Random tips and thoughts

You may have read some of these in previous posts, but thought you could use a reminders....

Did you know that Heloise preached about cleaning with the things you already have in your cupboard (vinegar, baking soda, etc.) 50 years ago?!

Did you know hydrogen peroxide (3%) is effective in killing mildew on tile and bacteria on plastic cutting boards? Just pour enough to cover the area, let it sit for 30 minutes; scrub, rinse and dry.

Sick of junk mail? Get off the lists by registering with Direct Marketing Association's DMA Choice Mail.

Don't forget to clean the gasket on the door of your fridge and freezer from time to time (white distilled vinegar works well for this) to ensure a tight seal.

Do you know what the Good Housekeeping Green Seal represents? It signifies products that have made environmental improvements in ingredients, product safety, packaging reduction, and in manufacturing processes. Plus, as with all Good Housekeeping Seals, the products live up to their marketing claims for efficacy. Here's the guarantee behind the seals, according to the Good Housekeeping website:

WE PROMISE This is Good Housekeeping's LIMITED WARRANTY: If any product that bears our Seal or is advertised in this issue* (with certain exceptions described below) proves to be defective within two years from the date it was first sold to a consumer by an authorized retailer, we, Good Housekeeping, will replace the product or refund the purchase price. This policy covers you, the consumer, whether you bought the product or it was given to you (by the buyer). Products that bear the Green Good Housekeeping Seal have been assessed by Good Housekeeping in accordance with Good Housekeeping's environmental criteria and are also subject to the limited warranty if proven to be defective.

That's a pretty good deal, in my opinion. So shop for products that bear the seal!

Does someone in your family suffer from asthma? Maybe it has to do with the cleaning products you use. According to a report from Women's Voices for the Earth, a national environmental health group, chlorine bleach and ammonia, among other disinfectant chemicals, have been linked to asthma, eye damage and drug-resistant infections. That's another reason to follow the cleaning tips on Vinegar Fridays!

That's enough for today. Enjoy this fabulous first day of July.

Keeping it green and healthy,

Hana