Like most people, I never really gave a lot of thought to the tools I used to keep my teeth in good shape. Until that day, I didn’t even realize that the caps to toothpaste tubes were recyclable (you can turn them into a participating Aveda salon). But after speaking to my friend and doing some research on the internet, I learned that you can turn a very wasteful necessity (50 million pounds of toothbrushes are dumped in landfills every year) to one that is healthier for the environment.

So for this week’s tips for going green, I’m going show you a few ways you can make your toothbrush a little more eco-friendly.

Replaceable Head Toothbrushes

A unique product for sure but the replaceable head toothbrush is, perhaps, the easiest way to make your dental hygiene easier on the planet. When the toothbrush needs to be replaced, instead of throwing away the whole toothbrush, you just switch the head for a new one. Considering the cost of a brand new toothbrush these days, this product can also help you trim a few dollars off the household budget since replacement heads usually come in multiples of four. That’s like getting 4 toothbrushes for the price of one.

Toothbrush Subscriptions

I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I probably keep my toothbrushes longer than I should. This is a habit I hope to change because worn out toothbrushes accumulate bacteria that can contribute to illness. Additionally, they become less effective over time and worn out bristles can actually damage gums.

One solution to this is to sign up for a toothbrush subscription. This probably one of the most unusual tips for going green that you have probably heard of but there is a company out there that will send you a fresh toothbrush every few months. In exchange, you send them your old toothbrush that is then recycled into other products such as picnic tables and boardwalks.

Green Toothbrushes

Most toothbrushes on the market are made from plastic which, while recyclable, is not exactly biodegradable. A company called Radius produces an all natural toothbrush made from a plant based cellulose culled from trees in sustainable forests. These unique, ergonomic toothbrushes are designed to be comfortable to hold as well as gentler on teeth and gums. They last a lot longer than regular toothbrushes (from 9-18 months) and you can send them back to the company for recycling when you are done with them.

Click here to purchase eco-friendly toothbrushes

As an alternative, you can also purchase toothbrushes that have been made from recycled materials. For example, Recycline sells toothbrushes with handles that has been made from recycled yogurt cups. Once you are finished with the toothbrush, you can either put it in your recycle bin or send it back to the company to be reused as raw materials for other non-hygiene products.

For your convenience, you can purchase eco-friendly toothbrushes from My Green Mall. Doing something as simple as changing what kind of toothbrush you use can have tremendous impact on the environment. Even my small family of four can reduce our dental hygiene waste from 12 toothbrushes per year to about 4. Multiply that over a lifetime of, let’s say, 75 years and that’s 600 toothbrushes that have been kept out of a landfill. As going green tips go, this is probably the simplest and easiest thing you can do to help save the Earth.

For more going green tips, read other articles I’ve written about being Earth friendly. If you want to take the next step and build a green business that lets you make money while saving the planet take an online tour of a profitable eco-friendly e-commerce business or contact me directly.

(photo credit: Photos8)

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4. Organic Pest Control – Healthy Green Ways to Get Rid of Pests
5. Organic Pest Control – Getting Rid of Pests in the Garden

These days, however, we better understand the dangers of getting too much sun especially in light of the environmental damage that has been done to the planet. It is more important than ever that you protect yourself while outside and wear sunscreen. Unfortunately, this is where things start getting a little complicated. Not all sunscreens are alike. In fact, there is a very real difference between regular sunblock and all natural sunscreen.

Protect Yourself from Sun Damage

Many of the sunscreens available on store shelves actually contain toxic ingredients that can instigate health problems. For example, parabens, which is found in a number of cosmetics, have been flagged as endocrine disruptors that can cause reproductive and developmental problems. In addition to the potential personal health problems these products can cause, the toxins contained in store shelf sunscreen finds its way into waterways and have contributed to hormonal disruptions in fish and other sea animals.

The answer, of course, is to switch to natural sunscreen products. But this is not a silver bullet by any means. Even all-natural sunscreen products contain some toxins although the instance of them is severely reduced. A good way to find the best natural sunscreen for you and your little ones is to visit the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database.

