I’ve been becoming increasingly conscious of chemicals and toxins in our diet and our environment, and so when MyBlogSpark gave me the opportunity to receive a Disinfecting Cleaning Kit from Seventh Generation and to interview Alexandra Zissu (author of The Conscious Kitchen).
In the interview, Alexandra focused on what things families can do to reduce toxins and chemicals in the kitchen, and reiterated that families can and should start small – sometimes large changes can be too hard to implement at once.
By swapping out your cleaning products (once you are done with the products you already have), for more natural and organic cleaners, you can reduce the amount of chemicals that your family is exposed to, and can also reduce the amount of toxins that flow into the water ways, affecting the fish supplies also.
Alexandra also talked about the types of materials we should use to store food – recommending as many experts do to avoid plastics and use stainless steel and glass (a change I’ve already started to implement).
To be honest, I’d started swapping out cleaning products prior to this review – but focused on the areas of the house where food touched, using natural glass cleaners (for our glass table), and natural dishwashing soap. I was concerned about the antibacterial and disinfecting properties of bathroom and kitchen cleansers. But, with this new line of EPA certified Seventh Generation Cleaning products (using natural thyme) as a disinfectant, I’ve totally converted.
For my review, I was sent a Seventh Generation “Disinfecting Cleaning Kit” that includes a disinfecting multi-surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, wipes , a copy of The Conscious Kitchen, a cleaning caddy made from recycled plastic, and two rolls of 100% recycled, unbleached paper towels.
In my experience, with using the products for several weeks, my kitchen still seems very clean. It’s hard, of course, to know what’s lurking, but so far, I’m very pleased. After reading Alexandra’s book and talking to her, I feel so much better knowing that we are using more natural cleansers.
Win it! Through My Blog Spark, one Mom’s Favorite Stuff reader will win a Seventh Generation Disinfecting Cleaning Kit which includes some Seventh Generation cleaning products, a copy of The Conscious Kitchen, and a cleaning caddy made from recycled plastic. US Residents only – giveaway ends 4/25 at 11:59 ET.
To win:
- Leave a comment below with your favorite “green” kitchen tip
- Additional entry: Tweet our giveaway
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{ 99 comments… read them below or add one }
My favorite green kitchen tip is cleaning with dishtowels, dish clothes instead of paper towels. For a wee bit more laundry, we save tons of $$!
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I use lemon rinds or ice cubes to freshen up the kitchen sink garbage disposal.
My favorite green kitchen tip is to cook from scratch as much as possible. It minimizes the amount of packaging you’ll be throwing out. We also try to use reusable cloths and napkins instead of paper towels.
Thanks for the chance to enter!
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A little goes a long way with most cleaners — don’t use more than you need; “waste not, want not”
*Thanks* for the giveaway!
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My green kitchen tip is to purchase a composter. We have been able to cut down on lots of garbage by composting scraps.
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Tweeted.
I use lemon juice to disinfect my counters, and cutting boards
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
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My favorite green tip is to use washcloths, instead of paper towels, to clean counters, wipe spills, etc. It’s cheaper and much better for the environment.
I’m a subscriber, via Google Reader.
My favorite kitchen green tip is to use vinegar and baking soda to clear a slow drain. It is much less toxic that harsher chemical products.
use vinegar to clean
I fill pans and bowls with cooked on food with water and heat them. After they sit, they are easy to scrub clean and you don’t have to use harsh cleaners on them. Thanks!
Clean with vinegar whenever possible – my windows have never looked better.
And here’s my tweet:
I’m not sure why your site won’t let me copy and paste my tweet, kind of weird. It gave me an error message listing my ip site address. FYI
My favorite green kitchen tip is to use dish towels to wipe up spills instead of paper towels.
I USE BAKING SODA FOR STAINS ON MY KITCHEN COUNTER
My favorite green kitchen tip is to cook whatever is in season in the garden or at the farmer’s market, and then compost the veggie scraps to put back in the garden to help grow the next crop.
My favorite green kitchen tip is to use washable microfiber cloths for cleaning instead of paper towels.
keep paper towel use to a minimum and ue cloth napkins and wash them!
tvollowitz at aol dot com
My fave green tip is to use cloth rags instead of paper towels.
Make sure the dishwasher has a full load.
I no longer use table cloths. I use wipeable placemats instead. I no longer buy paper plates or plastic silver wear.
I empty the dogs’ waterbowl into my houseplants instead of throwing it down the drain.
I tweeted http://twitter.com/cstironkat/status/12720170969
My kitchen tip is to compost your kitchen waste. It’s great for your garden which helps you save money.
For pans that are hopelessly encrusted, I throw in baking soda, head and let sit. Magically clears baked on crud.
Baking soda is my “green” best friend! It’s great for cleaning, sanitizing and getting rid of odors
My favorite green kitchen tip is to grow fresh vegetables without the use of pesticides.
They can also be frozen for winter use. This assures us of the quality of what we are eating and eliminates the need to drive to purchase fruits and vegetables.
