A green home is one that is eco-friendly and is at harmony with the environment. You can help the environment by making your home greener. Here is how you can do so by adopting a more energy-efficient and earth-friendly lifestyle.

Read the following top ways to green your home.

1. Upgrade to greener appliances.
Make your home energy efficient by upgrading to greener appliances. Replace old appliances with energy-efficient models that are Energy Star rated to scale down your energy bill. According to the Energy Star site, use of energy-efficient appliances in just one in 10 homes is equal to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees.

2. Temperature control.
More than 50% of a home’s energy bill is from heating and cooling appliances. Moderating the thermostat according to the weather goes a long way in reducing energy consumption. Other energy saving methods include using a modern furnace, cleaning its air filter every month and the use of ceiling fans instead of air conditioners.

3. Saving water.
There are hundreds of ways one can save water and reduce energy consumption. A few include fitting faucets with aerators and installing water efficient low-flow toilets.

4. Clean with green products.
Buy green household cleaners that are made of natural, non-toxic substances instead of toxic ones. Carpet and window cleaners containing grain alcohol, detergents made of coconut or other plant oils etc. are bio-friendly.

5. Energy-efficient lighting.
Replace incandescent bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs). CFL bulbs use 66% less energy and last 10 times longer.

6. Use recycled paper.
Whenever you buy paper, get 100 % post-consumer recycled paper. These consume less virgin pulp and keep waste paper from ending up in landfills. You can also save more trees by opting out of junk mail lists. Using unbleached paper is more eco-friendly as the bleached paper process results in the creation of harmful byproducts. Also, eschew paper and plastic bags and carry your own cloth bags for shopping.

7. Bamboo floors.
Bamboo floors are more environmental friendly than hardwood floors. Bamboo matures in four to six years while it takes 50 to 100 years for typical hardwoods.

8. Shun plastics.
Plastics are not bio-degradable. They produce harmful greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming when processed, burned or dumped into landfills. The best way is to avoid plastics, the next best thing is to reuse and recycle them.

9. Eco-paint.
Use environmentally safe paints that are organic and solvent-free to paint your home.

10. Green your garden.
Avoid synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides. Instead use organic manure such as compost and non-chemical pest control methods.

by Real Estate Advisor
About the Author:

Poway Real Estate San Diego Condos Carmel Valley Real Estate

Buy the book: Green This!

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It is no wonder when you consider that most homes contain toxin soaked carpeting, formaldehyde soaked particleboard, toxic household cleaning supplies, PVC, offgassing, dry cleaning, plastics and much more. If it was manufactured in a lab, odds are it is not good for you or your family. The short and long term dangers are compounded if you have children or pets.

The good news is that it is not terribly difficult or expensive to start greening your home. Gaiam has a nice article called 5 Easy and Cheap Ways to Green Your Home and the list includes:

1. Take your shoes off at the door to avoid tracking in lead, pesticides and other contaminants. The good news is, your home will stay much cleaner too.

2. Get rid of vinyl (PVC) which is commonly found in shower curtains, kids toys and backpacks. Look for the #3 or letters PVC. Why get rid of it?

“PVC frequently contains notorious phthalates to make it soft. According to the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, these phthalates are known to cause liver and kidney damage, endocrine disruption, reproductive system damage and, possibly, cancer, and they can easily leach out of PVC. And finally, harder PVC often contains lead and cadmium, two heavy metals that have also been linked to a host of health issues, including cancers.” Gaiam.com

3. Switch to green cleaners because traditional household cleaners turn your indoor air and surfaces into toxic hazards. There are many green cleaners on the market today and they are a step in the right direction but making your own cleaners with vinegar, baking soda and salt is the most healthy, inexpensive, non-toxic and earth friendly way to clean your home.

4. Use indoor plants. They look great, are positive feng shui and yes they absorb toxins from the air. The best plants for toxic absorption are ficus, spider plants and English ivy.

5. Open your windows even if it is for a few minutes a day and yes, even in the winter. Even adding a little fresh air to the mix will help dilute the toxins in your household air.

An ancient Chinese art of placement, Feng Shui literally translates as ‘wind-water’. This science balances the five elements - earth, metal, water, wood and fire, correcting the flow of energy in your environment thus setting the stage for positive happenings. It has successfully been applied by companies like Walt Disney, HSBC, Citibank, etc.

The environment in homes and offices is constantly influenced by the ‘chi’, i.e. the energy that comes in. This has a direct impact on the occupants and various aspects of their life such as health, success and opportunities.