This database lists almost all of the sunblocks on the market and rates them according to their toxicity and possible side effects. Among some of the best include Karen’s Botanicals and Kabana Skin Care Green Screen Organic Sunscreen. You can find these great products and more at My Green Mall which contains thousands of eco-friendly products that keep you and your family healthy.
Besides making good use of natural safe sunscreen, here are few tips for protecting yourself when you go out in the sun:

* Wear sun protective clothes such as hats and long sleeves that block the harmful rays of the sun. Companies, such as Solar Eclipse and Solartex, actually make clothing using fabrics that screen out harmful UV rays.

* Avoid being out in the sun during peak hours when the radiation is at its worst. Generally between 10am and 2pm you’ll want to stay indoors if you can.

* Use natural methods to handle sunburns such as using aloe vera gel to calm burned skin.

* Keep skin healthy by drinking lots of water and eating red, green, and yellow vegetable. Healthy skin can recover from damage a lot better than skin starving for nutrients.

There are many things you can do to help yourself and the environment. Using natural sunscreen is just the start. To maximize your green living, read other articles on the site about living greener, visit my green mall to start switching over to healthier organic products, or learn about building a profitable environmentally-friendly business.

(photo credit: Photos 8)

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3. Organic Pest Control – Getting Rid of Pests in the Garden

One of the major drawbacks to owning a fruit or vegetable garden is that it can quickly be overrun by insects and animals wanting to snack on the fruits of your labor. It can be tempting to want to use pesticides or other harsh, but effective, chemicals to manage them. However, not only does that harm the environment but pesticide residue will end up on your vegetables and eventually your plate. The side effects from ingesting these chemicals are unpleasant so it is just better to stick with organic pest control to keep your garden bug free.

Get rid of garden pests using organic pest control methods.

Prevention

The best offense is a good defense. Here are a few organic methods for pest control that will stop a problem before it becomes one.

Educate Yourself – This is key to winning the war on bugs. Take the time to research bugs and plant diseases so you can recognize both and use the appropriate organic pest control option to deal with it.

Assemble a Bug Army – Some bugs are actually beneficial to have in the garden because they eat the bugs you don’t want. For example, Lady Bugs eat aphids, mites, and whiteflies. Therefore a form of natural pest control would be to attract these beneficial bugs by adding plants that attract them to your garden. You can also purchase eggs through mail order or local garden centers.

Clear Out Habitats – Before planting your garden, go through and remove weeds and debris which tend to provide breeding grounds for unwanted pests.

Maintain Healthy Soil – Keeping the soil healthy and rich will produce plants with strong immune systems capable of resisting disease and repelling pests. Use a good all-natural fertilizer and mulch.

Use All Natural Pest Control Products – Some bugs are repelled by certain odors. Therefore creating or purchasing all natural sprays can repel or kill bugs. For example, a basic oil and water spray will kill most soft bodied pests. Strong smelling odors and spices repel most bugs, so a mixture of water and hot pepper juice is a good concoction to have on hand.

Dealing With Infestations

If you find holes in your plants or your garden seems to be dying for no reason, then there is a good chance you have an infestation. Inspect plants to determine what kind of bugs you have and then use the appropriate organic pest control method to deal with them.

Ants – Some species of ants are beneficial but most will undermine your garden if they get out of control. The problem with controlling an ant problem is that they adapt somewhat quickly to whatever methods you use. This means you may have to use a mix of organic pest control methods to rid yourself of an ant problem. One method is to combine a little bit of Borax with a sweet substance, like sugar, and sprinkle it around ant trails. Ants will take the poisoned mix back to their home for the other ants to eat. Eventually, they will die off.

Slugs – You will actually have to inspect your garden at dusk or after rainy weather to source out slugs. If you find they are terrorizing your garden, then they must go. A humane way would be to use an old spoon to scoop them into a container and release them far away from your garden. Crushing egg shells and sprinkling it around the garden provides a physical barrier for them. Salt is a natural pest control product for them because it kills them.

Aphids – Make a rhubarb spray by pouring boiling hot water over rhubarb leaves and letting them soak for 3-4 days. Strain and then pour mixture into a bottle. Add a few drops of detergent and enough water to make it look like a weak tea. Spray over infested plants every 10 days until the infestation is gone.

