Cleaning with chemicals is both expensive and potentially damaging to the environment—not GREENE, not FROOGLE. But you can be both by using baking soda. And here’s HOWE:
Let’s start in the kitchen (since that’s where we make the biggest messes) Use a paste of baking soda and a little water to gently scrub stubborn stains from dishes, countertops, and the inside of your dishwasher. Add a tablespoon or so to a quart of water, wring out a sponge or cloth in the solution, and wipe down the inside of the fridge. When you’re done, put an open box in that nice clean fridge. Bet you knew that one already.
In the living room or bedroom, sprinkle on carpeting or upholstered furniture and leave for fifteen minutes before vacuuming to remove odors. In cases of spills on upholstery or carpeting, clean up as well as you can, let it dry, and sprinkle with baking soda. Leave it on for at least fifteen minutes and then vacuum. Remove marks from painted walls, gently, with baking soda on a damp sponge. Wipe with a soft, dry cloth.
On a quick side-trip to the laundry room, pre-treat grease stains with a paste of water and baking soda. Add baking soda to laundry loads to freshen clothing, to diaper pails and laundry hampers, pet bedding, and litter boxes for odor control.
In the bathroom, use that box of baking soda like cleanser. Sprinkle it in the toilet (let it sit for a half-hour or so and brush), sprinkle some on mildew (on grout, in the tub, around the sink, or wherever) let it work for a while, and scrub with a brush, scrubbing sponge, or an old toothbrush. If you have a fiberglass tub or shower, make a paste with baking soda and dishwashing liquid, and apply with a sponge or cloth. Baking soda won’t scratch like cleanser, and it’s gentle on both your hands and the environment. When the bathroom is shiny and sweet-smelling, run a bath and add baking soda—it’ll soften your skin. And you deserve a soak in the tub after that hard work!
Want more jobs for your baking soda? Here are 61 uses!
Like me, you may not use all 61--I’m not sure when I’ll need to scald a chicken, for example.
And just in case you’re one of those horse’s mouth kind of people, visit the website for Arm and Hammer, the company who makes baking soda, at which you'll find lots more uses.
And please share your own favorites!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Tale of Two Windows
My bedroom can get very cold. My computer desk, which has no back, sits up against the wall under the pair of windows, so I can see trees and squirrels (and the neighbors' carport) as I type.
This time of year, the cold air seeps in through the un-caulked, single-paned windows and spills down on my feet and legs. The ensuing loss of feeling gradually paralyzes me, until I can no longer type readably. After that of course, I’m limited to point-and-click “research,” which eventually ends in listening to other people's cats talk at youtube.
Because the apartment has oil heat, I wanted to be both GREENE and FROOGLE by finding all the ways I could to use less of it. Here's HOWE I did it:
My first FROOGLE attempt at weatherization was to fold a flannel sheet in quarters and stretch it across the back of the desk. That helped, at least when I was sitting at my desk, and before it got really cold out.
Then, on that first weekend of really cold weather in December (perhaps you remember the historic, record-breaking cold), my son helped me cover the eighty-year-old windows with plastic to stop some of the heat loss through them.
We bought a kit containing thin plastic sheeting and special double-sided tape that can be applied in temperatures above 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The plastic and tape goes on the outside of the window. I need to mention that these windows are on the wall fronting the ad hoc wind tunnel that formed between our house and the neighbors’ house. This wind transformed the installation of the very light-Weight plastic into a character-building exercise, but we prevailed.
As we started on the next set of windows, the temperature (thanks to timely cooperation from the wind tunnel) dropped to below 25 degrees. I'm sure of the temperature drop because the tape refused to stick to the window frame. We were ready to quit, anyway.
I tested the new storm window over that coldest-ever holiday season, and although it was an improvement, it would have been even better if I had caulked before we put up the plastic. The purpose of the plastic is to isolate "dead" air that acts as a barrier between the warm house and the cold outdoors. If there are air leaks, however, the space between the plastic and the window glass is not truly isolated.
I decided to stop those leaks around my windows. So early this week I caulked partway around the inside of my bedroom windows with a caulk that can be peeled of in the spring (so the windows can be opened). My bedroom seems to be warmer, although it's been only a few days--and warmer days, too.
