
Okay, it's time for a little confession. We try and live as green as possible. But even for the most environmentally-aware person, there's usually at least one non-green thing they can't live without. A friend of ours recently told us that, even though he knew it was bad for the environment and tried to use it sparingly, he just couldn't totally give up the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser because nothing else would clean a grimy shower quite as well.
So, we think it's time for us all to come [non-green] clean. If you say yes, tell us in the Comments what it is! Don't be shy!
(Image: Flickr member ralphbijker licensed under Creative Commons. Post originally published 2009-02-13 - CB)
Comments (27)
it's windex :-( we have a large mirror in the bathroom, that gets splashed a lot; a cat and a toddler who like to stick their hands and noses to the windows. Vinegar just does not work. I do use vodka sometimes to polish the mirrors, but the smell is too strong. So, Windex is the thing that gets the job done easily and it's always ready...
paper towels... try as I may, I cannot give them up completely.
I buy 100% recycled paper towels and use them very sparingly... mostly only to drain or blot greasy food stuffs and clean up kitty hurl mishaps... I use tea/dish towels and recycled clothes, sheets, towels for napkins, housekeeping etc...
Mine is a huge sin- my Keurig k-cup machine. Huge amounts of waste in each individually portioned coffee cup. But I don't waste coffee anymore, and they do have fair trade and organic coffee available in k-cups.
@Nudik - Have you tried Earth Friendly Cleaners' glass "kleener" ? It works as well for me.
Unfortunately, I am a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser addict, too. It's my go-to product for getting all those fingerprints and mysterious markings off the walls.
P.S. I had a difficult time giving up commercial glass cleaner until I tired Club Soda. It works like a charm for me.
this isn't a house cleaning product...but i can't use organic/green hugging shampoo/conditioner. every one i've tried my hair hates.
so it's kerastase for me...
Turning the heat way up when it's cold. I can wear sweaters, but I don't function well if I'm not in a toasty warm environment during the winter. So it's pretty cozy in here.
I used to be addicted to windex but you could clean the mirror with a sinkful of warm soapy water and a squeegy.
Ok well, i still use windex to clean my granite countertops
Oh, theambershow, I'm with you. I hate being cold. I have learned to bundle up a bit more since our new (old) house is drafty, but I still crank up the heat to help compensate.
I have to have something physical to read. I can read blogs, but I can not give up my physical magazines. (Tear...domino...) I do recycle them and when I go outside of my subscriptions I try to pick them up at a used bookstore or the library. But I can't give them up.
Ditto books. I shudder to think of the day when everyone's reading off a kindle-type machine.
bleach!
I just can't seem to give up the Comet. I have a vintage, very porous porcelain bathtub that absorbs everything and it really seems to be the only thing that gets it really clean and lifts out all the spots. Sad. :(
I use regular paper towels and toilet paper instead of organic/recycled/what have you. I've found that if I go with the quality stuff, I go through it a lot faster--one regular roll to 4-5 recycled ones.
Oh, and Magic Erasers. But I've probably purchased three of them in my lifetime, so I'm not going to worry too much.
Paper towels. I have started using the half-sheets though. That's usually all I ever need.
This isn't just about household products, is it?
There are a few bad habits that I try to kick but they just keep coming back - like eating meat and buying apparel that isn't sustainably made. I can't stop browsing Forever 21, I rarely buy anymore but it's hard when I like their fashions. Also, no sustainable lingerie "works" as well as VS' Very Sexy collection for me. I live in those bras. :(
Paper towels!
And Windex, but I use it for eeeeverything. One thing I learned when I used to work in retail - Windex. Cleans. Everything. The dad from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" was right, it really can do anything.
Dry cleaning. I have clothes that I adore that are dry clean only. *Sigh* All those plastic garment bags.
I do return the hangers to the cleaners, and recycle the bags. But the chemicals - I am so guilty here.
I just use a damp microfiber cloth on the mirror, and it works fine. No cleaning product needed.
Hot baths...
I haven't been able to give up paper towels, either, but I look at it this way: I recycle, garden, compost, bring my cloth bags to the grocery, and more. None of us can do everything right but if most of us try to do a little bit right, it will make a difference.
Paper towels. Cascade. Tide.
Scoopable cat litter. I know there are alternatives but it is so incredibly convenient. My husband has this chore so I can avert my eyes.
Conveniences have been a point of conflict in our house - paper towels, sammich bags and saran wrap especially, then excessively packaged things. I'm slowly wearing him down.
He was an inveterate wastrel until we got married, but the other day I got into the car and found a plate on the passenger seat. Apparently he took a sandwich with him and didn't want to wrap it. I <3 that man.
I make all my own cleaning stuff, use my own bags shopping, use CFLs, turn off heat and AC, and have switched to microfiber clothes for everything.
But! I cannot make the switch to eco-friendly/organic hair and body stuff. I have serious oil issues and none of it works. Also, I cannot give up Dawn - it's the only thing that removes the grease from The Boy's work clothes.
Long-ish hot showers.
McDonald's Chicken Nuggets.
I can go a few months without them and then BAM! I'm backsliding.
Coffee, tea, liquor, beer & wine. Ain't nothing green about items that either use ridiculous amounts of water to make or have to ship across the world just for me to drink.
Toilet paper and air conditioning. If I had more than one window in my 300 sq. ft. apartment, I could probably cut down on it and get a breeze flowing, but from June-August in Texas I gotta have a little air. I do at least try to keep it pushed up to 85F and use a ceiling fan, but a 100 degree house with no air flow just doesn't work for me.
Long showers !