Stuff

Hello consumers. Do you constantly wonder about how the products you buy are weighing on the world? Need some help making better choices?
First of all, I recommend first and foremost you try to base your purchases on need versus want. Do you really NEED that really good-smelling lotion (when you have three half-full bottles at home)? Use up what you have and wait until you really do need it. This will save you a lot of money too. It is how I ended up having a lot of money saved up at the end of the summer, even though Helsinki is one of the most expensive cities in the world (right mom and Jim? :).
Also, this website seems like it would be great for (American) consumers.

The Good Guide
GoodGuide is building a comprehensive source of information on the environmental, social, and health performance of products and companies. The GoodGuide team works with a network of leading academic institutions, government data sources, non-governmental organizations, and private research firms to bring world-class information to consumers.

GoodGuide's scientists have collected data from around the world on chemical ingredients, products, brands, factories, companies, industrial sectors, and even countries. We gather the highest quality data available and convert this information into ratings that can be used by non-scientists to easily evaluate products and companies.

Who knew Suave Balsam shampoo not only smells good and is dirt cheap, it is a more eco-friendly option too!!

Another thing I can recommend is, make your own, homegrowns. I picked up a copy of Scientific American to read on the train to Lapland, and there was an article which explained why doing things by hand is so satisfying and relaxing. Basically, it all boils down to our brains being hardwired for delayed gratification. The harder/longer we work at some task, the more likely it is to be successful or turn out well. That is why so many people like to cook, knit, garden, etc. for pleasure. It also might help explain whey so many people are depressed today. By simply zooming to the store to buy stuff, ripping open a plastic bag, and pressing a few buttons (in order to hurry to catch the latest episode of this or that, or a-hem, read blogs or do whatever online) we are robbing ourselves of some of the simple pleasures which we really NEED in order to feel okay.

How about trying to make your own cleaning products? Use glass containers to store them in, please. Say no to plastic. These guys did:


Because check out what you are dealing with otherwise when it comes to cleaners. YUCKY-YIKESY.

(I copied these from a sheet that Jayne Mulford from The Utah House forwarded to me as a .pdf... email me if you want the original version)

FANTASTIC CLEANER from Clean and Green by Annie Berthold-Bond
1tsp. borax
½ tsp. washing soda
2 Tbsp. Vinegar or lemon juice
¼- ½ tsp. liquid soap
2 cups hot water
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to mix. Spray and wipe. Alter ingredient ratios as needed.

OVEN CLEANER:
1 cup or more baking soda
A squirt or two of liquid soap
Sprinkle water generously all over the bottom of the oven. Completely cover with Bicarb soda. Sprinkle again and let set overnight. This will loosen the grime to be wiped off next morning. Then wipe out with a bit of detergent on a sponge. This combination will also make a paste that can be applied to the sides and the top of the oven. As with any other cleaners, be careful not to get the paste on the elements. If this recipe does not work, make sure you have used enough Bicarb soda and water.

FURNITURE POLISH
Apply mineral oil to cheese cloth. Rub over wood. Allow to soak in for about an hour (or overnight for dry or unfinished wood). Wipe with a clean, dry cloth. Store the oiled cheesecloth in a sandwich bag to use instead of disposable dusting cloths.

TOILET BOWL CLEANER
¼ cup Borax
Juice of ½ lemon
Add to toilet bowl. Scrub with brush and let set one hour or overnight.

DISCOLORED ALUMINUM CLEANER
Boil one of the following solutions in aluminum pan and watch discoloration disappear. 1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 quart water OR 2 teaspoons cream of tarter to 1 quart water.
Warning: Do not use baking soda or washing soda on aluminum.

WINDOW CLEANER
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well before using.
For big jobs, apply vinegar and water with a sponge and squeegee dry.

SILVER POLISH
3 parts baking soda
1 part water
Mix to form a paste. Rub on silver with a clean cloth, rinse thoroughly and dry. Or just place tarnished silver in a pan of water with 1 Tbsp. Salt, 1 Tbsp. baking soda and a few sheets of aluminum foil. Let set for one hour, rinse with warm water, and polish.