So now I'm thinking about weatherizing one more set of windows. The kitchen window faces north, and in cold weather, the only way to be warm in the kitchen is to bake something. This time I'd like to caulk outside the windows, before I put up the plastic. That ought to lower the heating bill, which makes it GREENE as well as FROOGLE. Anyone have DIY weatherization stories or tips to share?
This time of year, the cold air seeps in through the un-caulked, single-paned windows and spills down on my feet and legs. The ensuing loss of feeling gradually paralyzes me, until I can no longer type readably. After that of course, I’m limited to point-and-click “research,” which eventually ends in listening to other people's cats talk at youtube.
Because the apartment has oil heat, I wanted to be both GREENE and FROOGLE by finding all the ways I could to use less of it. Here's HOWE I did it:
My first FROOGLE attempt at weatherization was to fold a flannel sheet in quarters and stretch it across the back of the desk. That helped, at least when I was sitting at my desk, and before it got really cold out.
Then, on that first weekend of really cold weather in December (perhaps you remember the historic, record-breaking cold), my son helped me cover the eighty-year-old windows with plastic to stop some of the heat loss through them.
We bought a kit containing thin plastic sheeting and special double-sided tape that can be applied in temperatures above 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The plastic and tape goes on the outside of the window. I need to mention that these windows are on the wall fronting the ad hoc wind tunnel that formed between our house and the neighbors’ house. This wind transformed the installation of the very light-Weight plastic into a character-building exercise, but we prevailed.
As we started on the next set of windows, the temperature (thanks to timely cooperation from the wind tunnel) dropped to below 25 degrees. I'm sure of the temperature drop because the tape refused to stick to the window frame. We were ready to quit, anyway.
I tested the new storm window over that coldest-ever holiday season, and although it was an improvement, it would have been even better if I had caulked before we put up the plastic. The purpose of the plastic is to isolate "dead" air that acts as a barrier between the warm house and the cold outdoors. If there are air leaks, however, the space between the plastic and the window glass is not truly isolated.
I decided to stop those leaks around my windows. So early this week I caulked partway around the inside of my bedroom windows with a caulk that can be peeled of in the spring (so the windows can be opened). My bedroom seems to be warmer, although it's been only a few days--and warmer days, too.
So now I'm thinking about weatherizing one more set of windows. The kitchen window faces north, and in cold weather, the only way to be warm in the kitchen is to bake something. This time I'd like to caulk outside the windows, before I put up the plastic. That ought to lower the heating bill, which makes it GREENE as well as FROOGLE. Anyone have DIY weatherization stories or tips to share?
Friday, January 23, 2009
Buy Used and Re-use--It's Better Than Recycling!
I shopped for walking shoes and loafers this weekend. I paid just under $12 for both pair, at my local Cancer Society-sponsored Discovery Shop.
I didn't go to walmart or target for two reasons. First, a pair of second-hand shoes (pre-owned, used, pre-loved, broken-in--you decide) is less expensive than a new pair (that's FROOGLE). Second, if I'm wearing it, it won't be in a landfill (that's GREENE).
That just leaves "HOWE?" That's where the Discovery Shop comes in. You may prefer Value Village, Goodwill, Salvation Army, or any of a number of other stores (the shops and sponsoring entities vary--check the yellow pages or dexknows.com for what's available locally).
There are a few things you should know about shopping for used clothing.
There are "Thrift" and "Consignment" stores. Check them out, and decide which works for you. Consignment stores often have quality requirements for the clothes that they will accept, while most thrift stores do not (Goodwill or Salvation Army, for example). This difference is often reflected in the prices as well as the available quality. Be aware of what quality level you will accept, and what you're willing to pay.
Allow plenty of time. If you want those bargains, you have to hunt for them. I didn't say it would be easy, just FROOGLE and GREENE.
Once you've decided to shop at a particular store, take a look around to see how the store is organized. I've wasted time searching through a rack of tops for a green one, only to find that in this store, each color has it's own rack. Other ways to organize include putting all sale items in one area of the store, separating garments by type, or arranging racks according to sizes.
