StepAhead: Sustainable Carpet Cushioning Made From Nike Grind Shoe Scrap

Carpet cushioning is one of those things you don't see, but you sure do feel. It only makes sense that it be made from recycled content, and what better content to use than athletic shoes!

StepAhead Carpet Cushion is made with Nike Grind.

* The process of transforming Nike Grind scrap into the StepAhead products helps keeps 67,000 tons of air pollutants from being released - saving more than 675 million gallons of water. * There is the equivalent of three shoes in every square foot of StepAhead and approximately four million pounds of Nike Grind will be used each year to produce StepAhead. * Not only is this material better for the environment, it's better for your carpet - each 30-square-yard roll is supported by a lifetime warranty.

We were sent a small sample of this product, and it has a nice, springy texture. It is available at the Home Depot.

The Amazing Mat Uses Same NASA Anti-bacterial Adhesive to Capture Dirt and Germs

Shoes transmit disease causing bacteria to enter our homes. Taking shoes off at the door is a good idea, but there still may be dirt and germs crossing the threshold. The Amazing Mat has a solution:

The Amazing Mat is not an ordinary rubber, fabric or grass door mat. It is constructed of separate layers of specially designed clear "sticky" sheets that collect dirt and germs when stepped on. When the top one gets dirty, simply peel it off (along with the dirt) and expose a new sheet. The mat is safe and easy to walk on for adults, children and pets.

The Amazing Mat is being marketed as "eco-friendly" because the throw away sheets can be recycled, as can the mat; however, anything product that has single use design, such as the tear away sheets, cannot be truly green. Personally, I think it would be hard to find a recycling center willing to accept the plastic sheets, and my country home would require constant removal of the sheets. The 30 sheets it comes with wouldn't last long.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Continue reading: "The Amazing Mat Uses Same NASA Anti-bacterial Adhesive to Capture Dirt and Germs"

Aroma Naturals: Holiday Candles Made From 100% Pure Plant Scents and Natural Vegetable Waxes

People love to give scented candles as gifts, especially to hosts and hostess. I always view such gifts with trepidation, as I don't trust the candles synthetic, chemical fragrances. A natural alternative exists, thanks to Aroma Naturals:

While most other candle companies are still adding synthetic fragrances to their candles and claiming to be natural, Aroma Naturals® candles are made from 100% pure plant aromas and natural vegetable waxes (VegePure®) that are as good for the environment as they are for you. The pure plant aromas and essential oils are harvested at their peak to ensure freshness. Aroma Naturals® uses environmentally kind, lead-free wicks, and soy and vegetable waxes that burn clean and true.

Aroma Naturals® candles are presented by aroma: each scent evokes a particular mood based on the essential oil combination used. Essential oils are the very heart of every flower, fruit, herb, resin, tree and spice on earth. Highly concentrated and extraordinarily fragrant, they are extracted from the cells of the plants through a process known as steam distillation.

Essential oils register scent in the limbic system-the part of the brain where memories are stored, emotions are processed and moods are stimulated. The fragrances of certain essential oils can automatically encourage relaxation, energy or a calming and comforting effect. Best of all, essential oils have antiseptic, antiviral and antibacterial qualities that make them as good for our bodies as they are for our spirits.

"We believe in total transparency - no artificial ingredients and no sneaky marketing jargon to make our candles seem more natural than they really are," says Jeffrey Light, President of Aroma Naturals®. "Each candle is hand-crafted in small batches and we are so proud of the purity of our product that I invite anyone interested in learning more to come make a candle with me at our factory in Irvine!"

We were sent the following holiday scents to try:

• Aroma Naturals - Wish Holiday Naturally Blended Pillar Eco-Candle 2.75" x 5" Peppermint & Vanilla
• Santa Spice Lights - Holiday Blend of Ginger, Nutmeg & Spices

I love these products!  They smell beautiful and would make a very nice gift.  The aromas will give your home the holiday spirit!

GE: Energy Smart Lightbulbs from a Company Making Record Profits and Not Paying Taxes

We've come a long way when it comes to the energy we consume to light our homes. GE has been the leader in home appliances from the beginning. From Thomas Edison's first light bulb to today's CFLs and LEDs, GE is paving the way.

