Marigolds

These flowering plants are often included in gardens for their fiery reds, oranges, and yellows. The great thing is, many insects, including mosquitoes, find their scent objectionable. In fact, a lot of people don’t like how they smell either, which is why they’re planted for their colors and not the way they smell. Plant them in your garden, or place pots of them at regular intervals around your patio or deck to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Catnip

Several years ago, the Iowa State University Department of Entomology performed a study on catnip. Their findings indicated that the oil in catnip is a mosquito repellent ten times more effective than DEET, the active ingredient in most chemical insect repellents. It’s possible to make a repellent spray from catnip oil, but growing the plant around outdoor activity areas seems to work pretty well too. Just be sure your cat doesn’t uproot it!

Tea Tree Oil

This essential oil is very strong and can actually cause a rash if applied to the skin at full strength. It’s best to dilute it in another oil, called a carrier oil. Grapeseed oil is an excellent choice for this because it has very little scent, and is a light oil, easily absorbed by the skin. Tea tree oil is also good for treating mosquito bites should one or two get past your repellent. Apply the diluted oil directly to the bite to alleviate itching and redness.

Rosemary and Sage

Rosemary oil is another good mosquito repellent when mixed properly, but a quick and easy solution requires either or both of these herbs in their fresh state. When barbecuing, simply toss a few sprigs of rosemary and sage onto the coals. As they burn, they’ll release their oils and scents, which will be dispersed into the air with the smoke. Mosquitoes will keep their distance, allowing you to enjoy your barbecue pest-free.

Lemongrass

Thai lemon grass also contains citronella oil, and is generally thought to be more effective than citronella grass-derived oil as an insect repellent. To keep mosquitoes away, you can break a stalk off the plant and rub it between your palms until it releases enough juice to rub over exposed skin. It can also be made into a spray, but planting it around your patio will also provide some benefit.

Citronella

True citronella is derived from several types of plant, most notably citronella grass. You could plant this around your property, but it can grow to a height of six feet, so it may not be the best suburban solution. Citronella oil is used in many topical repellents, but is most often seen in candle form. Citronella candles are available at grocery stores and drugstores. Home improvement centers carry them, and also offer torches that use citronella oil, an economical alternative because they’re refillable.

Things to keep in mind

With essential oils, a little goes a long way. It’s best to dilute them not only to reduce the harshness of the oil, but to cover more area and be more economical with the oil.

Any mosquito repellent you apply to your skin—natural or otherwise—will become diluted and less effective as it is absorbed into the skin, if you perspire or swim, or if you’ve also applied a sunscreen. The repellent should be reapplied about once an hour. If you’re going to be away from home, be sure to apply repellent before you leave, and take some with you for all-day protection.

“Natural” doesn’t necessarily mean safe. Many natural substances can still be harmful if ingested, or if they get in your eyes. Some can even harm the skin if they’re not diluted. You may even be allergic to a substance you’ve never come into contact with before. Educate yourself on the plant or oil you plan to use to avoid discomfort, injury, and illness.

A little time and effort is all it takes to address a mosquito problem with a natural solution.

There are several things to take into consideration when approaching an eco-friendly home remodeling project as big as a kitchen renovation. For starters, your space must be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Second, the products and services incorporated should be environmentally sound. Finally, your plan must adhere to your budget. Incorporating all of these directives is no easy feat. But it can be done if you know what to look for.

The portion of your kitchen that gets the most wear and tear is the counter top. It is subject to cutting, staining, scalding, and any number of other unpleasant mishaps, so it must be durable. To that effect, there are several green options. The least expensive tends to be recycled ceramic tile, coming in as low as $10/square foot (or even less if you shop around for discounts). Not only is it affordable, it can be a DIY project for the frugal homeowner and the options for customization are practically limitless (you can even get tile that looks like the granite and marble used in upscale designer kitchens). It’s heat, stain, and odor resistant, and it’s not too difficult to replace if it chips or cracks. Unfortunately, other green options carry a much heftier price tag (IceStone, while utilizing 100% recycled glass, comes in at about $100/square foot while concrete counter tops weigh in with a starting price of about $65/square foot). A cheaper option would be laminate with a price tag in the $25-$50/square foot range, but it may not look as nice as other surfaces.

