Coming Clean April 23, 2009

I love my apartment, but one thing I hated when I first moved in, was the disgusting build up of lime and calcium that coated anything I put in the dishwasher. I tried using various rinsing agents to no avail. I switched detergents, changed the cycle settings; nothing worked. Until one day, there was a blurb in my apartment newsletter that suggested adding one cup of white vinegar to the washload. So, I gave it a shot. Since then, my glasses and silverware sparkle. I figured if vinegar could be such a powerful force in the dishwasher I could use it to clean other things around the house.

Here is a link to a great site with lots of tips on cleaning with vinegar: http://www.vinegartips.com/cleaning/

My own tip – To clean lime scale and calcium buildup from your shower heads, fill a plastic sandwich bag 1/2 full of white vinegar. Secure the bag onto the shower head with a rubber band, making sure the face is fully submerged. Wait a few hours. When you remove the bag you’ll find that the lime and calcium are gone.  Take that rogue water sprays!

Beginning with Baby Wearing June 27, 2008

Baby wearing is a great way to bond with your baby, keep him content, and give yourself some freedom to do those hands on activities and chores that you can’t quite manage while cradling an infant in your arms. Unfortunately, not all babies are keen on being crammed into a pouch; which I quickly learned after my first attempt at getting my son into his Peanut Shell.

The IDEA of baby wearing seemed sweet to me. I could just imagine my son staring contently up at me, snug and safe, swaddled on my chest. But the truth is, my son likes his space. He LOVES being cuddled up on mommy’s lap after a lengthy luncheon at the Booby Cafe, but he wants to stretch out and move. This is something I could not have known before he was born. So, my $55 sling purchase may have been made in vain. (I am HOPING that he’ll like it at some point.) Had I known then (3 months ago) what I know now, I probably wouldn’t have made such a purchase without some kind of test run.

After the Peanut Shell experience and some conversations with my forum friends, I purchased a Moby Wrap, which is much more compatible with my baby’s personality. It can be worn several ways. It’s very comfortable, washable and cheaper than most carriers. Best of all, my baby actually likes it!

If you are thinking of baby wearing, realize that there are many ways (and price points) to do so. Carriers, like the BabyBjorn, are available at most major retail stores that carry baby gear. Slings, wraps and mei tais are widely available on the net, in some specialty boutiques, and even carried by retailers like Babies R Us and Target, though the selection is minimal at those stores.

Some things to keep in mind when choosing how you’ll wear your baby:

• Safety – Obviously this is the biggest issue when making any purchase for your baby. Check for product recalls and read consumer reviews.
• Functionality – Is it easy to wash? Is it adjustable? Will the baby outgrow it quickly? Does it have special features like pockets or a key ring? And – IS IT EASY TO USE? If you can’t figure it out or just can’t get baby in it, you’ve wasted your money.
• Comfort – CRUCIAL. Look for breathable materials and remember you may need warmer fabrics for the winter months.
• Style – Moms like to accessorize too!
• Price – Crafty ladies can find patterns online and make their own slings or carriers. For the sewing challenged (like myself) be sure to look for special promotions or online coupon codes. As always, Craigslist or second hand specialty stores like Once Upon a Child offer great deals on used baby gear. The most important thing is to comparison shop before buying. Deals change daily.
• Sizing – Adjustable slings are more forgiving, but be careful to measure yourself and follow sizing guidelines. Read the return policy before ordering just in case you aren’t sure of the size.

Here are some links to popular sling/wrap/carrier manufacturer sites:

Maya Wrap

Peanut Shell

Moby Wrap

Hot Slings

ERGObaby

You can also check out Etsy for handmade slings and wraps.

Enjoy cuddling your little one by finding the carrier right for both of you!

My Son’s Birth Story June 26, 2008

I woke up around 5:30 am May 9th and during my morning rituals, I felt as though my water may have broken,  but I wasn’t sure. (I am sure a lot of you mothers out there know EXACTLY what I mean.) I figured I’d call the doc when their offices opened at 8:30. I had an appointment scheduled for 11:30 anyway. My husband was in bed and when I tried to ask his opinion (about what I should do) he just mumbled and went back to sleep.

