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Green Cleaning
Keeping Your Swimming Pool Clean without the Use of Toxins
A swimming pool full of crystal-clear, cool water is so inviting on a hot summer day. But if you've ever had a pool, you know that keeping the water clean is no small task. And it usually involves the use of "pool chemicals" such as chlorine. There are some non-toxic options out there today, however. Here are some ideas. Ionization Have you seen bottles of ionized water in your health food store? Water that is ionized has been purified by an electrical process, usually involving copper and silver. Copper and silver are ionized, or given a positive electrical charge, and then these copper-silver coils are placed in the pool. As the water circulates around the ionized metal, sanitizing water ions are released back into the pool. Algae, bacteria and viruses are cleaned out by the ions. You will still need to use a very small amount of chlorine in your pool, however, if you choose ionization; but it will be far less than the saturation normally required for pool cleaning. Ozone Generators These are a viable option for small pools and hot tubs. Oxygen and electricity combine to produce ozone, which is then pumped into the pool water. For larger pools, however, you will need ...- Bookmark :
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Clothes Lines and Line Drying Benefits
If you are concerned about the environment and how you can make a difference, there are many things that you can do today to reduce your carbon footprint and to help save the environment. One thing that is easy to do is to start using clothes lines to line dry your clothes instead of using a dryer. This is one thing that many people never even think of these days. Unfortunately most households in the United States don't line dry clothing for a variety of reasons. This can include no room for a clothesline, inability to have one because of a neighborhood association, and more. If you really want to work on saving energy and improving the environment, this is something that you should definitely give a try. The Benefits There are definitely a variety of great benefits that you can enjoy when you decide to use a clothes line to line dry your clothing. One of the main benefits is that it is cheaper than purchasing a clothes dryer. Clothes lines are not that expensive to purchase, especially when you consider what you'll pay for a dryer. Not only will save you on the dryer, but you'll save on energy. You ...- Bookmark :
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All Purpose Eco-Friendly and Organic Cleaner
Sulphuric and hydrochloric acid, phosphates and ammonia, bleach and petroleum – these are just a few of the harmful chemicals present in commercial cleaning products used in the home. And you pay good money for them, too! Luckily for the eco-conscious homeowners, there is an all-purpose, eco-friendly and organically-made home cleaner that costs less than a dollar and can be made in under 30 minutes. Ingredients and Supplies Needed To make this organic cleaner, you just need five basic ingredients and supplies. Throw in a little patience and you ought to be good at making more bottles for your family and friends, too, which makes for a cleaner environment. (Who says you can’t clean your house without polluting nature?) First, secure recyclable spray bottles with approximately one liter capacity. The emphasis is on recyclable and/or recycled bottles because you want to protect the environment from more non-biodegradable materials, not add to the pollution. Second, purchase white distilled vinegar made from grain and/or plant materials. Don’t use the ones made from crude oil! Keep in mind that white distilled vinegar has cleaning properties, thus, its inclusion as the main ingredient in this organic cleaner. Third, buy authentic lemongrass essential oil. It has antibacterial properties perfect for ...- Bookmark :
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Soapnuts - Nature’s Detergent
Soapnuts, also known as soap berries, have been used as a natural detergent for centuries. Soapnuts come from the fruit of the trees of the sapindus genus, from the family Sapindacea. There are approximately a dozen species; native to India, China, Southern Asia, parts of north and Central America. Soapnuts are considered a fruit and are a yellow brown color with a diameter of around 1-2 cm and have a black seed. The shells hold a substance called saponin, usually present in quantities of around ten to fifteen percent. Saponin dissolves in water to form suds that dissolve fats and oils and help to lift grime out of an object. Oddly enough, just two to three teaspoons or one cotton bag of soapnut powder can substitute your regular laundry detergent and fabric softener. A cotton bag that has a few shells in it will last for up to three to four washes and you save up to fifty percent on normal laundry detergent. So replacing your regular laundry detergent for soapnuts is a great way to save money. Soapnuts do not have any sort of order and are used a lot in some countries for wool and delicate clothing. Soapnut powder may also ...- Bookmark :
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Spring Cleaning, Put Simply
Spring brings with it the hope, anticipation and joy of new lives, sunny days and flowers in abundance. It is a season to look forward to after the often dark and dreary days of winter. And because it is spring, then we embark on a spring cleaning tradition. It is also something to look forward to after living in the enclosed spaces of our homes during the winter. So, open your windows and let the sunshine in while letting the accumulated dirt, dust and grime of the past season out. But first, you must assemble your cleaning supplies and it should not just be any store-bought cleaning supply either. Being the eco-friendly individual that you are, only the most eco-friendly cleaning supplies will do. Don't worry about causing a big dent on your pockets on the first day of spring either. You can tap into your kitchen pantry and make your own cleaning supplies - organic, affordable and effective, to boot. Let's start with the all-purpose cleaner that, obviously, can be used on almost every surface that needs cleaning from the sinks to the floor. You just mix equal parts of white vinegar and water, place inside a spray bottle and spray ...- Bookmark :
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