Green Frog Eco-Services

Oh, Sweet Lavender

2010-02-06T18:31:00.000-08:00

If there is a sunny spot on the walkway to your house, that's an ideal place for a potted lavender or bush because its fragrance will surround you each time you arrive and leave. You'll get in the habit of running your fingers over its foliage to release the aroma as you pass. What could be better than a single plant that is decorative, aromatic and provides ingredients for many other projects?

"When I am an old lady I shall have a lavender bush and sprinkle the blooms upon my sheets and under my pillow; steep it into tea and press its spikes among the pages of my books."

Lavender has been used for centuries for its healing properties and as a perfume. As far back as AD 77, the Greek and Roman doctors attested to the use of lavender for many physical discomforts. It is said to ease depression, sooth upset stomachs, and calm the itch of inset bites to name just a few of its properties. It can be used for decorating, cooking, and crafting beautiful gifts.

It is thought that the name of the plant comes from the Latin "lavare", to wash, since the Romans used to bathe in lavender-scented water. They found it refreshing, and it was in this role that the herb was to be valued for many centuries to come. A dab of lavender water on the temples was considered the ideal treatment for the vapours. Legend tells us, that lavender was brought to Britain by the Romans from southern France.

It was a highly valued plant due to its healing, soothing and insect repelling properties. Lavender oil was also used for massage. Records show that monasteries used lavender medicinally and it was listed as such, as far back as 1301. The Lady of the Manor used lavender for culinary and medicinal purposes and kept a still-room for preparation and use by family and staff.

In today's upscale restaurants flowers are making a comeback as enhancements to both the flavor and appearance of food. As a member of the same family as many of our most popular herbs it is not surprising that lavender is edible; its use in food preparation is also returning.

Lavender was often used during Tudor and Elizabethan times in the preparation of a wide variety of dishes and was a particular favorite of Queen Elizabeth I. The palace gardeners were required to have lavender flowers available at all times which were used to make Conserve of Lavender (a mixture of lavender flowers and sugar) and sweet lavender tisane (a drink made with lavender flowers, boiling water and honey.)

Today the flowers can often be found in salads where they bring a dash of color, fragrance and a bitter-sweet flavor. The blossoms and leaves can be used instead of rosemary in many recipes and crystallized flowers make beautiful and tasty cake decorations.

Many of the purported medicinal uses for lavender have, upon modern scientific testing, proven to be legitimate. Lavender oil does have antibiotic activity effectively killing many common bacteria. Lavender oil was used extensively during world Wars I and II on the battle field and whenever medical supplies became scarce to prevent infection and as a pain reliever. The sedative effects of lavender are well documented in medical tests demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing caffeine induced hyperactivity, and increasing length of sleep by ingestion or inhalation. The inclusion of lavender in lotions and oils placed on burns and bee stings aids in relieving the pain and its use in massage oils helps in relaxing muscles.

While many of the medicinal properties of lavender involve the use of lavender oil or dried lavender flowers the stems or "straw" left after stripping the flowers can be burned like incense and have often been used as a means of deodorizing and disinfecting sick rooms. The other maladies that Lavender is reportedly helpful in controlling include such things as the control of dandruff and hair loss when included in shampoos.

Many of these claims have yet to be tested scientifically, but it is evident that many of the old uses for lavender were more than simply old wives' tales.

JRV July 2008(ArticlesBase SC #853321)

Green Pet Tips

2010-02-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

Living a green lifestyle includes those little furry bundles of four-legged love too! Below are some practical tips for going green with your pet.

Adopt from a shelter

Some pet breeders have only one goal—to raise large quantities of purebred animals for profit. They've also been pilloried for misdeeds such as overbreeding, inbreeding, poor veterinary oversight, lousy food and living conditions, overcrowding, and culling of unwanted animals. Why buy when you can adopt one of the 70,000 puppies and kittens born every day in the United States?

After my beloved cat of 18 years , Wendy, needed to be put down in 2001, I vowed to NEVER have another cat again. A week later, my husband and I drove my the STL Humane Society.

He turned and asked : "Is it time?"
"No! but we can look" I sniffled.

That is when Wilson (see above) came into our life. A misfit, a return. He looked so sad, so desperate. We took him into the "Meet and Greet" room just to give him a little contact. He bit me and jumped into the "Take Me Home" box. It was love at first sight!
Almost 9 years later, Wilson has raised our 3 other misfit kitties aka The Slims and we cannot imagine life without him.
There are thousands of strays and rescues in your town looking for a Forever Home.
Love knows no pedigree or breed.

Spay or neuter your pet
Did I mention 70,000 puppies and kittens are born every day in the United States? That’s 15 puppies and 45 kittens for every hairless biped that slides out of a birth canal. We don’t need any more homeless animals than we already have. As a bonus, spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by eliminating the possibility of uterine, ovarian, and testicular cancer, and decreasing the incidence of prostate disease.

Rein in your pets; protect native wildlife

Always keep your dog on a leash when outside, and confine your mangy feline indoors. Topped only perhaps by habitat destruction, cats are the biggest, baddest bird killers of all time. Even wind turbines have got nothing on them.

While you may poo-poo high cat-related bird-mortality rates as collateral damage in the great Circle of Life, domestic cats do have an unfair advantage. Unlike wild predators, house cats are always well fed, well rested, and in tip-top fighting shape. They’re also present in more concentrated (and rapidly increasing) numbers than say, the San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike.

That aside, two out of every three vets, according to the Humane Society of America, recommend keeping cats indoors, because of the dangers of cars, predators, disease, and other hazards. The estimated average life span of a free-roaming cat is less than three years; an indoors-only cat gets to live an average of 15 to 18 years. If kitty needs to heed the call of the wild, an outdoor cat enclosure is a good compromise.

Swap out the junk food
Most conventional pet-food brands you find at the supermarket consist of reconstituted animal by-products, otherwise known as low-grade wastes from the beef and poultry industries—you know, inedibles you wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot fork. In fact, the animals used to make many pet foods are classified as “4-D,” which is really a polite way of saying “Dead, Dying, Diseased, or Down (Disabled)” when they line up at the slaughterhouse. Unless that can of Chicken ‘N Liver Delite explicitly states that it contains FDA-certified, food-grade meat, you should know that its contents are considered unfit for human consumption—but apparently good enough for your cat or pooch.

Now, since nutrition is one of the key determinants of health and resistance to disease, ideally you’ll want your pet’s chow to be comparable in quality with what we would eat.

Natural and organic pet foods use meats that are raised in sustainable, humane ways without added drugs or hormones, minimally processed, and preserved with natural substances, such as vitamins C and E. Certified-organic pet foods must meet strict USDA standards that spell out how ingredients are produced and processed, which means no pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, artificial preservatives, artificial ingredients or genetically engineered ingredients.