We were sent the following GE Energy Smart bulbs to try:
GE 74437 15-Watt Energy-Smart Covered Glass CFL Light Bulbs, 60-Watt Equivalent:

GE Lighting 74437 15-Watt energy smart CFL all glass light bulb, 60-Watt output, 1-Pack This bulb was made to look like a regular incandescent light, but uses a fraction of the electricity. Our compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs bring all the advantages of fluorescent lighting to regular incandescent sockets. They use up to 75-Percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer. This bulb has the same look and size as a standard incandescent light bulb, but has GE spiral bulb on the inside. The instant on feature allows it to perform similar to an incandescent. It is energy star compliant and RoHS compliant requiring it to contain lower mercury than before. It uses 73-Percent to 78-Percent less energy! This bulb will pay for itself with energy savings. It provides the same warm soft-white light and lasts 5 years (8,000 hours), 8 times longer than the standard incandescent equivalent.

GE 62180 9-Watt LED Soft White A19 Light Bulb

This 9-watt GE energy smart LED is an A19 General Purpose Bulb. A19 is a Shape of light bulb that you see in most homes also known as a "Household light bulb". They're the most common bulbs in the world and never before has an LED A19 existed that actually sends light out in all directions. We have the solution! This bulb uses fantastic LED technology to ensure it will last longer than other bulbs you've seen. this bulb specifically will last 22 years based on normal 3/hour per day usage. Its rated at 25,000 hours and puts out 450 lumens. The instant full brightness doesn't need to warm up and makes you feel like you have a normal bulb in the socket. It has omni-directional light distribution. Color temperature of 3000K. RoHS compliant with a 10-year warranty.

I think the future of light bulbs are LEDs. Sure they cost a lot more now ($42 a bulb!), but the technology has really improved. The LED bulb we were sent is fabulous, lighting up in all directions as promised.

If GE's record profits and lack of tax paying bother you, than you will want to shop around for other alternatives.  As ABC reported:

For those unaccustomed to the loopholes and shelters of the corporate tax code, GE's success at avoiding taxes is nothing short of extraordinary. The company, led by Immelt, earned $14.2 billion in profits in 2010, but it paid not a penny in taxes because the bulk of those profits, some $9 billion, were offshore. In fact, GE got a $3.2 billion tax benefit.

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

PETA Humane Products for Unwelcome "House Guests"

PETA is know for the advocacy for animal rights. It only makes sense PETA would provide humane traps for household pests. We were sent three of these products to try:
Frog Saver Lily Pad:

Save the rain forests! Save the whales! Save the frogs? You bet! This ingenious "lily pad" gives frogs just the leg up they need to prevent them from drowning in swimming pools. Snapped onto the pool ladder or attached to the wall, the Frog Saver helps frogs, lizards, and other small animals.

Humane Bug Catcher:

If you're a compassionate person who wouldn't hurt a fly and your motto is "live and let live," even when it comes to tiny, six-legged, uninvited house guests, then this humane bug catcher is for you! Complete with a plastic sliding door and housing to safely contain the insect, the bug catcher makes the transport from your home to outdoors simple.

Humane Smart Mousetrap

When tiny guests stop by, turn compassion into action. Plastic trap catches mice alive and unharmed so they can be released outdoors. Be sure to check the trap frequently, so mice won't suffer needlessly. Each trap is reusable so that you can catch and release each mouse for relocation. We will enclose our Humane Control of Mice and Rats tip sheet with every order.

Glue traps are among the cruelest pest-control devices on the market today.

Personally, I think these products are like trinkets. My father says the frogs get out of his pool just fine using the ladder, and I catch bugs easily enough without a plastic device. Wasps I kill. Sorry PETA. My solution for mice is a cat.

That being said, the bug catcher is actually cool for collecting bug species outside for viewing and identifying. Sure it is not the intended use, but it entertains and educates my kids.

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

Easy Hardwood Floor Cleaning with Refillable, Reusable Microfiber Bona Spray Mop

I have four dogs and two kids. My floors get dirty immediately after cleaning. I don't want to always have to fill up a bucket and mop. I once tried the Swiffer Wet Jet, but I hated the disposable pads, batteries that always died, and the chemical cleaner. I would try to reuse the Swiffer bottles by filling them with something less toxic, but even with channel locks, the lids would not come off without ruining them.

