Happy Earth Day, Readers!  I’m not really a hippie-chick, but in my house we’ve made an effort to reduce our waste (garbage and economic) and care for the earth a little more.

A couple years ago I decided to stop using so many harmful chemicals in our home because I was tired of my house smelling like the Lysol factory. White vinegar is an awesome alternative to bleach.  I made my own all purpose sprays with vinegar, water and essential oils, swapped vinegar for bleach in cleaning the toilet, and used baking soda, salt and vinegar to clean out hairy drains.  All of these steps in efforts to save the planet and some cash!

If you are crafty, you can also make your own swiffer pads.  I knit and found an awesome pattern for free online that you can make to reduce your waste! And for you knitters out there  - this is a great stash buster for that extra cotton yarn you have taking up space.

Some other habits we’ve adopted together include using sour cream containers and the like as tupperware (don’t reheat in them though!); using junk mail envelopes as scratch paper, and making fire starters from lints and candle scraps. I readily admit we aren’t Mr. and Mrs. Earth Lovers 2009 but we make an effort to remind one another when we’re been a little lazy in the green department.

Our goal this summer?  Now that we’re in a house again we might try our hand at composting.

Little changes make can add up to some big changes in the long run.  If you and your spouse decide to make your home a little greener, help one another to remember the changes you’re commited to making!