The goal of Feng Shui is to make certain that the chi is flowing properly in your environment. When the energy is aligned, occupants are more successful in their lives and businesses. Before getting down to the life changing process of implementing Feng Shui in your home or office, it is vital that you prepare for these changes to occur. One of the basic ways in which you can do this is by getting rid of clutter.

Clutter can be defined as possessions that you don’t use any more. These are often objects that we believe may one day be useful, broken items that we intend to repair someday and old clothes that we hope to fit into again.

Everything in your house has the potential to raise or reduce your personal Chi or energy. Each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with which you resonate at a deep level. Clutter and untidiness causes constriction and inertia in the corresponding aspects of your life.

Clutter blocks your progress in the areas of opportunities, wealth and relationships. Putting things out of sight is not the solution. The stagnant Chi will still be present. Cleaning the clutter from your environment creates a free flow of chi which in turn brings abundance into every aspect of your life.

The following are simple and powerful tips that anyone can implement in their environment without a consultant and reap the benefits immediately:

1) Sitting and sleeping in your auspicious direction will not only increase your abundance but will also have a positive effect on your health and well being.

2) Broken gadgets should be repaired or disposed off as these will cause the chi to stagnate. This in turn causes various aspects of your life to stagnate as well.

3) Washing the floor with salt water at least once a week will keep the bad energy at bay.

Make the Most of Your Living Area
1) The energy coming through the front door is an important factor that determines how happy and prosperous the occupants will be. Make sure that there are no obstacles in the path of the flow of chi.

2) Placing a frog with a coin in his mouth at the entrance of your home will invite abundance and opportunities for you and your family members.

3) While most plants, especially upward growing ones are auspicious in your environment, cactus plants should be outside your home.

Create a Comfortable Environment in Your Bedroom
1) A bedroom mirror that reflects the bed creates serious problems. From relationship problems to severe health problems, these are avoidable simply by removing the mirror or by covering it completely at night

2) Remove any water images from the bedroom. The same principles that apply to mirrors in your sleeping area are valid here.

3) Do not place your bed under overhead beams since this causes headaches.

Bathroom, Toilet and Corridors
1) Keep your bathroom and toilet doors closed and place a framed mirror outside the bathroom door to prevent wealth and opportunity from being drained out.

2) Placing a bowl of sea salt in your bathroom will eliminate negative chi from this area. The salt has to be changed every two days.

3) Use a six rod metal wind chime in the center of a long corridor to break the flow of harsh chi.

Enhance the Energy in Your Office Space
1) Keep your work desk a clutter free zone and deal with any outstanding back log of bills, memos, paperwork etc. Doing so will create opportunities and possibilities.

2) Position your desk so that you are able to sit with a solid wall behind your back to ensure that you have support in your business.

3) Avoid sitting directly in front of the doorway since the harsh energy will come straight to your table bringing a lot of problems and obstacles directly to you.

Things to Keep in Mind while Buying a House
1)Avoid buying a house facing railway tracks, located near a police station, hospital, open drains, graveyards, etc as these are inauspicious and bring in a lot of harsh chi. This causes severe health problems.

2) Bathrooms located in the middle of the house can cause your energy to drain away, leaving you feeling tired and lethargic.

3) Avoid buying a home with an entrance that is below street level. It is difficult for beneficial Chi to enter this type of building.

Author: Leo Velloz
About the author: Leo Velloz is a Feng Shui Consultant and founder of ‘Holistic Studio’ where he helps people achieve their goals and enrich their lives through Feng Shui, Aura Scan, Meditation, Healing . He has completed his Masters in Feng Shui under Lillian Too in Malaysia. You can contact him at leovelloz@gmail.com or visit his website at www.holisticstudio.com

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Many people often find themselves cleaning their home like crazy, because they want to make sure their home is clean for their children. Unfortunately most people have no clue about the harmful toxins found in many household cleaning products. Many mothers an fathers find themselves using bleach to clean items bought at yard sales, and even to clean walls or bathrooms.

Why should they not? I mean the bottles do not say how toxic it is! All the manufacture cares about is making a parent think the product is great to kill germs, so as parents we buy them. They fail to alert users of the toxins contained in these cleaning products. Most parents find themselves cleaning off the baby’s crib, toys, and floors with cleaning products, that are leaving more toxins behind than the toxins they are cleaning because the companies are NOT required by law to alert the consumer!

