Accidentally Green

Trying Natural Products Through Alex+Von (+ 3 giveaways!)

Hilary Kimes Bernstein — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:01:20 +0000

Disclosure: I received a gift certificate to review Alex + Von. The prizes in the Alex + Von giveaway are given from Alex + Von sales representative Sarah Reddick.

Like many of you, I’m a woman who’s always looking for healthy products that are easy to buy. As I’ve tried to make greener choices in my purchases, cosmetics have been tricky. Not many stores in my area carry products that have safe rankings on the Cosmetics Database. And sometimes it gets a little frustrating to try to make an online purchase when I have to take the time to research safe products first.

So when Accidentally Green reader Sarah Reddick asked if I’d like to try Alex + Von, I was intrigued. Alex + Von isn’t a line of cosmetics, but a website that offers a variety of safe products from several small businesses. All the businesses are ranked as safe by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. And all of the businesses create eco-friendly products made of safe ingredients.

In fact, the products are made without carcinogens or endocrine disruptors. You won’t find any BHA, BHT, coal tar dyes, DEA, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, parabens, parfum (fragrance), PEG compounds, petrolatum, siloxanes, sodium laureth sulfate, or triclosan in the products.

While I already was familiar with the brand EO Products, I learned about other brands like suki, Grateful Body, Original Moxie, 100% Pure, au naturale, Episencial, Trillium Organics, and Good For You Girls.

I ended up purchasing the Must Have Gift Set from 100% Pure so I could try their best-selling products – Rosy Pot Rouge, Vanilla Sugar Eye Shadow, Cocoa Plum Eye Shadow, and Pink Berry Lip Gloss.

I was so excited to try 100% Pure products because the coloring is made with fruit pigments – something I’ve never purchased in cosmetics. I received my shipment within a few days of placing my order and loved the colors. I was pleasantly surprised that the cosmetics were easy to apply and colors were long lasting. I will definitely consider buying more 100% Pure cosmetics in the future.

It’s your turn!
If you’re looking for natural cosmetics, be sure to check out Alex + Von.

Alex + Von consultant Sarah Reddick is offering three giveaways to Accidentally Green readers! Please enter for the giveaways of your choice:

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Homemade Tea Recipes

Hilary Kimes Bernstein — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:01:56 +0000

This week, Andrea Green of The Greenbacks Gal shares about natural first aid kits in Positively Real Media Network’s Raising Healthy Families in a Not-So-Healthy World series:

Over the last 50 years, we’ve had a major shift in the American diet. We’re now consuming more of our calories by drinking them. In fact, the average American is now drinking approximately 400 calories per day!

Soda, fruit juice, energy drinks and sports drinks. My kids ask for them.Do yours?

Reach for a healthier alternative: tea. Full of potent antioxidants, studies have proven tea is good for your health. Can any soda say that? Plus, with so many flavorful recipes, you’ll have no problem convincing your family to drink more healthy tea.

Andrea Green from The Greenbacks Gal shares her Homemade Tea Recipes that are sure to become family favorites.

Note: This series is designed as a fun and informative compilation to help you and your family thrive. Each post is the opinion of that particular blogger, not necessarily Accidentally Green’s or Positively Real Media’s.

Make Your Own Mold and Mildew Treatment

Hilary Kimes Bernstein — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:01:36 +0000

Today’s guest post is written by HJ Fantaskis of Eco Market.Mold and mildew are two guests you do not particularly want in your house. And yet they often turn up uninvited anyway.

They like to hang out at the bottom of the shower curtain, in the cellar, in damp shoes, at the back of the cupboard, under the sink and around the bath. Like most unwanted house guests they’re annoying, they smell funny and unless you do something about it, they never leave. And as an added extra, they can make you feel quite ill too.

Your unwanted friend, Mold, hanging out at the back of the wardrobe

But luckily they are quite easy to get rid of, when you know how. And it doesn’t involve nasty chemicals or lots of dollars.

First, you need to look at why you have mold and mildew creeping around your house. Straighten out your shower curtain and make sure it can dry out easily. Wipe up spills when they happen. Fix any leaks in your roof and cellar (and anywhere else that’s leaking). Use a dehumidifier to dry out any rooms that are damp.

And now to tackle the mold and mildew. The two solutions are so simple you probably won’t even believe me: Vinegar and tea tree oil.

The mold and mildew killers

Vinegar is the greatest natural cleaning product of all time (all views our own). It removes around 90 percent of mold and kills 99.9 percent of bacteria.

Using a damp cloth, wipe off as much of the mold and mildew as you can. This cloth should then be thoroughly cleaned to avoid spreading the mold elsewhere. Or you can use an old, holey sock or T-shirt that you don’t mind chucking away (or into your compost bin).