Give them sustainable goods

Your furry friends can get in on some saving-the-planet goodness, too—and have plenty of fun—with toys made from recycled materials or sustainable fibers (sans herbicides or pesticides) such as hemp. A hemp collar (with matching leash) is a rocking accessory for a tree-hugging mutt. These days, you can even get pet beds made with organic cotton or even recycled PET bottles.

Use natural pet-care and cleaning products

You don’t use toxic-chemical-laced shampoos and beauty products, so lather up your cats and dogs (or ferrets, rabbits, or hamsters—we don’t judge) with natural pet-care products, as well. And if your cat horks up a hairball, or Fifi doesn’t make it all the way to the bathroom, clean up the mess with cleaning products that are as gentle on the planet as they are on your critters’ delicate senses.

Pets, not fads
Sure, everyone’s ovaries ping when they see a five-year-old moppet cradle a tiny chick or a bunny during Easter, but nature dictates that baby bunnies grow up into rabbits, and little chicks into full-size chickens.

My own father, being a HUGE softie when it came to our critter friends, decided one year to get my little brothers a "chick" for Easter. What my father did not know was that "Figaro" was not a chicken, but a duck...So for the next few months, Figaro the Duck lived in the sunporch off of our gargage in our sleepy suburban Chicago hamlet. We loved him, fed him and them one day *poof* Figaro was gone.
Let's just say that the local butcher had a well-fed, very loved duck dropped off on his doorstep.

Parents, please remember this tale. Chicks and bunnies are cute, but they are living breathing animals that require care and attention just like the family dog or cat. They are not disposable.

Unless everyone involved understands that a pet is a long-term commitment that involves demands on both their time and money, you’re better off giving the kid a stuffed animal. Impulse buying (say, rushing out an grabbing the next available Dalmatian puppy after watching 101 Dalmatians) isn’t a good idea, either, as the large numbers of fad dogs that pass through shelters (often to their death) can attest.
Pets are not fads or fashion accessories.

Melt the ice, nicely

Use a child- and pet-safe deicer such as Safe Paw’s environmentally friendly Ice Melter. Rock salt and salt-based ice-melting products, which kids and animals might accidentally ingest, can cause health problems, while contaminating wells and drinking supplies.

Tag your pet

It might be a stretch to call inserting an electronic ID chip into your pet an eco-friendly move, but losing your buddy causes extreme emotional distress that turns you into nobody’s friend. Then there’s the paper waste from printing out Missing posters, the fuel cost of driving around your neighborhood trying to find them, the phone bill as you bawl your eyes out to everyone you know … well, you get the idea. Ask your vet for more info. For hanging tags, check out these recyclable (and recycled) aluminum ID tags and these WaggTaggs made from recycled silver.

Compost their poop
American dogs and cats create 10 million tons of waste a year, and no one knows where it’s going, according to Will Brinton, a scientist in Mount Vernon, Maine, and one of the world’s leading authorities on waste reduction and composting.

Most of our pets’ poop either winds up in a landfill purgatory, where it’s embalmed practically forever in plastic bags, or sits on the ground until the next rainstorm washes it into the sewer where it can drift on down to rivers and beaches. You can compost the poop—just don’t use it with your vegetable garden, because the compost doesn’t heat up enough to kill pathogens such as E. coli., which could contaminate your homegrown produce and land up in your (very unhappy) belly.
If you have room in your backyard, you can bury an old garbage bin (note: far away from your vegetable garden) to use as a pet-waste composter. Or check out the Doggie Dooley. The makers of the Doggy Dooley also sell an enzymatic “Super Digester Concentrate” for your backyard pet septic system.

Be a pet chef

If you want to know exactly what is going into your furball’s food dish, or your pet suffers from allergies, you can always make your own puppy (or kitty) chow. If the idea of becoming a fulltime pet chef is just crazy talk, making the occasional meal or treat is completely doable. Those broccoli stalks left over from your last stirfry also make some tasty morsels for your pup.

Get crafty

Your cat will love you forever if you grow your own organic catnip or cat grass. Scrap yarn and fabric you might otherwise toss can also easily be transformed into pet toys with some basic crafty know-how. And they wouldn’t have had to be trucked thousands of miles just to get drooled on.

Get ticks off

While you don’t want to douse your pet in toxins, it is also important to keep the bugs in check. Pets can carry ticks, and ticks can carry Lyme Disease, a serious and poorly understood disease that attacks the nervous system.

If you live in an area where Lyme Disease is a risk, be very cautious and seek sound advice on keeping ticks off you and your furry friends.

Offset your pet

Maybe Fido will only drink water from an electric-powered water fountain, or like my cats- like to drink out of the tub faucet (which also doubles as a shower-yes shower! for my cat Salem) or perhaps you have a self-cleaning litter box from before you went green—we all have corpses buried in our backyards.

Sure you could buy carbon offsets, but why? Be proactive. Recycle what you can, tell Scruffy the water in the dish is just as good as the water fountain. ( Add a couple of ice cubes- it works!) or, like me- remind Salem that he is a cat and thus "self-cleaning". If you still feel the need to offset- plant some trees in your local Dog Park or in your own yard. Fido will thank you.

Stay Green! Kate@ Green Frog Eco

Practical Ways to Go Green in 2010

2010-02-01T19:26:00.000-08:00

The Easy Stuff

1. Say good-bye to plastic AND paper bags. Keep a couple of canvas totes in your trunk, in your backseat, at your desk, and hanging from the back door. Not only are they eco-friendly, but they make lugging in those groceries SO much easier!

2. E-billing- need I say more? No more old bills to pile up on your kitchen counter, catch all basket, desk drawer, etc. If you want to keep a record- download to your PC for future reference.

3. Reuse! Before you toss that old basket, cooking pot, jacket etc ask yourself- can I use this in some other way or if there maybe someone that could use it more? Many organizations desperately need household items. Google it. You may be surprised.

4. Recycle and compost. If you are like me and live in the city of St. Louis, you know how frustrating it is that there is no RECYCLE pick up. Really-in this day and age?

With a little bit of pre-planning and a bit of organization you can thumb your nose at the city. Set up three (or more) tall kitchen size trash cans either outside your back door or in a utility room. Separate them according to the drop off sites available in your area. Also, have a "compost" can. You can purchase them surprisingly cheap at http://www.dwellsmart.com/. Toss in a box of BioBags and you are set. Whenever your bins get full- bag 'em up and drop 'em off. Easy!

Home Sweet Home

5. Start composting -- it's simple and you get free fertilizer. You have already started with your kitchen compost bin, right? Stay tuned. Even though it is only February, I will have some great "mid-winter" composting tips for the novice.

