“There is no away.”
The title (or maybe it was a subtitle) of a book from a class my mom took on “ecology” in the ’70s has stayed with me all these years.
I’m already green — with nausea at the endless stream of “eco-friendly” labels on everything from champagne to sponges. In the past five years, new products claiming to be environmentally friendly soared from five to 328. So much of this “green-washing” wave is just another attempt to get us to buy — and use — more stuff.
On the flip side, I feel guilty: Am I doing enough, how can I be greener?
Which makes me think of all the moms, grandmas and mothers-in- law (mine included) who were green back when it was just an appliance color. What can we learn from the generations that went before us, so that we can leave a cleaner world for those that follow? Let’s ask Grandma:
Eat locally. Grandma might not have called herself a “locavore” but she probably ate food that was in season and grown nearby. Use to find sources near you.
Wash and re-use plastic bags. Your mother-in-law’s thrifty is today’s eco-conscious.
Re-use paper towels. If all they get is wet, let them dry under the sink and use them again.
Cut down on chemical cleaners. Use baking soda to scour the fridge and sink. Use distilled white vinegar to clean the coffee maker. Polish wood with cheap olive oil.
Reconsider the non-stick pan. Cast-iron, stainless steel or enamel-coated iron might not release an omelet as well, but they won’t release any toxic fumes when over-heated either.
Line the oven floor with foil. You can pull out the foil after spills and toss it in the recycling bin, eliminating the need for caustic cleaners.
Eat leftovers. You’ll use less food, save money and keep the stuff out of the landfill.
Compost. My mother-in-law didn’t have a compost pile exactly, but she would cut up kitchen scraps and bury them around her lush garden.
Fight bacteria with plain ol’ soap. Studies have found that triclosan, the common anti-bacterial ingredient, does not clean any better than soap, and might contribute to the rise of drug-resistant bacteria.
Check out and . While Grandma didn’t go online to find her community, these websites offer a green meeting place. National Geographic’s website, ., posts recipes for Grandma-style homemade cleaners from Annie Berthold-Bond’s “Better Basics for the Home.”
Alkaline All-Purpose Cleaner
An all-purpose cleaner is all you need for most walls, countertops, baseboards, fixtures, appliances and bathrooms. Find washing soda and borax in the detergent aisle of the grocery store.
Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
2 teaspooons borax
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups hot water
Directions
Combine washing soda, borax and soap in a spray bottle. Pour in hot water, screw on lid, and shake well before each use.
Basic Floor Cleaner
Damp-mop floors before cleaning to pick up dust. To clean slightly dirty floors, use a spray of equal parts of white vinegar and water (add some lemon or mint oil for a pleasant scent). Use this recipe for heavy duty jobs.
Ingredients
1/4 cup liquid soap
Up to 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar or lemon juice
2 gallons warm water
Directions
Mix in bucket and use with a mop or sponge. Rinse with 1/2 cup vinegar and 2 gallons warm water to remove soap residue.