Using organic pest control methods is a human and environmentally-friendly way to keep your garden healthy and bug free. You will find a number of natural pest control products at my green shopping mall. Head on over and save big. To learn how you can earn 4-30% cash back on all your online purchases, contact me.

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In the past, dealing with pests like ants, roaches, spiders, et al generally entailed using toxic chemicals to kill them or prevent them from entering the home. However, these chemicals are just as dangerous to humans as they are to the bugs they were created to eliminate. Luckily, there are a number of organic pest control methods you can use to keep your home pest free.

Cockroaches

No need to call an expensive exterminator. Use these organic pest control methods to keep your home pest free.

These are some of the most hated and persistent pests in the world. They have several defense mechanisms that make them difficult to eradicate once they get into the home. Even toxic chemicals lose their effectiveness over time because the roaches develop immunity to them. Try these organic methods for pest control to manage a cockroach infestation.

- Use strong smelling soaps to repel the roaches. Pour a capfull of peppermint soap into a quart of water and either spray on the roach directly or in areas they frequent. They will be repelled by the scent and die if they come in direct contact with the soap.

- Use roach traps aka Roach Motels. While probably providing way more interaction with roaches you may want, roach traps is both a humane and organic home pest control method. You can purchase them from a store as well as make your own at home. Staple tacky flypaper to a piece of cardboard and use a piece of bread as bait. Another option is to leave a little bit of soda in a bottle and put the bottle in a place where they frequent. The shape of the bottle will prevent them from escaping and you can screw the cap on the bottle and throw it out.

Spiders

Most spiders that enter the home are not dangerous. Some can even be an ally in your pest control efforts because they eat other insects, namely flies. However, if you can’t stand the creepiness of having them around or you live in an area where spiders are dangerous, here are a few organic home pest control methods you can use to keep them out.

- Clean up any cobwebs you see. This will prevent the spider from making a permanent home in your house and cause them to seek residency elsewhere. Additionally, try to keep your home as clutter free as possible so spiders don’t have anywhere to hide out.

- Like roach traps, catching spiders and releasing them outdoors is the most humane organic pest control but requires a certain amount of fortitude. It also requires that you can accurately tell the harmless spiders from the dangerous ones to ensure you won’t get hurt in the process.

- Get rid of other bugs. As mentioned before, spiders prey on other bugs. If you don’t provide an active food source for them, they will go away.

- Keep garbage containers away from the house. Spiders tend to hang out around them to catch prey that is attracted to the smell of the trash.

Mice

Mice are pretty bold little buggers. Generally, they try to keep to hidden but if they are hungry enough, they will come out into the open looking for food. Unlike spiders, you can’t just live with a mouse because they will contaminate food sources, leave droppings everywhere, and spread disease. Here are few green pest control methods to get rid of them.

- The best way to handle mice is to prevent them from even entering the home. Inspect your house for possible entry points and patch them up. This works well for preventing an infestation of other critters too.

- Planting Peppermint around the foundation of the house will deter mice from entering as they are naturally repelled by the smell. Moth balls are another repellant that works on snakes as well.

- Humane mouse traps exist that allows you to catch the mouse and release it outside of your home. Be sure you let it go at least a mile away from your home so it doesn’t find its way back inside.

- If you have a really bad mouse infestation or would rather just send the mouse to rodent heaven, there are several natural concoctions you can make that will poison the mouse. Cornmeal or shaved chocolate mixed with dry cement: When the mouse eats this mixture and then drinks water, the dry cement will kill them. Mashed Potato Buds and Water: Put small bowls of each in close proximity to each other. The mouse will eat the potatoes. When they drink the water, the bloating will kill them.

You can find a number of organic pest control products at my green shopping mall. In addition to that you can earn 4-30% cash back on everything you buy. Ask me how.

(photo credit: Steve Rhode)

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While there are stringent guidelines watersheds must abide by, once the water leaves the facility it can run into any number of contaminants on its way to your home. Additionally, not everyone gets their water from the public water system. In many areas, mostly rural, water is drawn from other sources like wells. Private water systems are not regulated by the EPA, which means there may be no water filtration in place to ensure clean drinking water for residents.

Is Your Drinking Water Safe?