6. Start using "grey water". What is "grey water"' you ask? Let me tell you more!

Any wash water that has been used in the home, except water from toilets, is called grey water. Dish, shower, sink, and laundry water comprise 50-80% of residential "waste" water. This may be reused for other purposes, especially landscape irrigation.

Why use grey water?

It's a waste to irrigate with great quantities of drinking water when plants thrive on used water containing small bits of compost. Unlike a lot of ecological stopgap measures, grey water reuse is a part of the fundamental solution to many ecological problems and will probably remain essentially unchanged in the distant future.

The benefits of grey water recycling include:
Lower fresh water use
Less strain on failing septic tank or treatment plant
Better treatment (topsoil is many times more effective than subsoil or treatment plant)
Less energy and chemical use
Groundwater recharge
Plant growth
Reclamation of otherwise wasted nutrients
Increased awareness of and sensitivity to natural cycles

Is grey water reuse safe?

Yes. There are eight million greywater systems in the US with 22 million users. In 60 years, there has been one billion system user-years of exposure, yet there has not been one documented case of greywater transmitted illness.

7. Paint only with no-VOC formulas. Buying low- or no-VOC paint may cost more than conventional paint but it will release fewer or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your home or office air. VOCs create ground-level ozone pollution and carry potential health risks

8. Switch to an electric kettle for boiling water. Electric kettles use less energy than their stove-top counterparts, and there are stainless steel options available if you're wary about boiling water in plastic.

9. Build a rain barrel to get free water for your garden and plants. (Tip: In the winter, collect snow, scoop it into a pail, and bring it inside so it can melt and be used for watering indoor plants. Plus you save a little scratch on that pesky water bill)

Getting Around Town

10. Walk. Really? It makes sense, doesn't it? Walking at an average pace, most people can go 1.5 miles in 30 mins. To and from that's 3 miles. Not a bad little work out, ehe? Not only does it save fuel and cuts down on emissions, BUT it will help you feel a little less guilty about that 3 am Krispy Kreme!

11. Public transit. No, I am not talking about a cab. What about the bus? The city of St. Louis has a great rail system. Use it! Going to a Blues game? Nothing is easier than taking the Metro Link. As an added bonus, you never know what sort of interesting charaters you will meet.

12. Buy a bike. Remember all the fun you had cruising around town as a kid on your Huffy? Relive those moments (and squeeze a little exercise in as well). Customize your new bike. Add a basket to haul groceries from the local farmers market or bring a quart of soup and a bouquet of flowers to a sick friend.

Fill Your Belly

13. Say good-bye to meat (at least once a week). I'm not talking tofu here, just meatless. Pasta with fresh tomatoes & basil, add a little bruschetta on the side- delish!

14. Eat local & organic -- it may not be nutritionally superior, but it's a lot better for the planet and your pocketbook.

15. Refuse to buy foods that are unnecessarily packaged, such as fruits and vegetables. Do your tomatoes really need to be cradles in a cardboard nest surrounded by plastic wrap? Really?

16. Annoyed by excessive food packaging? Tell your grocer or the manufacturer. Fire off an e-mail or write a formal letter expressing your concern. (As a rule, every letter a company receives represents about 50 people of a like mind.). And do not hesitate to bring it back to the store with you upon your next visit.

17. Grow your own fruits, veggies, and herbs. No brainer. You know exactly what went into and on them.

Stayin' Gorgeous!

18.. Be Green inside and out -- think organic cotton, bamboo, hemp and other sustainable, natural fibers, as well as recycled fabrics. They are surprisingly durable and feel great on your body.
19. Switch to all-natural cosmetics. A good rule: If the ingredients list looks like Sanskrit, steer clear.

20...Reuse- again- Shop at secondhand and charity shops before hitting the mall or your favorite boutiques. You can usually find some great gems.

These are just a few of the ways you can commit to going green in the New Year. Just remember: It can be a challenge as you adjust to a new way of thinking, but it's worth sticking with it.

Non-Toxic vs. Green? Is there a difference?

2010-01-29T09:41:00.000-08:00

Google "green cleaning tips" and you will get a myriad of websites showing you how to "do it yourself".

Great! but before you Google ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I want to find an all natural way to clean my house and keep it chemical free?

2. Am I willing to be committed to this new change?

3.Do you know what surfaces can be cleaned with what?

4.Are you wanting to make the change for your family's health and well being or is it because you are concerned about the chemicals and waste generated by typical household cleaning or both?

5. Are you doing it for financial reasons?

Ok, let's address these questions one by one:

1.Do I want to find an all natural way to clean my house and keep it chemical free? Keeping your home chemical free is great, no matter what your intentions are, but are you doing it properly?

Cleaning with all natural products is a bit different than cleaning with bleach, 409 and Soft Scrub. It takes a little finess. You cannot just take a bottle of vinegar pour it on any surface and voila! .

Have you ever sprayed vinegar around your house? I can tell you from experiance the scent is less than soothing . Yes, it evaporated after a half hour or so, but do not be surprised if your spouse or children wonder who tipped over a bottle of Italian Dressing.

Cleaning with all natural products takes a little time to understand how they are working.

Most of the time you do not to let them sit and eat through the grime like other cleaners.

Vinegar and alcohol are surprisingly effective when it comes to loosening baked on grime. Are you using sponges, rags, paper towels, micro fiber? Which works best with your new cleaners?

With a little trial and error, a bit of research and patients- you will be able to learn the techniques and methods of cleaning with natural products. Is this green- sort of, but we will get to that later.

2. Am I willing to be committed to this new change? It's an honest question. You can do all of the research and mixing in your kitchen, but if you do not commit to the change, you would be better off spending you time (and money) with your family or looking for loose change in the couch cushions.

Do I sound cynical? Maybe a little. I have a lot of people in my life that like to make the statement "We have gone Green!" and they show me their little canvas grocery tote.

Within a week, that lonely little canvas tote is buried beneath a pile if plastic bags in the dark reached of my friend's pantry.

I am not saying that they do not have the best of intentions, but sometimes it is not the intention, but the execution of the plan that determines success or failure.

When I decided to begin "green cleaning" my home, I knew it would be hard for me to stop reaching for the All Purpose Bleach Spray and the Swiffers , but my husband was a whole different story!

Cleaning is right below a root canal in his To-DO List. He would grab a towel and some bleach and BAM! it was clean (in his book). So, I had to trick him into using the new "green" products.

If you are committed, try this easy method of incorporating the new green cleaning products into your family's everyday life-

Step 1: Remove all toxic cleansers from the house. Find an organization that could use the donation or find a drop off facility in your area that will dispose of them properly. ( Never dump the contents out and try and reuse them, seriously!)

