It’s that time o’ the month again… no, not time to whip out your “WOMEN’S PADS!” Rather, it’s time to talk about the positive changes we’re making in our lives that will benefit us and our planet!
I wanted to mention that we are still loving the BumGenius diapers that I talked about in my last PSBN post. They really are great, and not difficult to keep up with at all. Yay for Cloth Booties!
This month, I want to talk about Household Cleaning Products. Yes, I do actually clean house sometimes. SOMETIMES.
This is not so much a change in our lives, but a bit of a review of what we do, and a revitalization for us. What I mean by that is that for years, we have used Melaleuca EcoSense cleaning products.
Here you see the EcoSense All Purpose Spray (Tough ‘N Tender) and Window Cleaner (Clear Power).
They are free of the yuckies and are environmentally friendly. They work well, but, and this might seem dumb, I dislike the smell of them. But like I said, they work well, and that’s the point of a cleaner. Unfortunately, they are relatively expensive. If you become a member, you get a reduced price on the products – but you have to sign an agreement to spend a certain amount each month (if you don’t order, they’ll charge your card and send you the “auto-order”). We got a bit tired of that, especially after Braden was born and $$ got tight, so we cancelled our membership. Luckily (?) we had over-ordered the things we use to satisfy our monthy requirement, so we had product to use for awhile. (We also used/use their Tub & Tile Cleaner, Bathroom Disinfectant, Heavy Duty Cleaner, and Laundry Cleaning Products.)
But what to do when it runs out?
A little over a month ago, I saw an Ad in a popular parenting magazine for a new line of products from Clorox that are supposed to be “green.” The article made the Clorox Green Works cleaners sound like a good try.
A few weeks later, I spotted them at Walmart and I happily purchased these:
And to cut down on Paper Towel Usage (Less Tree Killing = More Happy Thoughts!), I’m using these:
I used the cleaners that day and that evening to clean things in the kitchen, and I just want to say…
THEY ROCK.
Seriously, I was very happy with the performance of both the All Purpose Spray and the Window Cleaner.
AND – they smell REALLY GOOD. They are made with coconut and lemon essences, and the smell that lingers after you clean is incredibly pleasant.
What’s more, they are not expensive, unlike some other Eco-Friendly Cleaners I’ve seen on the market. At Walmart, they were competitively priced with other name-brand cleaning products. (Generic brands were cheaper.)
I literally, actually feel happy to be cleaning in my kitchen now, and I HATE CLEANING. (Note how low the liquid level is in the All Purpose Cleaner.) 
Because I was so happy with the performance of the first two purchases, I also picked up the Green Works Natural Bathroom Cleaner, Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner, and Natural Dilutable Cleaner (floor mopping, etc).
Our house smells like a fruity, adult beverage. I’m thinking I should start wearing a hula skirt when I mop the floors. And make John buy a ukelele.
In addition to the Green Works cleaners, we have started using an Earth-Friendly dish-washer detergent by Seventh Generation. I have heard really great things about that line, but I’ve always hesitated purchasing anything because it’s quite expensive.
(Seriously, do you know how many times I’ve had their baby-wipes in my hands and ended up putting them back because I just couldn’t take the idea of spending three times as much on them? *cries*)
Anyway, the other stuff we’ve been putting in our dish-washer is Earth-Ugly for sure. So we decided to try it.
I have to admit, I was a bit scared. Luckily, it was all for naught – the stuff works wonderfully. If I can ever get over the sticker shock I may try some of the other Seventh Generation products. (PS: You can sign up at their website and get access to coupons.) 
For hand dish-washing, we still use from our surplus supply of EcoSense Lemon Brite. It works excellently, smells nice, and it’s super Eco-Friendly (no phosphates, all biodegradable).
Incidentally, we also use the Melaleuca Shampoo (haven’t run out yet) and used to use the Melaleuca Body Wash. I have to say that the Body Wash is the thing I miss the most about our membership there! At least I still have The Gold Bar – nice, strong citrus scent.
If you have the means, I actually recommend a Melaleuca membership. The products are pretty sweet.
So, that’s our cleaning arsenal – some Melaleuca EcoSense, Clorox Green Works, and Seventh Generation.
