| Once upon a time... not that very long ago, really, | | | | cleaning scrub with baking soda, water and a few |
| green was pretty much just a color - people just | | | | drops of vegetable-based liquid soap. |
| naturally paid more attention to money, not the | | | | Distilled white vinegar can be put to a number of |
| environment, and "going green" meant changing | | | | green cleaning uses, including: |
| you kitchen's color scheme. But no more: we're all | | | | * Using a spray bottle, combine 2 tablespoons of |
| trying to save money and be eco-friendly these | | | | vinegar, 1 tablespoon of borax and hot water; |
| days, so here are some tips that will help you go | | | | shake until the borax is dissolved, add a few |
| green and save money to boot on baby products. | | | | drops of vegetable-based liquid soap, and you've |
| Going Green Tips: Recycled, Repurposed Clothing | | | | got a terrific all-purpose green clear for just about |
| Let's face it, no one wants to spend big bucks | | | | any surface in the house. |
| these days on baby clothes, especially when your | | | | * Add 1 cup of vinegar to the final rinse in the |
| tot or toddler is growing out of everything almost | | | | washing machine to help break down soapy |
| daily. One way to both go green and save money | | | | residue and make clothes fresh and soft - |
| on kids' clothes is to get comfortable with the | | | | especially helpful with diapers and baby clothes! |
| concept of recycled and repurposed kids' clothing. | | | | Going Green Tips: Bottoms Up Baby Wipes Kit |
| Get together with a group of friends (and friends | | | | Many moms are choosing cloth diapers as a way |
| of friends to widen the circle) and have a clothing | | | | to go green and help the environment. And |
| tradeoff. Check out local swap meets and garage | | | | reusable cloth baby wipes are another excellent |
| sales, which often offer brand new items at | | | | choice. The Bottoms Up Baby Wipes All-In-One Kit |
| bargain basement prices. And save gas money | | | | is an easy - and portable - way to go green. Each |
| and carbon emissions by shopping online - many | | | | Bottoms Up Baby Wipes kit includes 25 all natural |
| parents are selling used and new baby clothes on | | | | 100% cotton terry cloth baby wipes, one |
| eBay or other online outlets. Check out the | | | | container for the clean ones and another, with a |
| photos and item descriptions carefully and keep | | | | mesh bag insert, for the dirty ones, clean and |
| an eye out for items that are NWT (new with | | | | dirty wipes waterproof travel bags and essential |
| tags) or NIB (new in box) or large lots of | | | | oil blends to combine with water to pre-soak the |
| pre-worn clothes that can look good as new after | | | | wipes before using them. Once the wipes have |
| a good wash (in eco-friendly detergent, of | | | | been used, the mesh bag can go straight into the |
| course!) | | | | washing machine with your next load of wash and |
| Going Green Tips: Green Cleaning | | | | will quickly be ready for reuse - the cloth baby |
| Baby and everyone in the house will benefit - | | | | wipes don't even have to go into the dryer! |
| both environmentally and financially - if you make | | | | Bottoms Up Baby Wipes are chemical free, and |
| some household cleaning products yourself. It's | | | | since you're reusing them, much less excess trash |
| less expensive than buying commercial products, | | | | is being sent to landfills. Also, compared to buying |
| and these homegrown green cleaners use less | | | | disposable baby wipes every week or so, you'll |
| harsh chemicals (a special bonus for delicate baby | | | | have saved hundreds of dollars before it's time to |
| skin!) For starters, you can make an all-purpose | | | | toilet train your baby! |