The Green Parent

OK, so its not technically spring just yet. But the warm weather that hit most of the U.S. over the weekend had me itching to clean out the cobwebs, throw open the windows, and wave bye-bye to winter.  And as part of this month’s Green Moms Carnival, I’ve joined up with other eco-savvy mamas to [...]

ATTENTION: Don’t miss today’s giveaway for 5 years of junk mail reduction from 41pounds.org.  Keep reading to enter… Eco-Organize Your Home by Perri Kersh As an organizer, a common question I hear is “have you always been organized?” For me, that answer is “yes” (trust me, naming my business “Neat Freak” was no accident!). But [...]

by Melissa Goldberg I must admit that in my house we might be thought to be a little lax when it comes to germs. I am not saying that we do not wash our hands when we go to the bathroom or before we eat. We play in the yard digging for bugs and worms [...]

You know its Monday when your day starts off with a screaming toddler, a juice spill that reaches from one end of the counter to the other, and a clogged sink drain. The toddler and the spill I can handle with a snack and a towel, respectively. But how can I take care of the [...]

Spring is here! Time to throw open those windows and wipe away the mounds of dust and grime that accumulated over winter. But don’t fill your house up with nasty chemicals while you clean. Get a green clean using these simple steps: Declutter: Clean out the clutter by going from room to room and getting [...]

Did you happen to catch the latest news about the danger of the group of chemicals called phthalates that are currently found in a number of baby products? Phthalates are man-made substances that are used to make plastics flexible and to stabilize fragrances. These chemicals have also been linked to some really frightening health risks, [...]

It’s winter and my house is sealed up tighter than a drum to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. That’s good green parenting, right…or is it? By keeping my family safe and snug inside my modern American home, I may be exposing them to high levels of indoor air pollution. After [...]

Kids and dry cleaning? You’re joking, right? These two go together like oil and water (literally). But for those of you who are adventurous enough to mix kids and dry cleaning, here’s what you need to know about the toxic chemicals used at traditional dry cleaners and how to find a greener alternative. Why Go [...]

Cleaning house? Consider donating things you no longer want or need to someone who does. Donating old stuff is not only great for folks in need, it is also great for the environment, as it reduces waste and the consumption of new resources. Get your kids involved by filling them in on where the old [...]

If you’re like me, the new year has you itching to clean house and get rid of some post-holiday clutter. Time to go through those closets and set aside the clothes that have seen better days. Just don’t even think about tossing them. There’s plenty of ways to get a second (or third or fourth) [...]

I’ll admit it…I hate to clean. I am not one of those lucky folks who finds cleaning to be relaxing or therapeutic. Instead, I think it is a chore. Unfortunately, I am one of those folks who really likes to have a clean house. So it is a chore that I tackle regularly. The good [...]

I know as well as any other parent that paper towels and other disposable cleaning wipes are darned handy when it comes to cleaning up fast. But it’s actually just as fast to reach for a reusable cloth to do the job. Target has a great line of organic cotton cloths and towels as do [...]

Want to get your family’s clothes clean without drowning them in chemicals? Natural ingredients such as borax, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, washing soda, and white vinegar are safer for you, your children, and the environment. Check out GreenerChoices.org for specific recipies. If you just love your laundry detergent, try just using less of it by [...]

Harmful chemicals and toxins abound in the average cleaning products. As a parent, I was always wondering what was worse…dirt and germs or the chemicals I was using to clean them up! But if you’re looking for a greener way to clean up those juice spills, don’t be taken in by green slogans. Get savvy [...]