I am actually getting a bit of pep in my step again now that the snow has officially melted…at least, for the moment *knock on wood*. The weather here in the midwest has really reminded me of a fair ride. Not sure what the name of it is, but it’s that circle tunnel that kids adore in the madhouse – the one that turns and turns and everytime you try to stand back up, it knocks you flat on your butt.
Yeah, that’s Indiana weather there folks.
And thankfully, my mom van is feeling better these days as well. She was down-and-out for about two months sadly. Sure, it helped out on gas money to share hubby’s little teeny tiny itty bitty eco-friendly car and though I feel really good about the environmental benefits, the very best part was when my kids would cram themselves into the back seat for a long haul to grandma and grandpa’s house. Best. Two. Hours. Ever.
And when the birds start their chirping right outside my window, I know it’s time to put on my party hat. Or mud boots. The thing is, that as much as I want to play outdoors and send my kids to play outdoors – the mud is EVERYWHERE. It’s a disaster of brown filth. So for the month of March we usually have spring fever or Bieber fever – or both, and our efforts go straight to spring cleaning while listening to Baby. And before you judge, you totally have to check out my buddy Kelsey’s post over at Mama Bird Diaries! The “Mama Bird” Fam has Bieber Fever – shhh!
So as we dance our way into the warmer weather – here are some tips to keep things moving along as green as possible through the spring!!
Earth Hour: It’s coming! Earth hour is a world-wide event organized by WWF (World Wildlife Fun) and “is held on the last Saturday of March annually, asking households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change” (Wikipedia). At 8.30 PM on Saturday 26 March 2011, lights will be turned off around the globe for and we can all show our support for just one hour by turning OFF. Unplug, unwind and relax! This is a great way to create awareness with children too by sharing some quiet time with the family, talking about what they too can do to make a difference. For some fun interactive play – check out www.earthhourkids.org
Earth Day: After over forty years, Earth Day has become one of the most celebrated days of the year and this year, April 22nd, 2011 will continue to be a call to action to help our planet and raise awareness. Earth Day is the day when we can celebrate our planet, take time to appreciate the environment and raise awareness surrounding the issues that threaten it. I encourage you to find out about local events and get involved. The Earth Day Network is involved globally in many campaigns, educational programs and sponsorships and you can pledge an act of Green, and invite your friends to take part!
Hang your clothes outside: Your dryer is one of the biggest energy-suckers in your home! So now that the weather is getting nicer, save some money and the planet by hanging your clothes outside to dry! Let nature help you out on this one – it has so many benefits. If you do need/want to use your electric dryer, make sure to clean the lint trap regularly as this will really help with efficiency! According to the California Energy Commission, A dryer is typically the second-biggest electricity-using appliance after the refrigerator, costing about $85 to operate annually.
Clean Green: Dirty little dust bunnies have been seeking shelter in your home over the cold winter months as well – time to spruce things up and clean out! There are many “everyday” products being sold to us that can contain harmful chemicals – read labels, do your homework and stay informed. One of the best online resources to check for toxins in products and to get the inside scoop on safety is the EWG’s (Environmental Working Group) Cosmetics Safety Database. Know your products. I personally use and love Dr Bronner’s, EcoStoreUSA, Celadon Road and a few others but I also love it when I can make my own! Here’s my recipe for laundry soap and you can always use such natural ingredients as vinegar and lemons!
Paint Low-Voc: Who doesn’t love a nice coat of paint to freshen things up? Just remember that many of the products we use are the source for a substantial portion of indoor air pollution, including our paints. “Though conventional paints have gotten less toxic over the years, many still release some level of volatile organic compounds, or “VOCs,” into the air in the form of a breathable gas. According to the American Lung Association, VOCs can cause a number of physical problems, such as eye and skin irritation, as well as lung and kidney damage. The best practice is to use paint that is low in, or does not contain, VOCs and low- or no-VOC paint is a quality, cost-effective painting option that is safe for the environment and the homeowner” (HGTVpro).
Open Windows: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air. Let the good in air and the bad stuff out! Easy enough 
Garage Sale/Donate: One of my most favoritest things about spring is the cleaning up and clearing out! Spring time to many reminds us of simplifying and sorting…starting fresh and new! It’s a great time to go through your belongings and decide what you love, like and dislike. You might think of this as three piles – but you will only be making two. Keep what you love and out the door with all the rest. Have a garage sale, donate or give as hand-me-downs to someone in need! It’s a great way to clear the clutter while doing something nice too.
Rain Barrel: Capture one of our greatest gifts from nature – pure lovely rainwater! Rain barrels are a great way to conserve resources while reducing the amount of well or municipal water we use. “Luckily, rainwater harvesting has gone mainstream, and it’s easy for homeowners to take advantage of recapturing “lost” water with a rain barrel. Your roof collects rainwater and funnels it through gutters or downspouts, where it can be collected. But be sure to leave room to provide easy access the spigot. When your plants need a drink, just use the water from the barrel instead of turning on the hose”(Earth911).
So with these 8 steps – your spring can be clean…green and mean! Okay – maybe not mean, but it sure sounded good right there! I love rhymes.
Image Credits:
http://www.earthday.org
http://ecologichomemakers.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/putting-it-all-on-the-line-the-clothesline-that-is/clothesline/
http://recipes.terra-organics.com/2010/11/lemons/
http://www.empoweredbylennar.com/live-green/5-ways-to-free-your-home-of-dangerous-chemicals/attachment/low-voc-paint/
http://anglopole.wordpress.com/2008/06/01/english-houses/
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/08/great-california-garage-sale.php
http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/rain-barrels
http://www.le-petit-village.com/spring.html
love ur blog! From one green mama to another
It’s definitely Spring ‘Green’ Cleaning time!
I too love Bronner’s soap, but it is way too expensive. I’ve found an excellent replacement that I now prefer, it’s called Dr. Woods Castile Soap.
For quick, all-purpose cleaning or de-greasing I also like Vapormate. It’s non-toxic and very effective. For quick, effective disinfecting I use white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Put vinegar in one spray bottle and the HP in a second spray bottle, then spray your surface with one, immediately followed by the other. For thorough cleaning and disinfecting I LOVE my Eurosteam Steam Cleaner. It’s non-toxic, economical and green cleaning at its best. The machine is not cheap though, mine cost $1,300.