I’ve heard that Method Cleaners work well, too, but we haven’t tried any here yet. I have used the hand-soap elsewhere, and I liked it. I was eyeing the Cleaning Wipes the other day, but got a little peeved that I couldn’t find ingredients on the label. Instead, they just say something smartass like, “Why do they work so well? Something tells us we shouldn’t be printing our proprietary formula right on our product label.” Haha. The ingredients are listed on the website, though. Maybe I’ll go back for them.
So, peeps, what ”Green” tips and changes do you have to talk about? Link in!
More info about Project Support Beauty in Nature
#1 by Sadie on April 14, 2008 - 12:08 AM
Woohoo! I’m first! *lol*
I’m glad you posted about the cleaners this week. I’ve been thinking about trying them, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Another strong recommendation I’ve seen out in my surfing is using baking soda and vinegar (separately unless you’re unclogging a drain
) as cleaners. I’ve been thinking of using that this week to clean our bathroom before company. I have coupons for some of the products you mentioned today, though…I may go ahead and try them!!
(P.S. folks, Kroger is having the 7th Generation products on sale this week for 25% off!! Now’s the time to try them!!)
Sadie’s last blog post..Getting a little Greener
#2 by Tara R on April 14, 2008 - 12:22 AM
oh I love melaleuca stuff! I use it all the time.
Tara R’s last blog post..overwhelmed
#3 by Mackenzie's Momma on April 14, 2008 - 1:45 AM
Lotus-
I use the Method Cleaners in the midget’s room especially. I love them, they are good smelling, realitively affordable, and work great. I actually wrote a little about them on my blog back in january.
The ingredients are so few that a couple times I’ve even used them on the toddler in a pinch(spray on a paper towel or whatever and voila instant sanitizing wipe).
The body products are my second love(behind the toddler of course) they smell heavenly and work wonders on my sensitive skin!
#4 by Veronica on April 14, 2008 - 5:31 AM
It sounds pretty similar to stuff that we use here. Even better? Our green laundry liquid and washing up detergent is actually cheaper than just about every other product.
Veronica’s last blog post..Seven is a Bat?
#5 by Secret Agent Mama on April 14, 2008 - 6:17 AM
Looks like we’re on the same wavelength. I’m buying more of the Greenworks soon. I need to glass cleaner and mopping stuff. But, I just love the all purpose and bathroom cleaners!!
Secret Agent Mama’s last blog post..Project Support – Beauty in Nature
#6 by AnnD on April 14, 2008 - 6:46 AM
I haven’t tried most of those but I LOOOOOVE Seventh Generation All Purpose cleaner! Method (they sell them at Target and they are pricey) cleaners smell fabulous! Their bathroom cleaner smells like lavendar and mint! I love how my bathroom smells now after I’ve cleaned it. I will often walk by and open the door JUST to smell it several times after it’s been cleaned now. It beats the old “chemical” and bleach smell and I know Emma will be safe when I put her in the bathtub next time.
AnnD’s last blog post..Weekly Winners!
#7 by Sue on April 14, 2008 - 6:54 AM
Oh… did you know vinegar and newsprint clean your windows too?
Vinegar cleans most anything. So does lemon juice. Real lemon juice.
I think I will try these Greenworks though. I found a coupon for them in my Sunday paper not long ago and haven’t bothered to try them, thanks for the review!
Sue’s last blog post..Message In a Bottle
#8 by AnnD on April 14, 2008 - 7:06 AM
Okay, I just went to take pics of my stuff and it is Eucalyptus and Mint or Lavendar. But, still they both smell fabulous!
AnnD’s last blog post..Weekly Winners!
#9 by lceel on April 14, 2008 - 7:48 AM
I am on the way to WalMart, even as we speak.
lceel’s last blog post..St. Paul’s in London
#10 by A Whole Lot of Nothing on April 14, 2008 - 8:28 AM
I don’t have any tips on cleaning (since I don’t), but I’ll be taking your tips, putting them in my pocket, going to the store, and getting some of those!
I have my nature pics up: http://awholelotofnothing.net/orlando-sucks-beauty-in-nature/
A Whole Lot of Nothing’s last blog post..Orlando SUCKS: Beauty in Nature
#11 by Josh on April 14, 2008 - 9:02 AM
1) Castile Soap – All purpose natural cleanser… bathrooms, floors, your Baby’s Hair, anything. Lovely peppermint smell.