Often garment tags are color-coded, and each week or day a different tag color is on sale--sometimes half-off. These coded tags are often mixed all together. If the store you've chosen has that arrangement, look for the sign that announces the currently-on-sale tag color as soon as you enter.
If you haven't shopped second-hand much, you may suffer from the opposite of sticker-shock. Most everything you see will be cheap, but it's only a bargain if it works for you. You might start by window shopping--just to get used to those prices.
Keep in mind that most second-hand items are One-Of-A-Kind. Two adjacent garments were donated or consigned by two different (sometimes very different) people. so if you find The Perfect Hoody in powder blue (not your color), you're not likely to find an identical a pink one. Usually, it comes down to a decision between accepting the near-perfect and continuing the search. A thrift store can prompt us to re-evaluate our definition of "perfect."
Another point to remember with one-of-a-kind garments is that if you decide to come back later for that wrong-color hoody you may find it's been snapped up by someone who Really Loves powder blue. Be ready for some hard decisions.
A good way to save time in the fitting room is to check for wear, holes, ripped-out seams, pilling on sweaters, and stains before you even remove a garment from the rack. Don't assume they're in good shape. Remember that these garments have been worn; you don't want one that's been worn too much or missused. Particularly if you don't sew, be careful about things that might be perfect if only they weren't in the above category.
On the other hand, if you do sew, are willing to put in the work, and have the time, buying a "project" may be a good investment. Make sure the project is do-able, though. I bought a handmade quilt top, planning to finish it. Once I got it home and attempted to flatten it fully, I realized that the pieces had not been sewn together straight. I couldn't use it without taking it apart piece by piece and beginning all over again, which I didn't.
Most of my shopping experiences have been good ones, though. And whether this is your first step into a second-hand store, or you're a veteran bargain-hunter, I'd love to hear about your re-use shopping trips and tips!
I didn't go to walmart or target for two reasons. First, a pair of second-hand shoes (pre-owned, used, pre-loved, broken-in--you decide) is less expensive than a new pair (that's FROOGLE). Second, if I'm wearing it, it won't be in a landfill (that's GREENE).
That just leaves "HOWE?" That's where the Discovery Shop comes in. You may prefer Value Village, Goodwill, Salvation Army, or any of a number of other stores (the shops and sponsoring entities vary--check the yellow pages or dexknows.com for what's available locally).
There are a few things you should know about shopping for used clothing.
There are "Thrift" and "Consignment" stores. Check them out, and decide which works for you. Consignment stores often have quality requirements for the clothes that they will accept, while most thrift stores do not (Goodwill or Salvation Army, for example). This difference is often reflected in the prices as well as the available quality. Be aware of what quality level you will accept, and what you're willing to pay.
Allow plenty of time. If you want those bargains, you have to hunt for them. I didn't say it would be easy, just FROOGLE and GREENE.
Once you've decided to shop at a particular store, take a look around to see how the store is organized. I've wasted time searching through a rack of tops for a green one, only to find that in this store, each color has it's own rack. Other ways to organize include putting all sale items in one area of the store, separating garments by type, or arranging racks according to sizes.
Often garment tags are color-coded, and each week or day a different tag color is on sale--sometimes half-off. These coded tags are often mixed all together. If the store you've chosen has that arrangement, look for the sign that announces the currently-on-sale tag color as soon as you enter.
If you haven't shopped second-hand much, you may suffer from the opposite of sticker-shock. Most everything you see will be cheap, but it's only a bargain if it works for you. You might start by window shopping--just to get used to those prices.
Keep in mind that most second-hand items are One-Of-A-Kind. Two adjacent garments were donated or consigned by two different (sometimes very different) people. so if you find The Perfect Hoody in powder blue (not your color), you're not likely to find an identical a pink one. Usually, it comes down to a decision between accepting the near-perfect and continuing the search. A thrift store can prompt us to re-evaluate our definition of "perfect."
Another point to remember with one-of-a-kind garments is that if you decide to come back later for that wrong-color hoody you may find it's been snapped up by someone who Really Loves powder blue. Be ready for some hard decisions.
