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Savvy Wash

Dishes and laundry are two household tasks that we all know well.  These are chores we picked up on way back in our teen years, if not younger.  You have probably got them down to a science, but how about I give you a few interesting facts and tips that can save time, energy, money, and protect  the environment.  Read on!

We have an understanding that using the dishwasher is greener than washing by hand. This is true in most cases, and even more so if you have an energy-efficient dishwasher.  Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind to be even greener and cut costs on your water and electricity bills.

Reduce your water consumption: Avoid pre-rinsing and only run full loads.  If you are neat freak and just hate to go to bed with a disorderly kitchen, throw the dishes in the dishwasher and run it once full.

Try using the cold-water setting if this is an option on your dishwasher.

Also let the dishes air dry, versus using the heat dry option.  The heat actually puts a lot of wear on your dishes as well, so avoid if at all possible.   Simply run the wash and rinse, then open the door until the dishes are dry.

***Important message reported at  www.Ecolife.com (a guide to green living) website: Did you know that about 10% of all calls to poison control centers are because of exposure to household cleaners; dishwashing liquids being the chief culprit among children. Conventional dishwashing liquids can contain diethanolamine (DEA) which can combine with other substances to form carcinogenic nitrosamines.

These natural dish soap brands are highly reliable for their eco-friendly reputations and will get your dishes as clean as conventional products:
Nellie’s
Mrs. Meyer’s
Biokleen
Earth Friendly
Trader Joe’s
Method
Sun & Earth
Shaklee
Natural Choices
Ecover
Seventh Generation

Best practices for hand washing your dishes; consider the sponges and the dishwashing detergent you use and purchase eco-friendly products.   Also, try adding a few tablespoons of vinegar to your load of dishes to make them sparkle and get rid of greasy residue. Use baking soda for scrubbing hard to clean spots.

When it comes to laundering your clothes, follow these simple green steps to get the job done.

Use a natural deodorant to prevent yellow stains and ruining your shirts.  Make yellow stain disappear by adding 2 tablespoons of vinegar, lemon juice, and a 1 cup of water.

Wash with hot water and two cups of vingar to rid mildew and save a smelly load.

Use eco-friendly laundry detergents.  They are better for the skin and less irritable to your clothes, particularly those that are fragile.

Make your clothes softer and fresher by substituting half of your laundry detergent with baking soda.

Substitute bleach with hydrogen peroxide to safely whiten your clothes.

Instead of reaching for the dryer sheets, add 1/2 cup of vinegar to your rinse cycle and then dry.

Consider purchasing a drying rack to preserve your clothes, as the heat is harsh.  The same goes for using excessively hot water routinely.  Cold water cleaning is cheaper, but also safer for your clothes and the environment.  The cold water method should be used in most cases.

Hopefully you found some useful tips on how to manage your loads, as well as simple practices to be greener.  Share your thoughts and comments here, on Facebook, or through Twitter!

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