Step 2: Take you new spray bottles filled with your new cleansers and put them where the old ones used to be. Be sure they are labled and you have directions as to what surface they could be used on. For example:

This solves the "What the heck is this stuff for?" questions.

Step 3: Move the paper towel. In its place, add a stack of natural cloths such as SKOY or Twist or just a pile of clean absorbant rags will do to start. A small basket or bucket nearby will help corral the used cloths.

(Yes, I did not say "Get rid of the paper towel". Paper towels are sometimes needed. Anywho who has pets or kids will tell you that there are certain things you can NEVER get out of a towel. Besides- paper towels can be added to your compost pile)

There will be resistance, but eventually, you and your family will begin to incorporate these new practicing into daily life.

3.Do you know what surfaces can be cleaned with what? Its true. Do your research.
Speak with a Professional Green Cleaner. Green Frog Eco offers in-home Green Clean Audits and will show you how to make and use the green cleaners.

4.Are you wanting to make the change for your family's health and well being or is it because you are concerned about the chemicals and waste generated by typical household cleaning or both? Both are equally valid reasons for choosing green cleaning methods (is there really ever a wrong reason?) but the motivation behind the two are very different.

Your family's health is always your top priority, so if you are doing it for that reason only- kudos to you! but why not take it a step further?

Have you ever wondered what happens to the chemicals you used to clean the kitchen counter or the toilet bowl cleaner that you flushed after cleaning? What about all of the paper towels, Swiffer cloths ( wet and dry) , empty bottles from cleansers, air fresheners, discarded plug in air fresheners, old vaccuum bags? The list goes on and on.

Cleanser end up back in our water supply. Paper towels and the rest end up in landfills. Sure, some of it is biodegradable ( eventually) by why throw your money away and damage the the enviroment in the process? This brings us to question 4.

5. Are you doing it for financial reasons? Huh? What does this have to do with being green or the enviroment? Tons!
First of all, let's look at the hard numbers:

Natural Options:
1-gallon of white vinegar is $1.69
1- 16 oz bottle of alcohol is $1.00
1 box- baking soda is $2.50 for the jumbo box
Borax is $3.50
3-32 oz spray bottles are $6.00
8 pack of Skoy-$10.00
1 roll Paper Towel-$2.00
Rags- Free
= Total $26.69

Traditional Method
1-24oz All Purpose with bleach $3.00
1-24 oz Glass Cleaner $2.50
1- Soft Cleanser- $3.50
1- Toilet Bowl Cleaner -$3.50
1 box Swiffer Dry refills-$4.50
1 box Swiffer Wet Refills - $4.50
1-Disinfecting Wipes-$2.50
4 Rolls Paper Towels- $8.00
=$32.00

Now, the intial $5.31 difference does not seem like that it is that big of a savings, right? Well, think again. The Traditional method would last the average family of four approx 1 month. The Natural option would last the average family of four 3 months. So, we are intitally looking at a $15.93 difference per month, then you need to add into the equation that the bottles are paid for and the Skoy are paid for. The average 8 pack of Skoy if handled properly will last about a year. So..
After the intitial investment, the Natural option would save the average family of four $255.72 in cleaning costs a year. Not too shabby,ehe?
Also, the paper towels and the Skoy (when the time comes) can be added to the family compost heap. The vinegar bottles can be kept to carry grey water out to the yard or to store large batches of pre-made cleaners for eay refill. The ends can be cut off to make large plastic scoops/shovels for dog food or yard work. Or, they can just be recycled. You chose.

As you can see, there are number of reasons to "go green" when it comes to cleaning your home. They are all valid and hopefully you have discovered that no matter what your reason, it really IS easy being green!

Stay Green!
Kate @ Green Frog Eco

Blends to Ease the Winter Blues

2010-01-28T20:14:00.000-08:00

Lack of greenery, gray skies, a snow-covered world, reduced activity and the cold temperatures of winter can all lead to what is known as the "Winter Blues."
The Winter Blues involve feelings of sadness, depression and loss of energy. The below blends can help ease the symptoms of the winter blues. Citrus oils are emphasized because they are energizing and uplifting oils. Orange, lemon and grapefruit oils are inexpensive (especially orange) and are also favored by many people, so your whole household may enjoy the aroma.
When selecting and using oils, be sure to follow all safety precautions and remember that aromatherapy should not be used as a substitute for proper medical treatment.

Directions: Select one of the blends shown below. Then, choose which method you'd like to use the blend and follow the directions below:

Diffuser Blend:
Multiply your blend by 4 to obtain a total of 20 drops of your chosen blend. Add your oils to a dark colored glass bottle and mix well by rollling the bottle in between your hands. Add the appropriate number of drops from your created blend to your diffuser by following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Bath Oil:
Multiply your blend by 3 to obtain a total of 15 drops of your chosen blend. Continue by using the 15 drop blend in the Bath Oil recipe.

Bath Salts:
Continue by using the 5 drop blend in the Bath Salts recipe.

Massage Oil:
Multiply your blend by 2 to obtain a total of 10 drops of your chosen blend. Continue by using the 10 drop blend in the Massage Oil recipe.

Air Freshener:
Multiply your blend by 6 to obtain a total of 30 drops of your chosen blend. Continue by using the 30 drop blend in the Air Freshener recipe.

Blend #1
3 drops Orange
2 drops Grapefruit

Blend #2
4 drops Orange
1 drop Ylang Ylang

Blend #3
3 drops Orange
2 drops Ginger

Blend #4
3 drops Grapefruit
2 drops Cypress

Blend #5
3 drops Bergamot
2 drops Clary Sage

Blend #6
3 drops Bergamot
1 drop Neroli
1 drop Jasmine

Paper Towels? Who's needs them?!

2009-10-29T12:31:00.000-07:00

Paper towels, they are a staple in all of our homes. Sure, we try to 'go green" by using 7th Generation, etc, but it is still disposable waste.

When I decided to go green, I had a real dilemma. I love paper towels! I love Swiffer Dry Cloths even more! When you have 4 cats and a lot if tile, nothing gets rid of the cat hair quicker. I knew I had to break my addicition. I started to research and then one day I came across the 4-pack of Micro-Fiber cloths at the Dollar Store. I filled my cart. Yes, I still have the occasional roll of paper towel for the icky stuf ( hairballs, litter box misses, ect) but instead of 5 rolls a week (gulp) I use less than a month.

Try this and see if you can break the addicition.
Here's how:

Step 1) go to the Dollar Store and get:

* 1-(4) Pack of thick mico fiber cloths for each room (8 for the kitchen and bathroom)
* 3 sets of cloth napins (or flour sack) for meal time ( white works best)
* A couple of stacks of flannel dusting cloths ( to replace the Swiffer Dry)
Step 2) Hide the papertowels under the sink, in the utility room, etc. Put the cloths in the spot where you usually keep the paper towels.