A good way to save time in the fitting room is to check for wear, holes, ripped-out seams, pilling on sweaters, and stains before you even remove a garment from the rack. Don't assume they're in good shape. Remember that these garments have been worn; you don't want one that's been worn too much or missused. Particularly if you don't sew, be careful about things that might be perfect if only they weren't in the above category.
On the other hand, if you do sew, are willing to put in the work, and have the time, buying a "project" may be a good investment. Make sure the project is do-able, though. I bought a handmade quilt top, planning to finish it. Once I got it home and attempted to flatten it fully, I realized that the pieces had not been sewn together straight. I couldn't use it without taking it apart piece by piece and beginning all over again, which I didn't.
Most of my shopping experiences have been good ones, though. And whether this is your first step into a second-hand store, or you're a veteran bargain-hunter, I'd love to hear about your re-use shopping trips and tips!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Recycle Your Computer!
If you live in Washington state--as I do--here’s a bit of Greene news for you. On January 1st 2009, a new program, called E-Cycle Washington, went into effect. It enables citizens to recycle their old electronics (televisions, computers, monitors, and laptops) free, so it's both GREENE and FROOGLE. Keep reading, and you'll learn HOWE, as well.
According to the Tacoma News Tribune, the collection, transportation, and processing are paid for by electronics manufacturers who do business in Washington state.
The New Tribune reports that "At least 17 other states have electronic recycling laws, but Washington’s is regarded as particularly innovative because it puts the responsibility for recycling on electronics manufacturers instead of taxpayers.
“'No taxpayer money is going into the program,' said John Friedrick, executive director of the Washington Materials Management and Financing Authority, the manufacturers’ organization responsible for setting up and operating the recycling network.
“'The program is 100 percent funded by the manufacturers that sell electronics within the state of Washington,' Friedrick said."
Miles Kuntz of the state Department of Ecology was interviewed by The Kitsap Sun, which quotes Kuntz as saying, "Once residents drop off their laptops, computers, monitors and televisions, the equipment is taken to two processing centers, one in Vancouver and the other in Seattle. There, components such as circuit boards, leaded glass, toxins, plastics and metals are separated out, and sent on for further processing.
"'They become commodities,' Kuntz said."
Want more details? Visit the E-Cycle Washington website.
Have a computer that could be re-used, rather than recyled? Try
interconnection.org,
freegeek.org,
or Consumer Report's greenerchoices.org
According to the Tacoma News Tribune, the collection, transportation, and processing are paid for by electronics manufacturers who do business in Washington state.
The New Tribune reports that "At least 17 other states have electronic recycling laws, but Washington’s is regarded as particularly innovative because it puts the responsibility for recycling on electronics manufacturers instead of taxpayers.
“'No taxpayer money is going into the program,' said John Friedrick, executive director of the Washington Materials Management and Financing Authority, the manufacturers’ organization responsible for setting up and operating the recycling network.
“'The program is 100 percent funded by the manufacturers that sell electronics within the state of Washington,' Friedrick said."
Miles Kuntz of the state Department of Ecology was interviewed by The Kitsap Sun, which quotes Kuntz as saying, "Once residents drop off their laptops, computers, monitors and televisions, the equipment is taken to two processing centers, one in Vancouver and the other in Seattle. There, components such as circuit boards, leaded glass, toxins, plastics and metals are separated out, and sent on for further processing.
"'They become commodities,' Kuntz said."
Want more details? Visit the E-Cycle Washington website.
Have a computer that could be re-used, rather than recyled? Try
interconnection.org,
freegeek.org,
or Consumer Report's greenerchoices.org
Friday, January 9, 2009
Delicious, Cheap Chicken Recipe
This it the time of year for warm, nourishing, healthy meals. And most important for our purposes, frugal. Here’s a recipe for cooking chicken pieces of most any description: a whole chicken cut-up, breast or thighs, with or without bones and skin, although skinless is healthiest, of course. This is an adaptation of a Julia Child recipe ( I miss her, don’t you?). It tastes like you worked all day, but takes 25 minutes to cook, and can take as little as 10 minutes to assemble and prepare the ingredients, once you’ve done it a couple of times and are used to the procedure.