Bona Hardwood-Floor Spray Mop with Replaceable Cleaner Cartridge is a much greener solution. It comes with a microfiber mop pad that washes easily in the washing machine. It requires no batteries, as the spray is triggered with a hand pump. The bottle lids unscrew normally, so you can refill it with any floor cleaner you want to use. You can even buy the Hardwood Floor Cleaner in one gallon size for refilling the cartridge.

An effective, environmentally responsible, and non-toxic formula for all types of residential hardwood floors. Specially designed to be safe for floors, families, and the environment.

 I love the convenience of our Bona mop! I also like the flexibility I have to use any cleaner in the mop.  My only complaint is I wish I had another microfiber pad to use while the other one is washing. 

Natural Enzyme Cleaning: BioWish Healthy Clean Multi-Purpose Spray

Cleaning supplies can be some of the most toxic products in our homes. In fact, some states are so concerned they have finally required companies to fully list product ingredients so consumers can make wise choices. Ariel Schwartz writes for Fast Company:

The New York law, which will be enforced beginning this week, will be a boon to companies that offer non-toxic cleaning chemicals. Chicago-based BiOWiSH Technologies, offers a powerful, biodegradable system for breaking down organic waste. The technology can be used in everything from multi-purpose cleaning spray to removing unnecessary chemicals from industrial wastewater treatment plants.

"Unlike normal chemical based cleaning products that rely on phosphates--these are used in detergents to stop materials from sticking so that they can be washed away--our tech can do the same task, but without any chemicals," explains Rod Vautier the CEO of BiOWiSH. Phosphates from cleaning products can enter waterways, leading to eutrophication of lakes and generating fish-killing algae blooms.

We have recently tried out BIOWISH's multi-purpose spray called Healthy Clean.

Benefits:

• Eliminates odors, does not mask them


• Breaks down fats, oils, grease and dirt


• No petrochemicals


• No added phosphates, ammonia or chlorine


• Safe for plants, animals and septic systems


• Reduced impact on the environment (less packaging, transport and storage)


• 100% natural and non-toxic

I like how with this product comes with tablets you mix with water, thus you are not paying for water nor is the liquid adding to the shipping weight of this product. It is also very important to me that BIOWISH is all-natural and makes the products Material Safety Data Sheet readily available to consumers.  From stainless steel to carpet, Healthy Clean is safe and effective  on a variety of surfaces.  

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

Ditch the Paper Towel Habit: PeopleTowels Fair Trade Organic Cotton Reusable Personal Hand Towel

I am always amazed at the number of disposable paper towels we go through when my family visits. It pains me to see them used for little drops of water on the counter, drying hands, etc. I do only purchase Seventh Generation Paper Towels, but they are still disposable.

PeopleTowels has a solution to the paper towel habit. These fair trade, organic reusable personal hand towels are a great alternative to the paper towel. Did you know:

The average person uses 3,000+ paper towels outside the home each year. Ambassadors will promote the B.Y.O.Towel message to their friends and families, and share the benefits of switching to PeopleTowels, such as reducing deforestation, waste and pollution. It is estimated that each person who switches from paper towels to PeopleTowels will save 1/4 of a tree, reduce landfill waste by 23 pounds and conserve 250 gallons of water every year.

These paper towel alternatives are also printed with eco-friendly dyes.

Really Natural Homes: Keetsa Eco-Friendly Mattresses Ship to Your Home!

Eco-friendly mattresses can be very expensive, and conventional mattresses can contain pounds of toxic flame retardants. Keetsa offers an affordable, green alternative.

We have three Keetsa mattresses in our home. The most recent one we purchased was the Eco Friendly Memory Foam With Spring Mattress Tea Leaf Classic Bamboo Fabric Castor Bean Oil Based Bio Foam. 

Keetsa utilizes either an individually wrapped coil base or pre-consumer recycled foam base in our mattresses. The coil bases are made with recycled steel and individually wrapped to provide a supportive base while preventing motion transfer. Our foam bases utilize our innovative process of reclaiming our own scrap foam from the manufacturing process and mixing synthetic latex to create a recycled foam base material.

 The quality of these mattresses is very high, and they are very comfortable.

One unique, eco-friendly aspect of Keetsa is the shipping and delivery. By compressing the mattresses into boxes that fit in most cars, they eliminate the need for large delivery trucks. Not only are these mattresses made of safe, eco-friendly materials, but the company has also considered the transportation footprint of their products.  Plus, shipping is free!