Step 3) At dinner, use cloth napkins instead of paper towels or napkins.

Step 4) Launder wash cloths and napkins in your normal laundry. ( On my deep clean day, Saturday, I toss the used cloths in the laundry as I go. When I am almost out, there is a fresh clean stack ready to go!)
In the 4 months since making this change, we have used 3 rolls of paper towel. It is easier than you think.

Kate@ Green Frog Eco

Why buy when you can REUSE?

2009-10-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

Of course, we all want to be greener, but that means something different to everyone. Some of us buy only "organic" or "free trade" foods. Most of use bring our own reuseable grocery totes instead of using those evil little plastic bags, but what about the rest of the time? Do you have a full trash bin every week? Oh, I know- you also have a full recycle bin, but are there other things that have snuck into the trash? That towel that has your daughter's purple hair dye on it? The pair of tube socks with the hole in the heels? Plastic ziploc bags?

Don't dispair, try some of these tips the next time you are ready to toss something in the trash:

Reuse old towels. Instead of buying new washcloths, hand towels, tea towels or dishrags, cut your old, thin and ragged bath towels into hand towels and dish towel-sized pieces. Once the dish towels and hand towels get to the point where they’re better off as dish rags or washcloths, cut up some of the former. When the dish rags and washcloths are too pitiful looking to be used for their intended purpose anymore, they become cleaning rags.

Cut, hem and embroider old sheets. They make lovely table doilies, table clothes, table napkins, pillow cases, curtains, neckerchiefs, and handkerchiefs. They can also be used for cleaning rags, car polishing cloths and dust rags. If 100% cotton, they can be boiled, laundered and dried, then folded and ironed for use as emergency medical bandages, sanitary pads, and diapers. What do you think they used in the olden days?

Avoid costly laundromats. Clothes can be scrubbed with any suitable or mild detergent or soap in a bathtub, sink, bucket or any large enough container and rinsed thoroughly. Just hang in any dry location, outside is best, inside is fine in winter especially if indoor air is too dry. Free humidifier! A broiler pan from the oven can be used as a scrub board. Lacking that, stomp around in a large plastic tote full of dirty laundry and detergent for a half hour, empty, refill with clean water to rinse, repeat rinse cycle a few times, wring out the clothes and hang them on a clothes line.

Save those old, ragged t-shirts. They can either be turned into rags, as mentioned above for towels, or cut & sewn into long strips connecting them into one big ball of “yarn” and crocheted or knitted into heavy afghans, blankets, bedspreads, lap covers, rugs, or clothing, such as hats, scarves, or shawls and ponchos.

Gather old scraps of soap and put them in an onion or orange plastic mesh bag, or an old piece of pantyhose or sock. After tying a knot in both ends, use the bound soap scrap bag as an exfoliating body scrubber.

Realize that soap, shampoo and body wash are all pretty interchangeable. If you run out of one, use the other, at least temporarily. Run out of soap / shampoo / body wash? They’re all pretty much inter-changeable, just make the necessary (and hopefully temporary) substitution and drive on.

Use moistened dryer sheets to clean sinks and showers, instead of buying expensive and potentially ineffective soap scum cleansers. It'll smell great, and one box can last a long time.

Cut cakes with floss. Use dental floss to cut cakes horizontally for filling. Just wrap a long piece of dental floss all the way around the cake, cross the ends and pull. No mess, straight cut, very few crumbs.

Kate @ Green Frog Eco

Witch Hazel- Not just for witch's anymore

2009-10-27T16:23:00.000-07:00

To get slightly technical for a moment, witch hazel is (according to Wikipedia):

“…an astringent produced from the leaves and bark of the North American Witch Hazel shrub (Hamamelis virginiana), which grows naturally from Nova Scotia west to Ontario, Canada and south to Florida, and Texas in the United States.[1] This plant was widely used for medicinal purposes by American Indians. The witch hazel extract was obtained by steaming the twigs of the shrub.
The essential oil of witch hazel is not sold separately as a consumer product. The plant does not produce enough essential oil to make production viable, however, there are various distillates of witch hazel (called hydrosols or hydrolats) that are gentler than the "drug store" witch hazel and contain alcohol.
Witch hazel is mainly used externally on sores, bruises, and swelling. The main constituents of the extract include tannin, gallic acid, catechins, proanthocyanins, flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin), essential oil (carvacrol, eugenol, hexenol), choline, saponins, and bitters. Distilled witch hazel sold in drug stores and pharmacies typically contains no tannin.”
Most drug stores and online pharmacies carry witch hazel in one form or another. The Dollar Store is your best bet. $1.00 vs. $3.00...not too shabby
But when you get your hands on the mightily useful little medicinal marvel, what can you do with it? Here’s a rundown, and I’m sure many of you have already used a Witch Hazel product in one form or another, as you’ll realize when you skip down the page. It’s very useful, so put it on the top of your next shopping list.
15 USES FOR WITCH HAZEL.
1. The Big One: Blemish Control.

Witch hazel can reduce the inflammation on a pimple. Some people claim daily use helps with acne, and witch hazel can be found in many Over The Counter treatments. Application with a Witch Stick is the most convenient, but you can dab it on with a cotton ball. Ask your pharmacist before you do this though.
2. Soothe and Heal Diaper Rash

If your baby's rash isn't healing quick enough, apply witch hazel solution (Dickinson’s Is good) with a cotton ball and you should see immediate improvement to your baby's bottom.
3. Shrink Bags Under The Eyes

Some people say that the application of Hemorrhoid cream to those little baggies under your eyes can take them away. It’s not an old wives tale. One of the magic ingredients in a product like Preparation H is witch hazel, which helps tighten up the skin and reduce the bagginess. And that leads nicely to…
4. Soothe and Reduce External Hemorrhoids

Not only does witch hazel tighten skin, it’s also a good anti-itch remedy. By combining witch hazel with aloe, glycerine or petroleum jelly and rub it on external hemorrhoids, you will reduce itching significantly and dry up most bleeding.
5. Varicose Vein Relief

Soak wash cloths in witch hazel and lay on legs, which are propped straight out, to reduce pain and swelling from varicose veins. The witch hazel helps to tighten the veins, relieving the discomfort temporarily
6. Soothe Poison Ivy and Poison Oak

Just like acne and blemishes, the witch hazel reduces itching and relieves swelling. Something definitely worth packing on your next camping trip.
7. Treat Chicken Pox Blisters

