Comments on: When Going Green Goes… Not So Great

By: David

David — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:10:56 +0000

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a superb deodorant. Just use a couple of pinches when still damp after showering. Nothing more complicated needed.

By: Joke

Joke — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:14:00 +0000

I use white vinegar instead of apple cider and have no problems! Maybe you were using too much? .-= Joke´s last blog post ..Here I am! =-.

By: Deedee

Deedee — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:43:49 +0000

I just recently read…somewhere…that it actually saves water to use the dishwasher vs hand washing your dishes. Apparently quite a big difference. So we have been using our dishwasher (an energy efficient model less than 2 years old) again. Only running it when it is totally full to be as efficient as possible. But I do worry about that dishwasher soap. Wonder if there is something else more natural that would work in the dishwasher?

By: Sarah @ Mum In Bloom

Sarah @ Mum In Bloom — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:48:46 +0000

I read once the cider vinegar was good for clearing up acne so I put it on my acne filled face with abandon… only to burn my entire face because I didn’t dillute it and used it too much It took weeks to heal and I was the laughing stock of all my critics of “going more natural”. I haven’t given up though ;o)
.-= Sarah @ Mum In Bloom´s last blog post ..Recipe: Company Pot Roast =-.

By: Condo Blues

Condo Blues — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:05:04 +0000

I have so many green bloopers I named my blog Condo Blues because they often make me sing the blues until I revamp them and they turn out fine. I tried using natural deoderant and I made me break out in a rash under my arms – not fun. I used a homemade beeswax based lip balm that I had a reaction to and it chapped my lips. *sigh*

My most spectaluar oops was when I built a compost bin but didn’t drill enough drainage holes in the bottom of it and fed it mostly greens and very little browns. I got a batch of Dog Vomit Slime mold (that’s what it’s called – honest!) instead of compost – ick!
.-= Condo Blues´s last blog post ..Books as Wallpaper Bathroom Remodel =-.

By: Abby

Abby — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:21:40 +0000

I made homemade laundry detergent – lots and lots of it – about 5 gallons worth. It was very inexpensive and non toxic but.. it does not always get urine smells out of clothes. With a young son who is learning to use the bathroom, we have lots of pee accidents so lots of urine smelling clothes. I thought of putting essential oil into it but I think it would just mask the smell, not actual remove it. So now I have a 5 gallon bucket of laundry detergent that doesn’t work! All I can say is I am just glad it was inexpensive!

By: Frances

Frances — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 04:21:29 +0000

That reminds me! A few years ago I heard something about using Olive Oil as a natural shampoo and conditioner replacement. So I dumped a fair amount onto my hair…Ugh! I shampooed my hair about 10 times after that only to discover it still hadn’t come out! Hubby still brings that up!
Then for about a week and a half I tried giving up shampoo. My head was so flaky and greasy I was getting weird looks and worried about losing my job!
Also in my switch to natural cleaners and shampoos I discovered I am allergic to lavender. I really didn’t expect to have a reaction to something so natural. It’s been a difficult fragrance to avoid.
I also finally found a natural deodorant that worked for me this winter. I guess I don’t pay much attention though. I went to a friend’s wedding in balmy Arizona and when I went to put on my sleeveless bridesmaid’s dress I noticed I had the brightest rash all around my pits. Thank God for cortisone cream. No, really! It has saved me so many times.
Like when I tried 100% Shea Butter as a face lotion…Even freaked my doctor out!
Fun times!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:15:54 +0000

I had the same results with mayo. It was not worth it!

By: Angie

Angie — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:04:16 +0000

When I was in Junior High, there was a big fuss about using mayonnaise in your hair as conditioner. It wasn’t really in an effort to be green, it was just the new craze. It was suppose to make your hair soft and shiny.

So, I go home one night and sneak the mayo into the bathroom with me (my mom would totally object if she caught me) and hop in the shower. I wash my hair… and I dip my fingers into the mayo and lather it into my hair.

Yeah… so as it turns out… mayo is made of oil, and oil makes your hair greasy… not soft.

It took me several washings to get the oil out of my hair.

I still don’t know (15 yrs later) if that rumor was a prank, or if I did something wrong.

By: Juice

Juice — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:36:14 +0000

I try not to mention how long it has been since I’ve washed my hair these days…

I’ve also had my share of cooking misfortunes. Thank goodness the dog is not judgemental.
.-= Juice´s last blog post ..Weekend Flotsam and Jetsam =-.