I was able to review the Bright Green dishwashing liquid and all purpose cleaner.  The question that I have often asked myself is, “Is it possible to use green cleaning products and get the same results?”  My experience so far has been a positive one.  In all the environmentally friendly products I have tried, I have not found a difference in the way the product cleans from the other products. 

The Bright Green dishwashing liquid cleaned my dishes very well.  It took the grease off my dishes and had a very pleasant lavender scent.  My son especially enjoyed it.  He asked if he could wash dishes, which in our house means that I put some soap and water in a bowl and he “washes” some of the dishes in the sink.  He ended up using 1/2 of the bottle, so there were lots of suds and my kitchen smelled great for days.  lol  The Bright Green all purpose cleaner is great for the kitchen or garage and it has a refreshing lemon scent.

And now, on to the giveaway!

The giveaway includes an attractive  reusable shopping bag and $1 coupons for Bright Green cleaning products.  Safeway credits customers $.05 each time they use any reusable bag at the checkout.

There are many ways to enter this contest.  You can choose as many as you’d like.

You can earn an entry for each item you complete, but you must leave a separate comment for each one.  It just makes it easier to tally and pick a random winner.

1) Leave a comment telling me why you’d like to win this prize or why you use green cleaning products.

2) Give this post a thumbs up at Stumble Upon and leave your Stumble name.

3) Tweet this post and leave your Twitter name or status url. To retrieve your Twitter status url, simply click on the timestamp of your tweet. It will say something like, “5 seconds ago from the web”. You can earn 3 twitter entries each day for each time you tweet this giveaway. You must leave a comment for each tweet.

4) Follow @thriftymommy on Twitter. Leave a comment with your Twitter name.

5) Blog about this giveaway and leave a direct link to your post.

6) Mention this giveaway on any forums or message boards and leave me a link.

7) Add Thrifty Mommy and/or Keeping the Castle and/or to your blogroll.  You can earn a separate entry for each one.

This contest ends Sunday, April 12, 2009 and is available to those with a U.S. shipping address (no P.O. boxes please). The winner will be contacted by email and will have 72 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. You will not be put on a mailing list, but you must include your email address in the second box under your name (not in the comment box).

Good luck everyone!

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Entering is simple.  Just leave a comment below.  If you’d like, you can include a small bit about why you would like to try this product or what you like about it.

This contest ends on Tuesday, September 16 and is for those with a U.S. mailing address only.  The five winners will be announced next week.

Good luck!

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

I’ve been using the Clorox dishwashing liquid and personally, I’ve found that it works just as well as other dishwashing liquids at cleaning greasy and baked-on foods.  The great thing is that the liquid has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for using environmentally preferred chemistry.

All Green Works natural cleaners are made using plant-based ingredients derived from coconuts, as well as essential oils.  The products are formulated using biodegradable ingredients and are not tested on animals.  The Green Works line also includes seven natural cleaning products that can be used in the home, kitchen, and bathroom.

Retail price: $3.59

Scale:  I would strongly consider purchasing this product again.

For more information on this product and tips for going green, visit the Clorox Green Works site.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

1. Vinegar, we have talked about vinegar tons of times.
2. Baking soda.  Use it to polish your silver and freshen your carpets.
3. Lemons help keep your garbage disposal clean and smelling good.
4. 1 part Rubbing Alcohol added to a 1:1 vinegar water mix will shine up your mirrors and sinks nicely.
5. Salt added to lemon is a great scouring pad for your dirtiest dishes.
6. Don’t waste your money on bottle scrubbers. Boil an old toothbrush and use it instead.
7. Keep house plants inside.  This will help to naturally clean your air.
8. Use egg shells and ice to work your garbage disposal to a shine.
9. Use an old dryer sheet to shine up your chrome.
10. Use half a box of baking soda downa drain chased by vinegar to clean out any slow drains.  It’s best to let it set for about 10-15 minutes and then rinse it with hot water.

So there you have it.  My top 10 favorite green household cleaners.  Did you also notice that they are every day cleaners so you don’t have to spend any extra money using them?  See, I shot 2 birds with one stone (for lack of a better phrase)

Thrifty shopping …

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Recently, I wrote about how Lowe’s Foods is allowing their customers to purchase reusable grocery bags with their green points.  And not only that, they’re giving 50 green points for each reusable bag you bring back in to use. 

