Ok, I just couldn’t resist the alliteration. Give me my corny moment folks!
But seriously-this month is Earth month-I think it is so fantastic that celebrating and educating folks about our environment is now emphasized for a whole month rather than a single day.
Of course the official Earth Day is still April 22.
In honor of Earth Month, and as part of the Walmart Elevenmoms program, I was offered some green products to try, review and then give away!* Thanks to Brita, Bissell, Clorox & White Cloud for their generousity.
Here is what is included (with a total value of $130):
I grew up in a house that was blessed with truly fantastic natural well water. Our water was so good that friends would actually bring empty milk jugs over to our house to fill up and bring home! Consequentially, I am quite picky about the taste of my water. I HATE when you can taste all sorts of chemicals in your “city” water. Having lived in 9 different places in a 15 year period, I was exposed to all sorts of different “flavors” of water. Whenever there was a noticeable chlorinated “city” water ick present, the Brita Pitcher was my solution of choice!
Even though you have to replace the filters regularly (every couple of months or so-depending on the frequency of usage) which is a recurring cost-the pitcher can be quite a money saver if you use it to replace buying costly bottled water!! You are also creating less water bottle waste to be thrown in the landfill.
White Cloud Green Earth Paper Products
Recycled Toilet Paper? Paper Towel? Sounds gross I know. Never fear-it is made from 100% recycled fiber-not from recycled toilet paper 🙂 The rolls are also the “giant” sized so that they use 15% less packaging. Also unlike most “recycled” paper products-this stuff is actually soft!
Now yes, this does cost more than non-recycled paper-but if you are committed to going green it is very reasonably priced-and much more comfortable-than many of the competitors.
I don’t usually use store bought cleaning products-I find that some vinegar and water does fine for most of my cleaning needs, as well as being green and non-toxic for the kiddos. Clorox sent me their cleaning spray & wipes, which both work well. It was very handy to have the wipes for the bathroom Buddy uses-you know little boys and their aim. Although I personally am happy to keep using my homemade versions, if you prefer to buy-these are great natural alternative.
Greenworks is more expensive than traditional cleaners, but is more affordable than many of the smaller natural brands.
Tide Coldwater
Yet again a product that I don’t normally buy (although the package arrived at a serendipitous time-my food processor was broken and I was out of laundry detergent, so I was happy to have it!). As you all know, I usually make my own laundry detergent. But this Tide has done an excellent job, and it is specially formulated for cold water-saving on your electric bill!
OK, I saved the best for last-this thing is just cool. It’s a little carpet spot steam cleaner! A great way to be frugal (and green too for that matter) is to take care of what you already have so it lasts longer. This machine can help you do that! Keep your carpets, upholstery and even your car clean and fresh. The Little Green is made from post-consumer recycled plastic and it has PVC-free tanks and hose. It comes with a trial size of Bissell’s cleaner-but I intend to use good old frugal (and green!) hot water and vinegar in it once the included cleaner runs out.
So there you have it, the contents of the Great Green Giveaway!
This giveaway runs from today, April 16th until April 22nd (Earth Day!!!). Winner will be chosen randomly and announced on April 23rd.
How do you enter to win? Easy as pie-Just leave a comment below with both your email address and an idea that is both frugal and green!
Want more chances? Twitter/post/facebook update about the contest, then come on back and leave a comment with your email address and another idea that is both frugal and green!
These ideas will be used on the air for the April 20th episode of Frugal Coast2Coast “Living on the Corner of Frugal and Green”.
This giveaway is only open to folks in the US, Canada & APO’s. My direct family members are not elibible (sorry Mom).
I can’t wait to see all your fantastic ideas!
*note: Well, I’m giving away a brand new set, not the “used & reviewed” version.
Judith says
Several Frugal ideas:
1) Use baking soda to brush your teeth.
2) Buy 3% Hydrogen-Perioxide (about 70 cents for a bottle). One capful for 5 minutes of swishing will whiten your teeth better than the expensive whiteners.
