Keeping the Bathroom Tidy Between Cleanings

Do you really need those disposable cleaning wipes to keep your bathroom neat between cleanings? Of course not. Simply keep a washcloth on your bathroom vanity for quick touch-ups. After you're done brushing your teeth or washing your face and hands, use the cloth to wipe up the splashed water, clean the toothpaste off the counter and mirror and polish the faucets. It only takes a minute, and keeps the bathroom looking very fresh. When you clean the bathroom, use the cloth to clean the sink, too, then throw in the wash. You've saved the landfill several disposable cloths per week, and yourself some money!

The Cleaning Helper You Can't Do Without

One of the most versatile cleaning items I know is the "scrubbie" pad. They are cheap, available almost anywhere, and have many, many uses.

These pads come either in small sheets or with sponges attached. I tend to use the sheets more, but the sponge type doesn't drip, so it is better for some uses. There are three basic types: The white ones are the least abrasive, and are used mostly for tub enclosures, some cookware and counter tops. Green scrubbies are rougher, and the brown or grey pads are for really tough jobs, such as scrubbing cooking grills or your car's tire rims. There is some variation within the green types; some are more abrasive than others, so be careful, lest you wind up with permanent scratches on the surface you are trying to clean. I don't care for the colored types (red, blue) as they tend to bleed color.

Using these cleaning aids will reduce your need for powerful cleaners, which may be toxic, and for abrasive-type cleaners. To be even more frugal, I cut these pads in half, or even quarters, depending on their size.

Wood Stoves Save Energy and Money in Many Ways

Everyone knows how having a wood stove saves heating costs, particularly when you harvest your own wood. Another great way to use your stove to save energy and money is to keep as many kettles and pots of water warming on the stove top as possible (we have three).

This technique not only helps keep your home humidified during the winter months, but also provides a ready supply of hot water for washing dishes, cooking, or making tea or other hot drinks. We even use this water to run the dishwasher and to wash white laundry in the washing machine. Be very careful how you pour the water into these appliances, though--it really does get hot!

Vitamin D, the New Wonder Nutrient

If you haven't already raised your intake of vitamin D to levels well above the federal Recommended Daily Allowance, you should. New evidence is coming to light almost daily that not only is this vitamin essential to maintain good health, but also plays a role in preventing disease, as well.

Check with your doctor to be safe, but a daily intake of 1000 mg. in supplement form is generally considered safe. The D3 form is the one best assimilated by the body, but vegetarians may prefer D2 because of its plant sources.

If you live in the Northeast, you can't make enough of this vitamin through sun exposure, so supplementation is a must. Some diseases listed in an article by Tom Sturm for the Valley Advocate that probably can be prevented by ingesting enough D are: tuberculosis, high blood pressure, arterial disease, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, tooth and gum disease and many, many types of cancer. Think of all the money you'll save, not to mention stress, if you spend a few dollars a month on this supplement and avoid chronic disease. Talk about cheap insurance!

Fighting Dry Skin, Naturally

If winter makes your face dry and tight, try a tip I read recently in Prevention Magazine.
Clean your face before bed, and apply a moisturizer. In the morning, splash cool water on your face, but don't use any cleanser. I've been doing this for a few weeks and it has made a big difference in my skin's texture.

Also, if you use a cleanser that you wipe off with tissues, try using olive or safflower oil instead. You'll save money, apply fewer cosmetic additives to your skin, and cut down on the number of bottles on your bathroom vanity!

Energy-Saving Bulbs: The Good and the Bad

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are energy savers, no doubt about it. A quote from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy website says it well:

If every American home replaced just one light with an ENERGY STAR light, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, about $700 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to the emissions of about 800,000 cars.

We started using these bulbs over 20 years ago, after our first energy audit. Back then, the bulbs and ballasts were separate. We can attest to their miserly energy use, but know that all brands are not equal. Last summer, we had another (free) energy audit, and received eight bath/vanity globes, manufactured by Feit Electric and called "Ecobulb plus". Nearly all these bulbs have failed already. Not only that, but they make very annoying buzzing noises. We paid nothing, luckily, but we have priced these bulbs in stores and they cost about $7!

Saving energy should not cost you that kind of money. Brands that we have had good luck with in the past are Phillips and Maxlite. Remember--these bulbs have mercury in them, so premature failure is actually bad for the environment.

