REMEDIES FOR THE PLANET
Updated: April 13, 2008 0:56 AM EST
Bring us your sure-fired, your pure, your huddled fixes that will help us to breathe free! These are your ideas to make our homes less polluted, our waters purer, and the world the balanced place it once was. Do you have a toxin-free window cleaner, an easy composting system, or a hint about using less electricity? Pass it along to the community, and come on in to share the wisdom others have already offered.
Click here to submit your remedy now!
Suggested Categories:
- Air
- Auto
- Electric
- Garbage
- Home
- Office
- Outdoors
- Shopping
- Water
OUR READER FEEDBACK -- THANK YOU!
AGW
4/12/2008: Derren Blake from Oxford, England writes: "Do nothing - AGW is a farce with little scientific evidence to back up the theory. Water is not included in climate models and as it acts as the main greenhouse gas (in its vapour state) therefore renders the climate models redundant - as would be the many scientists if they do not toe the line and promote the propaganda.
We should all pressure industry to stop polluting the sea with real contaminants and protect the rainforest's from being destroyed to feed our indulgences."
SIMPLICITY
3/27/2008: Eye from Ellensburg, WA writes: "Buy used, buy local, live simply.
Being poor might not be glamorous but it has forced me to live simply. I buy used items whenever possible, walk or catch rides to save on gas, and hang clothes to dry so they'll last longer.
I believe that buying used is the most ethical and helpful thing we can do to help the Earth, help our budget, and show that we don't support inhumane labor practices or the trend toward poorly produced items with planned obsolescence. Ever notice how hand-me-down kitchen appliances last a long time but the new stuff breaks very quickly?
No, I don't always buy used--good tennis shoes, for example, should be new--but it's a good idea whenever possible."
BUCKET UNDER AIR CONDITIONERS AND HUMIDIFIERS
12/29/2007: Steve (westman407@gmail.com) from Winfield, Missouri writes: "SAVE WATER IN WINTER: We have a whole house humidifier that is hooked up to the furnace. I put a 5 gallon bucket under the drainage hose of the humidifier and save the water for plants, cleaning, etc... First of all you would be suprised at how much water you are sending down the drain. Second it is just water that is running over a radiator looking filter for the air. So if you add humidity to the air, then save the water if you care."
GYMS AND ELECTRICITY
12/1/2007: Thamas from Eastcoast, Australia writes: "just an idea - if all the equipment in gyms around the world stored the energy created from the bicyle and weight machines, this could be fed into the system for electricity. At the least it might generate enough power to run it's own building."
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA CLEANER
10/27/2007: Kathy from Boston, USA writes: I'm trying out the ACV for a bad food experience and will post later. But, before I forget, I must say that this ACV and BS mix with water is one of the best degreasers and cleaners ever. My mom used to use straight vinegar, but I mixed it with water and BS. 2C water, 1/4C ACV (cheap/distilled) and 2-3TBS Baking Soda. Make it in the sink in a tall bucket or bottle because it will really fizz for a bit. I don't enclose it for a few days so the gases can be released without popping off the top of my cleaning bottle. Once that's ready, I clean the stove and the floors, etc. I had a very greasy, not cleaned for weeks, stove pan and just soaking it overnight in this stuff...just wipe away. No scrubbing. Great stuff. And, won't harm pets. If you need an emergency glug, it's right there...as long as it's stored in glass. I wouldn't drink it if it's been in plastic...too much of the dioxin.
Thanks for this great site.
Kathy"
WATER CONSERVATION TIPS
10/22/2007: DL from Atlanta, GA writes, "For those in drought-stricken areas of the Southeast who need to constrict water usage, I wanted to tell you what my husband and I are doing.
1. My next door neighbor told me about this recently. Put a 2 gallon bucket in the tub to catch water while you wait for it to turn to hot. You won't believe it but the bucket fills up almost to the top in our house before the water turns hot. I can't believe how much water we've been wasting!! We've been carrying the bucket outside and giving it to the plants and trees in dire need of water.
2. Rain Barrels under the gutters. Home Depot (at least in the Atlanta area) is now selling rain barrels for about $47. You can buy much nicer ones online (search "rain barrels"), but the homemade ones they are selling at Home Depot are basically gray garbage cans with an attached bendable arm to hook to the gutter and also a water spout at the bottom that you can attach a hose to. We just installed 2 of these this morning, one on each side of our house, but caught a good 3 inches of rain from the roof top in about 2 hours. In a heavy rainfall, these barrels would fill up fast!!"