Well, I started having contractions about an hour later. They were mild and anywhere from 11-15 minutes apart. So, I called at 8:30. The doc told me to just wait and come in at my appointment. By my appointment time the contractions were ranging from 6-11 minutes apart and stronger. My doula met my husband and I at our apartment and we went to the doc’s together. I told the doctor what happened and he said he didn’t think I’d have the baby that day. He said he wasn’t convinced my water had broken. (Later I found out that he should have tested the fluid….but he didn’t.) Anyway, I had an erratic pattern of contractions FOREVER. They ranged from 4-20 minutes. When I had a 40 minute lull, my doula went home (this was around 7 or 8 pm). Of course, they picked back up and stayed around 9 minutes apart for several hours. I was so tired (remember, they started at 6:30 am and at this point I was watching Craig Ferguson) and kept falling asleep between the contractions. By 5:30 am on May 10th, they were 5 minutes apart and lasting 1 minute each. So, we called the doula and drove the 5 minute drive to the hospital.

After 2 hours, I asked for an epidural. I wanted to go the natural route but I was already so exhausted from lack of sleep that I didn’t figure I’d make it through labor. I was disappointed in myself but begging for some rest. So, I got the epidural. My contractions lost their pattern again. I was dilating and effacing and the baby was moving down, but slowly. They gave me the dreaded pitocin (just another note in my birth plan that got crossed off) in a small dose around 2:30 pm (I think) and that helped a bit. Then they gave me a little more. I was 90% effaced but stuck at 7 cm dilation. The baby’s head was coned as much as it could be. Finally the doctor told me I’d have to have a C-Section. I cried and cried but agreed. I’d never had any major surgery before and was scared I wouldn’t make it.

So, I’m completely numb, cold, doped on Morphine or something and they slice into me. The baby comes out and doesn’t really cry. I heard a couple of strange sounding wails. I ask what’s going on. My husband doesn’t say much. I see the doctors whiz by my head, holding the baby. My husband follows. A few minutes later I hear an intercom call, “Respiratory Team to Neonatal Unit.” I sob silently as they stitch me up. My doctor comes a few minutes later and says, “I am sorry to tell you this now, but your baby is having some trouble and is being transported to St. V’s.” I felt empty, half hoping I’d die on that table. I was wheeled to a recovery area. Nurses and doctors kept coming by and talking. I didn’t hear them. I didn’t speak. I just cried. My husband came and told me that he saw the baby and he was ok (I guess meaning “alive”) and he asked if I wanted my family to come. I shook my head “no.” I didn’t want to see anyone. I didn’t want to be awake. I didn’t know if I’d even get to see my baby at all, the sweet little man I’d grown to love so much over the course of my pregnancy.

Eventually, I was wheeled to the postpartum recovery area, making a brief stop by the nursery. The doctor held my baby up to a window, 15 feet away. I was taken to my room. Doctors flooded in and they told me my son had diaphragmatic hernia, a very serious condition, and that he was in critical condition. They said that they got about 5-6 cases of this at St. V’s every year, with babies coming from all over the country, and they told me he’d have to have an operation. I was relieved that it was something fixable. I didn’t realize exactly how serious it was. All I knew is that they said the fastest recovery they’d had was 6 weeks. After an hour or so, they brought the baby to my bedside in his incubator. I was allowed to touch his foot for about 5 minute before he was rushed off. I didn’t know if I’d ever see him again.

I was released from the hospital the morning of May 12th and I went to see my baby in the NICU. He was hooked to all kinds of machines. They explained to me that his diaphragm hadn’t fused properly in the womb and that his intestines had pushed into his chest cavity, crushing/impeding the growth of one lung and pushing his heart and other lung over to the side. They wouldn’t know exactly how bad it was until they got in to do the surgery. The good news was that Lucas kept breathing over his machines, he was strong and had some lung capacity. His surgery was scheduled for May 15th.