3) Use Mayonnaise as a conditioner for your hair. Remember to put shampoo on first before you rinse it off. Cuts through the oil.
4) Apple Cider Vinegar as a rinse for your hair will bring the PH back to neutral and give a shine to your hair.
jtb (at) agoodread.com
Lauren S. says
One thing our family does that’s both green and frugal is we repurpose our empty milk jugs by poking several holes in the bottom and using them to water our plants. We fill them up and sit them on top of the soil. They release the water slowly and we’re able to use less water (less waste) and it frees up a little time to do something other than stand and water with the hose!
nscandurro(at)cox(dot)net
Wendy Thomas says
On Sunday we make out a menu for the week and then I take 1 or 2 of my kids shopping with me to get the food. Once they start seeing the prices of things, it really cuts down on the “gimmees”.
Kathryn K says
I recycle plastic shopping bags usually at Kroger. I use my collapsible cooler that’s about 16″ square to collect them in. If I need the cooler for something else, I can just bag up what I have and recycle them.
Also, use the new store bags, as I get them free! I store them in a Sterlite “Show Offs” file box storage box (minus the lid); the bags stand up in it pretty good.
taxchyk says
I make sure I compost all those lovely little kitchen goodies… vegie scraps, coffee grounds, etc.
Faye says
I don’t use paper napkins anymore. I made my own from fabric my grandma gave me that matches my dining room decor. They didn’t cost me a penny, only a little time. Washing them is a cinch since they take up so little room in the washer. I just toss them in with other laundry.
Judy says
I use fabric shopping bags, hang dry my clothes outdoors, use baking soda for toothpaste, compost kitchen scraps and have started a garden.
judyylee@hotmail.com
Anonymous says
For years I have been keeping a handtowel on the kitchen counter to save on the use of paper towels…..We also keep a stack of old washcloths and towels in the laundry room to use for cleaning rags and spills.
(nanbob06_76@yahoo.com
deeg says
I remove the labels from empty prescription bottles and then use the bottles to sort out coins. Makes it easy to bring my quarters to the laundry room and the rest to the bank.
PowerSweepstaking says
re-usable tote bags for the grocery store, I can say there isn’t a greener idea out there!
Evelyn says
My green idea is car pooling. I car pool my kids to school (no bus is available). I walk or bike to work. I hang my laundry out. there are no paper towels in the house, we use cloth. We recycle and re-use lots.
drevelyn at mail dot com
Or just use my personal one that you already have 🙂
mimi says
i have alwasy been frugal..one way is turning lights off when you leave the room
Sandy says
Here’s one that is green, cheap and good for your health – walk more adn drive less.
Mommyhood is Thankless says
Instead of using paper napkins we use fabric Napkins, we save atleast 30 napkins a day!
mommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com
Angel says
it’s simple but really effective,
we unplug our electronics when we’re not using them.
Shawna says
What a terrific giveaway! Thanks so much!
My frugal and green tip is really pretty simple… turn things off when you’re not using them! The couch doesn’t really need to watch TV, I promise! 🙂
Thanks again
shawna at couponladyonline dot com
Sarah N says
A frugal and green tip is to not buy bottled water. Saves money and is good for the environment!
Sarah N says
I tweeted (bluefroggie).
http://twitter.com/bluefroggie/status/1584847286
Sheryl and Ian says
I hope I win! dancersmiles@hotmail.com
My tips–don’t do plastic disposable bottles–get something you can re-use. I have a Nalgene that I use over and over. I just take sippy cups for the kids. One more tip–recycle your McDonald’s kids boxes–such a waste if you don’t.
Renee says
A frugal/green I do is that I turn off the water in the shower when I’m not actually using it. (Water on, get wet, water off, shampoo up, water on, rinse hair, water off, condition, etc…)
If that sounds too annoying for you, just aim to shave a few minutes off your shower time.