ANTS
3/14/2008: Joyce from Joelton, Tn writes: "Hello Amy, Walmart's sells a product that I have had very good success with on those confounded ants that invade the kitchen. It's called TERRO, found in the bug killer section. Just put it onto a shallow plastic lid & sit it on your sink where they love to congregate. It is very surprising to see those little creatures flocking to get to it even though there is already a bunch of dead ants in it. Your termites, probably need a pest control for that, because the stuff used to kill is very potent and not recommended for amateurs. I have read that if you sprinkle quick cooking grits into an ant hill, that the ants will carry their queen this little treat to eat which cause her to swell & die. This was reported to work on fire ants also. For those of you who have a big mosquito problem, which will be rampant very soon now, I have also read that if you take a shallow white dish, fill it almost full of water, add a few drops of Lemon Joy detergent, the mosquitos will flock to it for drink which kills them, often within l0 - 12 feet of getting that drink. Also for those of you who don't already know it, GARLIC ingestion will make you distasteful to ticks and chiggers. Also if you rub down with ACV before heading for the woods and meadows, the insects don't like you too much either."
3/13/2008: Amy from Trotwood, Ohio writes: "does anyway know how to get rid of termintes and ants now that the weather is getting warmer they are coming in my kitchen sink window area , and underneath the sink cabinet where the gagarbage disposal area and dishwasher base."
10/14/2007: Thomas from Kerrville, Texas writes: "Leftover cold coffee and the grounds take care of ants. A really huge mound may take 4 hrs, but what's the rush anyway? For global warming solution, and other great information, simply check out Malcolm Beck's website."
8/21/2007: Bill (jaydoc99@msn.com) from Bloomfield, New Mexico writes: "I rarely see this, but it works every time! On an ant nest, or across the ant's trail,simply apply lemon juice. The store concentrate seems to work as well, also. I have never had to apply lemon juice more than twice to eliminate large ant populations. A bonus is that this remedy has no toxic effects for your pets."
8/21/2007: jackie from grand rapids, minn writes: "thanks bill from new mexico for the remedy for ants. I have a big ant hill in the back yard i've been holding off doing anything about.one year i put ant bait outside and the wildbirds ate the ants and died so never again will i do that. i even feel bad about killing the ants, but digging them up and moving them to the woods i don't think would work."
8/20/2007: keeper (keeper30805@yahoo.com) from Blythe, Ga. writes: "re: Ants -- Sprinkle a little corn meal around mound."
LAUNDRY
9/10/2007: Maria from Houston, Texas writes: "white distilled viniger gets my laundry very clean it takes out grass staines and sweat smell out it leaves it smelling fresh and soft."
TEA TREE OIL CLEANING PRODUCTS
9/6/2007: Nadine (stardust_65@msn.com) from Philadelphia, USA writes: "I recently discovered a company that sells home cleaning products and cosmetics made from tea tree oil and plant enzymes. I was a bit skeptical at first and only tried them to help a friend but I am pleasantly surprised. My daughter loves them too. I no longer have to open all windows and doors when I am cleaning my bathroom and I am helping the environment as well."
CLOGGED DRAINS
9/5/2007: Bev from Elroy, WI writes: "at Menard's you can purchase an inexpensive [approx. $4] plastic toothed plastic strip that you stick down your drain and it pulls up the hair etc that is clogging. It is about two feet long."
DISINFECTANTS
8/21/2007: jackie from grand rapids, minn writes: "thank you shirley for the recipes for safe cleaners. Also to someone for the safe drain cleaners. last month after some checking in to, i bought shaklee basic G which is a safe disinfectant to use and you only need a small amount and it cleans so well! (i'm not a sales rep) I use about 1/4th tsp in a large empty windex bottle filled with water too for windows, mirrors, even a couple of drops in a gallon of water with a microfiber cloth to dust with or clean appliances. This quart will last a long time but i plan on trying the white vinegar and lavender oil occassionally too, and maybe replace the shaklee cleaner when gone. the market is literally flooded with toxic cleaners. it seems funny that companies are allowed to produce all this stuff. i've noticed there is chlorox for outdoor use now, which is so bad for the environment. and the long list of insecticides and weed and grass killers. Some 13 years ago, my springer spaniel developed seizures after a well meaning neighbor sprayed grass killer along the fence so i wouldn't have to cut the grass. ( he didn't tell me until days later). Much is made about the chinese toy recall, because of lead paint, well yes lead paint is bad, but our country is not that perfect either with hazardous chemicals."