2) Baking Soda rocks for cleaning… you will never need a soft-scrub type cleanser again.. cheap as hell… it is so safe you can eat it!
3) Baking soda + vinegar (white) please don’t use balsamic… this will clean anything even car grease… great for toilets
4) White vinegar by itself is a great cleanser especially for mildew.. rinse well or follow with castile soap to get rid of vinegar smell.
4) Add a bit of table salt to a skillet to clean off cooked on eggs and other messes then scrub with a sponge… works great with the baking soda too…
5) Hydrogen Peroxide is a great mold killer. You might want to buy this in larger (cheaper) quantities than the 10 oz bottle.
6) I want to admit that the new Clorox line is environmentally preferable to the original Clorox line. But may people are saying that this is a classic example of corporate greenwashing. I would advocate using these products rather than using the conventional products, but I would hate to see people using more than is necessary because they feel that they are environmentally neutral. Green Works products still contain sodium lauryl sulfate and other engineered natural ingreidents.
interesting info at
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/01/clorox-green-works.php
Josh’s last blog post..Nature & Food
#12 by MommyTime on April 14, 2008 - 9:09 AM
Just wanted to say that my first PSBN post was about moving to green cleaners, and I switched to Method (cheap, at Target). Two months in, I adore them. Great at cleaning, lovely fresh smells like lemon and lavendar — very light, fresh and natural (in case you ever get tired of smelling like a drink served in a coconut). They make a stainless steel cleaner that is superb too. Also, the Method cleaners contain ALL natural ingredients and are not tested on animals. I’ve never had a problem finding ingredients on any of their labels.
MommyTime’s last blog post..James Has Ants
#13 by Josh on April 14, 2008 - 9:16 AM
Ok, I was going to follow my last post with a plea to boycott Wal-Mart.
But then my conscious got me.
We have a Walmart food store down the street. My wife walks there with my son. I cringe when I hear it. I swallow my complaints and don’t say anything. I hate walmart. I hate giving even a single cent to those whores. So Google to the rescue. Maybe they have cleaned up their act in since I worked for them in High school. Maybe they don’t use child slave labor and the ole “cat ‘n nine tails” and the stockade any longer. Maybe they don’t drive down the road with the window open chucking filth out into the earth anymore.
Personally, my wife says shove it… I will get my organic milk there when we are out and I don’t want to drive across town. I lower my head and mumble o.k.
here is an article that made me feel less bad about it… you might enjoy…
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0524-25.htm
Josh’s last blog post..Nature & Food
#14 by Steph on April 14, 2008 - 9:20 AM
I also use Bum Genius (and occasional Happy Heinies) but I can’t afford Seventh Generation wipes either. About a month ago, I made the leap and started using cloth wipes. I found a local baby store that sold them for cheap and now I just keep a spray bottle full of water with a few drops of tea tree oil for wetting, and then I dump them in the pail with the rest of the diapers.
I do still use regular wipes if there is something too lumpy or too nasty for the diaper pail. But I’ve cut way down!
#15 by Melessa on April 14, 2008 - 9:48 AM
I’m glad to know there are alternatives to Melaleuca out there. We ran out of that kind of disposable income years ago. (I miss the laundry detergent myself). I hadn’t tried the new Chlorox products, but I can recommend the Method ones. I especially like the bathroom cleaning wipes.
Melessa’s last blog post..Weekly Winners
#16 by anne on April 14, 2008 - 10:03 AM
One of my all-time favorite products is Seventh Generation Dish Soap – the lemongrass/clementine scent. I haven’t found it at every store, but it’s worth the drive and effort to get it (and the extra dollar or so) – whenever I do dishes, it smells like HEAVEN. Gets the nasty food funk smell out, too, as me and the Husband like to eat stinky things at times. Plus, it makes me feel very exotic and cool, like I should also be burning some patchouli and walking around draped in scarve-like clothing.