SmartSilk Pillow Protector Certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly

Nothing lies as close to your head for as many hours as your pillow (1/3 of your life is spent in bed). It only makes sense to protect your pillow from allergens, like dust mites and pet dander, considering its close proximity to your nose and mouth. Smartsilk Pillow Protector offers such protection:

Smartsilk is the only all natural bedding to be certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and the Asthma Society of Canada. Smartsilk is proven to be an effective barrier against dust mites, allergens and pet dander and is resistant to mold and mildew. Our Smartsilk silk filled pillow protectors have a 233 thread count 100-percent cotton outer shell, are filled with 100-percent SmartSilk silk fill and are also machine washable in cold water and dryable on low. Smartsilk pillow protectors help to regulate body temperature, keeping your head and neck comfortable all year long. SmartSilk is scientifically proven to wick away moisture thus promoting a more comfortable nights sleep especially for those suffering with night sweats.

Unlike many mattress and pillow protectors on the market, this one is made of all natural materials. Smartsilk is also "scientifically proven to be naturally fire retardant",unlike most bedding that is treated with harmful, toxic PBDEs.  Of course, it would be best if the outer shell was made of organic cotton, like the one I have from Keetsa.

Natural Home Cleaning Since 1886: New Bon Ami Products

One thing I love about Bon Ami is you can find it any grocery store. It is my green cleaning standby when I can't shop at a health food store. Now, the company that has been making natural home cleaning products since 1886 has released new products. The new formulas include a tangerine thyme scent:
Bon Ami Powder Cleanser:

Bon Ami still uses the trademark feldspar and limestone as gentle, effective abrasives, but now combines them with even more sustainable cleaning agents from renewable corn, coconut, and palm oils. Plus we've added a touch of baking soda to help absorb odors.

Dish Soap:

Bon Ami Dish Soap was created with the same emphasis on gentle effectiveness as the original powders. Read through the ingredients - right there on the bottle - and you'll see there is nothing in the Dish Soap that will harm the environment either inside or outside your home. The all-natural ingredients are tough on greasy dish soils, but gentle on the skin, and will never contain phosphates or chlorine.

All-Purpose Cleaner:

Bon Ami All Purpose Cleaner is available in a Free + Clear version that has no added scent. And now Bon Ami offers a version of the product scented with natural essential oils. This fragrance, Tangerine Thyme, is a delightful fusion of mandarin orange, tangerine, orange, thyme, and clove.

Liquid Cleanser:

New Bon Ami Liquid Cleanser has the same gentle effectiveness of the original powder, but is easier to apply to vertical surfaces such as shower tiles, tubs, sinks, and walls. Like the powder, it contains the simple ingredients that have made Bon Ami a household friend for more than a century.

Our great grandmothers knew how to clean naturally! Beside, Bon Ami products are much cheaper than most green cleaning products!

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

Green Cleaning: New Earth Friendly Products

Earth Friendly Products was one of the first natural cleaning companies I discovered before going green was in vogue.

Our family began by making cleaners for industrial use before Corvettes had fins. When your grandmother was wearing a poodle skirt and drinking a float at the soda fountain, we were earning our first patents

Decades later, when Jimi Hendrix turned rock upside down and played guitar with his teeth, we started our own quiet rebellion. We decided: only cleaners that were plant-based. Only paper that was recycled. Only products not tested on animals, period.

Does it sound boring to say we're family owned and operated? Because what it means to us is that it's personal. We've been around, well - seems like forever. We know how to make cleaners that CLEAN, paper goods that work (with 80% post-consumer content, and that's good,) detergents that won't harm a fiber of your clothing, and a phosphate-free auto dish soap that won't etch anything. Ever.

Earth Friendly Products has introduced three new products we have tried:
Baby Liquid Laundry Soap, Organic Chamomile & Lavender:

Our new Baby Laundry Soap is a hypo-allergenic, everyday laundry soap containing only the highest quality ingredients. Gentle enough for baby's sensitive skin, Baby Laundry Soap rinses thoroughly, leaving baby's laundry clean and soft. As always, it is plant-based, non-toxic, and environmentally responsible. Baby Laundry Soap employs soothing chamomile and lavender essential oils, and is suitable for hand-washing wools, silks, and other fine washables.

