Living Green with Cloth

Guest Post by Emily McClements from Live Renewed

It was a proud moment for me. I overheard my daughter asking, “Hey daddy, can I have one of those um, um, paper… things?” She was asking my hubby for a paper towel when we were on vacation, and she didn’t know what it was called. That is because our family has not bought or used paper towels, or any other type of paper product (except for toilet paper), in our home for over a year. And I was grinning when I realized that my almost 3 year old daughter does not even know what a paper towel is.

It’s one of the biggest questions that I get from friends, family and even readers on my blog, “How do you make the change to using all cloth around your home?” or “How do you clean your house without using paper towels?”

I realize that for some people it can feel overwhelming, or seem like a big obstacle to overcome, to switch from using disposable paper products to cloth all around the house. But, it’s become so second nature to us that I really don’t even think about it any more. So, I wanted to share with you a few tips and steps that you can take to move toward a paper free household.

I also want you to know that I’m all about taking baby steps. I think that lasting change comes when we make simple and small changes, that are easily maintained, instead of diving right in and maybe getting over our heads and then falling back on what we know and are used to. For me, baby steps are definitely the way to go about making a change, and making it stick.

Photo by devaburger

Steps to Switching to a Paper-Free Household

• First of all, start seeking alternatives to paper. Go to the kitchen and the cleaning sections at the store and look at the different options for cloth that are available. Think about what types of cloth you will need for different uses around your home and decide what you think would work best in those situations. I have several different types of cloths for different purposes around my home.

I use kitchen towels for drying hands and dishes, washcloths for wiping down counters and other general cleaning, baby washcloths for wiping off children after meals, knitted dish cloths for washing dishes, and bar map towels for more serious cleaning like wiping up spills on the floor, in my kitchen. I use microfiber cloths for all kinds of general cleaning around the house. I also have lots of plain hand towels that I use for general cleaning up of spills and all kinds of messes that only a 2 year old and 1 year old can make. I make my own disinfecting wipes, and I use cloth wipes for my baby’s bum. I even made my own cloth swiffer sweeper covers. Did I miss anything? Is there something that you use paper for and haven’t been able to find an cloth alternative for?

• Secondly, start stocking up on cloth. If you see cloth wipes on sale at the store, stock up. Even better, start checking out thrift stores and garage sales for cloths you can use around your home. Or look at cloth items that you already have around your house that could be re-purposed.

Since I’m all about being green and being frugal, I love buying second hand cloths for two reasons. One, it’s cheaper than buying new cloth. And two, it’s better for the earth. It saves on the raw materials, production and manufacturing, transportation, energy, etc. used to make brand new cloth. I also love find new uses for things I already have. I cut up my hub’s old t-shirts to make my disinfecting wipes, and I used old flannel receiving blankets to make hankie wipes to use in place of tissues. No need to spend money and buy new cloth when something you already have will work just as well!

• Finally, set up a system. Using cloth takes a little more thought that using paper products, at first. Where do you store them, what do you do with them once they are used and dirty, how often will you wash them? Take some time to figure out what you think will work best for you and your family when using cloth. You may need to clean out a drawer in your kitchen so you can store your cloth napkins and towels in a place that is easily accessible, or you may need to get a small hamper that you can throw your used cloth in.

For us, we have a drawer in our kitchen dedicated to cloth, as well as a few other spots where cloth is easily accessible, like the drawer that also has our kids plates and bowls. Our linen cabinet in the hall has an entire shelf dedicated to cloth cleaning rags. Our laundry is in our basement off the kitchen, so we set up a hanging mesh laundry bag at the bottom of the stairs and I throw our used cloth down there and then I usually do cloth laundry twice a week. Figure out a system and tweak it as you go and learn what makes using cloth easy for your and your family.

You can make the change from paper to cloth slowly and gradually. One way is to move your paper products like paper towels or tissues to an unseen, somewhat inaccessible place, and put your cloth products in a convenient, easily accessible place. When your paper towels are not sitting on the counter just asking you to grab one, and your cloth is closer and more convenient, your much more likely to reach for the cloth. Soon you will find that all of the reasons you thought you needed paper towels are easily, and usually better taken care of with cloth.

In fact, now when I am in situations that I find myself having to use a paper product, I get a little annoyed because I have found that they really don’t work as well as their cloth counterparts. Paper towels are flimsy and disintegrate, while cloth wipes can clean up messes all day long with just a rinsing out in between. Paper napkins smear the food around on my kids’ hands and faces and don’t stand a chance against anything sticky, while a damp washcloth cleans them up quickly and effectively.

Although you too may have thought to yourself, “What would I do without paper towels?” As you take baby steps to switch over your household to cloth, I think you’ll end up wondering how you went without it for so long.

Top Photo by The New Oak Tree

Emily McClements is passionate about caring for God’s creation while saving money at the same time. She is a blessed wife and mama to two young children, and blogs about her family’s journey toward natural and simple living at Live Renewed.

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Wheatless Wednesday: Taco Salad

Posted by donielle on September 1, 2010 · 7 Comments 

One of the staple dinners that we’ve enjoyed since….forever….has been tacos. We love our own blend of seasoning, I took pride in my homemade tortilla shells, and even made my own salsa on occasion.So when my husband went gluten free last year it really knocked me off my game! I mean, how were you supposed to eat tacos without fabulous, soft, whole wheat shells?

I tried making my own soft corn shells and they never quite worked out well.

I tried buying soft corn shells to cook at home – I could never find organic and the GMO issue bothered me.

We bought hard corn shells – organic, non- GMO are expensive while non-organic have colorings and fillers.

