene products. I make shampoo with 1:3 ratio of baking soda to water. Conditioner is 1:10 ACV and water with some vanilla and cinnamon. Hot oil treatments once every few weeks with coconut oil and honey. Hair gel is flax seed gel and coconut oil mixed with vitamin E. I use the oil cleansing method as facewash, and for exfoliating use a baking soda/raw honey mixture. Next on my list is deoderant, though I haven't gotten around to it just yet.
I'm not sure about websites or products specifically, but in mentioning wanting to go as green as possible, you could try some of the above. Do you compost? That will cut down on your waste and give you wonderful fertilizer for plants. You're on the right track, just take things a step at a time and making green choices will be second nature in no time!
Hi there!
Many people around here have blogs about green living, (including me!) so keep an eye out for these at the bottom of posts in the siggy -I've found some great advice on this board. On my site, I wrote about green cleaners here.
Welcome and have fun going green!
BF and I make all our own cleaning products from this link:
http://goodwifeinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2009/07/go-green-green-cleaning.html
CFL bulbs
compost
clean with vinegar and baking soda
make your own "shampoo"
make your own laundry detergent
change the settings on your thermostat (cooler in winter, warmer in summer)
use thick draperies to help control temperature in your home
seal drafts around doors and windows with weather stripping and caulking
unplug things when you aren't using them, many electronics draw electricity even when turned off
insulate hot water tank
For tips, "like" David Suzuki's Queen of Green on FB- they offer lots of tips
I really like this list of 100 Ways to Live Greener. Some really good stuff on here. You're already on the right track though, great work!
http://houseparty.com/favor/view/1289
ETA: Damn internet and broken links. This one is similar:
http://safetyathome.com/environmental-safety/environmental-safety-articles/100-easy-ways-to-live-greener/?fbid=QnaydTm2Fwq
Duplicate.
I live by the 3R's: reduce, re-use, recycle. There are lots of good tips on this board that will help you but I think the most important principle is to reduce consumption overall.