Chicken Poached in Wine with Aromatic Vegetables
Ingredients and supplies:
2 ½ to 3 ½ pounds chicken pieces (best if skinless)
One whole onion
Two or three ribs of celery
A carrot or two
Two or three cloves garlic (optional)
A cup or so of white wine, or a quarter cup of lemon juice
Two cups or so of chicken broth
One bay leaf
Two to four inches of fresh rosemary, or a tablespoon of dried
Salt and fresh-ground pepper to taste
Stove-top pot, at least three quart capacity, with a fitting lid
Music to taste, or someone to tell you a story as you cook (optional)
An additional glass of wine to drink (optional)
Prep method:
Chop onion, celery, carrots
Mince or press garlic, if desired (and who doesn’t desire garlic?)
If using fresh rosemary, cut stem into three pieces
Assembly method:
Strew 1/3 each of the garlic, carrot, celery and onion and one rosemary sprig in the bottom of pot
Place half of chicken pieces on vegetables in one layer
Salt and pepper chicken
Repeat with a second 1/3 of vegetables, another sprig of rosemary, remaining chicken, more salt and pepper.
Finish with remaining 1/3 vegetables, the last sprig of rosemary, and the bay leaf
Pour cup of white wine or ¼ cup lemon juice over all ingredients in pot
Add chicken broth to cover chicken
Cooking method:
Cover the pot with fitting lid and place on stove-top on high.
Check frequently until pot comes to a boil, then immediately turn heat to simmer or warm
Check 10 minutes after pot comes to a boil to make sure pot is simmering very gently
Check in 25 minutes by piercing chicken. If juice flows clear rather than pink, it’s done
If you cook more chicken than you can eat for one meal, cool what is left in the broth used to cook the chicken (keeps the chicken juicier), and use it for soup, salad, sandwiches, or casseroles. You can also thicken the broth and reheat the chicken in the resulting gravy to serve with pasta, potatoes, rice, or polenta. Yum.
It's easy to see that this recipe is "Froogle," and I've certainly given the "Howe" portion, but can this be a "Greene" recipe? That depends on you, actually.
Here are a few ideas:
Don't use a plastic cook-in bag,
Compost the vegetable parings and clippings,
Turn the burner off when the chicken is done,
Serve it in dishes that get washed rather than thrown away.
Any other ideas for making this an even greener way to eat?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Happy Holidays!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and welcome to the holidays.
May you celebrate whatever day you value with people you love, doing things you like to do, being the person you want to be.
What I wish for everyone is what I wish for myself--In lieu of chewing my nails wondering how to accomplish everything I must do, but can’t manage.
That, and keeping it green and frugal.
This year I accept that what I have, and what I have to give, is enough.
Wishing you the best ever holiday season.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Paper or Plastic
I’m thinking about taking my own re-usable fabric bags when I go grocery shopping.
Store credit averages three cents or more for each bag. At that rate, how long will it take the fabric bags to pay for themselves?
If I buy brand new ones (at, say, 89 cents each) just to take grocery shopping while that avocado-green beach bag from Auntie Dora sits in the closet gathering dust, it will take up to 30 visits to pay for a bag.
But if I use Auntie Dora’s bag, it won’t cost a thing, and she’ll be so pleased. Perhaps I’ll add to Auntie Dora’s bag that huge net reticule in the basement, the satchel under the bed, and the Mondrian tote in the garage. It could be my grocery bag Private Collection.
Store credit averages three cents or more for each bag. At that rate, how long will it take the fabric bags to pay for themselves?
If I buy brand new ones (at, say, 89 cents each) just to take grocery shopping while that avocado-green beach bag from Auntie Dora sits in the closet gathering dust, it will take up to 30 visits to pay for a bag.
But if I use Auntie Dora’s bag, it won’t cost a thing, and she’ll be so pleased. Perhaps I’ll add to Auntie Dora’s bag that huge net reticule in the basement, the satchel under the bed, and the Mondrian tote in the garage. It could be my grocery bag Private Collection.
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