A combination of aloe, honey, lavender and other essential oils create a spray that will vastly reduce the discomfort of Chicken Pox blisters. And it’s all-natural. Here’s what to do: Mix together 1 tablespoon honey, 40 drops lavender essential oil, 15 drops lemon essential oil, 15 drops bergamot essential oil, 5 drops peppermint essential oil, 1 teaspoon carrot seed oil and 1/2 cup aloe vera gel.
Once completely mixed, and 1/2 cup distilled witch hazel and mix again. Pour mixture into spray bottle and use on affected areas (avoiding eyes). A more potent and less unsightly way to treat the Chicken Pox than traditional Calamine lotion.
8. Heal Your Bruises Faster

Been in a fight recently? Well, maybe not. But if you bang your leg or arm and are left with a nasty bruise, a thrice-daily dab of witch hazel can help speed up the healing time of the bruise.
9. Soothe Razor Burn (and in some instances, prevent it)

The anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel stop itchy bumps from forming up around your irritated hair follicles. Apply before or after shaving, it should certainly have an impact on your itchy red skin (and that includes ladies, too).
10. Treat and Soothe A Nasty Sunburn

Healing damaged skin is one of witch hazel’s specialties. But as sunburn is also a type of skin inflammation, witch hazel is ideal for treating this too (despite swelling not being obvious). Treating sunburn with witch hazel will lessen healing time and prevent the infamous skin peeling and flaking.

11. Treat Dry Skin

Especially useful after showering, witch hazel can lock in the moisture in your skin. By applying witch hazel immediately after showering, you are locking in the moisture that has just soaked into your skin.

12. Use to Heal and Soothe Various Cuts and Bruises

Many chemists and pharmacists refer to witch hazel as nature’s answer to Neosporin. Applying a dab of it will cleanse the cut, protects against infection, and encourage quicker healing of minor skin breaks.

13. Take The Bite Out Of Bug Bites

With it’s anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties, witch hazel is ideal for treating bug bites. Just dab a little on the affected area.
14. Refresh Tired Eyes

NOT by squirting witch hazel in them, but by soaking a clean rag in witch hazel and cold water and placing the cold compress over your closed eyes. After 10 minutes, your eyes should be refreshed, and any redness should be gone. If you’ve been doing a lot of crying, this can get you back to normal quickly.

15. Make Your Own Deodorant
Witch hazel is often used in deodorants due to it’s natural skin-healing and skin-care properties. Here is a home-made recipe you may want to try.
Ingredients:

1 tsp high proof vodka
10 drops geranium
10 drops cypress
8 drops bergamot
5 drops neroli
4 drops lavender
3 drops black pepper
4 tb sp (40 ml) witch hazel
2 tb sp (25 ml) cornflower water
2 tb sp (25 ml) orange flower water
1. Measure the vodka into a 4 oz (100 ml) glass bottle with a spray attachment.
2. Carefully add the essential oils, one by one.
3. Shake vigorously to dissolve the essential oils.
4. Pour the witch hazel into the bottle, using a funnel if necessary, followed by the two flower waters. Shake well.
5. Label the bottle and the deodorant is now ready to use.
6. Before you use the deodorant each time, give the bottle a good shake to ensure the essential oils are fully dispersed
Note:
As with many herbal remedies, certain people, like women who are pregnant or breast feeding, should talk to their physician before using witch hazel. When using witch hazel, let your doctor know if you experience leg swelling, breathing problems, chest tightness or pain, hives, new rashes or irritations, nausea, upset stomach, vomiting or constipation. Most people who use witch hazel will not experience these adverse side effects, but some will, so notify a health official if any problems are noticed.

Stay Green! Kate @ Green Frog Eco

wisebreadcom

Is your house clean or is it toxic?

2009-10-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

Germs! Dirt! Dust! Grime! They are everywhere in the house and no matter what we do, they seem to come back as soon as we turn our back. We buy the window cleaners, the floor cleaners, the dusting clothes, the anti-bacterial sprays...the stonger, the better right? Industial Strength! Super-Concentracted, Germ-Busting!

Did you ever notice the warnings? Use in well-ventilated rooms, wear gloves ( or goggles!), keep away from children and pets, Skin irritant, Eye irritant.

What?? I though we were cleaning?

Go into your cabinet and grab your cleaning supplies.
Let’s take a look at just some of the toxic ingredients that are in many of the cleaning and personal products that we all use.

Ammonia: Eye and lung irritant, dangerous and poisonous when mixed with bleach.
Formaldehyde: Intense irritant and suspected carcinogen.
Hyrochloric Acid: Can burn skin and is a severe digestive irritant if swallowed. Subtle and dangerous.
Sodium Hyroxide (Lye): Poisonous and corrosive, fatal if swallowed.
Paradichlorobenzenes: Highly irritating to mucous membranes, very toxic.
Butyl Cellosolve: Easily absorbed by the skin, and can cause harm to your liver, kidneys and nervous system.
Ethanol: An alcohol, extremely flammable, and if ingested can cause severe digestive upset, nausea, vomiting and even death.

Pretty shocking, huh? When was it decided that we had to be chemists to clean our homes? How did people keep their homes clean before chemicals?

That's easy. The natural holistic way. No chemicals, no harsh scrubs or burns. No worries about mixing the different agents. Sounds so...calming.

The sign of a truly clean house? No smell (save for delicious brownies baking).No "Lemon Fresh" or "Outdoor Rain". No "Maui Mountain Misty Breeze".

If you have never experienced it, I truly recommend it.

Tin Foil? Who knew it was so versitile!

2009-10-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

Aluminum foil is found in nearly every kitchen, and it’s surprisingly useful - but not only for its traditional purpose. Here are new uses for that most unassuming of all shiny flexible metals: aluminum foil.

Frosting a cake but you’ve run out of pastry bags? Just grab a double thickness of aluminum foil and roll it into a cone shape, leaving a small opening at the point. Fill with frosting of spreading consistency. Twist the top to close the cone and use the device to make pretty frosting designs on your cake. Admittedly, this whole process is easier with a plastic zip-close bag with a corner snipped off, but when aluminum foil is all you’ve got it can be a lifesaver!

Sharpen your scissors. In between professional sharpenings (or for those 99 cent pairs of scissors that you don’t want to pay to have sharpened), use aluminum foil to keep your scissors in top form. Cutting through 6-8 layers of aluminum foil will improve the cutting surface of most scissors.

Make an Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie. You know, for protection from mind control enemies.

Shine up rusty chrome. With a bit of water on a wadded-up piece of aluminum foil, you can rub most rust spots off of chrome car parts.
Keep your oven clean. Tired of scraping burned-on food out of the bottom of your oven? Line it with aluminum foil before making something particularly messy. Don’t leave it in there permanently, however, because it can lead to oven damage over time.
Protect the heating element in your electric oven. For those times when you have to scrub burned-on crud out of your oven, cover the heating element with long strips of aluminum foil before spraying the inside of the oven with oven cleaner.
Make your soap last longer. Put a piece of aluminum foil on the bottom of your bar of soap to keep it from sitting in a puddle of water and wearing away quickly.