The surgery went amazingly well and about as soon as he got out, he progressed leaps and bounds; machinery coming off daily. When he finally got to a place where they were sure he’d come home, it was explained to me that only 40% of kids with his condition (where the hernia is on the left side) survive, and that that statistic is overly optimistic because many times the condition is totally undiagnosed. The babies are stillborn, no one does an autopsy or if they do it’s not seen. Babies with the hernia on the right side don’t survive. I am glad they waited to give me this bit of information. I was already out of my mind and probably would have jumped out of a window had they told me this before. BUT, my baby was fine and getting better everyday. He was in the hospital for a total of 4 weeks.

The day we found our Lucas was going home, the little one in the “pod” next to us passed away. It was a bittersweet day for sure. My heart goes out to all of the NICU parents. It’s such a hard place to be.

So, that’s the story. I’m here typing with my little one on my lap, sleeping after a snuggly breastfeeding with his mama. I feel so lucky and blessed. I’m more happy than I have ever been and finally believe in miracles, so many of them went into bringing my little guy home safely.

On Elimination Communication, Natural Infant Hygiene, and the Diaper Free Baby March 29, 2008

I read the words “diaper free baby” and I cringe. I have to wonder where these diaper free babies practice being diaper free. Do you just put down newspaper like you would for a puppy? What if you’re carrying your baby and he or she decides to pee in the middle of Target? The problem with the phrase “diaper free” is that it doesn’t really describe elimination communication at all. In fact, I wish that the phrase “diaper free” would disappear from the EC/NIH vernacular.

Elimination communication is just that, communication. Parents who use EC learn to communicate with their infants and toddlers by using timing and cues from the child to know when the child will eliminate. In turn, the child learns to listen for cues from the parents to know when it is ok to eliminate. And the babies of EC parents don’t EVER have to be diaper free if it’s not conducive to the parents’ lifestyle. So, you don’t have to worry about Junior peeing in the middle of Target. It’s ok to leave him in a diaper when you go out, or even when at home, though in many parts of the world, babies who are completely diaper free are the norm. For American ECers , the goal is successful communication, and hopefully, less dependency on diapers.

Let me try to get down to the details of how EC works. As stated above, in many parts of the world, children do not wear diapers. And when you think about it, there is nothing natural about wearing diapers. We teach our children to be diapered. They don’t come out of the womb expecting to be diapered. We teach them to become accustomed to soiling their pants, and then when we think they are ready or when we are ready, we have to unteach this concept. Elimination communication helps infants and toddlers understand that soiling their pants will create discomfort, whereas a child in disposables may not even associate discomfort and wetness with urinating in their clothing. The diapers wick away the moisture so that the babies, and sometimes the parents too, don’t immediately realize the diaper has been soiled. Some babies are more sensitive to moisture than others and will cry out when they feel the wetness on their skin.

Parents who choose to use EC when their child is still a newborn might keep a loose fitting cloth diaper draped around their newborn, or even an open disposable, so that they can watch for the child’s facial cues when he or she eliminates. Ideally, an attentive parent can get so in tune with the child’s elimination needs, that the parent can “catch” the pee or poo in a potty or plastic container. In the infant stage, many parents use small plastic containers and just place them under the baby’s bum when they feel the child will eliminate. Other parents hold their infant child over the toilet or a potty chair.

So, it’s reverse potty training, right? The child is training the parent to take him/her to the toilet. Well, not exactly. While the parents are reading the cues of the child, they are sending their own cues. Parents will make a “pssss” sound when the child is urinating so that the child can associate the sound with the bodily function. A soft grunting sound is commonly used to cue defecation. Any sound is ok as long as it is consistent. Some parents even use American Sign Language or Baby Signs to communicate the word “toilet” as their cue. And many season EC infants will look to their parents for cues that it is ok to eliminate if they are in an unfamiliar place.

Parents can EC full time or part time or flow between the two methods as it suits their needs, and children can be EC’d from birth through the toddler years. As I stated above, the goal is not to have a “diaper free” baby, but to learn to communicate with your child and hopefully become less dependent on diapers. Just think, even one “catch” a day will save you money and keep one more diaper out of a landfill. Even if you cloth diaper, this “catch” could save the energy, water and detergent you’d need to launder the dirty diaper.