In terms of cabinetry, the greenest (and cheapest) option is to keep what you have and simply spruce it up with a little paint, stain, or a new veneer. However, if you’re determined to replace outdated, unstable, or non-functional cupboards, consider a store that specializes in reclamation. Merchants that deal in recycled cabinets often do repairs before they sell, so you’re getting a product that’s practically new, and they are far less expensive than buying entirely new (plus, they go in your kitchen instead of a landfill).

And no eco-friendly kitchen is complete without energy-star appliances. While it’s true that these green must-haves can carry an astronomical price tag, they do save you on your energy bill, so over the course of time, you will get back some of your initial investment. Even better, however, are the rebates offered by your utility providers when you send in a copy of your receipt. Hooray for cash back! In addition, you may be eligible for a tax credit up to $1,500, so look at all of your options before you say no to new appliances.

Although it can be difficult to reconcile your affinity for green with a tight budget when it comes to remodeling, it can certainly be done. There are many options to be weighed, but finding affordable, eco-friendly products that give your kitchen the designer look you desire is not beyond the realm of possibility. A little research and price checking can go a long way towards helping you build the green kitchen of your dreams.

Jennifer Kardish is a communications coordinator at Discount Kitchen Cabinets. You can check out their free design tips for your kitchen and home.

This guest post was written by Marcy Tate, a blogger at Networx, Your Home Improvement Network.

Spring kicks off the unofficial baby nursery planning season. In the US, the highest percentage of babies is born in July and August, making the spring the perfect time for planning a nursery. All new moms and dads wants the best for their babies, and the best in baby nurseries is creating a healthy, green or eco-friendly nursery. Here you’ll read the basics of what you’ll need for a green nursery and where to find it.

Getting the Room Ready

The Walls
If you are planning to give your nursery a fresh coat of paint, choose paint without harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are emitted as gasses from paint and are unhealthy for you, your baby and the environment.
Almost all good-quality paint manufacturers produce low or zero-VOC paint. Check Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams for some of the best selections of zero-VOC paint. Alternatively, try a super eco-friendly paint option, like milk-based paint from The Real Milk Paint Co.

Lighting
Low-voltage and compact fluorescent lighting fixtures and lamps are the most eco-friendly way to go for your nursery. Select CFL (compact fluorescent) light bulbs with lower Kelvin ratings, as they will provide a warm glow. Ideally, choose wall or ceiling mounted lighting to keep electrical cords and plugs out of your baby’s reach.

Window Treatments
Selecting light-colored window treatments will allow natural-light into the nursery while still blocking enough light for your baby to nap comfortably. There are a few green choices for window treatments:

1) Natural-woven shades made from highly renewable grasses.
2) Drapes made from fabrics like hemp or organic cotton.
3) Roller shades made from PVC-free material, such as the good-quality
roller shades from Earthshade.

Carpeting
Consider using area rugs or carpet tiles instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. Carpets can harbor dust mites and some synthetic carpets release off-gas VOCs. While there’s no way to predict whether your baby will be sensitive to dust mites, play it safe and avoid carpet. If you do choose carpet, make it eco-friendly and select wool or jute carpet. Check FLOR carpet tiles for a wide selection of carpet tiles.

Toys
While there aren’t too many toys your baby will need right away, using toys to decorate the baby’s nursery can add cheer and bring excitement to the room while waiting for the baby. Look for organic cotton toys, such as this set of organic cotton vegetables. Wooden toys are a timeless classic. Make sure they are from FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) forests. Check out Ecotoytown for just about every eco-toy out there. PlanToys is another excellent resource with a wide selection of eco-toys. Your local toy store will likely carry eco-friendly toys as well.

Bedding and Furniture Essentials

The Crib
Like most wooden furniture, most cribs are not eco-friendly. The problems with cribs are that many are made with unsustainable wood or formaldehyde-filled plywood and utilize VOC finishes. Fortunately, there are several green crib options. However, be aware that they cost more than a standard crib. Spend time doing some research when it comes to your crib purchase, as you may be able to find an eco-friendly crib, like this one from Babymod, at Walmart.
Sustainable wooden cribs can be purchased at DucDuc and Q Collection Junior. The cribs are made from sustainable woods, without harmful chemicals. Additionally, Pacific Rim makes solid maple furniture from sustainable forests. Your best bet for selecting nursery furniture is to purchase unfinished, untreated wood.

Bedding
Bedding is the most important part of the nursery when it comes to making it eco-friendly. Your baby will have direct, face-to-bed contact with the bedding. Start by purchasing an organic cotton mattress like those made by Savvy Rest. Savvy rest manufactures crib mattresses that are made with natural latex and certified organic materials.

