However, for families (like ours) I believe that "going green" is an ongoing process of educating ourselves, as best we can. That's why, I'm excited to share with you some very useful information and also a terrific family of green products, that makes it a little easier for families (like mine) to turn over a new leaf, courtesy of the earth-friendly folks at Seventh Generation.
Seventh Generation has partnered with eco-lifestyle consultant and author, Alexandra Zissu, whose new book, The Conscious Kitchen
Her book also includes great tips on maintaining a green and healthy kitchen, including:
Change is Good Choosing -- cleaning products without indoor air pollutants like volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, is a simple and effective way to reduce your indoor air pollution. If you´re not prepared to switch everything overnight, start by swapping out the one product you use the most, and moving forward from there.
Think before you spray Residues -- from cleaning products can last on a surface for longer than we we´d like to know and travel to areas that we sometimes don´t intend them to. Don´t contaminate your food by prepping it on a surface that may contain harsh chemical residues - rinse cleaning products from food preparation surfaces carefully or use botanical disinfecting cleaners that do not require a rinse step.
Home is Where the Clean Is -- Your standard cleaners are good for removing soils and dirt from kitchen surfaces, but to tackle germs you need a cleaner that is effective against microbes like bacteria and viruses. Many cleaners contain ingredients that have antimicrobial properties such as vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, but the germ killing power of these is not necessarily guaranteed. To be sure you are killing germs, use an EPA registered disinfectant. Seventh Generation tapped into the disinfecting power of the common garden herb thyme, to provide a disinfecting cleaner that kills germs* naturally.Make the Old New Again -- Think twice about the items that you´re using to clean and dry your kitchen equipment and dishes. Use rags (like old t-shirts and washcloths) instead of paper towels. If you aren´t prepared to kick your paper towel addiction just yet, use only recycled versions that are unbleached or haven´t been whitened with chemicals containing chlorine and see how long you can make a roll last.
The Writing is on the ... Sponge -- Be sure to read the fine print on sponges and only purchase those that do not contain antimicrobial pesticides. Remember to store sponges in a dry place and frequently clean them by popping plastic sponges wet in a microwave for two minutes or boiling sponges for three minutes in water.
Mom Was Right, Wash Your Hands -- Wash your hands with soap and water before and after prepping food, and always before eating. So much of what can be potentially harmful in a kitchen can be reduced by this simple act that doesn´t require any harsh chemicals whatsoever.
"What's that smell!"
[sniff-sniff]
"I can't quite put my finger on it."
I read the back of the label and...THAT'S IT...it's thyme!
Seventh Generation has tapped into the disinfecting power of the herb thyme, to introduce an EPA registered line of disinfecting sprays and wipes that kill germs* naturally! The new line of botanical disinfectant cleaners includes a multi-surface cleaning spray, bathroom cleaning spray and wipes.
*Refer to product labels for full details
Want some?
To kick off spring cleaning at your house (BLECH!) the environmentally friendly folks at Seventh Generation have offered to send one (1) of our readers a Disinfecting Cleaning Kit (just like the one we got, picture up there) that includes a disinfecting multi-surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, wipes , a copy of The Conscious Kitchen, a cleaning caddy made from recycled plastic, and two rolls of 100% recycled, unbleached paper towels.
Because, we roll like that!
GET IT HERE: To enter, leave a comment, like, how you spring clean your house (Me? It's an ongoing battle of rounding up dust kitties and changing over closets and drawers, that could last as long as Memorial Day weekend) along with a valid email address on this post by 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 14th and you're automatically entered to win. One (1) winner will be picked (via random.org) and announced via email and posted on My Prizey Giveaways Page!
'CAWSE WE LOVE TO SHARE & SOME EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN, TOO:
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Also, click here to check out some of our other favorite stuff we're sharing (when you have time, of course) good luck and wake me when, you know, spring cleaning ends.
© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.
FWIW: NO PAYMENT, OR CONSIDERATIONS, OTHER THAN A SAMPLE OF THE PRODUCT FOR REVIEW PURPOSES AND A CHANCE TO SHARE PRODUCT WE LIKE, BY HOSTING A GIVEAWAY, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF MYBLOGSPARK AND SEVENTH GENERATION.