I also second (third?) the love for Method. Cheap, works awesome, and smells wonderful. My favorites include the hand soap in Fresh Water scent (ohhhhhh) and the all-purpose cleaner in the pink grapefruit scent. Love, love, love it! I’m heading to Target today to try the bathroom cleaning wipes and any other cleaning product of theirs that catches my eye…
anne’s last blog post..random updates
#17 by Angeline on April 14, 2008 - 10:14 AM
cleaners. from the comments above, these seem really good! Too bad, can’t find these brands over here in singapore…
Angeline’s last blog post..I want too
#18 by Susan on April 14, 2008 - 10:29 AM
I’ve only used vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice for years…although sometimes I yearn for a spray bottle full of magic elixir that will just dissolve the goo in the tub and toilet. Maybe I’ll give the product you mentioned a go one day. Thanks for the info.
#19 by mamafabulosity on April 14, 2008 - 10:44 AM
I’ve been using the Bum Genius diapers too, but my son keeps getting what looks like a heat rash every time we use them. I tried changing detergents just in case, but that didn’t work. Are you having any problems with this?
mamafabulosity’s last blog post..They’re not drunk I swear!
#20 by justmylife on April 14, 2008 - 11:24 AM
They work and smell good? I might just have to try them. I can’t take the smell of most cleaners, so smell good and good for the environment. I’m there.
justmylife’s last blog post..MIL driving me CRAZY!!!!!!!
#21 by missy wiggins on April 14, 2008 - 11:33 AM
i love those clorox cleaners!!! i have used method and i love those as well. they have a very lovely scent but i have been buying the “naked” version lately.
i have also been making my own cleaners with vinegar and baking soda which will probably be my post for next month’s PSBN post.
missy wiggins’s last blog post..the challenge wasn’t the crock pot…
#22 by Ree on April 14, 2008 - 11:36 AM
Vinegar and newspaper for windows. Best.Cleaning.Ever.
Ree’s last blog post..Do Good
#23 by cyndy on April 14, 2008 - 12:15 PM
Thanks for this post! I’ve been wanting to switch to these types of cleaning products and now that I’ve heard a good review, I will definitely be making the change.
cyndy’s last blog post..From the Mind of Spiderman
#24 by Jennifer on April 14, 2008 - 1:19 PM
I love Method. It works quite well and their naked cleaners don’t smell like anything (I discovered some “Unscented” ones from whole foods still have a smell). I also like Seventh Generation and Meijers Naturals line. I just got the Clorox toilet cleaner and it works quite well.
Jennifer’s last blog post..I guess I’m not winning the Britney Spears Parent of the Year Award
#25 by Kat on April 14, 2008 - 1:42 PM
Hey, that’s great to know that the 7th Generation dishwasher stuff works. I tried a few “green” brands and they sucked, so we’ve been back to the icky stuff that freakin cleans my dishes. Next time I’ll get that.
I use a cleaner for EVERYTHING called, “The Solution” made from plant enzymes. Good stuff! I’ll post that next time.
#26 by Amanda on April 14, 2008 - 3:39 PM
I have been using Method products for a couple of years, and love them. They clean really well, and smell delicious. Last week I just bought some of the Greenworks, and so far it’s pretty awesome too. If you can find someone to split a case with you then the Seventh Generation can actually be more affordable, if you shop at http://www.buythecase.net/brand/Seventh%2BGeneration/
Amanda’s last blog post..Richard Wilbur, Easter Seals & Banana Bread
#27 by Karleigh on April 14, 2008 - 4:04 PM
I love the Seventh Generation products. They make this lavender dish soap and it smells great. Method is another eco brand I love. They have great hand soaps that we use in our house, and they never seem to run out.
Also, I have run out of all my Meleleuca lip balms you gave me. Hint hint.
#28 by Memarie Lane on April 14, 2008 - 4:17 PM
I actually just finished writing up a post about GreenWorks for my WFMW post. I do like the cleaners, but they are NOT all-natural or enviromentally friendly. They’re merely marketed as such. Still infinitely preferable to most other options though.
