Go Go Gadget Green!

If you're as old as I am you'll recognize the title of this entry ... Good ole Inspector Gadget! Wasn't that cartoon great? It was about this guy who was supposed to be a secret agent but he could never do anything right. He was such a bumbler! But he wasn't even a real person, he was made up of all these specialized mechanical parts and all he had to say was "Go go gadget _____" and some part of him would spring into action. It was hilarious. So often I wish I had some Inspector Gadget qualities, especially when trying to raise a kid and take care of a house! But one of my favorite things to make me feel like I'm making a difference (like Inspector Gadget when saving the world) I like to use "green" products. There is literally so much talk about going green it could make you puke. But I truly think it's worthwhile. Now, I have to say that not everything in my house is green. We leave lights on, I don't turn off the water while brushing my teeth and we don't have a rain barrel. But those things are for the "advanced green person." Which if you don't know by now I am NOT. I do what I can because I think every little bit helps. So here are my tips if you want to go a little green!
First of all, the easiest part about going green is cleaning products. Serious! So many companies are going green that they come out with new products all the time! My personal favorite is Clorox. First of all the brand has been around for a ridiculously long time. That speaks to me in terms of reliability. Second of all, they have a GREAT line of awesome green products for seriously easy money. Their brand is called "Green Works." LOVE this stuff, it smells great, works better and doesn't kill my wallet. I use the dish soap, the spray cleaner and the wipes. If your store doesn't carry that or can't find it, or if you try it and I steered you wrong, my second favorite is Seventh Generation. I only use the dish soap from this company because the laundry detergent is just too expensive, but the dish soap isn't. It again smells wonderful and works like magic! Using these products are easier on the environment and help make every day tasks a little better.
The second easiest thing to do to go green is recycle. In my house I'm a recycling nazi. I put EVERYTHING in the recycle. In fact I  had to request a second recycle bin from the city because ours was always overflowing. Now, the reason this isn't first is because in some places they don't offer recycle pick up. If that's the case, you can store your own recycle in a regular trash bin and google search the nearest recycle facility. Unless you live off a dirt road like my grandparents, you should be able to find one you can make a weekly trip to! Or if you are like my grandparents, who live in Michigan, they save cans to take in and redeem for the nickle. A nickle a can goes a long way! This service is only offered in select states so check the top of the can! Even though my husband argues with me on this, I have to stand firm. We live on an incredibly busy street, and when our rubbish service comes around and they dump the recycle bins into the truck, the wind blows 1/4 of it out into the environment. Now ... what sense does that make? Yeah none. I'm left walking down the street picking up other people's nasty trash! YUCK! So I buy super cheap, plastic trash bags. The super off brand (not the off brand but the REAL off brand) bags where you get 300 for $1.50. We keep a plastic bin under the sink, I line it with one of these bags and when I take out the recycle to the bin in our garage I tie it off. This helps keep all my recyclables contained and that way they won't escape to become litter. The bags are incredibly thin and the people at the recycle facility should have no problem snagging them open. (In fact, they are usually pre-ripped when they make it to the bin) Plus the bags are plastic themselves so they too can be recycled. My husband says I shouldn't but until the City yells at me and tells me to stop, I won't. It makes sense!
Finally, try to use reusable items more often. I am a guilty self admitted user of paper towels. I like them for lots of reasons, however, I have been hanging a towel in the kitchen off of my cabinet handles. This way if I just need a quick wash of my hands I dry them with the towel. I still use paper towels, but at least I make them go farther. Do this in your bathroom too! I know Kleenex has come out with those disposable clothes, but really ... you can just change our your towels more often. I've used a towel my whole life and don't recall a doctor ever telling me I got sick from drying my hands with one. So get over your germaphobia and save the earth a little!
Now there are TONS of ways to help make our every day lives a little more green, but these are my favorite and easiest ways to do that! Green it up!!!