Save Energy and Take Warm Showers

Do you turn down the thermostat on your hot water heater to save energy, then suffer through cool morning showers? If so, here's a trick my husband J. recently came up with. Approximately 15 minutes before you plan to take a shower, turn up the temperature one notch on your water heater, until you hear it click on. Fifteen minutes later, you'll be basking in warmth! Turn it back down to "energy saver" immediately after everyone is done showering.

The small amount of energy used is minuscule compared to the comfort factor on a chilly winter morning. To use the remaining pre-warmed water in the tank, I usually do do some hand washing, laundry or run the dishwasher, as well.

Give Your Hair and Scalp a Break

If you wash your hair everyday not because it's dirty, but because it looks crappy, here's something to try in between shampoos. Wet your wash cloth in the shower and add a couple of drops of shampoo. Rub the cloth gently over your hair; rinse the cloth, and repeat. This takes the dust and other contaminants off of your hair's surface, and also dampens it just enough so you can now style it. It also gives your scalp and roots a break from having all the natural oils stripped off on a daily basis.

I have very thick, wavy hair and this has been a real times-saver for me. If you have dry hair and get some flakiness in the winter, this should abate that problem. Also, just think of the shampoo, water and conditioner you'll be saving!

Semi-Retire Your Dryer

We all know what an energy hog a clothes dryer is. That being said, have you ever tried hanging your laundry to dry naturally, straight out of the washer? Wrinkles galore, and usually the clothes are also stiff as boards when dry. What to do?

I learned this trick many years ago: Throw the laundry in the dryer on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. Hang immediately on an outdoor line or dryer racks. A few minutes is enough to remove wrinkles and soften clothes, without expending an hour's worth of energy. This method is also much gentler on clothing, which can wear out prematurely due to exposure to all that extra heat and tumbling. Try this for one month and see how much lower your utility bills are!

Eggshell Membrane for Joint Health?

One of the newest supplements being touted for healthy joints is eggshell membrane, that fibrous sheath had holds the calcified shell together. Who knows if it really works; it is, however, based on the same idea as chondroiton, a popular and well-regarded supplement. Both cartilage and eggshell membrane are a type of connective tissue, so maybe these ads are on to something.

It also fits my guidelines for trying something new, among which are: It won't hurt you, it doesn't cost much or you can make it at home. You can pay $20 or more to try it ready-made, or you can do it yourself. This recipe includes the shell, which is a really good calcium supplement. Rinse eggshells well, then put in a baggie and freeze. When you get enough, cook shells (with membrane) for 10 minutes at 300 degrees F, spread out on a cookie sheet. Use a coffee grinder to grind them into powder. A 1/4 tsp. equals about 1000g of calcium. I use this supplement for my cats, and I use it also (I mix mine with cinnamon powder to mask the chalky taste). Can't get any cheaper than that, and you know it doesn't contain any contaminants!

The Only Cleaners You'll Ever Need

Over the years, I have discovered that no one really needs all those fancy, expensive cleaners that fill the shelves at grocery stores. I have been making up my own cleaners for over 20 years, and in most instances they work better than store-bought.

The three basic ingredients for clean living are baking soda, white vinegar and shampoo (and, of course, water). If you have these three items on hand at all times (and most people do), you will be able to clean 90% of what you need to, without using harsh chemicals. You will save money, space and time normally spent trying to figure out which cleaner is for which purpose while you're trying to race through the grocery store!

Stop in often and I will share tips on using the three basics for general cleaning, making up your own cleaning solutions, and other useful tidbits help make your home green and clean!

Front Loaders: The Most Efficient Washer You'll Ever Love

When our top-loader washing machine finally broke down ten years ago, my husband and I decided to purchase a front-loading machine. The up-front cost was a bit more, but at the time, we were able to procure an Energy Star rebate, which helped defray the cost. I absolutely love this machine, and encourage anyone in the market for a new washer to make it a front loader.

These machines use a lot less water than top loaders--approximately 10 gallons less. This means they also use less detergent and any other laundry additives you may use. The high-speed final spin removes more water from the clothes, so your dryer doesn't have to work as hard. They are also much quieter than top-loaders. Another benefit is that the agitator-free cleaning system is less harsh on clothes, so they last longer and don't tend to pill. No more lint in those jeans pockets!