Make sure to stay with natural fibers for the rest of your crib bedding, including the mattress pad, sheets and changing pads. Go for wool instead of vinyl when purchasing puddle pads: Those great pads that will protect the mattress against leaks. Organic cotton or bamboo crib sheets are an excellent green choice.

Putting together a green nursery is worth the extra bit of time and money needed to do so. Start early so that you can take your time pricing the items you need and budgeting out everything you desire. The reward will be a healthy, eco-friendly nursery for the most important item in the nursery: your precious baby.

Sorting With Style is your one stop for all your office supply needs.  Notice, the word “style” is part of the name of this online  store. Everything they offer from file folders to pencils are items you would actually want to use.  Gone are the days when your only choice was boring beige manila folders and putty colored desktop organizers.

Here at sortingwithstyle.com, you will find office supplies in a variety of styles, patterns and colors which are perfect for a home office or to liven up your office, cubical or desk at your workplace.  Make of the items here such as the journals and items from the Made by Human collection makes great holiday gifts as well.

What really caught my eye at sortingwithstyle.com was their Eco Chic collection.  In this collection, you will find environmentally friendly office supplies from clipboards made from recycled wood to journals made from recycled paper.   Now for the giveaway:

The Giveaway

On December 18, 2009, one Green and Chic Blog reader will receive a Desk Notepad and Desk Notes in a pattern of your choice.  You will get to chose your pattern when you win. Both items are made from 100% recycled paper.

Desk Notes

Required:  Go to the Sorting With Style and tell me what else you would like from their website besides the giveaway items. This is your first entry.

Optional:  To earn more points, you can do each of the following (separate comment for each entry):

1. Blog about the giveaway and link back to this page on your blog. If you comment below with the link, you will get two extra points.

2. Sign up for my email updates or RSS feed. Leave a comment below telling me that you have signed up. You will also get an entry if you already subscribe — make sure to leave a comment.

3. Follow me on Twitter @carlarose and tweet about the giveaway. To make it easier, you can use the “retweet” button at the bottom left hand side of this post. You can also copy and paste:   RT: Sorting With Style Store Review and Giveaway | Green and Chic http://bit.ly/6pjMRV Leave a comment telling me that you followed  and  tweeted with a link to the Tweet.

4. Email 5 friends about the giveaway. Leave a comment below telling me that you did.

You can do one or all of the above. The more you do, the better your chance of winning. The contest will end on Friday, December 18th at 12:00PM PST. The winner will be selected via Random.org and will be notified via email and will also be announced in a future post.

Ecodiscoveries Airzyme

Besides actually cleaning my home, I am always looking for new ways to freshen the air I breathe.  Most commercial air fresheners contains perfumes, artificial fragrances, phthalates and other chemicals which we know are toxic and can be harmful to our health.

At an industry trade show back in March, I ran into the Ecodiscoveries booth.  Besides a wide variety of cleaning products for the home, they make a biodegradable, non-toxic air and fabric deodorizer.  I picked up a large sample of the Airzyme with the intention to try it out at the hotel I was staying at.  Somehow, it got lost in the collection of products I picked up during the three days I was at the show.  It was missing in action until I found it again months later when I was preparing to move.

Unlike most air fresheners that simply cover odors with other odors,  this is fragrance free. Its also free of petroleum, ammonia, glycol, chlorine, phosphate, animal products and dyes. It contains natural enzymes that’s said to eliminate common household odors.   Of course, I was skeptical because I’m used to using air fresheners that contain essential oils that help in neutralizing and covering odors.

The first time I used it, it was after cooking and I wanted to “neutralize” the kitchen a bit. I must say when I was done, most of the odors were eliminated. The “smell” left behind is very neutral and you wouldn’t know anything was used. According to Ecodiscoveries, you can use this in your home, car and office for pet, cigarette, sneaker, waste container odors, fabric, carpeting, pet bedding and so much more.

This product is a winner in my book!

Not too long ago, I wrote a post about certain household items that are common purchases, but  are not needed and creates a lot of waste in the short or long-term.   One of these items I mentioned was paper towels.  They are generally used to wipe up household messes and spills and are chucked in the garbage without a second thought.  Though I have made an effort to buy paper towels that are made from recycled paper, these products are not recyclable once they are used.

I recently discovered an alternative to conventional paper towels: SKOY Cloths

The SKOY reusable cloths are made from renewable raw materials and are 100% biodegradable.