Then simply pour some straight, white, distilled vinegar into a spray bottle and spray liberally onto the offending areas. Leave to dry.

Spray away, spray away, spray away

The vinegar will kill the bacteria and stop it from popping up again (as long as the area is kept dry most of the time).

A tea tree option

If the smell of straight vinegar makes you gag (although trust me, it does disappear after a while) then you can use tea tree oil instead.

A little bottle of natural cleaning goodness

In a spray bottle, mix together:

2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water

And again, simply spray onto the wiped mold and mildew infected areas and leave it to dry. Tea tree oil is another strong smelling liquid but again, it will diffuse quickly – taking your unwanted house guests with it.

The mixture can be left in a spray bottle and can be used again and again until it runs out.

And of course, if homemade cleaning products just aren’t your thing, then just grab a bottle of this Astonish mould and mildew cleaner from Eco Market and be on your way. Easy peasy.

Okay, Mold and Mildew, it’s time you left. Go on, out the door!

Make Your Own Glass, Leather, and Wood Cleaners

Hilary Kimes Bernstein — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:01:51 +0000

Trying to integrate some homemade cleaning products into your cleaning routine, but aren’t sure where to start? Try these three do-it-yourself options:

Adrienne of Whole New Mom shares how to make a no-streak Homemade Glass Cleaner.

Image courtesy of Whole New Mom

On Accidentally Green I’ve shared how to Make Your Own Leather Cleaner, and, one of my personal favorite cleaning recipes, how to Make Your Own Furniture Polish.

Talk back
What are your go-to recipes for homemade cleaners?

Do you like what you’ve read on Accidentally Green? Don’t miss a post! Sign up for Accidentally Green’s weekly e-mail newsletter that includes links to all the week’s posts and exclusive giveaway opportunities. Become a fan on Facebook. And learn about some easy and affordable ways to make healthy choices by reading my new eBook, Accidentally Green.

Make Your Own Kitchen Cleaners

Hilary Kimes Bernstein — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:01:45 +0000

Through Accidentally Green, I’ve shared lots of safe ways to clean your kitchen. Here are four recipes to keep in mind:

An Improved Homemade Oven Cleaner

Make Your Own Dishwasher Detergent

Make Your Own Silver Cleaner

Make Your Own Countertop Stain Remover

Talk back
Have you tried any of these cleaning methods? Which ones worked for you? Which ones didn’t?

Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaners

Hilary Kimes Bernstein — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:01:21 +0000

Would you like to switch from hazardous commercial all-purpose cleaners to something safe and homemade?

Earlier this spring I asked Accidentally Green Facebook fans about their favorite homemade cleaning spray. The majority of women who responded said they love to make a citrus-infused vinegar spray. Katie Mae of Nourishing Simplicity shares how to do it with her recipe, a Simple All-Purpose Cleaner with Orange Peels.

Image courtesy of Nourishing Simplicity

I finally made it a couple weeks ago. And it was ready to use by last weekend. I was so excited to try it and see if it smelled like vinegar – because, as I shared earlier this spring, my husband asked me to stop cleaning with vinegar because of the odor. But I missed the effective, all-natural (and ultra affordable) cleaner.

Fantastic news: like everyone had promised, the citrus cleaner did not smell like vinegar anymore. Now I have a super cheap, super effective, and completely natural all-purpose cleaner again.

Other cleaning options

Marillyn of Just Making Noise shares how to make a Tangy Orange Powder that’s great for cleaning and baking.

Image courtesy of Just Making Noise

MaryEllen of Imperfect Homemaker shares how to make a Non-Toxic Disinfectant.

Image courtesy of Imperfect Homemaker

And on Accidentally Green, I’ve shared how to Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaner.

Talk back

What are some of your favorite recipes for safe, homemade all-purpose cleaners?

Make Your Own Stain Removers

Hilary Kimes Bernstein — Mon, 20 May 2013 04:01:35 +0000

Got stains? Bummer. I’ve been there, and I’ve found some helpful homemade remedies. Check out these recipes for safe, homemade stain removers:

On Accidentally Green, I’ve shared how to remove carpet stains and the stains from crayons on the wall (only parents can appreciate this predicament) in my post Two Safe, Homemade Stain Removers.

Jill of The Prairie Homestead has shared a recipe for a DIY Laundry Spot Remover.

Image courtesy of The Prairie Homestead

Talk back
What homemade stain removers work for you?

Do you like what you’ve read on Accidentally Green? Don’t miss a post! Sign up for Accidentally Green’s weekly e-mail newsletter that includes links to all the week’s posts and exclusive giveaway opportunities. Become a fan on Facebook. And learn about some easy and affordable ways to make healthy choices by reading my new eBook, Accidentally Green.