Unclean drinking water can carry waterborne diseases that can make you sick. The major contaminant of the water systems is human sewage which can infect the water supply with pathogens and parasites, like E. Coli and Giardia Lamblia, that kill an estimated 1.8 million people every year worldwide. Chemicals and unsafe metals, such as lead, can also find their way into the water supply and cause catastrophic disease such as Cancer.

There are several things you can do to guarantee that there is safe and clean drinking water in your home. The first thing you want to do is to request a Consumer Confidence Report from your Municipality. These reports will tell you about the quality of the water coming into your home. You want to be particularly aware of lead levels and any bio contaminants that may be present.

However, even if the report says that you have clean drinking water by the EPA standards, as noted before, the water can pick up any number of toxins and pollutants as it moves through the pipes. Therefore your second step is to test your water for purity. This is especially important for those getting water from private water sources that may not have an effective water filtration system in place.

There are a number of water testing kits on the market that will tell you if you have safe drinking water. Unfortunately, you’ll have to test for each contaminant separately which could make things a little expensive. However, the main things you want to check for are lead levels and bacterial elements. Another option is to contact your local health department. They may have a program in place where someone comes out to test your water for you.

The last step in providing safe, healthy, clean drinking water for your family is to take control of your water supply by implementing a home water filtration system of some kind. Your system can be as simple as using a handheld carafe specially designed for filtering water to be safe to drink or as elaborate as whole house water filtration systems designed to screen water at the entry point.

The cheapest option is the handheld carafe which you would generally use to strictly provide clean drinking water on a day to day basis. Whole house water filtration systems will filter all the water that comes into the home but is the most expensive choice. An in-between choice would be to install an under the counter system in the kitchen and then shower water filtration units in the bathrooms for clean bathing water.

In addition to providing safe drinking water, a water filtration system can also save you loads of money every year. Since you are getting clean water from the tap, you can stop purchasing bottled water which will save you up to $500 per year. By eschewing bottled water, you’ll also prevent 8 out of 10 plastic bottles from finding their way into landfills. You’ll do your part to stop the cycle of pollution since the chemicals in plastic bottles can leach into ground water.

Keep your family safe and healthy by installing a water filtration system to provide clean drinking water for your home. You’ll live healthier, be wealthier and do your part to save the environment. Not a bad return on investment of a single worthwhile purchase.

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2. Cold Water is Your Friend – 90% of the energy used in washing clothes in warm or hot water goes towards the actual heating of the water. The average family washes 392 load of laundry per year. Using the cold water setting saves the equivalent of 162 pounds of CO2 emissions and takes an equally sizeable chunk out of your electric bill.

3. Install a Solar Powered Water Heater – If your water heater is due for replacement, consider installing a solar powered water heater instead of the traditional electric or gas heater. Using energy from the sun to heat your water can save you up to $220 per year on your utility bills. Additionally, installing solar products on your home increases its value and homeowners who do are eligible for a tax credit from the government until 2016.

4. Use Organic Cleaning Supplies – Many of the cleaning supplies on the market, although effective, use chemicals that are toxic to both humans and the environment. Switch to organic cleaning products or, better yet, make your own at home. There are many websites on the internet offering cleaning recipes using nothing more than vinegar, lemon and baking soda to create cleaning products that are just as effective as their toxic counterparts and a lot more human and Earth-friendly.

5. Rainwater is Your Friend – One unique going green tip to help cut your water bill is to collect and use rainwater. Rainwater tanks can be purchased from home improvement stores or created using simple DIY instructions found on the web. Water from rain can be used for something as basic as watering a garden or be outfitted to the home for use in toilets, washing machines, to wash the car and even for drinking if filtered properly.

These going green tips are just a few of the ways you make your home a little more eco-friendly. Another way you can go green is by starting a home based business with an eco-conscious company that helps you earn green as you go green. For more information about this life changing opportunity visit RockYourBusinessOnline.com.

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“Bottled water is bad for the Earth.”

You look down the grocery aisle but quickly realize that the statement came, not from some militant environmentalist standing by, but from your eight year old who is staring at you with wide innocent eyes.

