Green Living Saves Green! Part 2

Here are some more great ways to save money with green living:

1- Use A Dishcloth

Where have all the Dishcloths gone? Disposable sponges took over!

A kitchen sponge is not nearly as durable as a dishcloth. A dishcloth is also washable, reusable and can last for years. The best dishcloths I’ve used are actually cotton shop towels like what a mechanic would use. They’re strong and coarsely woven to give them a bit of a scrubbing boost. So why spend $2 on a disposable sponge that’s only good for a few weeks, when you can use a dishtowel that lasts for years?

2- Rag Management

Good rag management equals not having to pay for things we may otherwise pay for.

Used Pantyhose/tights are great for:

· Tying up tomato plants- unlike standard twine, nylon/spandex stretches with the growth of the plant

· Dusting- The stretchy fabric traps dust, it doesn’t push it around as much as other fabrics.

Damaged clothing made of 100% cotton-especially cotton knit, like a tee shirt or sweat shirt are great for polishing anything! Instead of buying a cloth to polish shoes or metals, save your un-donate able cotton clothing to use for polishing.

3- Make your own Underarm Antiperspirant/Deodorant

Okay, Okay…this might sound like an extreme idea, but please hear me out. This has been my experience with commercial deodorants:

· They ruin the underarms of my clothes

· The scent clashes with my perfumes

· Some of them irritate

· They don’t work that well, and in some cases, make me smell worse so I have to keep applying it!

· Embarrassing caking goes on, and that’s a problem seeing as I perform as a dancer.

That being said, the following is a simple recipe for a deodorant I have been using for about 6 months and it works great! It doesn’t damage my clothes, it won’t cake, and I’ve never had to reapply. I gave it the acid test by going on a long late- summer hike- and it passed with flying colors!

The recipe:

1tsp. Baking Soda

6 tsp Corn Starch

Mix together really well, store it on a pretty container (see below) apply with a cosmetic puff.

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and corn starch cuts the potency of the baking soda (straight baking soda is harsh on most skin). The math part here is pretty obvious. Why pay for something damaging, chemical laden, that for many, really doesn’t work that great? When for pennies a year, you can make an underarm deodorant that is not only natural but actually works!

4-Tooth Whitening – Naturally!

Yes, I’ve tried the bleaches & gels to whiten my teeth. However, I’ve found a natural formula that really works and it is this:

· Douse your toothbrush with baking soda & brush your teeth with it

· Rinse with water

· Mouthwash with Hydrogen Peroxide

· Rinse again with water

This Works! Both Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are gentle, non toxic, yet powerful whiteners- and they don’t dry your mouth out with alcohol like many commercial mouthwashes. Besides, what is the main whitening ingredient in many commercial toothpastes? BAKING SODA!

There you have it! A few more ways to save green by going green!