Two weeks ago, I purchased one more reusable bag for 1000 green points.  I also received 250 green points because I brought in 5 bags.  Now I have 6 bags of my own!  I’m so excited!!!  I have enough bags now that I haven’t had to get any plastic!  Hooray!  Don’t worry, I still have a large enough stash of the plastic ones at the house in case I need them.

All this talk of reusable bags has been a great conversation piece at Thrifty Mommy.  We had a poll to see who was using the bags, who wanted more bags, and who wasn’t giving up their plastic bag ways.  Here are the results.

Do you have reusable bags that you take to the grocery store?

36% - Yes, I have a lot of them and they are awesome!

28% - Yes, but I’d like a few more.

26% - No, but I’d really like to try them.

10% - No way, I’m sticking with plastic.

According to the results, most of you have reusable bags or would like to use them.  Thanks for working to keep those crazy little bags out of the landfills.

What do you think of the results?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Here are some thrifty ways to help the environment, and possibly your wallet too:

1)  Replace light bulbs with CFLs.  Last year, I replaced several light bulbs in my home with CFLs.  They use at 2/3 less energy than standard bulbs.

2)  Don’t waste food.  When you waste food, you’re throwing out more, buying more products, and putting more packaging into the environment.

3) Shop online.  Shopping online saves gas from driving to the stores and it can be done at night when the kids are in bed.  I’ll admit that I don’t do much shopping online due to shipping costs, but thanks to this site, now you can shop with no shipping.  

4)  Make your own cleaning products.  I am amazed at the cleaning power of vinegar and baking soda.  It’s good for the environment, less expensive than cleaning products, and healthier for your home.

5)  Bring your own bags to the grocery store.  Some stores charge you for their bags and some stores will give you an incentive for bringing your own.  Bringing your own also helps keep bags out of the landfills and saves you the time of recycling them.

6)  Air dry your clothes.  Air drying your clothes can save a lot of money on your electric bill and it also keeps us from using more energy.

7)  Conserve water.  Click on the link to find 25 ways to reduce your water bill.  Simple things like checking for leaks or installing an aerator on your spout can really help out.

8)  Conserve electric.  Here are some tips for saving money on your summer electric bill.  I’m sure all of us could use a little help on cutting costs this year.  We could all implement a few of these tips into our lives.

9)  Buy used items whenever possible.  I try to buy items used if I can.  It saves a lot of money and enables items to be reused rather than being wasted. Selling your stuff helps you to get rid of things you don’t want, clears up needed space, enables you to earn a little money, and helps someone else that wants to buy it used.

10)  Learn to be content.  You don’t need the latest gadget and gizmo to be happy.  Accumulating things takes up room in your house, causes burdensome debt, and only leaves you longing for something bigger and better.  Materialism is a barrier to contentment.

11)  Join your local freecycle group.  Freecycle is an opportunity to give away things that you don’t need and to get things you want or need for free!  I have given away a pair of crutches, a crib, and a bunch of children’s hangers.  I have received clothes for my children.  Don’t put more stuff into landfills.  Find someone that can use it.

12)  Don’t use so much gasoline.  I try to do all of my errands one day each week or plan my errands in a way that will use the least amount of gas.  Check here for more ways to save gas.

13)  Buy Energy Star appliances.  If it’s time to replace your appliances, then you should buy energy star appliances.  These save money on electric and water usage.

14)  Use rechargable batteries.  Rechargable batteries last longer than regular batteries and keep batteries from being throw away.

15) Use the library or get second hand books from others.  I do not have a magazine subscription.  My mom saves some of her old magazines for me.  This is fine by me because I usually don’t have time to read them anyway.

16)  Email whenever possible.  An email isn’t as personal as a handwritten letter, but it saves time, money, and paper.

17)  Buy clothes that don’t need to be dry cleaned.  Dry cleaning is expensive and harmful to the environment.  If you do have clothes that need to be dry cleaned, then check out these safe alternatives.

18)  Use cloth diapers.  Now I could never bring myself to do use cloth diapers, but I had good intentions.  Over the long run, cloth diapers save a lot of money and of course, they’ll keep you from throwing away about 3,000 diapers.  Even though I didn’t use cloth diapers, I’m trying to do my part by putting my two-year-old son in underwear whenever I can. 

19)  Grow your own fruits and vegetables.  You’ll save lots of money, get stuff to can or give away, and then you can keep out the pesticides.

20)  Repurpose old items that you have.  Use curtains or sheets to make pillows, take an old skirt and make doll clothing, glue buttons onto a picture frame.  Lots of stuff can be repurposed.

