Earth Day is just around the corner but I believe that the ‘green trend’ that people used to get so excited about around Earth Day every year is not so much a trend anymore but a lifestyle.  It’s the norm.  Many parents have become more green than they were in the past whether it’s by buying organic, all-natural shampoo for their kids or BPA-free baby bottles.  Being green may not be easy as easy as shopping like we used to 10 years ago, but many companies and stores are putting a lot of effort into providing consumers with many ‘green’ options.

So we have the options but what about the ideas to implement a more green lifestyle?  Here are a few great tips on how to be more green.

You can easily conserve resources in your everyday life just by making a few small changes in and around your home.

Here are some other ways to green your day-to-day duties:

Grocery Shopping

Green your trash bags:  It is so easy and inexpensive to get trash bags made from recycled or biodegradable material these days that there is little excuse not to use them. You can buy a roll at most supermarkets or online from Kokopelli’s Green Market (kokogm.com). Bring your own reusable tote to the grocery store with you. Leave a few totes in the trunk of your car or stash them away in your purse for unexpected trips.

Skip the Suds

Try a green detergent such as 7th Generation which comes in a recycled cardboard bottle. You can also use a detergent designed for cold water; using cold water for each wash load saves energy, which is good for the earth, and also saves money, which is great for your wallet. Cold water detergents are formulated to fight dirt and stains just as well as their warm water counterparts.

Use a dishwasher instead of washing plates by hand. Buy an Energy Star Rated washer, only run it when it is full and skip the pre-rinse cycle.

Choose Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

For every commercial and chemical based product on the market, there is probably a greener alternative…or even a homemade substitution!

•    Baking Soda: This is great for cleaning, deodorizing, softening water and scouring dishes.

•    Soap: Unscented soap in liquid, flake or powder form is biodegradable and will clean just about anything.

•    Lemon: A strong food acid effective against most household bacteria.

•    Borax: Cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors

•    White Vinegar: Cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.

•    Washing Soda: Cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans walls, tiles, sinks and tubs.

•    Cornstarch: Can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs.

•    Citrus Solvent: Cleans paintbrushes, oil and grease and some stains.

Green Your Pet