Eco is for Everybody

An article on green living from eMagazine.com talks about the need for consumers to differentiate between ecologically responsible products and overhyped greenwashing. Hey, I'm with that 100%.

Please explain to me why the article goes on to profile "eco-stylist" Danny Seo, who charges celebrities $2,000 a day for tips on how to save the environment?!

"Seo hopes that by getting influential actors, singers, fashionistas and other trendsetters to go green, the rest of the public will follow."

If green living is going to be more than an elitist fringe movement, it has to be accessible and affordable to the majority of the population (and it is!). Running all of Hollywood on solar power is not going to have a fraction of the impact on the environment as getting .01% of the American population to make some simple earth-friendly changes in their everyday routines. I bet Danny himself would agree.

Case in point, the following list of alternative cleansers are inexpensive AND easy on the environment. And I won't even charge you for the list.

Baking Soda - cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
Soap - unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates.
Borax - cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.
White Vinegar - cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.
Washing Soda - or SAL Soda is sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. Washing soda cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans wall, tiles, sinks and tubs. Use care, as washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum.
Cornstarch - can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs.
Citrus Solvent - cleans paint brushes, oil and grease, some stains. (Citrus solvent may cause skin, lung or eye irritations for people with multiple chemical sensitivities.)
Trisodium phosphate (TSP) - a mixture of soda ash and phosphoric acid. TSP is toxic if swallowed, but it can be used on many jobs, such as cleaning drains or removing old paint, that would normally require much more caustic and poisonous chemicals, and it does not create any fumes.

[From EarthEasy's Non-Toxic Home Cleaning page. Visit EarthEasy for more suggestions, including recipes for natural cleansers.]

Filed under green living, Earth Easy, environment, Danny Seo