Memarie Lane’s last blog post..Optical Delusions
#29 by Gail on April 14, 2008 - 4:22 PM
This is my first time reading your blog (well, my daughter read it to me) and I have a feeling she’ll be reading it to me a lot! (she works the computer so much better than me! I have no time! and she’s about as mature as a mom!) I have a friend, though, who told me that Clorox Green Works DOESN’T work well at all, and that it takes her twice as long to cleen with. So now I’m torn…should I try them, or should I not? Well, just wanted to stop in and say hi…off to physical therapy with Alex! Joy, Joy, Joy! At least I’m not the one having to give up their young years there…ugh. Thanks again! Gail & Alex
#30 by Tanya on April 14, 2008 - 7:31 PM
OUR ECO HOUSE
Here in Tassie there are new regulations with new houses being built. My partner is a builder and he built our house not last year but the year before. (2006)
LIGHTS
Most new houses now use downlights. There are more of them and they use a lot less power. The best thing is that you can wire them up in groups to turn on in areas of the house you are actually in, rather than have all on at once. They are nice and bright.
HEATING
We have a heatpump. No woodfire to pollute the air and it tests the temperature of the air and only comes on when they temperature changes dramatically. So instead of leaving a heater on all day (dangerous too) this will come on when the house gets too cold. Fantastic.
PAY AS YOU GO POWER
I love having no bills and we can control our power usage! We soon realise if something is using power because the usage will go up and the money credit will go down!
WASHING LINE
No dryer, they use sooooooo much power, we have a washing line.
SUPER TREAT SEWERAGE TREATMENT
We have a supertreat which converts grey and blackwater into drinkable water (FOR ANIMALS) then it comes out of a sprinkler in our paddock and waters the grass. Fantastic. Our paddock is green all year round.
NEWER TV’s and COMPUTER
Newer products are more eco friendly and use less power. They emit less radiation as well.
TANKWATER
I think everyone should install tanks to catch water for drinking and showering, its cleaner and tastes nice.
It’s also crystal clear and doesn’t need to be filtered.
We have one big tank and catch the water off our house. We will eventually install solar panels and a swimming pool and extra tanks. The solar panels will heat the pool.
So I believe that we are already helping the environment by the way that we live. We also have to watch the rubbish we have and recycle because we don’t have rubbish collection here. (Have to wait until there’s lots and take it to the tip.)
#31 by Eve on April 14, 2008 - 8:04 PM
I’ve used the Melaleuca products and really like them a lot. I especially like their lotions and soaps. I live in the land of Melaleuca and actually used to work for them as a part-time customer service rep (”hot-shot”). I haven’t got any new PSBN things to post about this week. I’ll work on it.
Eve’s last blog post..Unconscious Mutterings Week 271
#32 by SuzanneSays... on April 14, 2008 - 9:10 PM
We’re a Melaleuca household here. Love it. Yes, I might pay a little more than Wal-Mart for it, but it’s NOTHING like what I used to pay in prescriptions, ER and doctor bills for asthma. We’re literally saving $100’s a month having switched.
I also banned paper towels here. Got tired of my non-NBA-bound children missing the trash can with them, initially, and then took a look at the consumption and freaked out. Now it’s white cotton dish cloths for us.
GreenWorks isn’t as green as they’d like us to think (I’ve read the MSDS sheets) but like others have commented – they’re better, and I’d rather aim for progress than perfection any day of the week. Much more attainable goal.
SuzanneSays…’s last blog post..Weekend Away
#33 by Sarcastic Mom on April 14, 2008 - 9:52 PM
Great information from everyone, and I appreciate the input about how GreenWorks isn’t completely green.
The website does say 99% petrochemical free (so I was thinking, well, it’s not 100% free then, is it?).
I can’t say that our household will ever be 100% Eco-Friendly – there will always be something we do that pollutes/wastes/depletes, etc. But our aim is to do better in small ways in several different areas.
Even small change is difficult sometimes, but it’s worth it. Hey, at least the product contains no phosphorous and no bleach, which is far from what I can say about products we’ve used in the past.
Overall, I feel very good about the small changes our family has made so far – damn proud actually.
Sarcastic Mom’s last blog post..Scrubba Dub Dub!
#34 by A Jill of All Trades on April 14, 2008 - 10:11 PM
I love the GreenWorks stuff!!! I’ve been using it for a short while now.
You’ll never be 100% green like you said, but the effort really matters. At least you are doing SOMETHING!!!!
A Jill of All Trades’s last blog post..I’ve only been home for four hours.
