Going green

I mentioned to Craig that next year I would like to "go green" with our cleaning supplies. (There are so many chemicals in our shower cleaner that it takes me a half hour to clean it as a result of taking so many breaks from holding my breath.) He made the comment, "That doesn't sound like you." So that got me thinking. I've never really considered myself to be environmentally conscious, until I started making a list of little things that I do already:
- recycle most paper, plastics and cans
- purchased energy saving appliances, including a front loading washer
- lower the thermostat at night and during the day while we're not home
- open the windows in the summer
- reuse plastic bags from groceries stores as our garbage inserts
- Use power save on my computer and laptop

My goal for next year is to use vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice as my cleaing aide staples, or other safe products. If I find any good solutions, I'll be sure and post them. Vinegar and baking soda are great for cleaning your drains and for soap scum.

I've also gradually started replacing our light bulbs with CFLs. Did you know?
If every American home swapped just five incandescent bulb fixtures for Energy Star CFLs, it would keep 1 trillion pounds of greenhouse gases out of the air and save $6.5 billion in energy costs. CFLs are more expensive, but they use 70% less energy and last much longer (10,000 hours compared to 750).

Here's a link to an energy saving checklist. http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/web/pdf/0706/energysaver.pdf