Goal For The Green

You don’t have to spend a dime on cleaners and solvents, to do your Spring cleaning.  There are products in your kitchen or pantry right now, that will do the job nicely, and in an earth friendly way.

Most household cleaners, fall into the acid or alkaline region on a pH scale.  The scale ranges from 1-14, with 7 being the pure or neutral (like water) region.  Acidic solutions fall below 7, while the alkaline solutions are on the up side of the scale.  Cleaners that rank on the high end of the alkaline scale are considered caustic, and the very acidic cleaners are corrosive.  Usually, areas that are soiled with grease and oil are best treated with alkaline cleaners.  This is because alkaline cleaners work by separating heavy soil and grease from surfaces and fabric, so they can be easily blotted up, or rinsed away.  The most common alkaline cleaners are sudsy ammonia, borax, chlorine bleach, detergents and soaps, TSP (trisodium phosphate) and washing soda.

Common acidic cleaners, are white vinegar, lemon juice, commercial rust removing products, and metal cleaners that remove tarnish and corrosion.  These cleaners work best on particulates (such as smoke) and in hard water areas where lime scales are formed by calcium and magnesium deposits.

For kitchen clean-up, nothing more than 2 Tablespoons of Bleach to a gallon of  water and a few drops of your dish washing detergent, is all that is needed for sparkle and disinfecting.  For your copper bottomed pans, take half of a lemon dipped in table salt and work it like a scrubber on the pan.  Ketchup and table salt, also works well.  Wash and dry, and your pans will look like new.

My favorite, around the house cleaners, are white vinegar and baking soda. White vinegar is great for cleaning anything, from your coffee pot to windows, sinks, bathrooms and chrome fixtures.  It works well, at removing mineral deposits and stains. When paired with baking soda it will bubble, but works wonderfully well for cleaning out your oven and drip pans, if you don’t have a self cleaning oven.  For best results, just let sit over night. Its much better, than the fumes from oven cleaning products. Proper ventilation, should always be used, when using commercial cleaners, as some can cause burns to the skin, and shouldn’t even be breathed. Baking soda, is both gentle and powerful, and has many uses like removing odors and fruit juice stains, and as a mild abrasive in other cleaning applications.

When it comes to making home made cleaners, it is by far more, the economical choice. Most recipes make about a gallon, and you probably already have the ingredients on hand.  For pennies, you can make your own, and there is no waste.

If you prefer to buy ready made cleaners, look for brands such as Ecos, Simple Green, and the new line of green cleaners from Clorox, just to name a few earth friendly alternatives.

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For several years the EPA ( Environmental Protection Agency), most large businesses, and power companies have been feverishly promoting the sales and usage of compact  fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). They are a great way to save money and energy, while fighting global warming.

The drawback is, these bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing.  The small amount being about 5 milligrams ( equal to the tip of a ball point pin). Mercury is the essential component that allows CFLs to be an efficient light source.  It should be noted that it would take 100 CFLs to equal the mercury found in an old fashioned thermometer.  The bulbs themselves pose few risks, unless of course, they break.  Normally,there is very little risk of airborne mercury exposure.  It is when we find mercury deposits in lakes and oceans, that then find their way to the fish we eat, that the problem arises.  The most common pathway for human exposure to mercury is from eating fish.

Companies and the federal government have not yet come up with easy or effective ways for Americans to recycle these bulbs.  While most people want to recycle, if it is not easy or convenient, it doesn’t happen at all.  Currently, even though CFL bulbs contain mercury, using them emits less mercury into the environment than its predecessor the incandescent bulbs.  They use 70% less heat, which makes them safer to use, and they save you $30 or more in energy costs per bulbs lifetime.

The EPA is working hard to find a solution that works for the retailers and the consumer to recycle the product.  IKEA is the only retailer accepting the bulbs for recycle at this time.  Others such as Wal-Mart and General Electric are considering what they can do to help.

Here are a few tips on how to dispose of a broken bulb.  Vent the room for at least 15 minutes. If you have an HVAC system, turn it off.  On hards surfaces, scoop up glass fragments and powder and place in a glass jar with a metal lid, or a sealed plastic bag.  Use duct tape to pick up any remaining fragments and powder.  Wipe the area with damp paper towels and place them in the jar or plastic bag.  Do not use a broom or vacuum on hard surfaces.  Follow the same steps on carpet.  Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and clean the canister).  Place the debris in a sealed plastic bag.  Check with local or state governments about disposal requirements in your area.  Laws may vary in different states.  Consumers can contact their local or municipal solid waste agency directly for proper disposal options.  Or go to www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling or www.earth911.org for your local recycling options.

It’s true – you can have, do and be anything you want in life.  But, we’ve been conditioned to think otherwise. So, how do we get it?

First of all, you need to know what you want and really get in touch with it.  Set aside some quiet time to meditate and take an inward journey.  Like the Bible says get to “know thyself.” It is a learning process to train your mind to get in the proper mindset, visions and positivities to create the life you want.  You need to know how to CREATE desired results.

The next step is to just “BE”.  To “BE” is simply the self-image that you hold of yourself in the corners of your mind.  You’ll know you have achieved your state of being, when it is no longer a question.  You ARE whatever you’ve set out to become.  Real change happens from the inside out.  The Law of Attraction, teaches us that like attracts like. Whatever your thoughts are, you attract those thoughts to your life. So, there is no room in your thoughts for negativity.  You must erase your “stinkin’ thinkin'” ( the stuff you were raised with that tells you that you can’t have what you truly want).  Replace it with your new self-image of what and who you are.  The hard part is, you must ACCEPT yourself in your new role.  It is a choice and a decision, but just do it.  You’ll be glad you did.

The next step is to THINK.  Is your life all that you want it to be?  If it is not, it is because of your thoughts.  Your thoughts control your life.  They are responsible for both the good and bad things that happen to you.  Don’t allow yourself to be a victim of your past. Don’t allow thoughts of lack, scarcity, or negativity to enter your mind.   Instead, take charge of your life, by taking control of your thoughts.  Create the life of your dreams.  Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow doesn’t exist yet- so, NOW is your point of EMPOWERMENT.

Watch what you say.  You know the old saying, “If you don’t have anything good or kind to say, say nothing at all.”  So, speak only good, kind, prosperous, and positive words in all situations.

Then play name it and claim it.  Act as if and truly BELIEVE you are already living your perfect life as you visualized and designed it.  Surround yourself with people you admire and look up to.  This process does take time and commitment to yourself.  Always tell yourself that you are worth whatever it takes.  Be consciously aware of the steps to creating change, and live everyday in the NOW.