Something that has always been aparent to us green minded families is that the less environmentally costly way of doing something is usually, also the more financially cost efficient way. Both are important for families. Ok, solar panels on your roof are very expensive but using chemical free washing powder and turning off the lights are not.
Fed up of lots of different bottles and tubs of cleaning products taking up space under your kitchen cupboard?
Think that you're paying extra to help fund expensive advertising campaigns?
Concerned about using a 'cocktail' of chemicals around the house?
Stick to using cleaning products such as Soap Nuts, White Vinegar, Bicarbonate of Soda, Borax and Soda Crystals which don't contain any phosphates, enzymes or bleach and are biodegradable so do not contribute to toxic build-up. Another huge argument for not having chemicals in your home is that it is safer in the short term too. If my daughter were to get hold of the white vinegar spray it would not taste very nice but it would not hospitalise her. So in a funny way, they are less stressful to use too!
Barefoot mummy says: I am a new convert to all of these. I have had books on the shelf for years about how to use these traditional remedies but just never believed they could replace the myriad of lotions and potions of Eco branded products under my sink. But now, that is it for me, there is no going back. The only down side is that you end up cleaning more as you just keep going as whilst you have the white vinegar out to clean the tops, you might as well clean the taps, then have a quick go at the window etc etc!
Soapnut shell are economical (from only 3p a wash compared to 25p for a standard non-bio). They leave your laundry fresh, clean and soft eliminating the need for 
softeners. Just put 6-8 half shells or equivalent in pieces into the supplied cotton bag, place in your washing machine, wash on your usual cycle (40 degrees ideally). If you want your laundry fragranced add a few drops of essential oil in the softener drawer, Your washing will come out fresh, clean and soft. You can do 4-6 consecutive loads from one lot of soapnuts! When the soapnuts are exhausted they will appear darker and soft, throw them on your compost and put some more into the bag for your next wash.
Have a go at having a waste free week or even just a day. If the idea fills you with dread chances are, you know you could be doing more! I was amazed after reading about this, first I thought, no way, then I thought maybe we could then just thinking about how we would manage has been enough to really make me think twice about what I am bringing in to the home in the first place. Read the blog that started it all and get some ideas for your own lifestyle.
3 billion plastic bottles of water were sold in the UK last year of which only 10% were recycled. Buy re-useable bottles made of non-leaching plastic from We Want Tap who also donate 70% of profits to fund water projects in the developing world.
Solar Energy - It is still really disapointing how high the price of solar panels etc is as other areas of technology continue to become more financially accessible, but don't write it off altogether. Having a Solar Shed Light saves on wiring as well as power as do all of the fantastic solar battery chargers etc out there. The price of these is dropping and soon they will be easy things to buy that help with saving power.
Eco Energy - There are lots of green options available through most suppliers now. Although it is obviously better to use one of the specialist companies if you can - they usually price match and are often as cheap as the others once you have got rid of all the extras.
Ecotricity have an excellent comparison table on their website of some of the alternative suppliers offering green power. 
Something to note is that it is not always enough to get your power from a green source - Ecotricity plough their money back into building more wind turbines which is one of the factors that make it stand out from the rest.
Also, remember that 'renewable' does not always mean green! Renewable Energy often means Nuclear Power. This is a personal opinion but I still find it shocking that this is seen as a green alternative to fossil fuel when they still do not have any real long term plans for the toxic by-products created from using Nuclear energy. And the what if factor is a huge and long term what if.
Further Reading
Visit my Amazon Book Store to find my recomended reads on the subject!
Find out what can be recycled in your local area.
Reduce the amount of junk mail you receive and register with the mail preference service - you will need to save it in your favourites and re-register every now and then though!
Waste Watch - another site full of great tips
If you would like more information about the chemicals used in our home, check out their Chemical House
Centre for Alternative Technology - worth a visit, they also have great ed packs
Use less energy - more tips!
Freecycle - reuse more and buy less - join your local network
Lovefilm - Renting or rather 'sharing' films is a just another small way to save on resources receive a month's FREE subscription by following this link.
Green Metropolis - Second hand online book store with fixed prices
Imperfectly Natural - Janey Lee Grace's website -
