Spiders - Spiders How do I get rid of them

Good morning all, I have been hunting for a chemical free spider treatment and I really like this one. Appears to be working well.

Mix 2 drops pepperment oil with 2 drops dish soap and 4-6 ounces of water in sprayer and spray in corners or anywhere you see spider evidence.

The spiders hate the smell of pepperment so they move on out.

Rain Barrel

Good afternoon everyone! I recently read in the "Lake Lines: Newsletter of the Knife Lake sportmen's club Inc." that rain barrels are in need to help reduce residential water usage. During the summer water usage increases " 40-50%." Here in Minnesota are storm sewers eventually flow into our rivers and lakes. This is an opportunity for polution due to the amount of fertilizers that are used. However by using a rain barrel to collect your rain water from your roof you are able to reduce the amount of run off you have and any direct rain on the lawn will be passed down through the soil as normal without excess run off. To create your rain barrel you need to attach a spigot to attach your hose to. Add a run off pipe so your barrel does not overflow and put a cover on in to keep the mosquitos out. Put your downspout in top of the barrel through the lid.

This is such a great idea! For those of you paying for water this can be a simple solution to creating a built in savings plan in your summer budget. This can save up to 1,300 gallons per barrel per year if used correctly. Check with your city prior to installation to make sure they isn't anything preventing you from making this change.

Keeping Green can be a fabulous decision. Let me know your green ideas!

Green Cleaning

Wow, I can't believe it! My mom has always had an odor to her house, I can't really explain it and it was never from lack of being clean. She is a bit of clean freak. However, it was not a pleasant smell. However, after two weeks of using the Norwex products the smell has been complete gone....

See Mom has a dog and lives at the lake. Tile floors and carpet in the living room. Who would have thought it would be the carpet.

We used Norwex Sportszyme in the carpet cleaner and let it dry. Then on to the floors we have to vaccuum first due to dogs that shed, then the glass and counters. All said and done we spent 3 hours cleaning and have not had the smell return in two weeks.

Please keep in mind that I did not use the sportzyme as directed but it worked.

For those of you with outdoor glass tables that you struggle getting clean after the sun bakes on the greasy grimey residue from being outdoors. The Enviro Cloth and water is all that is needed to easily break through it.

Earth2100

Last night I watched the show earth2100 - I thought it was different. I had some really great points. The show was written in a story format of some the possible scenarios that experts are saying are possibilities of our planet. At first my reaction was to be scared for a future but now I am feeling more of the need to take action.

We need to be start thinking about the things we use every day and how were are going to replace them in the future. Water in some areas of the United States is already a scarcity but it is a necessity - so what are we going to do. What are we going to do if the aquifers’ run dry. Is there a backup plan? What are we going to do about renewable energy it is not just cars we need to be thinking about and we need to do it quickly.

Interesting thoughts, makes we want to understand more about where I can and what can I do? More to come in the next couple of weeks. What can you do today?

Forgot my bags again

It drives me crazy when I forget to bring my reuse bags when I go grocery shopping. I forgot again today... I guess I will have to leave them in the car so at least when I remember I can go get them without any trouble. Anyone else or am I alone out here?

It is a beautiful morning here in Elk River the wind has finally died down at least for a little while. I was up at the lake doing some spring cleaning on Friday and found that Clorox Green Works products (Dishwashing soap and Multi-surface/glass cleaners) work generally well with a slightly floral scent. I think I prefer the dishwashing soap compared to dawn. However, you will need lotion following washing dishes (at least I did).

Anyone else try this products? Let us know what your trying in your journey to becoming more green. This is not intended to be a plug for a specific product or service.

Have an outstanding day!

http://www.rochefordproperties.com

Startup

Good morning everyone! At least it is monday morning still here in Minnesota. I am starting this blog to help generate conversation on the process of integrating green living into our lives. I know for me it has been a challenge.

To start with what is green living? Green living is in a sense the choices we make. These choices help us as individuals reduce our carbon footprint that we leave on the world. Choices such as cleaning products, the way we cook, the flooring products we use, the car we drive, the electricity consumption etc. I didn't get them all covered but wanted to put out a few examples.

I currently have changed over all of my lightbulbs to the new energy efficient flourescent bulbs this has saved me over $30 a month in my electric bill. However after just 3 months I have yet to recoup my cost of the light bulbs. For years I have been using green cleaning solutions to keep my house clean with dogs this is important to me. Vinegar and water are great solutions in a very natural form.

Please comment on this blog on some of the steps your taking to help out our environment.

Thanks and have a great day! Chris