SAVE PAPER
8/21/2007: Lainey from Los Angeles, CA writes, "I waste of ton of paper at the office scribbling notes here and there. I recently downloaded google desktop onto my computer to see what exactly it was. Low and behold, 2 areas to type my notes! The checklist is where I can eyeball them on the right side of my monitor. It's great! I am now figuring out how to use the web-based calendar to add birthdays. Yeah, maybe I am a little behind the times -- these new gadgets are cool!"
RECUMBENT BIKE
8/19/2007: Ken from Oz, Kansas writes: "I just bought a recumbent bike and rode it to the grocery store instead of driving a car. I also plan to ride it to work--it saves gas, provides good exercise, is good for your mood and you can enjoy the scenery."
USEFUL TIPS
8/18/2007: Deborah from Spicewood, TX writes: "Put kitchen waste in brown paper bags and add them to a compost pile. Use the compost in your very own veggie garden.
Wash and re-use plastic bags when buying bulk foods at the market.
Use old or torn plastic bags to ball up and wrap with masking tape to make balls for cats, dogs, and kids to play with. They last a long time and kids can draw on them with crayons to add color.
Put water filters on your faucets and in the fridge and drink water while you're at home instead of buying lots of plastic bottles and disposing of them, creating more plastic waste than we can deal with. Plastic isn't degradable so it creates massive landfills that will survive for decades. Do drink water, but drink more at home, or take a pretty glass with you to work so you can wash it. Use less or no ice (less stress on the kidneys), and cut off drinking large amounts of water at night so you don't go to the bathroom all night. Preserves your rest too.
Don't pour old and unused medicines into the toilet or into the drains to go into your water system -- Just throw them into the trash, but take them out of the container so they decompose.
Plan your trips wisely and buy only as much gas as you will use in a week. Use that amount as a gauge to plan with and to measure how much you really NEED to drive. Its surprising how much less traveling you have to do if you start really looking into your habits around gasoline usage.
Live simply, do more with less, be thankful for what you have and respect those around you - people, animals, plantlife."
WARNING -- DON'T GIVE PLASTIC BAGS TO YOUR PETS!
11/3/2007: Christine from Baltimore, MD writes: "Please don't give your cat or dog plastic bags to play with. One reader here suggested doing this. They can choke on the plastic if chewing the bags. Also many strays have been found with the plastics handles of the plastic bags wrapped around their necks, and they were unable to get them off. The handles on these bags cause alot of problems for animals, and it's best not to let any pet play with the bags."
CLOGGED DRAINS
8/17/2007: Melissa from San Diego, CA writes: "After coming to this site, I have switched to using H2O2 and baking soda for almost all cleaning and the cold shower remedy has helped me to cut way back on shower time to save water. However, I am still looking for an alternative to Draino for a clogged sink drain. I have removed as much of the disgusting hairs etc. that I can reach with tweezers, but there is a still a clog in the curve of the pipe that I can't reach. Any suggestions?"
EC: Here you go, Melissa (from an environmental site we're working on...)!
Drain Cleaner Formula #1:
Use this formula once a week to keep drains fresh and clog-free.
1 cup white vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 cup baking soda
1 gallon boiling water
Pour baking soda down drainer disposal, followed by the vinegar or lemon juice. Allow the mixture to foam for several minutes before flushing the drain with boiling water. The combination will react with a churning action that helps keep the drain clean without dangerous chemicals.
This formula plus a regular plunger will keep your pipes clear.
Drain Cleaner Formula #2:
1 cup of baking soda
1 cup of salt brine
Pot of boiling water
Pour into baking soda and salt brine down drain and follow with boiling water. This is excellent for shower drains that are clogged with hair.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE WONDERS
8/16/2007: Erik from Erie, Colorado writes: "I wanted to let everyone out there know i'm 35 yrs old, work on a shipping dock, and have the most energy of all my employees who are at least 10-15 yrs younger than i am. i have been using these techniques for sometime now and it's just amazing h202 also replaces mouth wash and kills mildew in showers, I have stopped using chemically treated house hold cleaners and know use H202 3% grade for now i had a stain on my carpet for yrs i sprayed some H202 on that stain let it set for a few minutes then just wipe it away -- it was amazing. i also use it in my water 4-5 drops per glass and use it to clean my ears of wax and it even helped clean up a very bad infection i had on my foot. i wish people would see it's the effectiveness of the product and not the price and how well it works. Just let everyone know that is so much more than a temporary solution. it is the solution to cure most all viruses and so called diseases. I've had family members die from cancer who could of been saved just from this vital information. so please no matter how much people say it's impossible or you're wrong, keep it up and don't give up telling everyone you know. I will have to try the baking soda technique as well. thank you."
