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Using Less Plastic

I am always looking for ways to use less plastic. One way I accomplish this is by using glass bowls with plastic lids, instead of using plastic wrap. I even use some of the glass refrigerator containers with the glass lids that my grandmother used! I also try to buy foods in glass jars that can be reused. Salsa, peanut butter, pickles, etc. can be found in glass jars and can be reused to store smallish amounts of leftovers, or they can hold spices, nuts and grains, and so on.

I make my own mayonnaise...it tastes better and it is one less plastic thing to buy. I've also started making my own salad dressings so that is one less plastic thing to throw away. I always buy olive oil, grapeseed oil, and vinegars in bottles. I reuse the bottle for salad dressings, and some I use as flower vases!

Whenever you're shopping and find yourself reaching for a plastic bottle or jar, look again to see if there is a similar product sold in glass. If not, is it something that you can make yourself? Do you really need it?

Using paper and canvas bags instead of plastic is also a good idea.

Disposing of spent/broken CFLs

Because of the small amounts of mercury that CFLs contain, many states restrict how broken/spent CFLs may be discarded. Some places do not allow CFLs to be disposed of in normal household trash. Check this link to learn what the requirements are in your state/area:

Lamprecycle.org Click on State Lamp Recycling Regulations & Contacts

What to do if a CFL breaks:

This link has information on how to handle it if a CFL breaks. Please read!

Disposal of Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I originally started making my own homemade laundry detergent because I hate throwing out those huge plastic jugs that will probably still be around hundreds of years from now! It cleans just as well, if not better than, the store bought stuff, in my experience. I don't use fabric softener or dryer sheets, but your preferences and water may vary. I also do not use a second rinse and have noticed no difference in the clothes. Here's the recipe that I use and some photos of the process:

Homemade Laundry Detergent


1/3 bar Fels Naptha OR Octagon Soap

1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup Borax powder
1/3 cup Clorox Oxy Clean

You will also need a bucket. I use a 5 gallon container sold at Home Depot for mixing paint, etc. You'll also need a large wooden spoon or other implement to stir the soap. Make sure it is used for soap making only, not for food!! And an old grater like you'd use for cheese.


Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan.

Add 6 cups water and heat it until the soap melts.

Add the washing soda, borax, and the Oxy Clean and stir until it is dissolved.

Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups hot water into the bucket.

Now add your soap mixture and stir.

Now add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir.

Let the soap sit for about 24 hours (cover with an old towel) and it will gel. Makes about 2 gallons. After 24 hours, pour into jugs. You use 1/2 cup per load.

I haven't worked out how much it costs per load, but here is what I paid for the supplies in my area:

Octagon Soap .79 cents bar (only 1/3 of bar is used per batch)
- OR -
Fels Naptha .99 cents bar (only 1/3 of bar is used per batch)
A&H Washing Soda $1.95 (55 oz.)
20 Mule Team Borax $3.49 (76 oz)
Clorox Oxy Clean $3.99 (32 oz) (optional; I added this for extra whitening)
Water, about 2 gallons - free

I reuse old ALL jugs for the homemade laundry detergent. The spouts come out easily and I use a canning funnel to pour the detergent into the jugs.

Composting

More than just kitchen produce scraps can be composted! I've been composting for over 20 years. I compost coffee grounds and the coffee filters. I compost tea bags, old paper bags, dog food bags, sugar and flour bags, and anything cardboard. I use very few paper towels, but those get composted as well. I also compost the paper towel and toilet paper tubes! Sometimes I cut or tear them apart, but most of the time I just toss 'em in the compost. They'll compost faster if soaked in water first, but I rarely bother with that. They compost just fine. I turn the compost at least once a week...great exercise!

Below are some photos of my compost. I keep a five gallon heavy duty bucket on the back porch for compost. I always have a lid on it to keep flies and critters out. I have a 3 bin system that my hubby built and I empty the bucket into the bin before the bucket gets too heavy for me to carry.

Hope these photos give others some additional ideas for things to compost!

Click on photos to enlarge