Here are some facts about common household cleaning products found in many homes across the globe today!

Formaldehyde, phenol, benzene and toluene are found in common household cleaners and all have been linked as cancer causing and toxic to the immune system.

Children are highly vulnerable to chemical toxicants. Pound for pound of body weight children drink more water, eat more food and breathe more air than adults. The implication of this is that children will have substantially heavier exposures than adults to any toxicants that are present.

Most children at young ages spend much of the day putting things in their mouths. Especially toddlers, they seem to put anything and everything in their mouths that they can get their hands on. In 1998, scientists at Rutgers University discovered that pesticides sprayed in a home evaporate from floors and carpets, and then re-condense on plastic and foam objects such as pillows and plush toys. By observing how frequently a group of pre-schoolers put clean toys in their mouths, the researchers calculated that contaminated toys are likely to give young children much higher doses of poison than adults would get in the same environment.

Babies do not excrete contaminants or store them away in fat in the same ways that adults do, making the poisons more available to affect rapidly growing bodies. Furthermore, because a baby’s immune system is not fully functional, a baby’s body cannot counteract toxic effects as well as an adult can. In an adult, a blood-brain barrier insulates the brain from many of the potentially harmful chemicals circulating through the body. But in a human child, that barrier isn’t fully developed until six months after birth.

A pregnant woman can also pass the toxins from common cleaners to their unborn child! Many contaminants such as dioxins and PCBs have an affinity for fatty tissue. During pregnancy, women mobilize their amassed stores of body fat to provide nourishment for their growing babies; the contaminants in the fat are then passed to their children. Nursing mothers also transfer a good portion of their lifetime accumulation of chemicals to their babies.

Children that are exposed to toxins in the womb are at greatest risk of all. Because cellular structures change so rapidly during embryonic and fetal growth, a toxic exposure at the wrong moment can permanently alter further development. According to Dr. Landrigan, the central nervous system is especially vulnerable. To function properly, the developing brain must lay down an intricate web of interconnecting neurons. Small doses of neurotoxins during critical periods of brain development can alter those crucial neural pathways - one mistake early on, and the brain may be forever changed in subtle or serious ways. Government and university scientists are currently investigating the possibility of a connection betweenfetal exposures to toxins and developmental disabilities such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

As a parent you SHOULD be concerned about this! Cleaning your home with toxic products are literally breaking down your children’s bodies and adding onto the changes of cancer and other life threatening health concerns.

Even if you had no clue about this concern, until you just read this article, now is the time to take action! You can start by only bring into your home toxin free cleaning products! Get rid of any products that are not eco-friendly. If a product is eco friendly, that means it is safe to have in your home! If it is safe to have in your home, it is safe to use without having to worry about the harmful effects!

Visit http://www.safewellnessproducts.com today and view the entire selection of all natural eco friendly home care products. All cleaning supply products are nontoxic, natural, concentrated, contain no phosphates and are a biodegradable formulas! This means they are safe to have in your home. Concentrated cleaning products will last longer than the store bought products, so you will be saving money and cleaning the toxins from your home!

Author: Danni Vickers
About the author: Safe Wellness Products combines the best of science & nature come together to create healthy lives and toxin free homes! If you are concerned about you or your families health and wellness, we can help you create a more earth friendly home and eliminate toxins from your home! Visit http://www.safewellnessproducts.

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Author: Shayna Schnereger

Bleach, ammonia, dish detergents, drain cleaners, furniture polish, laundry detergents, oven cleaner, toilet cleaner, window cleaner, shower cleaner, pesticides, garden sprays, cosmetics, shaving lotion, aerosol cans. Every household across America has at least one of these (probably several) toxic products in their home.

Of course they’re in every home because we all have to clean, we all have to eat, and we all have to wash our dirty laundry. Since these are things in every home it only makes sense that the manufacturers would use ingredients that are safe; I mean we’re breathing this stuff, right?

Yes, I mean–no.

Yes, we are breathing this stuff. But no, most of the companies do not use safe ingredients. Many of the harsh chemicals being used in our everyday products are harmful to us and our families. Many of these products have the potential to cause eye problems, respiratory problems, visual problems, memory impairment, headaches, dizziness, and even death.

Many of these chemicals are being linked to cancer and here we are using them inside our homes, breathing in the toxins. Using these potentially hazardous chemicals in our homes causes indoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution not only affects us at work and at home; even places we visit for a short time can have a harmful impact on our health. Indoor pollution is a known source for causing asthma, allergies, and lung cancer.