21)  Cut out junk mail as much as possible.  This is something that is on my to-do list.  I’ve looked into a few companies that can help with this problem.  Some are free, some cost a few dollars.  Maybe I should just try all of them.  That might work.  

22)  Send ecards through care2.  When you send ecards, they’ll make a donation to the rain forest.  Check out their Click2Donate page.

23)  Recycle!  This one’s pretty easy and self-explanatory.  Most cities have a recycling service that will pick up the recycling, along with your trash.  Check with your local area to find out the rules.

24) Join the Arbor Day Foundation.  For only $10, you can get 10 trees.

25) Use the internet.  You can find recipes, tips, send pictures and emails, and check out great blogs.   

What can you add to this list?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

In the Kitchen:

1. Make a paste with water to clean up your sink that isn’t very abrasive.
2. Stick a box in your fridge to keep the smell gone.
3. Mix 3 tsp with hot water to soak and remove tea and coffee stains from thermos’ and tea cups.
4. Use it on your counters to get rid of Kool-Aid stains off.
5. Rinse your fruits and veggies with baking sod. Make sure you rinse well.
6. Did you know it will tenderize meats?
7. If you like fish but hate the smell, soak your fish in water and baking soda for an hour in the fridge.
8. A pinch of baking soda added to tomato recipes can help cut down the acid in the recipe.
9. When you make baked beans, add a pinch of baking soda to the beans to help rid them of their gas producing ability.
10. 1/2 tsp of baking soda added to 3 eggs makes a light and fluffy omelet.
11. Baking soda is just as good as lemon juice for getting rid of foul smells on your hands.
12. I boil my baby bottles with baking soda to get them clean.
13. Just as with your laundry detergent, adding baking soda to your dishwashing detergent is a great idea.
14. Boil a little water and baking soda to get burned on food off your pots and pans.
15. Use it to clean your oven as well.
16. Make your own baking powder.
17. Keep an extra box near your stove in case of a fire.
18. Pour 1 cup of baking soda down your drain and chase it with 1c hot vinegar. 5 minutes later, chase it with 1 quart boiling water.
19. For the naturalist in you, when you are taking the feathers off the chicken, add 1 tsp baking soda to the boiling water.
20. Remove melted plastic bread wrappers from the toaster by using baking soda as a mild abrasive.
21. Use it as a mild abrasive to clean those stubborn stains in your Tupperware.

In the Bathroom:

1. Clear out slow drains.
2. Baking soda and water rubbed on rough elbows, heels, etc will help smooth and soften. Follow up with your favorite moisturizer.
3. 1/4 c baking soda and 2 cups warm water will work just as good as a clarifying shampoo.
4. Use it as a tooth whitener.
5. Put a box in the worst of the bathrooms (you know, the ones that the boys get hold of) to get rid of odors.
6. Mix 1 part baking soda with 2 parts oatmeal as a facial scrub.
7. Soak in the bath with baking soda will heal anything form poison ivy, sumac, sunburns, etc…
8. Soak your hairbrushes with warm water and baking soda to get the oil off of them.

In the Laundry Room:

1. Stretch your laundry detergent further.
2. Get the smell out of your clothes.
3. Soak cloth diapers with baking soda to get the smell and anything else that is there out.
4. Soak oil or grease stains with baking soda and water before washing the clothes.
5. You can also use it as a fabric softener in the rinse cycle if you use cold water.

General Cleaning:

1. Use it with water to polish your silver.
2. Mix it with Borax to make a great scouring powder.
3. Put it on a wet sponge to clean crayon off a chalk board.
4. Sprinkle it on your carpet or cloth covered furniture before you go to bed and them vacuum in the morning. Be careful not to let your kids crawl around before you vacuum.
5. If you have pets, sprinkle baking soda where they lay and let it set for 30 minutes. Vacuum it back up.
6. A bonus to vacuuming up baking soda is that it will help you keep your vacuum smelling better.
7. Use it for general cleaning by adding 4 tbs to 1 q of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and wipe clean.
8. Mix it with salt as a great soap scum cleaner.
9. Freshen up stuffed animals by rubbing them with Baking soda and then let them sit for a while. Shake them off and you are good to go!
10. Mix it with a little water as a great chrome cleaner.
11. Wash your garbage cans with baking soda.
12. Clean grease off the garage floor.
13. To maintain good drains, pour 4 tbs baking soda down each drain each week and chase it with hot water.
14. Soak your shower curtains with a baking soda/water solution to keep mildew away.
15. Take a soft brush and baking soda to canvas bags to clean them.
16. Take those stubborn black streaks off your RV or car with a little baking soda and a damp cloth.
17. Baking soda works well to clean your fish tank.  Just make sure you rinse it really well.