If you want to try EC, I highly recommend buying a book on EC or Natural Infant Hygiene. I am currently reading “The Diaper Free Baby” by Christine Gross-Loh, which is pictured above. The book is very informative and has lots of great tips and advice. My one complaint is that it seems an exorbitant portion of the book is devoted to testimonials from EC parents. I mean, obviously the reader bought the book. You don’t need to sell us on the concept any more. Just tell us what to do. Then again, for those of you needing constant pep talks, these testimonials may be helpful.

The Mind-Boggling World of Diapers Pt. 3 – G Diapers, The Hybrids March 17, 2008

What are hybrid diapers? Well, hybrids are sort of a cross between disposables and cloth. And honestly, I think the term hybrid diaper was coined by G Diaper users who are sometimes shunned by the cloth community. (Can’t we all just get along?)

Let me try to explain the G. G Diapers consist of a cloth outer pant, plastic snap-in liner and one use flushable liners. With the G diaper, unless your infant has a “blow out,” you can usually get by with just flushing away the flushable liner and maybe washing the plastic snap- in liner. The outer pants are washable. One neat thing about these diapers is that the flushable liner can be thrown in the trash, flushed away, or (if soiled with urine only) composted. Preloaded (pre assembled) they are almost as easy to use as disposable diapers (they close with velcro tabs) and create no more waste than an adult person would create just using the toilet. The outer pant is very soft and I’ve read many online testimonials from parents whose child’s diaper rash was reduced or eliminated by using Gs. The biggest drawback of the Gs: cost.

Looking at newborn sized diapers, here is a cost breakdown that I found by pricing diapers online.

• G Diapers flushable liners = $0.31 each
• Huggies = $0.19 each
• Wal Mart Generic = $0.15 each

As I said, these prices are based on the smallest size of diapers. As your child transitions into larger sizes, generally, the cost of a case of diapers will remain the same. However, the quantity of diapers per case will go down. You may pay $22 for 112 Huggies size 1 diapers, but when you need size 2, you’re spending that same $22 on 96 diapers. With the G Diapers, you’ll also have an initial investment of about $32 for the outer pants and flushable liners for each size. There are only three sizes of G Diapers and they come in a variety of colors. A couple of things to consider when thinking about the cost: with Gs, you won’t have to pay for a diaper pail, deodorizing cartridges and extra garbage bags or diaper pail liners you’d need for disposables. You may also save money on diaper rash creams. None of these things will offset the cost difference completely.

The other drawback of Gs is trying to find them! Gs are sold at some Wild Oats and Whole Foods locations. Unfortunately, for me, the Wild Oats near my house (near being within 30 miles) does not carry Gs and there are no Whole Foods stores located in my state. So, I have to purchase Gs online. (Yes, this is the choice I ultimately made to appease my concern for the environment and my husband’s aversion to cloth diapering.) You can purchase Gs online at www.gdiapers.com, www.babycenter.com and www.diapers.com. There may be other online vendors as well. Diapers.com ships all orders over $50 for free and Babycenter.com frequently has sales and great shipping offers. I wouldn’t recommend purchasing Gs from the Gs website simply because of shipping costs. The only benefit to purchasing directly from gdiapers.com, is that you have a greater selection of color choices, and a few more products available. Like most diapers, Gs can be found on eBay. I, for one, am avoiding eBay like the plague due to a series of bad experiences.

If you’d like more info on Gs, here is a link to a Yahoo group for G Diaper users http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gDiapers/ and another link for the Gs site, which has great how-to videos, http://www.gdiapers.com/

If you decide purchase ANY diapers from Diapers.com (the best price I’ve found unless Baby Center has a free shipping promo) please use my referral code, which is Lush A.J. You’ll get $10 off of your first order and I’ll get $1 in my referral account. I know it is a shameless plug, but I am a SAHM and this is a blogging mama needs all the help she can get!

Next week, I am going to post about Elimination Communication, or the Diaper Free Baby. I plan on using EC along with the Gs to deal with my little ones waste management.