#35 by Angie on April 14, 2008 - 11:05 PM
7th generation is awesome, isn’t it? Love all their stuff. The Method stuff from Target is good too.
Love that you’re doing these posts – great to get the word out.
Angie’s last blog post..April Letter – #11
#36 by Saltgirl on April 15, 2008 - 1:13 AM
Speaking of cleaners, next month I’m attending a workshop on how to make my own. I already mostly just use vinegar and baking soda (cheap and smells like easter!) but have a few places I’d like to get a little more natural. Here’s the link to the workshop if you all want to host one in your neighborhood: http://www.womenandenvironment.org/
Saltgirl’s last blog post..Green rooms – Bathroom
#37 by jill on April 15, 2008 - 7:38 AM
i may just try those green works products when i need some more. i dont generally clean THAT MUCH so a bottle lasts oh like 3 years or something..
umm.. I did my post on Sunday! i just neglected to get over here and post it because of Fun Monday.. so.. sorry, but we did recycle and it was awesome! yeah!
jill’s last blog post..Home, sweet smelling home…
#38 by jill on April 15, 2008 - 8:02 AM
i’m really curious about the cloth diaper thing. when i mentioned it to my husband, he thought, well that’s gross, but of course we’re both environmentally concerned, and then i said, kind of out of the clear blue, but, wouldn’t you get used to it in like, oh a week? and he immediately agreed with me. after the first one or two loads, wouldnt it be same old sheit different day? where did you learn about these diapers and can you tell me of competitive brands that might be a little cheaper but work just as well? i know there were like 100 comments on that post when you did it, but i can’t sit there and read through them for that, but im sure you could remember if anyone mentioned them? please? meeces.pieces@gmail.com
any info would be appreciated…
jill’s last blog post..Home, sweet smelling home…
#39 by Suzanne on April 15, 2008 - 10:44 AM
Thanks for the product information. I hate coconuts, so that kills the clorox line, but we probably should go the Metaleucia route once both of us are working again.
My allergies to soaps is extremely sensitive that we’ve only got a few products we can use for laundry, dishes and body washes. Perhaps the green ones would be better.
Suzanne’s last blog post..Me Me Me Meeeeeeee
#40 by Memarie Lane on April 15, 2008 - 11:14 AM
Suzanne- the GreenWorks is coconut based, but doesn’t smell anything like coconuts.
Lotus- I agree, I’ll be posting my post on it tonight. It may not be 100% natural, but 99% is better than 10%, eh? And I like the smell.
Memarie Lane’s last blog post..Hot Dog on a Schtick
#41 by Lisa- Domestic Accident on April 15, 2008 - 12:14 PM
Wow, Tanya, is a eco-rockstar! I am so impressed.
I looove Method products. It’s a wonder I don’t eat them I think they smell so good.
#42 by Lois on April 16, 2008 - 2:44 PM
I’d love for you to share a link to this post on my blog (http://www.goodiesformom.com) under my post “Share Your Thoughts for a Greener World”. We are having an Earth Day Celebration through 4/22 trying to help bring green to everyday people. This would be a great addition.
Lois
#43 by SabrinaT on April 17, 2008 - 7:28 AM
What are the cloth’s called? We just got the Clorox here and I love it!
SabrinaT’s last blog post..Our Day part 2… The long awaited recipe…
#44 by b on April 17, 2008 - 12:17 PM
i love all the greenworks products! seriously, i’m addicted! i stumbled upon them by accident at wal mart one day. i had some not eco friendly products in my cart and walked by a display for them. they were actually CHEAPER than the crap i had in my buggy. i heart them!
oh and i heart bG diapers as well!
b’s last blog post..I’ll be fat but happy
#45 by SJSFalter on April 26, 2008 - 4:46 AM
I have been out of the blogsphere (well the reading and commenting part) for a bit but am super excited about this post. I have made an executive decision to head our family in the “green” direction and found this very helpful. Thanks, I will be checking back for more tips and such.
SJSFalter’s last blog post..Because I Don’t Know
#46 by Amy on July 14, 2008 - 6:47 AM
Great to see your list and has inspired me to do more!!! We started making smail changes a little while ago and now I am inspired to do more!!! Way to go!!
Amy’s last blog post..Getting to know you….