“The main strategy with home-brewed cleaners is to use them a bit more often; don’t leave a cleaning job until the dirt and grime builds up in months-old layers. A gentler and more frequent approach will do the trick.” Tutorials.com

Indoor air pollution is not the only problem we have to worry about when using these household products. We also need to consider that when we lay down in our beds at night we’re having direct contact with these chemicals for approximately eight hours. That’s eight hours of hazardous chemicals right on our skin. After we get out of the shower, we’re drying off with a towel that’s been washed in toxic, caustic chemicals. We’re using potentially hazardous dish soap to clean the dishes and the baby bottles that help nourish our families. These harmful chemicals are also found in our hygiene products. The very things that are supposed to be cleaning us and keeping us healthy are harmful to us.

One common hazardous chemical used in our products is Formaldehyde. But if you look at the ingredients of many household products will you see Formaldehyde listed? Nope. You will not see it listed because a different name is being used. Quaternium 15 or Q15 is a common name that you will see listed in the ingredients of your household products. Guess what? Q15 is a Formaldehyde-releasing preservative. But that’s not the end of the list. There are many other harmful ingredients that are commonly used in the household items we buy.

Is this shocking to you? Of course it’s shocking.

These are brand names we’ve trusted for years. These are things we’re using to take care of our children’s health and well-being. Should we continue to buy things that are poisoning us and our families? Do you see a connection between harmful chemicals in our everyday products and numerous health issues including cancer, allergies, and skin conditions? There is a real connection here and more people are taking notice of this and choosing alternatives for their families.

And the hazards I’ve mentioned so far are caused by simply using these products. Let’s imagine what happens to children that ingest these hazardous chemicals. Do you know every year approximately 91,000 children are accidentally poisoned each year? And yes there are fatalities as well. Sadly, about 100 of these children will die each year. Are you ready for a crucial
change?

“The cost of these commercial, chemical-based products can be high — long term health concerns for the family, and environmental pollution caused by their manufacture and disposal. In the US, for example, 1 in 3 people suffer from allergies, asthma, sinusitis or bronchitis (US National Center for Health Statistics). Treatment for these conditions should include reducing synthetic chemicals in the home environment.” eartheasy.com

Visit eartheasy to find formulas to make your own non-toxic cleaning products at home with inexpensive, family safe ingredients

Purchase: Caldrea Kitchen Starter Set, Green Tea Patchouli, 16-Ounce Box

About the author:
Contact Shayna at mailto:sschnereger@socal.rr.com subject=poison my family for information about preventing these hazards in your home.

Author: Rona Sharp

Wash balls - they look like a cheap plastic toy!

If you are looking for another way to green-up your life, you might find these little gizmos useful. They’re easy to use, they’re much better for the environment and they can save you quite a lot of money on your laundry.

So what are they?

Wash balls are plastic balls you use instead of detergent in your washing machine. They’re also known as laundry balls or even eco-balls. They are simple to use - just put one in with your wash, set your temperature and cycle and let the laundry balls do the rest.

But if you want really good results, there’s a little more to know.

Wash balls don’t always deal with stubborn dirt and stains - not at low temperatures at least. Some stains may need the help of a stain remover, which comes included with some wash balls. Ground-in dirt can be resistant. So if you have active kids, rugby players - or gardeners in your family you might need to pre-soak some things.

I use my laundry ball on almost every type of wash. I run my machine on warm or hot for the dirtier items such as socks that have been worn while gardening. Most other things will be fine on a cooler setting.

Laundry Ball Features:

I think it’s a good idea to run the washing machine on its hottest at least once a week. That way there’s no build up of the bacteria which can cause ‘off’ odors. To help keep your machine clean and fresh you can use vinegar or washing soda and run your machine on empty every so often. It’s also sensible to wash towels and other personal items at the hottest setting to prevent bacterial infections from spreading.

How do wash balls work?

The clay balls inside the wash ball ionize the water, which repels the dirt.

Are they safe?

You bet! They are far less toxic than most detergents used in cleaning - though obviously you should keep the refill balls out of reach of small children. If you suffer from skin problems or allergies, they are less likely to cause you problems than most detergents.

How long do they last?

How long is a piece of string! But really, they last a good long time between refills. I’ve used some of mine for 4 months or more.

At the end of your wash just remove the wash ball from the washing and put it somewhere to dry ready for the next load. Keep them away from the kids and the dog, though. They do just look like toys!