Until next time, take care. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

(Edited to add….I found out that some of the Wild Oats locations have already converted to Whole Foods. So, there ARE Whole Foods stores located in my state.  I just haven’t visited one yet.)

The Mind-Boggling World of Diapers Pt. 2 – Cloth Options March 6, 2008

Cloth Diapers: You need to make a Venn diagram to figure these out. Seriously.Ok, I am being a little dramatic, just a little though. The first thing you need to do when choosing a cloth diaper is examine how much you are willing to spend for convenience. Cloth diapering can be a very economical route, or it can be fairly expensive depending on which style of diaper you choose. In any case, you will save money by using cloth over disposables. This is especially true if you have more than one child. You can also save money by buying used diapers and selling your diapers once you have finished with them.

Here’s a cost rundown that I pulled from The Stork Warehouse:

Month	Disposables Low End $	Cloth Low End $	Disposables High End $	Cloth High End $
1	$30	$85	$65	$400
2	$30	-	$65	-
3	$30	-	$65	-
4	$30	-	$65	-
5	$30	$40	$65	$400
6	$30	-	$65	-
7	$40	-	$75	-
8	$40	-	$75	-
9	$40	-	$75	-
10	$40	-	$75	-
11	$40	-	$75	-
12	$40	-	$75	-
13	$40	-	$75	-
14	$40	-	$75	-
15	$40	-	$75	$400
16	$40	-	$75	-
17	$40	-	$75	-
18	$40	$100	$75	-
19	$30	-	$65	-
20	$30	-	$65	-
21	$30	-	$65	-
22	$30	-	$65	-
23	$30	-	$65	-
24	$30	-	$65	-
25	$30	-	$65	-
26	$30	-	$65	-
27	$30	-	$65	-
28	$30	-	$65	-
29	$30	-	$65	-
30	$30	-	$65	-
Total Cost – 1st child	$1020	$225	$2070	$1200
Total Cost – 2nd child	$1020	$0	$2070	$0
Overall Total for a family of 2 children	$2040	$225	$4140	$1200

• Disposables Low End $ refers to purchasing store brand diapers in bulk at a members-only warehouse.
• Disposables High End $ refers to purchasing brand-name diapers each week at a grocery store and changing more often.
• Cloth Low End $ refers to prefolds and wraps (Option A above), washing every other day.
• Cloth High End $ refers to a mix of pocket diapers, fitted diapers and covers, and all-in-ones

As you can see from the chart, your initial investment in cloth is more than you’d spend on disposables, quite a bit more if you choose high end cloth diapers. When using high end cloth, you’ll also have to invest in different sizes as your child grows.

So, what are the differences between low end and high end cloth diapers? In a word, convenience. With cloth you pay for convenience. Here is a brief description of some of the different types of cloth diapers:

• Prefolds – These are the square, white cloths that most people think of when they think of cloth diapers. When using these diapers, you’ll also need some form of fastener (pins or the more modern plastic snappi) and also a diaper cover, which is essentially a plastic pant. Prefolds are the most economical option and can be laundered at home, or (if high quality) by a diaper service. There is some debate over the chemicals used by diaper services. If you are concerned with cost and the environment, it may be better to launder these diapers at home.
• Pocket Diapers – Pocket Diapers are one of the most convenient cloth options. These diapers consist of an outer layer of waterproof material and an inner layer of soft material that is comfortable on the baby’s skin. A “pocket” between the layers can be stuffed with various materials of your choosing to improve the absorbency. (Most people use a cloth prefold.) The closures on these diapers are generally snaps or velcro, sewn into the diaper. Pocket diapers come in a variety of colors and patterns, and are one of the more expensive cloth options.
• All-in-Ones – These are the closest you can get to disposables in terms of convenience. All-in-Ones are just that, all you need in one diaper with no extra assembly required. They are the most expensive cloth option and like the pocket diapers, All-in-Ones come in a variety of colors and patterns.

