Saponin, found in the soap nut berry from the Chinese Soapberry tree, can be used as an organic alternative to chemically laden cleaners.

The shells from the berry, called soap nuts, can actually make soapsuds without any additives. The natural ability of soap nuts as an effective cleanser has been known for hundreds of years, especially for laundry use.

They are still currently grown and widely used in India and China, as well as other parts of the world.

Soap nuts can be put in a sealed laundry bag and placed directly with clothes in the washing machine. These can be reused a few times. They can also be turned into liquid laundry detergent by boiling them with a little water.

This vegetable based cleanser is completely biodegradable and compostable. Other added benefits include antimicrobial, antifungal and hypoallergenic properties. They can even soften laundry, eliminating the need for synthetic softeners.

Additionally, soap nuts can be used for other household things like washing dishes, cleaning surfaces and other chores. More uses include homemade body washes and gentle hair shampoos.

Though reportedly they work fairly well for cleaning, some say that soap nuts do not produce the amount of suds many are used to, or much of a scent. Since they do not contain sulfates or other chemicals that induce lathering, they do not become sudsy like regular cleansers. This makes them compatible with most high efficiency washing machines.

Vinegar can be added in with the soap nuts to laundry if clothes need stain treated or disinfected. Also, they may work best in warmer water and probably are not great for removing grease based stains. A few drops of essential oils can be added to the detergent if a stronger scent in the laundry is preferred.

More than a few cleaners on the market assert to be the preferred choice and some may even make eco-exaggerated claims, but historically used soap nuts seem to offer an economical and ecological alternative for those seeking a natural household cleaning option.

If you don’t miss the suds, soap nuts can be a cheaper and safer substitute to regular synthetic detergents and cleaners.

Image Source: Google Images

There is a tendency to hear a lot about the installation of solar panels, but not so much about the required maintenance.

Any type of system placed in the home will likely involve some sort of upkeep. Solar energy systems are efficient choices and do not have to be constantly watched over, however general cleaning is a necessity.

Making sure the panels are free of dust and debris as needed is important for the best sunlight reception and energy yield, but also to make them last longer and help keep them scratch free.

Periodically hosing them off with water and cleaning when needed with a non-abrasive cloth and mild soap that is safe to use on panel surfaces will be an essential routine. Biodegradable soaps are the best choice, since the runoff will go into nearby groundwater.

Some suggest using a tool, such as a long-handled duster, mop, pool skimmer or window cleaner to reach high spots, since climbing on a sudsy, slippery surface to get to panels can be dangerous.

Contractors or solar care providers may also have recommendations for proper cleaning equipment and usually will offer cleaning services. Manufacturers or other local companies also perform inspections to make sure the panels, frames, batteries and inverter are still in good condition.

There are some solar systems on the market that have automated cleaning dispensers built onto the casings of the panels. These distribute a cleaning solution and a film free rinse whenever needed. Also, programmable monitoring systems can be purchased which allow tracking the panels output to ensure they are working properly.

Outside of the actual panels, other upkeep like landscaping may be periodically necessary in order to remove surroundings that block light, like tree branches. The panels will not function at capacity if they are obstructed or constantly shaded, thus reducing their electrical production.

Solar energy systems are sensible, environmentally responsible choices that do not take tremendous effort to keep running.

With just a little bit of basic cleaning added to the household chore chart, the sunshine does the majority of the work.

Sources:
5 Tips to Make Your Solar Panels Last. Retrieved on March 20, 2013 from: TLC – HowStuffWorks
How Can I Clean My Home’s Solar Panels? Answered by Planet Green. Retrieved on March 21, 2013 from: curiosity.com/Discovery
Image: Kusler, B. on flickr

Of the 4 million plastic containers used every hour by Americans, only 25 percent of it is recycled. The rest is destined to spend 500 years or more in a landfill.

But in 2001, Minnesota based social entrepreneur, Laurie Brown, was responsible for creating a machine that would extend the life of product containers and reduce waste.

A born inventor, Brown made a name for herself selling her own brand of natural cleaning supplies.

After success with her own retail store, she opened her second store, Restore the Earth, in 2000. Having watched as customers reduced waste by returning their empty bottles to her store, Brown and the staff began to refill the empty bottles by hand, and all customers who brought in empty containers for reuse received a one dollar rebate.

This concept would soon evolve into the creation of a bottle refilling machine, later named the “Restore Refill Station”. Aided by new found inspiration and a $70,000 grant from the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, Brown was able to cover the cost of an automated refill system prototype, as well as the installation of six Restore Refill Stations in Minnesota.

The Restore Refill Station scans a product’s bar code and uses the assigned information to deduce which product, and how much of it, to refill the container with. To operate the machine, you start by opening the door, lifting it straight up. After placing your empty bottle in the filling compartment and closing the door, it will remain locked until the refilling process is over. The machine then caps the bottle with a new lid. Even if a container is not completely empty, the station will fill it just to the top.

To receive a full return, though, it is wise to wait until your bottle spares no drop before refilling. After refilling, the station also prints out a coupon for the customer, readily-activated upon printing, should they choose to use it that visit.

The only catch with the Restore Refill Stations, naturally, are that only Restore products are able to be refilled.  Of all their products the following five are eligible for refilling at a station: their Laundry Detergent, Dish Detergent, Dishwasher Gel Concentrate, Gentle Soap, and All Surface Cleaner.

All products are made from plant based solvents, derived from soy, corn, orange and other biodegradable ingredients. Products are non-toxic and are septic and sewer safe.

A successful twelve years since its conception in Minnesota, the Restore Refill Station can now be found at natural food and product stores in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin – and at Restore the Earth stores, of course.

Image Source

Cleaning is not the most fun thing to do, especially in the bathroom.  But, at the end of the day it still has to get done.