Fruit and Vegetable Wash:

Helps remove pesticides, chemical, heavy metals, dirt, wax and bacteria from the surface of fruits and vegetables. Fruit & Vegetable Wash is tasteless and rinses away clean. Beacuse natural ingredients are used, color and body may vary.

DuoDish:

DuoDish™ is a revolutionary breakthrough in dishwashing. For the first time ever, you can handle your dishwashing needs with one detergent - DuoDish™. Have a few dishes to clean? Just hand wash to avoid waste. Is your sink cluttered? Use that same liquid for a full automatic machine load. Say bye, bye to etched dishes, glassware and utensils and hello to clean and clear dishwashing results with DuoDish™ Enjoy another "first" by Earth Friendly Products.

I love the baby liquid laundry soap, and I don't think it has to be just for babies! The use of organic essential oils is a bonus and a first that I do not recall encountering in laundry products. I don't use vegetable and fruit washes. I think that water and a little dish soap is all you need, but I don't even use soap usually, just a rinse in water. Of course, I only buy and grow organic produce, but I have never thought of the need to also remove bacteria when washing fruits and vegetables. The DuoDish is a great idea eliminating the need for two soap products in the kitchen. It also contains organic essential oils.

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

Really Natural Cleaning: Wool Sea Sponges Are Not Just for Beauty

I recently purchased a natural sea wool sponge. I've used such sponges before in the bath; however, this sponge I bought for house cleaning, specifically outside window washing. Sea wool sponges are durable, soft (no worries about scratching windows), and they do an amazing job. My sea wool sponge has quickly become my favorite tool for cleaning all around the house. They are perfect for car washing too!

Non-Toxic Cleaning: PawSafe Cleaners Safe for Pets and Kids

It's long been a source of rumor and concern that common cleaning products are harmful to children and pets. Although many of these internet rumors have been proven false, the truth is most common cleaners do contain harmful ingredients for our health and environment. Snopes explains:

Western society likes its homes and its clothing clean, but satisfying that desire comes at a price -- to do so, consumers must place their faith in polysyllabic chemical concoctions vended by large corporations, entities they don't always trust to have their best interests at heart. Consequently, fears about noxious or dangerous substances being secreted in common cleaning products is a recurring theme in contemporary lore.

Pawsafe offers a non-toxic solution "Pet & Kid Safe".

The ASPCA lists household cleaners in the top 10 list of poison calls handled by their poison control center.

Most household cleaners on the market today use harsh chemicals to provide the cleaning power in their products. Unfortunately, many of these chemicals are toxic and remain in the environment long after use. These products can be safely used but pose a threat if a young child or pet gets into them. Just read the labels and see the ingredients, hazards and warnings that most cleaning products carry. Some cleaners can burn skin, cause blindness, and even death if ingested.

Why take risks when you don't have to.

PawSafe products are formulated using natural plant-based surfactants and citric acid that cut through grease and grime, limescale and soap scum without leaving a dangerous chemical residue.

PawSafe makes:

• Simple Solution Pawsafe Multi-Surface Cleaner


• Simple Solution Pawsafe Window Cleaner


• Simple Solution Pawsafe Toilet Cleaner


• Simple Solution Pawsafe Tub and Tile Cleaner


• Simple Solution Pawsafe Toy Cleaner


• Simple Solution Pawsafe Floor Cleaner Concentrate

I have to admit the vibrant colors scare me, as I do not associate them with natural cleaners. I am also concerned with the "vegetable derived surfactants", but here is the company's response:

Q: What are surfactants and are they safe?

A: The surfactants used in PawSafe products come from plants and are a natural wetting agent that helps water and oil mix. This is an important ingredient in helping clean up oils and grease, dirt and grime. All of the ingredients used in PawSafe products are generally safe and temporary exposure should not create problems for your pet or children. However, it is a good, safe practice to keep this and all cleaning products out of the reach of pets and children.

Q: What are emulsifiers and are they safe?

A: Emulsifiers keep the ingredients of PawSafe in suspension and prevents separation so you don't have to shake the bottle before using. Emulsifiers are generally not harmful to pets or children. However, it is a good, safe practice to keep this and all cleaning products out of the reach of pets and children.

The terms "generally not harmful" cause some concern, but anything can be harmful in excess.

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.