My take: Compared to conventional sponges, the SKOY cloths are much more absorbent.  When I use them to wipe up spills, it really gets the job done.  These cloths leaves very little to no streaks or residue behind.  On their website they state that you can wash them in the washer, dishwasher, and microwave (to kill the germs).  We don’t own a microwave and I usually forget to put them in our dishwasher, but I have used it in our washing machine with great success.  Though I rinse them out after each use, putting them in the washer gets them  much cleaner.  Since we line dry most of the time, I haven’t put them in the dryer yet, but you can dry them up to 90 degrees.

I have had my SKOY cloths for several months and they have stood the test of time and use.  They’ve lasted much longer than my conventional sponges which are not biodegradable.  I definitely give the SKOY Cloths a thumbs up.

And for the giveaway you’ve all been waiting for…

On September 15th, one lucky Green and Chic reader will receive two 4-packs of the SKOY Cloths.

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Here’s how to enter:

Go to the SKOY Cloth website and tell me something you learned about the cloth, the company, how to use and take care of the cloth OR what you can and will use it for.   This is your first entry.

Optional: To earn more points, you can do each of the following (separate comment for each entry):

1. Blog about the giveaway and link back to this page on your blog. If you comment below with the link, you will get two extra points.

2. Sign up for my email updates or RSS feed. Leave a comment below telling me that you have signed up. You will also get an entry if you already subscribe — make sure to leave a comment.

3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway. To make it easier, you can use the “retweet” button at the bottom  left hand side of this post. Leave a comment telling me that you followed & tweeted.

4. Email 5 friends about the giveaway. Leave a comment below telling me that you did.

You can do one or all of the above. The more you do, the better your chance of winning. The contest will end on Monday, September 15th. The winner will be selected via Random.org and will be notified via email and will also be announced in a future post.
Related Posts: Things You Don’t Need to Buy: Reducing Waste

Contest is closed

Photo by: D’Arcy Norman

Local. Used. Eco-Friendly. Less

These are the four words I keep in the forefront of my mind when shopping. From clothing  to food, if its not local, used and/or eco-friendly, I wont buy it.  Here’s how I apply “less” to shopping:

Less
First and foremost, I try to focus on buying and acquiring less.  I’ve learned the hard way that having less is more economically and environmentally friendly, especially if an item is not built or manufactured for long-term use.   Though its beneficial from a financial standpoint, for the purpose of this post, my focus is environmental.

Here are a few common items that we don’t need to buy, that only ends up in the landfills.

• Magazines - I canceled my magazine subscriptions a little over a year ago and I couldn’t be happier.  The magazines I collected were full of ads, nauseating perfumed pages, and they took up precious space in my home.  I flipped though the pages to cut out certain articles, photos and words for art projects and tossed the rest (with the exception of National Geographic and a few trade magazines).  Though they were recycled, it was still a waste of paper.  At the time, I was subscribing to  mostly beauty and fashion magazines and I find well written articles, photos and information from fashion blogs and websites without wasting paper – and its free.

• Paper napkins - Investing in cloth napkins can go a long way in reducing waste.  Since used napkins are not recyclable, they eventually end up in landfills. The same would apply to paper towels and disposable cleaning cloths.

• Technical and computer software books - I cant tell you how many antiquated software books I had to get rid of over the years.  They are difficult to hand off to someone else and even many libraries don’t want them (who needs Windows ’95?). If its not available at the library, downloading an electronic version would be the next best thing.  The same might apply to map and travel books too.

• Bottled Water – We all know about this one.  Using non-plastic reusable bottles will go a long way in reducing plastic waste. I do have a case of water in my “earthquake kit” a few in the car for emergency purposes though.

• Processed food – Pre-packaged processed foods can often create a tremendous amount of waste and may of it isn’t recyclable.    Buying produce, bulk grains, nuts seeds and oils, and meat and fish from the counter (instead of the styrofoam packages) will go a long way in reducing waste.

What other common items have you purchased that in hindsight really isn’t necessary but wasteful?

I’m sure we all can create a long list.

Are you still using bleach in your laundry and to clean your home? I remember when bleach was the be all end all of cleanliness while growing up. Little did we realize how toxic it is.   Eco-Friendly Alternatives To Bleach by The Good Human gives us a few great alternatives.

Several months ago, Sommer Poquette of Green and Clean Mom wrote an article on kids and bleach in Bleach Prescribed to Relieve Eczema Itching: Talk About a Toxic Bath! I found it hard to believe that bleach is an actual recommendation for dealing with eczema (especially for babies).  What else can you do?  Sommer gives us good suggestions.