General Household:

1. Fill a pair of old socks with baking soda and place it in odorous shoes or your kid’s closet.
2. Put a sock in your car for when your sweaty football players come home.
3. Wipe water stains off your wooden furniture with baking soda and toothpaste.
4. I put baking soda in my diaper pail to help with odors.
5. Karen puts baking soda in the bottom of her litter box.
6. Clean corroded battery terminals with baking soda and water.
7. Put out small fires out by smothering it with baking soda.
8. Fill in nail holes in drywall with toothpaste and baking soda. Let it dry completely.
9. Mix slat and baking soda equally and sprinkle it where you see ants coming in to keep them from liking your home.
10. Need to determine if your soil is acidic for planting? Mix 1.4 c baking soda and 2 c water. Place 1 c soil. If the mixture foams, your soil is acidic.
11. Play Clay recipe: 1 1/4c water, 2 c baking soda, 1 c cornstarch.
12. Repel water from your windshield by heavily coating a damp cloth and wipe the windows inside and out.
13. Clean your jewelry with a baking soda paste and toothbrush. Silver does best but gold will work well too. Be careful with the gems themselves as some are soft and a toothbrush will scratch it.

General Health Ideas:

1. Mix baking soda and a glass of water for an antacid.
2. Gargle baking soda water to help with ulcers.
3. Put it on insect bites to take the sting out.
4. Use 1/2 tsp in a half glass of water as a mouthwash.
5. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water to take care of zits.
6. Remove splinters by putting moistened baking soda on the band-aid over night.  The splinter should be easily removed in the morning.
7. A thick baking soda/water paste poured on a burn and wrapped in gauze will help the healing process and prevent scarring.

Hope you liked the list.  I have learned a lot.  I’m sure there was a surprise or two in there for you too.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

I was at Lowe’s Foods the other day and noticed they have Earth Saver bags for .99 or you can get them for free by spending your green points.  I think the cost of each bag (with green points) was 1200 points.

I purchased one bag with my green points and then I found out that for each bag you use, Lowe’s Foods will give you 50 points per bag each time you use it!!!! 

I was surprised with how big and sturdy the green bag was.  It wasn’t one of those cheap bags where the seams come apart after you’ve used it a few times.  I was really impressed with how large this bag was, in comparison with other bags I’ve seen.  This one stands up on it’s own and it holds 2-3 times the amount of plastic grocery bags.

The next time I went to Lowe’s, I purchased another reusable bag.  Since I used both bags, I earned another 100 points.  I think I will purchase another bag or two the next time I shop there.  I probably need 5-6 bags so that I can quit using these silly plastic bags.  Speaking of which, I have another huge load of them to recycle.  I’m so sick of these thin plastic bags.  Hopefully, I won’t have to use them much longer.

Another great thing about these bags is that you can use them for other things besides groceries.  I’m using mine this week on a trip to my parent’s house.  They’re holding dvds, snacks, toys, and other things we need.  As I said before, I like them because they stand up on their own.  No more digging through tote bags in the car that are all flopped over.  I can put these in the seat or the floor and we can see what we need.

Have you tried these bags?  What do you think of them?

For more Works-for-Me Wednesday ideas, check out Rocks in My Dryer.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

We have a winner . . .  The Ford Escape gives you the quickest payback.  Owners will break even in only 3 years.  The Honda Civic and the Mercury Mariner tie at number 2.  The Saturn Vue comes in at number 3, which allows owners to break even in 4.8 years.  According to Clark Howard, any hybrid offering return on investment in under five years is a smart buy.

The Toyotas didn’t do so well.  The Toyota Highlander takes 11 years to break even and the Camry takes 12 years.  Eeeekkkk!!!  Even worse, the Toyota Corolla will take you 17.9 years.  Ouch! Toyota, the greenest of all the automakers, doesn’t give you a good payback on your hybrid-purchasing dollar.   Sounds the Toyota is for environmentalists and not for the frugal.

I was pretty impressed with Edmunds website.  They have some interesting and informative articles on their site. 

Do you own or have you considered buying a hybrid?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy