Spring cleaning season is upon us! This year while you’re freshening up your home and sorting through the clutter, why not toss the toxic cleaning supplies, too? Replacing what’s currently under your sink with products that are non-toxic and safe for the environment is easier than ever with Seventh Generation’s environmentally friendly cleaning products.
Leading the “responsible cleaning” charge for the past twenty years, Seventh Generation has tapped into the disinfecting power of the herb thyme, to introduce an EPA registered line of botanical disinfectant cleaners, including a multi-surface cleaning spray, bathroom cleaning spray and wipes.
The disinfectants contain thymol, a component of the herb thyme, and can be used on hard surfaces including counter tops, plastic cutting boards, highchair trays as well as children’s toys. According to the company, these new products supposedly kill over 99.99 percent of germs naturally and are effective against the Influenza A Virus, including H1N1. I’ve used the bathroom cleaner and the multi-surface cleaning spray this past week, as well as the wipes, and am very happy with the results. The Lemongrass & Thyme scent is lovely!
Seventh Generation has partnered with eco-lifestyle consultant and author, Alexandra Zissu, whose new book, The Conscious Kitchen, discusses what’s good for your health, what’s good for the planet and what tastes great. Her book also includes great tips on maintaining a green and healthy kitchen, including:
Change is Good
Choosing cleaning products without indoor air pollutants like volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, is a simple and effective way to reduce your indoor air pollution. If you’re not prepared to switch everything overnight, start by swapping out the one product you use the most, and moving forward from there.
Think before you spray
Residues from cleaning products can last on a surface for longer than we we’d like to know and travel to areas that we sometimes don’t intend them to. Don’t contaminate your food by prepping it on a surface that may contain harsh chemical residues – rinse cleaning products from food preparation surfaces carefully or use botanical disinfecting cleaners that do not require a rinse step.
Home is Where the Clean Is
Your standard cleaners are good for removing soils and dirt from kitchen surfaces, but to tackle germs you need a cleaner that is effective against microbes like bacteria and viruses. Many cleaners contain ingredients that have antimicrobial properties such as vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, but the germ killing power of these is not necessarily guaranteed. To be sure you are killing germs, use an EPA registered disinfectant, like the Seventh Generation brand of cleaning products.
Make the Old New Again
Think twice about the items that you’re using to clean and dry your kitchen equipment and dishes. Use rags (like old t-shirts and washcloths) instead of paper towels. If you aren’t prepared to kick your paper towel addiction just yet, use only recycled versions that are unbleached or haven’t been whitened with chemicals containing chlorine and see how long you can make a roll last.
The Writing is on the … Sponge
Be sure to read the fine print on sponges and only purchase those that do not contain antimicrobial pesticides. Remember to store sponges in a dry place and frequently clean them by popping plastic sponges wet in a microwave for two minutes or boiling sponges for three minutes in water.
Mom Was Right, Wash Your Hands
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after prepping food, and always before eating. So much of what can be potentially harmful in a kitchen can be reduced by this simple act that doesn’t require any harsh chemicals whatsoever.
BUY IT!
Seventh Generation disinfecting products can be found at retailers nationwide, including Target and Babies “R” Us. Visit the website for a full list or a specific store location.
WIN IT!
I have a Seventh Generation “Disinfecting Cleaning Kit” to giveaway! Pictured to the right, this includes a disinfecting multi-surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, wipes, a copy of The Conscious Kitchen, a cleaning caddy made from recycled plastic, and two rolls of 100% recycled, unbleached paper towels. It’s a fantastic prize! To enter, please leave a commenting telling me what the best thing is that you’ve done for the environment this year.
For extra entries:
- Subscribe to my feed by feed reader or email (or let me know if you already do).
- Follow me on Twitter (@OhMariana) and tweet about this giveaway (one time): Giveaway! Win a Seventh Generation disinfecting prize pack from @ohMariana! https://tiny.cc/7thgen
- Grab my button (at the bottom of the page) and link to me in your sidebar or blog roll.
Seventh Generation provided me with the free products and information above, as well as an additional prize pack to give away through MyBlogSpark. Contest ends April 17th, 2010 11:59 pm EST. US entries only. One person per household may enter. Leave a separate comment for each entry & a valid email address. Winner, chosen at random, has 3 days to claim their prize.
Reusuable lunch bags, containers and SS water bottles for all the kiddos taking lunch to school has been a great “green” step for us.
Following @ohMariana on Twitter and Tweeted
I recycle religiously 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!
Already subscribed to Riding With No Hands in reader
The Riding With No Hands button is in my Blogroll, Buttons O – S
I bring cloth bags to the supermarket.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’m an email subscriber.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
WOW, this is a great giveaway! I’m currently subscribed:-) evelyn.cox at gmail.com
.-= Evelyn´s last blog ..March’s Last Shopping Trip =-.
The best thing I’ve done this year for the enfironment is take my own bags to the store……..no more plastic. Yaaaahhhhh
I’m an email subscriber.
I’m a twitter follower and I tweeted! https://twitter.com/dedelandblog/statuses/11506789928
.-= Evelyn´s last blog ..March’s Last Shopping Trip =-.
I’ve got your button on my blog:-) https://dedeland.blogspot.com
.-= Evelyn´s last blog ..March’s Last Shopping Trip =-.
The best thing I’ve done for the environment this year is to begin buying in bulk and making from scratch, reducing the packaging. I’ve also started making some homemade cleaners, though that’s still a work in progress!
.-= Evelyn´s last blog ..March’s Last Shopping Trip =-.
I have been using reusable bags instead of plastic.
I am an email subscriber.
Follow you on twitter and tweeted: https://twitter.com/drmomoftwo/status/11507298460
I am an e-mail subscriber.
I have been using reusable bags instead of plastic for awhile now.
At our house we’re composting all our vegetable scraps.
So far this year, I have given up using grocery bags, I only use environmentally friendly cleaning products and I recycle!
dmkayes@gmail.com
I subscribe via email
dmkayes@gmail.com
use reusable bags
email subscriber
https://twitter.com/vickers2622/statuses/11510061500
We do so many things we don’t buy water in bottles we drink filtered tap water.
email subscriber.
The best thing I have done for the environment this year is to recycle my aluminum and also use metal water bottles instead of plastic bottles.
Paul Gorecki
pgorecki65@ameritech.net
I have recycled/reused LOTS of paper! We always use both sides and I always take home a tonnnnnnnnnnn of used paper from work to use the other side of instead of it being thrown out. I also either recycle my magazines and use scraps from them to make crafts.
I subscribe via email!
Tweet! https://twitter.com/ktkatherine/status/11515942927
I sold my car and share with my husband and daughter. No carbon footprint!
email subscriber
follow on Twitter cdziuba and tweeted https://twitter.com/cdziuba/status/11524389330
button ceeceeblogger.blogspot.com
plant many trees
.-= Tiffany Pettey´s last blog ..Alvin & Chipmunks Squeekuel giveaway =-.
sub via feed
.-= Tiffany Pettey´s last blog ..Alvin & Chipmunks Squeekuel giveaway =-.
follow and tweeted
https://twitter.com/SWAGBUCKSIGNUP/status/11525701366
.-= Tiffany Pettey´s last blog ..Alvin & Chipmunks Squeekuel giveaway =-.
ur button is at bottom
https://tiffanybethgetsextraentries.blogspot.com/
.-= Tiffany Pettey´s last blog ..Alvin & Chipmunks Squeekuel giveaway =-.
i recycle till ny recycling can is bursting every single week!
i follow you on twitter
@busymomto5
I changed every darn light bulb in this house even the outside lights too with more energey effecient ones and stopped using harmful chemicals to clean with.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
I am a subscriber in Reader.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
I am a subscriber by email.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
The best thing I’ve done was plant trees and switch to all eco friendly cleaners!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Happy Easter! =-.
i have gotten much better this year about remembering to bring my reusable shopping bags with me
nannypanpan@sbcglobal.net
rss subscriber
The best thing I’ve done for the environment is adopt a raw food lifestyle.
I subscribe to your feed by e-mail.
.-= Amanda Thomas´s last blog ..Lambda sister raises money for brain tumor research =-.
I follow you on Twitter and tweeted about the giveaway. https://twitter.com/lian0503/status/11856319875
.-= Amanda Thomas´s last blog ..Lambda sister raises money for brain tumor research =-.
The best thing(s) I’ve done for the environment this year are a) continued cloth diapering my little girl; b) eliminated the use of paper towels in our house in favor of cloth ones; and c) built two rain barrels to water the garden.
I recycled some paper that a company had already recycled for my son’s eater basket. I refused to by Easter grass! Thanks for the chance. bekki1820cb at gmail
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/bekki1820cb/status/11969617643
Following on Twitter: @bekki1820cb
The best thing I have done for the environment this year is to decrease the plastic that leaves our home for the landfill.
I have started faithfully bringing reusable bags to the grocery store. I have started keeping my clean coffee cup in the car for my morning coffee. I have started bringing my recyclable plastic into town to put it into the recycle bin at work.
I subscribe via email.
Twitter follower @brennaboo & tweet.
https://twitter.com/brennaboo/status/12026727734
I’ve been buying more all natural cleaners.
The best thing my family and I started doing for the environment this year has been recycling. No better time then now to start and the kids join in too! We recycle our aluminum cans, newspaper, plastic milk jugs, and cardboard food boxes. I do home daycare and am also excited to incorporate lots of Earth day projects in this month!
I recycle and just by volume this is probably the biggest impact. But I’ve also switched to phosphate free dishwasher detergent.
I’m an email subscriber!
I have your button. https://cace-readysetwin.blogspot.com/
I started using reusable grocery bags
I subscribe to feed on google reader
follow and tweet https://twitter.com/Ziggywag/status/12051117681
I compost 90% of my food scraps and I have been slowly decreasing my home energy usage.
I bring a bag to the grocery instead of using the stores
We recycle almost everything
The best thing I have done for the environment this year is to cut my driving in more than half….now my feet do the traveling!
Thank you. 🙂
The best thing I am doing for the environment is recycling, recycling, recycling.
I am subscribed to your feed through Google Reader
I follow you on twitter tweet here
https://twitter.com/Grandma3710/status/12057367091
I couldn’t copy your button but I added you to my blogroll that gives a snapshot of your home page when the cursor is placed on it
I planted a garden.
The best thing I’ve done for the environment this year is becoming a Vegan. It’s great for the environment and my body!
I’m an email subscriber!
I follow you on Twitter & I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/JenCala/status/12059548742
not using plastic bags mverno@roadrunner.com
We ride our Harley whenever possible to save gas and reduce our carbon footprint.
We buy organic when possible and shop at the local farmers market.
using cloth bags
I follow on email.
I’ve started recycling more this year.
We compost, recycle and use cloth bags for shopping.
Twitter follower ky2here1, here’s my tweet:
https://twitter.com/ky2here1/status/12067778646
My family planted trees this year- one per family member: Myself, one in my husband’s memory, 5 daughters, 4 Son inlaws, 17 Grandchildren, 3 Grand in laws and 3 Great-Grandchildren- whew. 2 more great grandkids on the way,
so a total of 35 trees were planted.
I got out my clothes line and also walking the kids to school instead of driving. Spring is here!!!
I helped create a green committee at my workplace and started a recycling initiative. 🙂
Hearing a lot about Seventh Generation here late. A green product, I understand. Haven’t tried it yet but would love to since I am environmentally friendly.
I started a huge heirloom seed garden!
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Stuff. =-.
We’ve been walking a lot more and driving less.
Started turning off more lights more often 🙂
Luv to win! swiener1[at]tampabay.rr.com
we started paying for recyling pick-up instead of throwing everything away
autumn398 @ yahoo.com
i follow via rss
autumn398 @ yahoo.com
I have been using reusable bags for shopping.
The best thing I’ve done so far is pick up all the trash at my apartment complex.
The best thing that I have done is reducing the amount of trash by not buying a lot of stuff that would be thrown out later.
Email subscriber.
great enter me
I started recycling and have also started two of my neighbors recycling!
I started recycling.
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
.-= Bebemiqui´s last blog ..Quotes of the Week =-.
I try to buy products that are made from recycled products.
The best thing we’ve done for the environment this year is that we began gardening organically. We compost our kitchen scraps as well as yard and garden debris to enrich the garden soil! No organic chemicals in our yard/garden!!
The best thing we’ve done is recycle and reuse as much as possible.
Probably recycle as well as going mostly green.
Email subscriber.
I follow you on Twitter(samasam). Tweet: https://twitter.com/samasam/status/12125298582
I have your button and your in my blogroll: https://stephie-stephsblog.blogspot.com/
The best thing I have done is gone organic.
I recycle and switched to energy saving bulbs
gone organic
We recycle and are growing our own garden.
This year, I’ve started taking my own tote bags to the grocery store.
tweet
https://twitter.com/sweepcoupon
reuse all of my plastic ziplock type bags.
I bought a big compost bin and we are using it to make compost for the garden, and I’ve been bicycling or taking the bus to work instead of driving. Both should be a big improvement in our impact on the environment.
We have started recycling and reusing more.
We are avid recyclers in my house!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..you can lead a giraffe to water and then make fun of him when he drinks =-.
I have begun using reusable bags instead of plastic ones when I go in a store. Just the beginning but much better!
Thanks!
We garden and make our own compost.
We have started composting. Thanks for the giveaway.
Well…I’m not sure what the “best” thing is but I have started using Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products which are earth friendly. We recycle our food, in a way, by feeding all leftovers to our chickens who then give us eggs! We also have a couple sheep to eat some grass for us rather than use a weed eater! 🙂
.-= Katy~The Country Blossom´s last blog ..Are You My Mother? =-.
I follow you on twitter: KatyLMA and tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/KatyLMA/status/12182657659
.-= Katy~The Country Blossom´s last blog ..Are You My Mother? =-.
I have always been big on my yard. I love that it’s green and lush and filled with beautiful bushes and pretty flowers. I never thought twice about the chemicals I used or the amount of water it took to keep it looking that way. This year, I’ve decided to try to go green! I have a composter and a rain barrel and I’ve picked up some eco friendly fertilizers. We’ll see!
.-= Cori Westphal´s last blog ..Bounce House anyone? GIVEAWAY at Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House =-.
I’m an email subscriber, coriwestphal at msn dot com.
.-= Cori Westphal´s last blog ..Bounce House anyone? GIVEAWAY at Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House =-.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/12187764171
.-= Cori Westphal´s last blog ..Bounce House anyone? GIVEAWAY at Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House =-.
I have your button: https://asahmlookingforadeal.blogspot.com
.-= Cori Westphal´s last blog ..Bounce House anyone? GIVEAWAY at Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House =-.
This year, (so far) I’ve written more than 50 articles spreading the world on eco-friendly products, services, and people.
.-= Yona´s last blog ..Giveaway – Yummy Earth Organic Pops (150-Count Bucket) (ends 4/30) =-.
Following your RSS feed (via Google Reader).
.-= Yona´s last blog ..Giveaway – Yummy Earth Organic Pops (150-Count Bucket) (ends 4/30) =-.
I’ve virtually eliminated paper towels from our home!
We bought good bicycles for the whole family so that we can ride all over town instead of driving.
Im going to buy a bike!
.-= Erika´s last blog ..Yoplait GREEK! =-.
We use BPA free water bottles and take our own bags to the grocery store.
We helped the environment by participating in a beach clean up day!
I already subscribe to your feed via email!
I follow you on twitter(terri142)and tweeted!
https://twitter.com/terri142/status/12243052702
We reuse, changed light bulbs, conserve water, and installed solar screens.
I have changed out all the light bulbs, and take my reusable bags to the grocery.
Cutting down on driving and recycling.
I stopped drinking bottled water and started using a reusable bottle.
Subscribe via Gogle (frvetere)
no19034770 AT YAHOO DOT COM
Our family is big on recycling, reusing and repurposing.
Finally got a set of reusable shopping bags.
We started recycling this year..it’s super easy and amounts to about half our garbage being recycled now!
We have stopped getting bottled water. It makes a big difference!
I follow and tweeted https://twitter.com/Aerated/status/12293877749
I already subscribe via email.
The best thing I’ve done for the environment this year has been quitting cigarettes. It may seem small, but secondhand smoke affects more people than firsthand does.
I think the best thing we’ve done is to make the kids school lunches with as little waste as possible. We are using reusable sandwich holders and reusable drink containers. Thanks!
We recycle everything we can.
The best thing we have done for the environment this year is making a commitment to walk more and drive less
We have switched out our lightbulbs to energy efficient ones!
We make our cleaning products from item found in our pantry now!
I’ve been trying to recycle even more than normal.
I recycle everything I possibly can
We bought a filter for the faucet, so that we do not have to buy bottles of water anymore!
We planted our own veggie garden in our backyard!
Teisalinscott@gmail.com
we’ve started using reusable containers for my husbands lunches instead of baggies
We have started recycling as well as eliminating paper towels. I am also look into more natural cleaners.
I am an e-mail subscriber
I recycle and have Our own garden….and I take less magazines and catalogs and use the internet….
I started composting this year
Keep on driving my Prius.
Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<
I’m trying to restart old habits of hang drying clothes, recycling, and using cloth diapers.
we have stopped using plastic bags
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
subscribe by email
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
i recycle
take my own bags to the store
grow veggies in pots
shop locally
best thing is that I’ve done for the environment this year is to yardsale.
Would love to win !!!
Committing to cloth diapering and walking my daughter to school! It saves money, too!
.-= Lori Z.´s last blog ..Long Overdue =-.
We made the commitment to cloth diaper my son and have done so for 13 months and counting!
use ripped up old towels instead of paper towels
I recycle much more than I used to.
shawn113(at)hotmail(dot)com
We recycle everything we can. We’ve eliminated paper towels almost completely and we are moving towards more green and ecofriendly decisions at all turns.
I make my own laundry soap.
I am growing an organic garden. Thanks.
We recycle and when we go for walks we pick up trash.
I planted some trees.
I recycle everything possible.
My best thing so far is that I’ve been switching to environmentally safe and family friendly products for household use. But in May my teen son will be doing his Eagle Scout project and will plant 300 saplings as part of it!!! We’re proud of him!
Subscribed to feed. Thanks.
I recycle and bring my own bag to the grocery store
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/12358331294
The best thing that I have done for the environment this year is making the switch to buying organic and locally grown produce. I joined a Community Supported Agriculture group so that made it a lot easier and cheaper, too!
apsychmommy at gmail dot com
The best thing I have done is use cloth diapers!
We quit buying bottled water. We also recycle our newspapers and magazines.
email subscriber
i stopped using plastic bags
follow you on twitter @majameza
https://twitter.com/MajaMeza/status/12360187342
feed subscriber
We’ve replaced all our paper towel usage with cloths and re-use bags to tote our groceries. Every little bit helps!
I subscribe via email.
I take public transit to work
The best thing I have done for the environment is to teach my kids to respect nature. They pick up trash wherever we go, and recycle as much as possible.
rlgrady[at]yahoo[dot]com
I’ve gotten all my neighbors to recycle. It feels so good to save the planet.
email subscriber
twitter follower (ccboobooy)
https://twitter.com/ccboobooy/status/12371872181
I’m really trying to recycle more and make sure I bring the reusable bags every time I go shopping.
Thanks for the giveaway…we switched from buying bottled water to a faucet mounted water filter & reusable bottles for our “on the go” water needs.
…subscribed via RSS-Yahoo.
Following via Twitter: @brianpiero
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/brianpiero/status/12373326640
I have eliminated plastic bags, bottled water, and paper towels at my house.
.-= Dina´s last blog ..The Spring Green #20: Organic Coconut Flour from Tropical Traditions Review and Giveaway (Ends 4/27) =-.
https://twitter.com/aitmama/status/12376996456
.-= Dina´s last blog ..The Spring Green #20: Organic Coconut Flour from Tropical Traditions Review and Giveaway (Ends 4/27) =-.
Subscribe to your feed
.-= Dina´s last blog ..The Spring Green #20: Organic Coconut Flour from Tropical Traditions Review and Giveaway (Ends 4/27) =-.
blog roll
.-= Dina´s last blog ..The Spring Green #20: Organic Coconut Flour from Tropical Traditions Review and Giveaway (Ends 4/27) =-.
i luv to clean
i use cloth bags instead of plastic, i buy jars instead of plastic containers of food and re-use the jars for leftovers,i planted a garden, i use green cleaners and more!
We’ve starting biking to work instead of driving!
The best thing I’ve done for the environment this year is that we’ve gone organic for most of our groceries and we feel so much healthier! tylerpants(at)gmail.com
I’m a subscriber. tylerpants(at)gmail.com
We volunteered to clean up the lake in our town.
The best thing I’ve done is drive less
The single best thing I have done is to stop making special trips to do errands. I pay bills online, shop on the way to and from work and plan a route that will use the least amount of gas.
Now that we have curbside recycling, we are recycling more than ever.
.-= Auriette´s last blog ..Am I too critical? =-.
I subscribe in google reader.
Growing my own veggies.
I follow on Twitter and tweeted.
https://twitter.com/willitara/status/12378373238
I’ve started a new regime with my laundry.
I only do it twice a week, to save water and energy.
THE BEST THING I HAVE DONE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IS TO STOP USING ALL THOSE PLASTIC BAGS AT THE GROCERY STORE AND USE TOTES NOW
SUB VIA EMAIL AND GOOGLE READER TOO
UR BUTTON IS HERE AMONGST MANY AT BOTTOM OF THE BLOG
https://tiffanybethgetsextraentries.blogspot.com/
TWEETED THIS GIVEAWAY ALSO
https://twitter.com/SWAGBUCKSIGNUP/status/12380159194
I switched my traditional light bulbs for CFL ones.
I subscribed to your feed.
I played A Beautiful Place Game with several kids, teaching them concepts like conservation and respect for wildlife.
I quit using paper towels. Saves a ton of paper.
I’ve stopped buying bottled water. Now use a stainless steel bottle.
I haven’t done anything new this year. We recycle as much as we can