Do you own one of those Swiffer (mops) that requires disposable wipes? SquakFox has a great alternative to buying and tossing out those disposable Swiffer wipes in  4 Swiffer Cleaning Hacks for Cheaper Dust-Free Living. Not only will these hacks help you save money, but it will reduce waste.

Though we should be very concerned about outdoor and environmental air quality, according to the EPA, research indicates that some people spend 90% of their time indoors. That would include the sick, people with limited mobility and the elderly.  My guess is this is especially true if you live in an not so friendly climate – especially in the winter.  Indoor Air Quality by Focus Organic gives us basic steps on how we can improve the air we breathe.

Keep your eyes peeled for another eco-friendly pet product giveaway in the coming weeks.

Crafting a Green World – DIY for Environmentalists
Crafting a Green World is a network of bloggers, artists, crafters and designers that teaches us a wide variety of environmentally friendly do it yourself  design and art projects.  You will find a wide variety of projects such as jewelry, home decor, accessories, stationery, baby supplies and so much more. All projects utilizes eco-friendly and  chemical free supplies and rehashes all types of materials such as glass, newspaper, fabric from old clothes, buttons, shipping peanuts, junk mail, CDs and more.  Whatever it is, you can be sure someone has or will make something useful and artistic out of it on Crafting a Green World.   Some of my favorite projects includes Recycle Grocery Bags Into Eco Packaging and just about everything in the home and garden section.

The bloggers at Crafting a Green World also introduce various artists such as yarn spinners,  organic fabric,  stationery and jewelry designers.  The buy handmade section is my first stop when I’m shopping for handmade gifts. Many of the featured designers and artists sell their creations on Etsy.

My contribution to Crafting a Green World: San Francisco Bay Area Resource for Eco Home Improvement

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Green and Gorgeous
Green and Gorgeous is a brand new blog by Jennae Petersen of Green Your Decor and Hibiscus Creative. I’m less familiar with Hibiscus Creative, but I have loved Green Your Decor for quite a while (so much so, I wrote a sort blurb about it several weeks ago).  I’ve learned so much about eco-friendly home decor and design and discovered a lot of resources on her blog.

What’s discussed at Green & Gorgeous?  Just about everything else related to green living including her own personal journey.  Jennae goes into a variety of subjects from  fashion to food to cell phones. What I love about both her blogs is that she writes about green living and related subjects without finger pointing.  When you check out her blog, don’t forget to enter her Nostalgia Organics soap giveaway.

Here are a few reasons to use natural products for your pets.

Environment

• Harsh chemicals used in many conventional pet care products will eventually make their way into the water supply, soil and air affecting both indoor air and outdoor air quality.
• Most natural products are not animal tested whereas many conventional companies do engage in that practice.

The health of your pets

• Animals naturally lick their fur and will ingest the chemicals that are used on them making them ill.
• Some pet shampoos contains pesticides that can trigger reactions from allergies to more serious health problems.
• Synthetic compounds in flea and tick remedies can damage animals skin and fur.
• Synthetic chemical products used on our pets can affect our health too.

What are some alternatives?

Halo Pets
Halo Pets offers environmentally friendly,  and safe pet care products like their Halo Herbal Shampoo
which has an infusion of botanical oils and extracts in a coconut, olive and jojoba oil soap base.  Other products includes grooming supplies for dogs and cats, foods and supplements.

Canine Earth
Canine Earth offers USDA Organic doggie bath products that’s free of petrochemicals, sulfates, parabens, artificial colors and fragrances. Products include their Lay Down Lavender Vanilla Conditioning Coat Cleanser and the Come Here Coconut Mint Aromatherapy Coat Spray.

Eco-Me
Eco-Me has both do it yourself and ready made grooming  and pet waste disposal/removal kits for both dogs and cats.  Their Element Cat Litter Freshener and Dog Leash Tote with Poo Poo Bags are just two of the many products they offer.  In addition to pet supplies, they have eco-friendly cleaning, skin care, baby and nursery care products.

Clean+Green
Clean+Green is a line of environmentally friendly pet cleaning products.  If you need a safe and effective cleaner to eliminate pet odors and stains from wood, tile, carpet, furniture, automobiles and more, they offer products that fits just about every need.

In the next few days, I will post a couple of giveaways offering some of these products.