Green Mom: Waste Not Want Not
I am pretty new to the green scene so I am still testing out eco-friendly products to find the ones I like. My dilemma is what to do with the items I don’t like. For instance, I bought some dishwasher detergent that simply didn’t work. I had to rinse the dishes thoroughly before putting them in the dishwasher (wasting water), and then wash at least a quarter of the load again after it had already been through the dishwasher (wasting water again). I couldn’t take it anymore, so I bought different detergent leaving a nearly full bag of capsules sitting under my sink. Similar things have happened with shampoo and conditioner, bath soap, and cereal.
I’ve resolved to buy trial sized items when possible so I can test out the product before buying a larger size. I still don’t know what to do with the old items though. I’m hoping I can convince my husband to keep using them while I move on to the new product. Now if I can only get through the six tubes of toothpaste I bought at Costco before I decided I wanted to go natural.
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1 comments:
Unfortunately, I have had similar issues - I have been trying to get through a bottle of Global Balance bathroom cleaner for more than a year because I feel like I should use it since I bought it! I hate it though and I should just get over it and pour it down the drain. After all, I bought it because it was biodegradable and non-toxic so isn't that the point? No guilt? Just recycle the bottles. I have never seen trial sizes in all natural stuff so good luck! It will probably cost you $8.00 for 2 oz. To help you in your quest to try things that work - I will tell you that Palmolive's Free and Clear liquid dish soap (for the sink) is awesome. I also really like the Greening the Cleaning products. Their all-purpose cleaner is fabulous and same with their glass spray but I prefer this other one that has oranges on the front and I can't remember what it is called. It's essentially vinegar though. If you're not using Bon Ami and and Murphy's oil soap, you should because they are old school products that work but are all natural. But I struggle big-time with the dishwasher stuff and laundry det. because I never feel like those work as well as the regular stuff so I just look for no phosphates and no bleach. When I see that pricetag on the laundry detergent, I never feel like I can waste $15 on a product that I rely on so much with two kids!!! In Cookie Magazine this month they did a little test of all-natural cleaning products that really work. You should check it out. http://www.cookiemag.com/brain/2008/10/green_cleaning. And if you don't already look for tested items on the Green Guide, you totally should. Sometimes it's still hit or miss but worth a shot. Also, say what you will but Martha Stewart wouldn't endorse a cleaning product that didn't work and they always do tests. Again, good luck.
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