I’ve mentioned it a few times now in passing, but a couple of months ago we decided to go completely (ok, about 80-90%) grain free, and I have to say it’s really what helped us get ‘past the bun’ if you wish. Taking any bread alternatives out of the equation really opened us up to trying new things and eating our foods differently. In that respect I feel we are getting a much more nutrient dense diet and eating a larger variety of foods.

Take our tacos for instance. We don’t do without them…..we just changed them.

Good quality meat on top of chopped garden tomatoes, farmers market onion, lettuce, and cheese. The avocado aioli dressing also pairs with this nicely, as does ranch, salsa, and sour cream. I love that I’m able to get a good amount of lettuce and greens into my family now instead of it being the sparse topping on a taco, and I also love the convenience of it. No longer do I have to spend and hour or so making the shells or making sure I get them at the grocery store. Dinner now takes moments compared to a few months ago!

So what kind of wheatless recipe are you sharing today? Or perhaps an informative post on going wheat free? We’d love to read them! Just link up the url your recent post below (and make sure you link to this post within your own) so that we can all gain a few more ideas on what we can do in our kitchens!

Also – next week here at Naturally Knocked Up is going to be all about gluten awareness! I have a fabulous “everyone needs to hear it” podcast from my conversation with Dr. Tom O’Bryan all about how gluten can effect our fertility, our overall health, and the silent ways it can harm our body. I also lined up a few different guest posts from others who have gone wheat and/or grain free. It’s going to be a great week!!

I have a lot of new and exciting things coming up here this fall, so make sure you add my blog's RSS Feed to your reader or you can sign up for free updates by Email. I can also be found on Facebook and Twitter! **

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Giveaway Winners from “The Virtual Baby Shower”

Posted by donielle on August 30, 2010 · 3 Comments 

Many, many thanks to those of you who stopped in last week and entered the giveaways! I loved getting to meet so many new people!

Without further adieu, here’s the list of winners:

1. Mama’s Herbal Kit from Shalom Mama – AndreaE
2. Babylegs from EcoBuns -  Shaina
3. Belly Bandit -  Andrea C
4. Bravado Nursing Tank -  Melissa
5. Wooden Teether -    Mary
6. MadeOn: Gift certificate -   Michele
7. The beautiful Moby Wrap – entry # 130,  Lynn
8. Organic Teether Set -   entry #477, Meghan
9. Knit Hat -   entry #158, Andrea B
10. Cloth Wipes and Storage Bag – entry #333, Jessica
11. Nursing Bracelet or Necklace -   entry #265,Jennie
12. Labor Kit -   entry #65, Melody
13. Handmade Wooden rattle -  entry #296, Shani
14. Sing Song Yoga DVD -  entry #400, Rachel
15. Mama’s Bath Soak -  entry #138, Stephanie H
16. Keyfit Carseat -  entry #2283, Kelly L

(giveaways 1-6 were comment based and selected by a WP plugin – 7-16 were survey based and selected by random.org)

E-mails are on the way to everyone who won!! Congratulations!!! Each and every one of these products/companies were hand selected by me to participate and because of that, I know you’ll love them!

I have a lot of new and exciting things coming up here this fall, so make sure you add my blog's RSS Feed to your reader or you can sign up for free updates by Email. I can also be found on Facebook and Twitter! **

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Giveaway: Chicco KeyFit Carseat!

Posted by donielle on August 27, 2010 · 9 Comments 

Gift: Chicco Keyfit Carseat

One of the absolute greatest things about my journey through blogging is that I’ve been able to meet some fabulous women, and today’s sponsor is definitely one of those! When Crystal, from Money Saving Mom, heard I was looking to get a sponsor to giveaway a brand new carseat to Amy, she jumped at the chance!

Crystal is the blessed wife of Jesse, and mommy to three precious little children (Kathrynne was born in 2005, Kaitlynn in 2007, and Silas–first boy!–was born in May of 2009). MoneySavingMom.com is an upbeat and encouraging blog dedicated to helping you find great deals, stretch your hard-earned dollars, and live on less than you make so you can save more and give more.

The Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat is the premier infant carrier for safety, comfort, and convenience. With its removable newborn insert, the KeyFit 30 Car Seat will accommodate your baby from four to thirty pounds. The KeyFit 30’s thickly cushioned seat includes a five-point safety harness and is lined with energy-absorbing foam for increased safety and comfort. The KeyFit 30 Base’s spring-assisted level foot, two precision bubble levels, and “Center-Pull” LATCH adjustment guarantee quick and correct installment from either side of your vehicle and give you confidence that your child is safely secured in your vehicle.

Follow Money Saving Mom:

Facebook • Website • Twitter

Amy is receiving a brand new Chicco Keyfit car seat and so can you!

To enter, please leave your name and e-mail address!* No hoops to jump through, just one entry per person. I’ll choose the entry at random on Monday, August 30th at 6am. Open to U.S. and Canadian addresses only.

(Instead of commenting, this link will pop up a form for you to enter your name and e-mail –

just makes things TONS easier on my end. Thanks for understanding!)

Don’t forget to check out the other 15 gifts you can have a chance to win!

If you’d like, you can subscribe to my blog via RSS feed or E-Mail as well as Twitter or Facebook to make sure you don’t miss a giveaway this week! You can also scroll down on the HOME page under the tab “Recent Posts”.

*I promise I won’t sell your e-mail address to anyone! At most you’ll receive one thank you e-mail from me.

All gifts to Amy have been generously donated by each company or business. I personally have not received any product to keep or compensation from any of the companies.

Feedback

I have a lot of new and exciting things coming up here this fall, so make sure you add my blog's RSS Feed to your reader or you can sign up for free updates by Email. I can also be found on Facebook and Twitter! **

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