You ask them to explain what they are talking about and, to your surprise, you are given a litany of facts about how only 2 in 10 plastic bottles are ever recycled (the rest find homes in landfills) and how when plastic degrades, it leaches dangerous chemicals into the ground and water.

Needless to say you are shocked that you’ve just been schooled by your child on the environmental dangers of bottled water.

Think this scenario is farfetched? Think again. Children as young as 4 and 5 are now getting a green education as school teachers add environmental awareness to the program. A recent poll by book publishing company Scholastic showed that out of 2754 children a whopping 56% stated global warming as the issue most important to them.

Teaching kids to be green can be a challenge but with patience and a little creativity, you can raise environmentally aware children who care for the Earth.

Young Children

Young children may not be able to understand the environmental issues facing us today but even toddlers can learn some basic green habits. Start with recycling. For better or worse, children learn by watching what you do so let them observe you separating the trash into the different recycling containers. You can start with an explanation of the different types of materials and where they go. As they get older, you can further explain why it is important to recycle.

Another easy area to start instilling good green habits is teaching them how to conserve resources. Get them used to turning out lights when they leave a room. Make it a habit for them to fill a glass with water to use to rinse their mouth out after brushing their teeth rather than leave the faucet running.

Older Children

When children are old enough to start helping around the house, you can get them excited about being green with a little kitchen chemistry. Show them how to make an all purpose cleaning solution out of vinegar (50%) and water (50%). You can also make a furniture polish using 1 cup of olive oil and ½ cup of lemon juice. Something kids might find especially fun is to shred a whole lemon (or orange) peel in the garbage disposal to clean it.

Preteens and Teens

As children become increasing mobile and self-sufficient, you can encourage them to expand their green efforts beyond the home. Get them involved in local environmental projects such as planting trees and cleaning up local parks. For driving teens that may be looking to purchase their first car, steer them towards hybrid and electric cars as well as teach them the value of carpooling with friends.

It’s never too early or too late to start instilling good eco-friendly habits in kids. You can even show them how to run a green business with your own Earth-friendly company that earns you money while helping you save the environment. For more information on this groundbreaking opportunity, visit RockYourBusinessOnline.com.

(photo credit: D Sharon Pruitt)

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Well you’re in luck because I’ve put together a few going green tips that will help you turn your life a shade greener as well as save you money in the process. It’s as simple as remembering to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Going Green is as Easy as Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Going Green Tip #1 – Reduce

Of all the tips for going green at home, reducing your waste and consumption is probably the most challenging but also the most rewarding. The goal is to find products that help you use fewer resources and produce less waste which, in the long run, will keep your bank account nice and fat.

For example, the average family will spend a minimum of $10 per week on bottled water which adds up to over $500 per year. By purchasing a water filtration system and using reusable water bottles to make your own bottled water at home, you’ll not only save that money but you’ll prevent a over 400 plastic bottles from clogging cup landfills and water ways.

Going Green Tip #2 – Reuse

One way to save money going green this year is by reusing as much as you can. Instead of buying disposable sandwich bags, pack your kids lunch using plastic containers for food and a thermos for their favorite drink. Don’t purchase trash bags for your bathroom, use the plastic bags you get from the grocery store to line those small containers.

If you are crafty, you can give old, worn out clothing new life by turning them into pillow coverings, blankets and even restyle them into a different type of clothing. For example, turn ripped jeans into a pair of shorts or a stylish denim purse. You’re only limited by your imagination.

Going Green Tip #3 – Recycle

Some homes are going green by recycling as much as they can. Not only are they recycling consumables such as aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles and paper but they are also closing the gap by purchasing products made from recycled materials. As the demand for recycled products goes up, more and more companies will make the effort to produce them which will lead to a greener planet for all.

You should also try to purchase products that are biodegradable which means when they are thrown away, they will deteriorate quickly in an Earth-friendly way. Paper products, such as paper plates, cups and towels all have green counterparts that work just as well or better and are easier on the environment.

Going green at home doesn’t have to be a complicated task. Just remember to reduce, reuse and recycle and you’ll be living the green life in no time. If you want to take it a step further and own a green business, let me tell you about my online shopping portal that earns me cash while I go green. To learn how I am increasing my income while doing my part to save the planet visit RockYourBusinessOnline.com.

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