Keep birds out of your fruit trees. Hang twisted strips of aluminum foil all over your fruit trees using fishing line. The light reflections and the sound will keep birds away from your fruit.

Protect saplings. Rodents and other animals sometimes chew on young trees in the winter. Protect your saplings by covering their bases with aluminum foil. Remember to change the covering periodically as the tree grows.

Re-soften hard brown sugar. Many people put hard brown sugar in the microwave to soften it up, but this can actually backfire and make the sugar harden even more. Instead, wrap the block of hardened sugar in some aluminum foil and bake in a 300° (Fahrenheit) oven for 5 minutes.
Keep the bottom of your fireplace or charcoal grill from becoming encrusted with soot. Line the bottom of your fireplace or grill with aluminum foil before starting a fire, then dispose of the foil after the fire is out and the coals are completely cooled.
Protect your furniture. Pets can’t stand the feeling or the sound of crinkling aluminum foil. If you want them to stay off of your furniture, cover the seats with clean aluminum foil whenever you’re not using the furniture. Your pets will learn within a couple of days to avoid sitting up there. You can also prevent them from scratching or biting furniture legs by covering them in aluminum foil.
Avoid moving the heavy furniture. When you want to quickly shampoo your carpets but don’t want to lug all of the furniture out of the room, simply cover the legs with aluminum foil to avoid getting shampoo on them.

Remove daily buildup on silver jewelry. With some common kitchen items you can make a simple but effective way to clean your jewelry at home.

If your TV and DVD player are stacked one on top of the other, you may find the picture is a bit fuzzy. This often happens when the electromagnetic fields from both devices interfere with each other. Place a sheet of aluminum foil between them to cut down on the interference.

When ironing, put a piece of aluminum foil under the ironing board cover. The foil will reflect the heat from the iron so you can essentially iron both sides at once.

Steam your silk or wool garments by placing a piece of aluminum foil on top of the ironing board and under the garment. Pass the iron over the garment from a few inches above the fabric while holding down the steam button. The steam will remove wrinkles without harming the cloth with direct heat.

Use it as wrapping paper in a pinch. You can glue or tape interesting cut-out pictures onto the aluminum foil to make it even more personal.

Green Frog Super Tip! Reflect heat into your house. Put a layer of aluminum foil behind your radiator when it is off and completely cool. When the radiator is turned on, more of the heat will be directed into the living area and less will be absorbed into the wall behind the radiator.

Keep pie crusts from burning. This may be one of the oldest aluminum foil tricks in the book, but it’s a good one. When baking a pie, cover the edges of the crust with aluminum foil at the very end of the baking time to keep it from browning too much.

Make a cool noisemaker with your kids.

Super Green Frog Tip! Make a solar cooker. You’ll cut down on energy costs and experience a traditional way of cooking.

Cover doorknobs and hinges with aluminum foil to avoid having to take them off while painting.

Bonus : In many locations, aluminum foil can be recycled along with all of the other household recycling. When you’ve used it for cooking and all of the other interesting projects listed here, just throw it into the bin along with all of your other recyclable materials to keep it out of the waste stream.

Now go make your tin foil hat!
Kate@Green Frog Eco

lifehackerycom

Reuse! Be Green. Uncommon uses for those common items

2009-10-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

We all know that recycling is good for the planet, but REUSING is even better.

We all have things sitting around the house that we haven’t ever used, yet we just can’t stand to part with them. Dig around in your attic, garage, or storage area and see what you can find. There are many ways to use common items in some not-so-common ways.

Tea Bags:
1. Apply wet tea bags to burns or scrapes to ease the pain. (Chamomile is best as it is more soothing than regular tea)
2. Plants will thrive when watered with weak tea one every week or two.
Aquariums:
The old aquarium that the kids lost interest in but is still sitting in the garage. Haul it back into the house and use it to plant an indoor herb garden. Aquariums are also just the thing to use to force bulbs so that your winter days can be bright with color.

Old Headboards: Old brass headboards make unique garden trellises.

Pantyhose:

1. Cut the entire leg off of pantyhose and use to stake tomatoes in the veggie garden. They wont dig into the plants like string.
2. Use old pantyhose to store onions so they don’t sprout. Fill the legs with onions, tying a knot after each onion and hang in a cool dark place. When you need an onion, just cut between the bottom knot. 3. Use pantyhose feet to strain paint that has been sitting. They fabric will catch any chunks that may have formed.
Popsicle Sticks: 1. Use a wet popsicle stick to apply caulking. 2. Use them as garden markers. Write the type of seeds you have planted on the stick with permanent marker and push into soil.

Borax:
1. One part Borax with 6 parts kitty litter will keep the litter box fresh longer.
2. Mix 1/4 cup of Borax to a sink full of hot water to get your china sparkling clean. (Be sure to rinse properly before use)

Hair spray:
1. Spray hair spray on freshly polished brass or copper pieces to prevent tarnishing.
2. To remove fresh ink or dye stains on fabric, spray with hair spray and then blot. Wash as soon as possible.

Coffee Grounds:
1. Work used coffee grounds into the soil around rose bushes.
2. The next time you go fishing, add used coffee grounds to your bait box. The grounds are lighter than soil so the worms will be easier to find. The coffee also comes off of hands easier.

Corks: Attach an old cork to your keys before you go boating: if they fall into the water they will float.

Plastic Jugs:
1. String several plastic jugs ( the type with the handle) on long lines to mark designated swimming areas at the cottage.
2. Cut the bottom from a plastic jug with a handle and use as a scoop. This is especially handy for pet food and large bags of potting soil.

Bottle Caps: String caps together and hang in your gardens. They will scare the birds away.

Old Hammocks:
1. Using two hooks, hang an old hammock high up in the garage, basement or utility area to store footballs, soccer balls or other sports equipment.
2. Using hooks, hang a hammock kitty-corner in your child`s play room or bedroom to store stuffed toys.

Bread:
1. Put ½ slice of bread into the container with your brown sugar. The bread will prevent the sugar from going hard.
2. Use a piece of bread to pick up small shards of broken glass. They will stick to the bread rather than piercing your skin.

Dental Floss:
1. Sew rips in leather garments with Dental floss. It is stronger than regular thread. (If the leather is a dark color, darken it with a magic marker before sewing)
2. Use dental floss to cut a cake into two layers. It does a better job than a knife

Kate@Green Frog Eco

gomesticcom

Moths...those cashmere gobbling pests!