Using a wash ball is a great way to green-up your laundry day - and you even save money. A perfect eco bargain!

Sheryl’s comment:
Why would you spend money on harsh, nasty chemicals to soak your clothing in when there is a natural, eco-friendly, non-toxic alternative (that will save you tons of money). Another great alternative to toxic commercial detergents is laundry soap nuts, which are an all natural laundry soap that literally grow on trees. You can’t get much more natural than that! Soap nuts are also available as a liquid detergent, which comes with the benefits of liquid that you are used to but in a eco-friendly, healthy, natural and biodegradable product.

Buy: Amazing Laundry Balls

About the Author:
I’m passionate about the environment and finding small ways we can green-up our lives. My web site, Greenfootsteps.com is all about easy ways to green up your life without breaking the bank. Most of my articles are about environmental issues and health.

Author: Hillary Marshak

The NoteBaert Nature Museum hosts a multi-level Extreme Green House, inhabited by the fictitious and wacky Green family, who shows you how to be “green” in your bathroom, your basement, your dining room, and of course (the reason why we’re here)…your kitchen.

Demonstrating landfill capacities, and displaying live rotting meals, museum experts offered loads of information from the simple recycling tip, to the science of composting. They showed us what bacterias were good and bad for us, as well as what cleaning products are more eco-friendly than others. They even sold a kit for making your very own cleaning products.

Want to make your own green cleaning products? It is not only an eco friendly choice, but an economical and safer choice as well. Skip the toxic blue window cleaner. Mix white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Trust me, it cleans better and costs pennies. Sprinkle salt on a lemon half to scrub your counters. Make your own soft scrub by cleaning your sinks with baking soda. You will learn that you can clean just about anything in your kitchen with salt, vinegar and baking soda.

I didn’t have the time to take in all of the Green family’s great tips, but I was inspired to do more research about how one could consciously maintain a greener kitchen. From the simple tip, to more structural tips, here is what I found:

1. Induction cooktops - Heat is released directly toward the pan or pot only. Not only does this save a great deal of energy, but the rest of the stovetop isn’t hot.

“Induction cooking is one of many advances made in home cooking. With induction cooking, surfaces stay cool while the food gets warm or hot. It uses magnetic friction to deliver heat through coils to the pots or pans on the surface. This prevents the ceramic surface from becoming hot, which prevents burns.” www.eei.org

2. Countertops made from recyclables - Supposedly sleek, these suckers would make for the truest green kitchen out there.

3. Use recyclable products AND recycle them - I am a hypocrite sitting in an office that uses styrofoam cups and plates, but I know that we should use paper so that it can be recycled. Go out of your way to purchase recyclable products, and make it your mission to recycle them! All paper can be recycled…even paper towels! If you buy biodegradable products you can add them directly to your compost bin and do your own recycling.

4. Water conservation - Never walk away while the faucet is on. Even if it’s just for a second, it’s not like electricity where it costs more to turn it on and off. It costs more to leave it running! Even though we’re not always savvy to this fact, we really do need to conserve water in this country.

The little things really do make a difference. Shop locally. Seek out organic, sustainable and fair trade items not only for your refrigerator and pantry but also for your housewares and kitchen decor. Find more tips on creating a green kitchen at www.eei.org.

Buy the Book: Good Green Kitchens

About the author:
Hillary Marshak is an editor at Recipe4Living.com where she enjoys reading and writing all about food! She loves trying out new recipes and thinks that everyone out there should be adventurous with their food! Among her favorite cuisine is Japanese. She also writes entries for the “Chew on That” blog to be read at http://chewonthatblog.com. Check it out!

Author: IPRWire Staff Writer

Our earth is everyone’s responsibility. We all want to have a healthy environment to pass on to our children, but it can often seem like eco-friendly behavior is difficult to attain. Environmentally conscious consumers will be happy to hear that more and more earth friendly product lines are being developed to make healthy living simple and convenient.

Living an earth loving life is not just good for the environment in the long run, it is also good for your health immediately. The chemical products that have become so ubiquitous in our
society’s day to day life are making people very sick. Research is now linking chemicals found in everyday household products to a prevalence of allergic reactions, occurrences of asthmatic
attacks, infertility and even the rise of cancer. An earth friendly product provides a healthy alternative that will work great and not make people sick.