Allow me to help you clean your place up a little with a simple eco-friendly, budget-friendly solution – white vinegar.

Vinegar is a natural organic bi-product of fruits, vegetables and grains.  That makes it a safe and natural cleaning product.  It doesn’t contain any harmful toxic chemicals and takes a life time to go bad.  Vinegar’s acidic properties make it a great household cleaner.  Vinegar has been used for generations as a stain remover, chrome polisher, soap scum remover, mildew eliminator, fabric softener, and an unclogging agent.  It was even been used to deodorized large areas.

Turning household products into household cleaners is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1.  A solution of ½ dish soap, ½ vinegar in a spray bottle makes a quick and easy bath tub or toilet bowl cleaner. Spray it on, leave it for an hour, and then wipe it clean. As opposed to: Clorox, Kaboom, or Comet.

2.  Pouring ½ cup of baking soda and ½ cup of white vinegar followed by boiling water makes a “green” drain cleaner. As opposed to: Draino, Mr. Plumr, or BioClean.

3.  Mixing together 3 cups of olive oil and 1 cup of white vinegar makes a safe furniture polish/cleaner. As opposed to: Swiffer Dust and Shine, Pledge, or Old English.

4.  Baking soda and vinegar- sprinkle baking soda on the toilet bowl, sink, or shower floor then add vinegar and scrub before rinsing. As opposed to: Scrubbing bubbles, Lysol, or 7^th Generation.

Still not convinced?

A 4-liter bottle of white vinegar costs between $1.50 and $2.50 and works just as well, if not better than other cleaners.  Since most of us already have vinegar in our homes, it is also a more convenient choice.  You can make cleaning with vinegar easier by keeping it in a spray bottle.

Vinegar is an all-in-one household cleaner that safely and economically cleans and deodorizes every room in the house.

For more tips, visit:
www.vinegartips.com
www.thenewhomemaker.com/vinegar

Since its discovery, coffee has been thought of as a miracle drink. With origins in Ethiopia and domestication in Arabia, coffee is now consumed and produced globally. Many consider coffee a household staple and it is easy to see why. It’s a delicious way to start each morning and provides a necessary jolt any time throughout your day. Drinking coffee daily is shown to have desirable health effects. Including a higher metabolism, improved memory, and a longer lifespan.

But did you know coffee’s value surpasses its use as a stimulating beverage?

Due to its level of acidity, coffee is proficient at cleaning and performing other tasks. And you still get to drink it first! Once you’ve had your coffee, you can use the grounds left in the filter to repel pests. This is great for gardens. Add the used grounds to soil, either mixing them in a bag of soil or adding them directly to your flowerbed or potted plants.

Inside the house, coffee can clean surfaces such as stove burners, which have charcoal-like buildup from frequent exposure to heat. To do this, brew a pot of coffee or reheat unused coffee, preferably the latter. Pour it into a heat resistant container and let the burners steep in the coffee for an hour. Next, scrub and rinse the burners. Then wipe them down and let them shine!

When purchasing coffee, consider buying fair trade brands. This ensures you are supporting fair labor treatment for workers. Under the fair trade act, child labor is prohibited and farmers receive wholesale prices from their crops. To be sure you are buying fair trade coffee, search for brands with the Fair Trade Certification label.

Whether for the health benefits it provides or its distinctive taste, coffee continues to fuel the lives of millions.

If you haven’t noticed the onslaught of “natural/organic” products in the past few years then you have been hiding in the Himalayas. Pure products are omnipresent and it seems the “organic” industry can only get bigger. Amongst some stellar natural products, there are also some dubious impostors that claim to be something they are not. Of course the only way to truly know how natural the products are, is to make it yourself.

In a modern world there are some commercial beauty and cleaning products I cannot live without, however, there are some common natural products found in your cupboard that can rival the commercial brands. There is also satisfaction in the fact that you made it yourself and are helping the Earth one small step at a time. If you have to buy cleaning products, select products that are plant-based and biodegradable.

The following common household products can often clean as well as the commercial ones and can save you money too:

• Bicarb soda – works well on sinks and toilets and freshens as well. To clean your dishwasher, simply sprinkle the bicarb soda into the base of the dishwasher, underneath the roll-out trays. Then run it through a full cycle, without any dishes in it.
• Vinegar – and water in a pump spray bottle for cleaning mirrors and shining chrome
• Eucalyptus oil – can be used to keep insects and bugs at bay. Add 3 drops of eucalyptus oil, 3 drops of lavender oil & 3 drops of basil oil and use as an oil vaporizer or diffuser.
• Salt – use to clean and shine copper or brass surfaces, make a paste out of equal parts of salt, flour, and vinegar. Rub on with a soft cloth, let sit for about 1 hour, then wipe off and buff with a clean, soft cloth.
• Lemon juice – acts as a natural bleaching agent. Put lemon juice onto white linens and clothing and allow them to dry in the sun. Stains will be bleached away.

Other tips for a more natural existence at home:

• Use dishwasher detergents that are free of chlorine bleach and low in phosphates.
• Use bathroom cleaners that are free of aerosol propellants and antibacterial agents.
• Avoid air fresheners – consider how you can eliminate odour problems rather than just covering them up.
• Use reusable unbleached cotton towels, rags, and non-scratch scrubbing sponges for all-purpose cleaning instead of bleached disposable paper products.

Pests can be controlled without the use of toxic chemicals. The best start to controlling pests is prevention.

Easy non-toxic ways to prevent pests:

• Keep your home as clean as possible – particularly food areas.
• When storing winter clothing, use cedar blocks or bags of cedar chips hung with your clothes – avoid mothballs that contain dichloro benzene or naphthalene, which are toxic and can contribute to respiratory problems.
• Use mouse or rat traps instead of baits.