2009-10-27T11:52:00.000-07:00

Well, it is finally that time of year. We are rummaging in the attic, digging in our closets to find our favorite cozy knits. Gasp! You discover your favorite camel cashmere has a hole, then you notice two and pretty soon you realize you no longer have a sweater, but a cashmere doily. I can't help your sweater this year, but remember these handy tips when the Spring rolls back around:

Here are several time-proven home remedies to try:

Lavender

Fill sachets with dried lavender, or dip cotton balls in lavender oil. Then, place in closets, drawers and any other places where clothes are stored.

Mint

Dried mint leaves are another effective moth repellent. Place several leaves in a sachet, or place loose leaves among your clothes.

Cedar

Cedar wood has long been recognized as a moth repellent, and for good reason – it works. If you're lucky enough to have a cedar-lined closet or chest, be sure to make use of it. Otherwise, pick up some cedar chips or blocks from the store, and place them where needed.
Note: Cedar loses its scent (the repellent aspect) over time. To bring the scent back, sand the cedar lightly, or purchase and bottle of cedar oil, and apply it to the wood.

Cloves, Thyme, Ginseng and Rosemary

Fill a sachet with one or a combination of these four herbs to keep moths at bay for months.

Clothing Storage Tips

Clean Clothes Before Storing

Wash all clothing, and dry it in the sun before packing it away at the end of the season. This will help to kill any larvae that may be present in the clothing. Cotton garments can also be ironed as a further deterrent.

Store Clothing in Sealed Containers

Store clothing in sealed containers—chests, plastic storage containers, suitcases, etc.—where moths can't get to them.

Store Clothing in a Dry Place

Moths prefer moist environments, so store your clothes in a dry area of your home.

Vacuum

Moths gravitate towards dirt, so vacuum your carpets and baseboards regularly to prevent an infestation or to eliminate an existing infestation.

Note: If you're dealing with a current infestation, change your vacuum bag regularly to ensure you're getting the larvae out of your home.

aboutcom

Does your 4-legged buddy have fleas? Just say NO to Flea Shampoo!

2009-10-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

In search of a cheap, but effective flea repellent for your pooch? Then, try this: mix equal parts white vinegar and water together in a spray bottle, and apply the mixture directly to your dog's coat. Finish by working it in with your hands, and your pooch is protected from those pesky fleas.

Why This Works
Fleas hate the smell and taste of vinegar; and do their best to avoid it.
Benefits of Using Vinegar as a Flea Spray
inexpensive

no harsh chemicals to irritate skin

fragrance-free

pet-safe and kid-safe

environmentally-friendly

soothes and heals any existing flea bites

Tips and Warnings
1) Repeat every couple days to maintain the effectiveness
2) This spray can also be used on cats, but be warned: most cats hate the smell of vinegar
3) Do not reuse empty cleaner bottles– they could contain chemical residues that are harmful to your pet

Ants! Roaches! Get rid of them the "Green Way"

2009-10-27T11:42:00.000-07:00

I hate bugs! Ants

No, seriously, I really hate them.

I do not know what it is. Its not like they are trying to steal my china. They are not hogging the bathroom or drinking milk out of the carton. I think it is the legs. Two legs I am ok with, 3-4 I can deal with ..but more? *Shiver!*

If you are like me, but do not what to bomb your house with chemicals, try these tips to get rid of your squatters.

Vinegar
Wipe down your countertops, cupboards and any other places where you've spotted ants with a 50-50 mixture of white vinegar and water. Repeat throughout the day to maintain the efficacy.
Why This Works: Two reasons, really: ants hate the smell of vinegar, and it removes the scent trails that they use to get around

Chalk/ Baby Powder

Draw a line of chalk or sprinkle baby powder across the spot where the ants are entering your home
Why This Works: Talcum powder, an ingredient in both chalk and baby powder, is a natural ant repellent. Just be careful if you decide to use it: some studies have linked talc to cancer.

Herbs/Spices

Spinkle cinnamon, mint, chili pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves or garlic – whichever one you happen to have – in the area where you've seen ants and along your home's foundation. Bay leaves can also be placed in cabinets, drawers and containers to further deter those pesky critters.

Why This Works: Many plants – including the ones listed – give off a strong scent to repel ants and other insects in the wild, and it works just as well in your home.

Coffee Grounds

Sprinkle your used coffee grounds in the garden and around the outside of your house.
Why This Works: Ants are repelled by the scent given off by the grounds; and incidentally, so are cats.

Roaches!

They check in, but they don't check out!

Roaches,yeah,I don't want to think about them either, but no matter HOW clean you are, they may stop by for a visit.

If that happens, try the following:
Wrap the inside of an empty jar with masking tape, and run the inside with petroleum jelly. Pour an inch of beer in and top off with a few pieces of ripe fruit. Add a couple of drops of almond extract. Place the open jar where the roaches are hanging out. Roaches will be drawn to the delicious aroma, climb in the jar, and drop inside. Thanks to the slippery sides, they will be unable to escape. To dispose of the tipsy roaches, cap the lid, and take the jar to a field and release.

Green Cleaning Tips

2009-10-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

1.For fresh-smelling clothes, hang laundry on an outdoor clothesline and let the sunshine dry it. (To prevent fading, turn garments inside out.)

2.Nix stains from whites by dabbing spots with a mixture of one part borax and six parts water.

3.Remove indoor air pollutants without expensive electric filters. Houseplants such as chrysanthemums, English ivy, spider plants, and Boston ferns naturally freshen the air.

4.Prevent mold and mildew from becoming a growing problem in the bathroom; keep a spray bottle filled with 1 cup water and 1 drop tea tree oil handy for zapping stains.

5.Disinfect and deodorize the toilet bowl in a flash. Sprinkle the sides with baking soda, let sit for a few minutes, then drizzle with vinegar. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush.

Kate@Green Frog Eco

Why Green Frog Eco-Services?

2009-10-02T12:42:00.000-07:00

At Green Frog, we believe the home is a reflection of the natural balance of the earth. Our approach to Green Home Therapy is a holistic model. We assist our clients in creating a healthy and positive energy in their homes while reducing their environmental impact on the planet.

Green Frog Eco-Services provides individually tailored luxury services that include Green Cleaning and Green Living Consulting

Visit us!

Our ultimate goal is to welcome you home to a clean space that is at once relaxing, rejuvenating, and stimulating to the senses. Our services blend an appreciation for luxury with a commitment to green lifestyle. We are here to make your home a Green Home.

At Green Frog Eco-Services, our goal is to provide our clients with high quality, environmentally friendly house cleaning. By cleaning using 100% natural cleaning products, we protect the health of our clients, our own health, and the health of our planet. We are proud to be able to offer a cleaning service that is a safe, eco-friendly alternative to conventional cleaning, while delivering a fabulous result.

Green Frog Eco-Services is built around the joy of taking care of others by making homes and offices more enjoyable places to be. We know that it is important that you feel comfortable with a cleaning service.