There are MANY resources on the net that can address specific questions about cloth diaper usage in terms of how many diapers you’ll need to get started and how to launder your cloth diapers. If you choose cloth, be sure to check the net for cloth diaper forums. These are fantastic places to get advice and also find the best deals on cloth diapers. If you order new diapers online, see if the company you’re buying from has a buy back program, special rebates and referral discounts. Most companies do not charge for shipping with a minimum order totaling $50. Shop around to avoid shipping fees.

By using cloth, you’re saving money and the environment. Yes, cloth diapers require water and energy for laundering, but in my mind it’s clear that they are better for the environment when you look at the process from start to finish; the resources needed to manufacture the diapers, energy and chemicals used in the manufacturing process, and waste produced after the diapers are sold.

Next week, I’ll give you insight into the disposable/cloth hybrid.

Talk Dirty To Me: The Mind-Boggling World of Diapers pt. 1 February 27, 2008

While I am overjoyed at the awe and wonder of carrying a little one, choosing all the “stuff” I will need to take care of him has been daunting at the best of times and maddening at the worst. One of the most difficult decisions we’ve made thus far is the diapering decision.

I started looking into diapering options before I even conceived. Of course, I just knew that I would use cloth diapers and I assumed that my husband would agree. Well, I was wrong. In fact, my normally agreeable husband responded with a curt “No.” at the mere suggestion of cloth diapering. I can’t say that I blame him. After all, most people think of cloth diapers as a square of cloth that is wrapped around the baby and secured with safety pins. This is not the case. Cloth diapers have evolved. They have evolved so much that it is quite hard to decipher which cloth diaper (if one chooses cloth at all) would best suit the needs of the parents and the baby.

I am not going to go through EVERYTHING I learned in the process of choosing how to deal with diapering, but hopefully I can provide enough information to help narrow down the many diapering choices. Remember, all of the information I am providing on this topic is information I’ve obtained on the net and from friends. My little one won’t be here for a few more months. I may end up with a follow-up post in three months, stating that I was wrong about everything!

The Usual Suspects: Disposable Diapers

In my opinion, disposables are just bad. They are a waste of many resources, namely tree pulp and petroleum. The chemicals used in manufacturing disposable diapers are highly toxic to the environment. Disposables can take up to 500 to decompose in landfills, and it is astounding how many diapers one kid goes through in just two years of diapering; somewhere between 5,000 and 7,000! Then again, I understand why most people use disposables. They are convenient; just change and toss. Sure, the packaging explains that fecal matter should be flushed, but who has time for that? (Hopefully you caught the sarcasm there.) I think most people see disposables as the most “sanitary” method of diapering. I see it as the laziest.

If you send your child to daycare, you may not have a choice. Many daycare centers will only use disposables. There are a few “environmentally friendly” disposables that use wood pulp from renewable forests and leave out some of the harmful chemicals that are found in most mainstream brands. Seventh Generation diapers seem to be popular amongst those in the green community who have chosen disposables. Still, in my mind, just because the diaper you’re throwing away is chlorine free, you’re still throwing it away and adding to the massive diaper ridden landfills around the world. As if the 18 billion diapers currently being tossed in the dumps every year aren’t enough.

And don’t forget disposables are expensive! The initial cost of cloth diapering is more than running down to your local market to pick up a case of disposables; however, over the two years of your child’s pre-potty trained life, the cost of those disposables really adds up. I’ll get into the cost breakdown in the cloth diapering section. Stay tuned for pt. 2!

 

Seventh Generation Natural Lavender Floral & Mint Dishwashing Liquid February 7, 2008

The Seventh Generation brand name comes from the Iroquois belief that “In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” A Native American employee of the company suggested the name in 1988 and since then, the brand has grown and become quite popular among the green community. Never having tried any products made by Seventh Generation, I decided to purchase the Natural Lavender Floral & Mint Dishwashing Liquid, which is non-toxic, biodegradable, hypo-allergenic, and uses no petroleum-based cleaners or phosphates. It is not tested on animals and is kosher-certified.