Thank you so much for the chance to win
jweezie43[at]aol[dot]com
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use a steam cleaner with plain water to clean the floors!
autumn398 @ yahoo.com
green kitchen tips: use natural cleaners whenever possible…my tile kitchen floors are cleaned with vinegar and water, baking soda for smelly refrig odors and then put don the drain….
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I am subscribed to your feed (Google Reader)
tweet for the giveaway here
(I am copying my link by hand…when I try to copy paste my tweet link, it won’t let me put it here on your post http://twitter.com/Grandma3710/status/12735649401)
I never run the dishwasher unless its completely full.
I place half a lemon in my microwave oven and turn in on low power for 2
minutes. Then I remove the lemon and wipe the interior of the oven with
a washable towel. The oven is clean and smells fresh.
Baking a batch of gingersnaps will make your kitchen smell better than any air freshener could and there is an obvious bonus.
I use a paste I make from baking powder and water to clean my ceramic cooktop instead of the very expensive cook top cleaners sold in stores! It works and does NOT harm/scratch the top.
If you buy bottled water, get a water filter instead. Your tap water will taste just as good and no bottles to throw away!
I tweeted the giveaway!
http://twitter.com/aeris321/status/12746496108
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clean with vinegar
favorite “green” kitchen tip is to recycle all cans
I like having a small kitchen composter under the kitchen sink and then for larger scraps, I have a compost pile outside. My little veggie garden loves it too.
I use baking soda and vinegar for cleaning.
Use reusable towels and napkins to cut down on waste. Don’t forget to microwave the sponge for 2 minutes to disinfect!
My favorite green kitchen tip is wait until you have a full dishwasher to run the wash cycle then skip the dry cycle and airdry the dishes! Thanks! senekers2comcast.net
I just retweeted this great giveaway-sharonjo1! Thanks! senekers@comcast.net
Aside from green cleaning products, I think it’s important to buy locally grown and made food. Food that has to travel across the world to get to you has used a lot of energy to do so. Thanks!
Elbow grease is the only chemical I use… and vinegar, lemon juice, etc. Save money, save the world, and save um… pancakes?
I use baking soda & vinegar for cleaning the kitchen.
My favorite green kitchen tip is to use dish towels instead of paper towels.
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I use natural, green cleansers such as baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice for kitchen cleaning rather than harsh chemicals.
I use my used squeezed lemons to rub on my stainless steel sink to clean it, you can add baking soda, and then I grind it in my disposal to freshen it. Makes everything smell nice and it is safe.
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Tweet!~http://twitter.com/dresdenrain/status/12804726874.
we use baking soda to clean most things
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My green kitchen tip is using vinegar to clean small kitchen appliances like the coffee machine.
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My favorite green tip is to try to do most of your cleaning with vinegar. It saves on the environment and with money. Vinegar is pretty cheap! I soak my dogs feeding dishes in vinegar water to clean them also!
Don’t run the dishwasher until it is full.
I like to clean with a vinegar and water solution.
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/norcalgal52/status/12839343451
When starting to convert from regular cleaners to green cleaners, make sure the very first thing you switch out is your glass cleaner! Not only is it bad for the environment, but it’s terrible for you and your family’s (&pets) health, and the chemicals float around in air for everyone to breathe!
Need more motivation,
“Over 3 million poisonings are reported every year and household cleaners are the NUMBER ONE cause of poisoning of children.”
from switchtosaferproducts.com
Thanks for the giveaway!
tsue1136 at yahoo dot com
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tweeted as tsue1136
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We use a steam cleaner that only uses water to clean our floors..much safer for our cats!
I use natural cleaning products like vinegar and baking soda.
http://twitter.com/susan1215/status/12841811913
I use vinegar and baking soda as a disinfectant cleaner as much as possible.
My favorite green kitchen tip is using baking soda with a bit of water to clean..it’s easy & better for the environment!
I’m a subscriber
For my drains, I use vinegar and baking soda-for garbage disposal cleaning-citrus peels and ice! Thanks!
I put lemons in my garbage disposal
i use lemon and baking soda
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http://twitter.com/MajaMeza/status/12850621473
i use my old coffee grounds in my garden and spread around my plants it really seems to perk them up
http://twitter.com/klp1965/status/12851883620
Use cloth towels and less paper towels.
Mine is to use vinegar for cleaning. Thanks.
Don’t ever throw away a kitchen or bathroom towel just because it’s stained or frayed. They make great cleaning rags, so you don’t go through as many paper towels.
.-= Auriette´s last blog ..Am I too critical? =-.
My favorite green kitchen tip is to boil apple and cinnamon on water for a natural air freshner.
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
I Tweeted this giveaway. http://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/12860659527
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
I’m a subscriber. Thanks!
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
baking soda and vinegar for cleaning
To clean grease from pans I put baking soda in boiling water and let pan
set.It cleans up nicely
Tweet:Swtlilchick
http://twitter.com/Swtlilchick/status/12862325962
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A good scrub is just salt and lemon juice. It gets the pots clean and sparkling really easily!
My favorite “green” kitchen tip is to compost kitchen scraps.
I subscribed to your feed.