Comments on: Being Green: 6 Easy Things Every Mom Can Do to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:45:14 +0000

I just wanted to let you know of this really cool new cleaning product I bought that is also “green” friendly. Its a steam cleaning mop from Bissell. My neighbor had one and I tried it and fell in love with it!!! I bought mine from HSN because it came with a longer cord and 4 extra washable mop pads. All it uses is water to clean. So that means no more mop soap for me and all the work that comes along with it. Like ringing the mop, carrying the bucket etc.. (which when you have stairs is a pain)

Do any of you have it and how do you like it. I actually don’t mind cleaning my floors now. Plus, no more of my feet sticking to the ground.

By: Yaz

Yaz — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:52:37 +0000

I have a comment that perhaps someone might relate to. I have four young children (six, four, three and 17 months) and a 120 pound dog. When I go to the grocery store, I am toting the kids with me, which is a challenge in itself. I’m lucky if I remember to bring my wallet, let along canvas bags. I really LIKE plastic bags – they are awesome for so many kid related storage stuff, not to mention picking up the poop. I looked at alternative ways of pooping and scooping (bringing a shovel and pail, or biodegradable bags), but the methods are either impractical (picture carrying a shovel and pail while trying to hold the hands of a squirming 17month and three year old), or expensive (biodegradable cost money). It seems to me that my life is complicated enough right now, than to take on the challenge to change my grocery habits…that seems to be the job for the childless, or one or two kid family.

By: Deb

Deb — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:41:12 +0000

Oops. Did I saw we went to “plastic bags?” How green of me!

I meant canvas tote bags for grocery shopping!

By: Vicki

Vicki — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:46:52 +0000

We finally converted to reusable grocery bags.
And speaking of bags, we also stopped buying disposable plastic bags (sandwich bags, ziplocs, etc.) which we used to use for just about everything.
We now store most lunch items in small pyrex containers or (if we’re worried about breakage) reusable plastic containers (though with the bisphenol alerts, we need to toss some of those).
And we store toys and organize other clutter zones with mesh fabric bags (KidsKlutterKatchers.com) instead of plastic bags.
We also no longer buy plastic toys and make sure that the plastic toys we’ve already accumulated and outgrown get re-used by other families rather than deposited in the landfills.

By: Deb

Deb — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:09:48 +0000

I LOVE all this info. Thanks for sharing it. I just recently went to plastic bags and will start to bring my own receptacle for coffee I order out.

Also, for Amelia (although you asked Christine): I love the Ecover (http://www.ecover.com/Default.aspx?nc=y) dishwasher tablets. They clean better than any of the harsh detergents I’ve used and they’re good for the environment.

I also use Wintree (http://wintreelaundry.com/about-environment.php) detergent. It smells heavenly and cleans good enough for me (it’s not as effective on serious stains). And finally, I’ve been using Giovanni shampooos (http://www.giovannihaircare.co.nz/products.htm) and conditioners. They don’t have a lot of the junk (i.e. sodium laureth sulfate) that other hair products too and I’ve been very happy with them. I got mine at Costco.