There are many harmful aspects of our homes that we have little control over. It is unfortunate, but many of us live in homes that were built in ways that are not ecologically friendly. Although many people are not aware of it, their homes are filled with pollutants in the form of paint, fabrics, and the very building materials that hold up the roof. These products emit fumes and gases that actually cause the air inside a house to be more polluted than the air outside.

Sometimes the best things in life are free - or close to it. You can get the freshest organic produce by growing it in your backyard. Cleaning products? Don’t bother. Use vinegar, salt, baking soda and elbow grease for most of your household cleaning jobs. Vinegar, water and a spray bottle will clean better than toxic blue window cleaners for example. A bonus? If your three year old decides to drink it, they will make a nasty face but you wont have to call poison control!

Although homeowners tend to start in an environmental deficit, this does not mean that they cannot make their houses healthy over time. Natural home products have been developed for all
aspects of life, including home building materials, chemical free cleaning products, organic foods, natural beauty products, and environmentally friendly fabrics. By always selecting an earth friendly product, consumers can ensure that everything new entering the house will contribute to the overall good of the family’s health and the environment’s future.

There is now no excuse for using chemical based products. First, it is easy to find retailers that carry natural products. Shoppers no longer have to go to specialty stores because the
earth friendly product they desire is likely stocked on their local store’s shelf and can even be found online. Second, as the products gain strong fan bases, clear favorites are starting to
stand out. Next time you are out shopping, look to see which products most people are reaching for. Finally, unlike before, natural products are very competitively priced, making them
affordable for all budgets.

Sheryl’s comment:
Please believe that the small things make a difference. Your choices have an even greater impact if you choose items that are sustainable, fair trade and not tested on animals. Every eco friendly choice you make does make an impact and it will improve your health, your family’s health, your quality of life and the health of the earth - not to mention your peace of mind.

About the author:
The goal of LiveEarthFriendly.com is to bring news, tips, information, links, earth friendlyproducts and natural skin care products that are earth friendly together in one place.

Buy the Book: It’s Easy Being Green

Websites featured in the video:
www.fairpacific.com
www.mohawkflooring.com
www.ppg.com
www.therawartist.com
www.veneziafireplace.com
www.hunterdouglas.com

How you use salt in your cleaning routine
Salt dissolves easily in water and can be used by itself or mixed with several other environmentally-friendly cleaners. You can combine it safely with vinegar, lemon juice, or even washing up liquid.

Mix salt with vinegar for a good general purpose cleaner. Don’t use it on linoleum, waxed surfaces, or marble. The vinegar may cause damage to the surface. Salt and vinegar will also remove stains from teacups and teapots. Salt and vinegar solution leaves glass and tiles shining.

Try using salt for washing the dishes if you run out of liquid dishsoap. Just sprinkle a tablespoonful or so into the water. Rinse the dishes well afterwards. You might want to wear gloves or use a skin cream after using it as salt is rather drying for your skin.

Oven and stove spills can be covered with salt. Let the mixture stand for a few minutes. Add a little water if necessary, then wipe up. The salt absorbs the liquids and helps lift them from the surface. It is particularly good at absorbing grease and oils.

Salt can be a great cleaner for cast iron pans. Sprinkle salt around and then wipe clean. You can even do this instead of washing it in water. It seems to work as a scouring paste does. Alternatively, use it with hot water. Rinse the pan afterwards and brush with oil. Salt appears to help protect the surface and makes it more like a non-stick pan. As you use this method, pans seem to develop a patina that helps them slough off dirt.

Add a few tablespoons of salt and a very little water to burnt pans as soon as the damage occurs. This makes them easier to clean. Most of the damage lifts right out with a normal pan scourer.

Salt can be mixed with lemon juice to clean metals. Use lemon juice or lime juice and salt to clean brass and pewter. Sprinkle salt into an empty squeezed-out lemon half and rub down the metal. Rinse off the gunk and buff the surface to a shine with a soft cloth. Be careful to rinse away the salt and juice carefully or your brass may turn green! This is because of the copper in the brass and is quite harmless. It will wash off.

If you haven’t yet tried cleaning with salt, have a go next time there’s a cleaning job to be done. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how effective it is and you’ll be flushing fewer toxic chemicals into the water system and the environment.

About the Author:
I have a background in alternative medicine and education. I’m currently building a web site on green living called Greenfootsteps.com. The main focus is simple ways to green up your life without breaking the bank. There are articles on green cleaning, organic gardening and alternative health strategies.

Buy the book: Green CleanImage Source: http://flickr.com/photos/amandawoodward/240195192/