Admittedly, even though I know most products are scented by chemical sources, I am drawn to products that have a pleasant scent. The fragrance in Seventh Generation’s Lavender & Mint dishwashing liquid comes from lavender, lime, spearmint, peppermint, and ylang ylang essential oils. It’s odor is pleasing and not too strong. I find it lathers and cleans the just as effectively as it’s chemical competitors and it does not dry out my hands like many other brands that I have tried. The best part is, when I finish the bottle, I can take it to my local waste management center for recycling. (My local center only accepts plastics 1 and 2.)

Something to be wary of: This product contains sodium laureth sulfate, a cousin of sodium lauryl sulfate. I cannot definitively say that SLS (or SLES in this case) is not dangerous, as it is an irritant. I can say that it is used in most cleaning products, including toothpastes, shampoos and basically most things that need to lather. You may have heard that SLS causes cancer. It appears that this is an urban legend. You decide. So far, I feel pretty safe using products that contain SLS. An interesting fact about the SLS in Seventh Generation’s dishwashing liquid, it is not listed as an ingredient on the bottle. Seventh Generation’s way of listing SLES as an ingredient in their product is, “A unique combination of naturally derived cleaning agents (coconut-based surfactants).” That’s true. SLS is derived from coconuts. Still, I think for a company that touts it’s “disclosure” policy, that is a little shady. In fact, I think I may need to amend my post on Clorox’s Green Works, which also listed it’s cleaning agent as “naturally derived” and “coconut-based.”

Clorox Green Works February 1, 2008

Clorox recently introduced a new line of green products targeted at consumers who are concerned with the environmental impact and potential health risks associated with using harmful chemical cleaners in their homes. The new Clorox Green Works line is made from plant-based ingredients that are sustainable, non-allergenic and biodegradable. All cleaners in the line are at least 99% natural but some contain synthetic preservatives, fragrance and colorants. All of the ingredients used in these products are listed on the Clorox site and on the packaging. (It is disturbing that this is actually a feature of this product. There is no requirement for a complete ingredient list on household cleaners.) Green Works products are not tested on animals and are packaged in bottles that can be recycled.

I decided to test out the Green Works All-Purpose Cleaner on my microwave. I have to say, I was pretty impressed with the results. First of all, the cleaner is scented with essential lemon oil and has a very light, refreshing scent. This is really important to me because I am almost six months pregnant. Strong chemical smells make me gag (literally) and can be dangerous for my growing baby. I sprayed the cleaner inside my microwave and then wiped it with a towel. It took very little scrubbing to remove the dried on splatter and grease. Mind you, my microwave was relatively clean. Still, I think the cleaner could have handled tougher grime pretty easily. The cleaner left no residue, another big plus. I have tried other “natural” cleaners and I have to say that so far, this one works the best. My only concern is that the Green Works products do not disinfect. Then again, I’ve yet to find any natural, non-toxic products that are also disinfectants. My 32 oz. bottle of cleaner cost $3.63, a little more than traditional cleaners but well worth it.

edited to add: After researching another product, I discovered that “coconut-based surfactants”  are most likely SLS or SLES. Though SLS and SLES are irritants, I haven’t found any research concluding that using products with these ingredients is at all harmful. However, because I know many people are concerned with SLS, I wanted to make this notation.

A little about me and the blog January 28, 2008

You don’t have to be a dread lock wearing, Grateful Dead worshiping, vegan, tree hugger to realize that the environment is an important issue. (Though, bonus for you if you are any or all of those things!) As for me, I have been called a hippy a time or two, I do like The Dead and have been known to smell of patchouli and incense. However, I also eat meat, I own leather goods, and I flush the toilet every time I use it. (I don’t care if it’s yellow or brown. I flush it down!)

So, I am not perfect. I am not an authority on the environment. I’ve never thrown red paint on someone wearing a fur coat, rescued a poor little lab rat or sworn off beef. I am a concerned citizen. I am concerned about the state of our world. I am worried that when my child grows up we’ll be living in a landfill, unable to breathe the air simply because too many people are too lazy to do anything about it. The thing is, it’s not hard to make small changes to greatly reduce our ecological footprint. And, it doesn’t have to be expensive either. I really hope that my blog can inspire and help people live a little greener, save some money and help save the planet in the process.