RUST REMOVER
8/16/2007: Kyle (kyle32085@yahoo.com) from Maple Lake, MN writes: "CHEAP RUST REMOVER: Hi, I have found that the phosphoric acid in coca cola can actually be a cheap rust remover for light rust. You just soak the rust spot with the cola and use a steel brush or some kind of sponge and it should come off depending how bad the rust is. Its better than buying an expensive and toxic rust remover."
CLEANING SOLUTIONS
8/16/2007: Shirley (shirley(@)dyalit.com) from mid, Missouri writes: "To cut down on toxins in my home,
I make my own cleaning products"
Wood furniture cleaner/polish
1cup white vinegar
1/4 to 1/3 cup olive oil
4 drops lavender oil
4 drops peppermint oil
Put in spray bottle and shake before use.
Wipe on and polish, with soft cloth
All purpose cleaner
1-cup alcohol
1-cup distilled water
4drops lavender essential oil
4drops peppermint oil
Mix in a 24 to 32 oz. Spray bottle Disinfects and cleans about everything.
All bathroom fixtures, Appliances, mirrors and windows. Even kick-knacks.
Floor-Cleaner
Add ½-cup white vinegar to
1 bucket of warm or reasonably hot water
Add 3 or 4 drops each
Lavender and Peppermint oil
No toxic chemicals and it saves a lot of money."
QUESTION TO SHIRLEY
3/7/2008: Melissa from San Diego, USA writes: "One of the all-purpose cleaners calls for alcohol. Does this mean rubbing alcohol, or something like vodka. I used rubbing alcohol because that's all I had, but it's a pretty pungent smell. I'm thinking vodka would smell better? Also, looking for a non-toxic way to clean/polish a stainless steel fridge. Thanks."ANSWER
3/9/2008: Shirley (shirley/@/dyalit.com) from -, Missouri writes:
"Hello Melissa,
You may use either, rubbing alcohol or vodka.
I have used vodka before in my cleaners, but it is more expensive,
however you’re right, there is little or no smell to vodka.
You can change these recipes to suit your needs. If the smell
of rubbing alcohol is too strong, just do lesser amount of alcohol with more water.
Or use vodka in place of rubbing alcohol.
You can also adjust the essential oils to be more to your liking.
The essential oils help deter any type of bugs, or mice from wanting to live inside your home.
Bugs hate Lavender and mice hate peppermint.
So it’s a good thing to add those to keep a clean home free of these pests.
You do not have to use essential oils in these recipes if it’s something you don’t care for.
It is very easy to adjust the recipes without changing the way they clean.
Sorry I didn’t make it clearer before.
I hope this helps.
Shirley"
MISCELLANEOUS REMEDIES
8/15/2007: Tara from Vinings, GA writes, "My remedies for the planet: Every time I leave a room I turn out the light. I try and not leave more than 3 lights on in the house at any time. We have also replaced almost all the light bulbs in our house with those compact, 13-watt florescent light bulbs I am slowly adding drought tolerant plants to our yard (especially after the terrible drought this summer). We stopped using paper napkins after visiting a friend of ours in Boston and seeing her go completely napkin-less (along with her 2 little girls and husband) in order to save paper. Now we use cloth napkins and only wash them after several meals have gone by. The poo bags I use for the dogs are biodegradable (except in the state of California -- heh heh). That's all I can think of for now!"
THE EMAIL THAT BROUGHT ABOUT THIS PAGE
8/7/2007: Merry writes, "... maybe start a new page, when and if you have time, which allows citizens of our beautiful planet to report what they are doing in a positive manner, to counteract the effects of global warming, personally and within their community such as: "today i rode my bike 6 miles to the grocery store instead of driving my suv. way to go me!" or: "today i attended a city council meeting and asked that members consider placing bike trails in and around the city to encourage pedestrian and bike traffic. or: "today I hung my wash on a drying rack instead of using the dryer" :o)"
EC: Thank you, Merry!
PLEASE TELL US YOUR REMEDIES TO HELP THE PLANET!!