This both saves water AND the energy it takes to heat that water. We saw a BIG drop in our gas bill when we both started doing it.
junkforrenee@yahoo.com
Paulena B. says
My green idea is if it’s a little breezy outside turn off the heat or the a/c and open some windows. It will save on your gas or electric bill and you will have a fresh smelling comfortable house.
paulenab@gmail.com
Anonymous says
Hi,
I do not use store bought cleaners to clean the soap scum in the bathtub/shower stall. Instead, I spread baking powder (sodium bicarbonate) and pour vinegar, which fizzes loudly and nicely. Baking powder is a couple of bucks, and a gallon of vinegar is ~$1. Saves a lot of $$$, and uses cleaners less harmful to the septic.
Happy Earth Day!!!
breath_of_dragon@yahoo.com
independentmami says
I rinse out all my ziplock bags after use and reuse them.
super_alba_star@yahoo.com
independentmami says
i tweeted.
http://twitter.com/independentmami/status/1585707626
super_alba_star@yahoo.com
Shannon says
shannonmeler.at.yahoodotcom
Worm Composting is easy to do, very green, and gives back excellent compost for your garden!
rrob1111 says
Use dryer balls to soften fabrics naturally without the need for fabric softener. They will reduce static cling and leave your clothes feeling soft without the use of harmful chemicals.
Sharon says
Hi-
A great green thing to do is to support your local farm. You can buy local, seasonal and organic food directly from the farmer by purchasing a seasonal share (membership). You can find a farm near you at http://www.localharvest.org/csa.
rshjain@yahoo.com
Shiloh says
We use vinegar water for cleaning! Frugal and green!
momtimes2@gmail.com
Nicole says
When my girls have runny noses I use their old baby washcloths as tissues. They are soft, wash easily, and my little one can’t shred them in to pieces :).
Denise says
We have buckets around our backyard and under our drainspouts to catch rainwater which we in turn use to water the plants in our garden.
welovedisney@aol.com
Kathleen says
I don’t tweet, but I’ll be adding you to my RSS. It’s great to find an Upstate info source–thank Baby Cheapskate for the referral.
Anonymous says
We use worn out baby blankets (the flannel ones) and cut them up to make washcloths and rags.
mydmailbox-baby(at)yahoo(dot)com
Jannah says
Frugal and Green …
• We use old newspaper sheets to peel our veggies over, then wrap up the sheet and pop it it our backyard compost – makes clean up a snap and at least we are getting something out of bad news.
• We try to pay all the bills we can online – saves the use of paper both ways and the cost of the stamp!
my2boyz says
I have been “Green” for over 20 years now!! I love to compost…I have the nicest flower garden on the block!
my2boyz says
Tweet Tweet
http://twitter.com/my2boyz/status/1588558372
jennifer57 says
reuse the plastic grocery bags
Sarah says
We are using cloth diapers for my second child! It will save money and no throwing disposable diapers away. We also use hand me down clothes and pass them on also! We get clothes from consignment sales, garage sales, etc also! Oh and I don’t buy paper towels anymore.
bs.webster at sbcglobal dot net
MamaTau says
My frugal and green idea- I sue gDiapers for my daughter, and I made my own cloth inserts so that we can be environmentally friendly and save money on diapers!
Dawn C says
I LOOOVE canvas shopping bags – you can wash them, sew them up and reuse them for a very long time – best green decision I made.
I still have plastic bags, but about 10% of what I used to have.
Thanks for the give away…. loving your and Lynae’s podcasts
Mindy says
I would love to win this package! I have been making my own cleaners, so I am not using such harsh chemicals. I also have been doing my laundry and hanging it outside during the spring and summer and hanging it down in the basement and letting our wood pellet stove that heats our house dry our clothes during the fall and winter months.
yadgirl says
Recycle paper.
Kaylin Keres says
You can reuse the plastic bags that you buy bread in for lunch bags.
kaylin.m.keres@gmail.com
Mandaleighta says
Try to find a way to reuse EVERYTHING! 🙂
yumfree@gmail.com
Anonymous says
I think this an amazing way to promote growth and learning for me and my children to help now and in the future. Thank you! Ann rightonsista@msn.com