Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the plant Melaleuca Alternifolia and is native to Australia. With it’s antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties, tea tree oil makes a great all-natural household cleaner.

All-Purpose Cleaner: Use 15 drops of tea tree oil to 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Use on counter tops or for general cleaning.

Mold Killer: Combine 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend. Spray on mold and don’t rinse.

Laundry Disinfectant: Add one teaspoon of tea tree oil per load to disinfect laundry such as diapers or to prevent transmission of fungal infections.

Happy green cleaning!

Find It Here: Healthy and Green Living

Do you have a great green cleaning recipe that really works? Share it with us in our brand-spankin’ new GMF Forum!

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By Amy, May 25, 2008  
Filed under: Clean, Home, Resources, Tips

Twice a month, Thursday mornings are an exciting time at my house. That’s the day that both the garbage truck and the recycling truck come by to make their curbside collections and my kids race to the front window to watch the action. Thanks to Maple Landmark, now all kids can make every day recycling day with this wooden Montgomery Scoots Recycling Truck. Painted with non-toxic paint and made in Vermont from mostly local (USA) materials, this truck is recommended for ages 2 and up. At 4 inches long, the Montgomery Scoots Recycling Truck makes a fun and green educational addition to any play town.

Find It Here: KangarooBoo

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By Amy, May 3, 2008  
Filed under: Kids, Play, Preschooler, Recycle, Toddler, Toys

As a green mom I’ve got food and yard waste composting down pat, but what about all of the waste that dear old Fido produces? Yep, I’m talking dog doo. It’s a rather unsavory topic but if you have a dog, the doo is part of the deal and since a “Va-poo-rizer” has yet to be invented, the Doggie Dooley Pet Waste Digester System might be the next best thing. Made of heavy-duty plastic, the Doggie Dooley is installed underground and opened using a foot operated lid opener. Like a miniature septic-tank, it’s odorless and reduces pet wastes to a ground absorbing liquid. The Doggie Dooley keeps pet waste out of landfills and best of all — out of your yard — because there’s almost nothing worse than stepping on a canine landmine (except stepping on a canine landmine and tracking it into your house. Ewww!)

Find it Here: Doggie Dooley Pet Waste Digester System

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By Amy, April 13, 2008  
Filed under: Clean, Home, Pet, Reduce/Reuse

Paper napkins may be convenient but they’re not at all earth friendly, as many big name manufacturers use wood from virgin forests to make their disposable napkins and other paper goods. Plus? They’re not particularly festive and definitely not as fun as a funky cloth napkin from Fabkins. Made just for kids, Fabkins make mealtime a little more colorful, a little more fun and a lot more eco-friendly because paper waste is reduced and we get to keep breathing oxygen thanks to all the trees that have been spared. Yay for oxygen! Yay for Fabkins!

Find It Here: Fabkins

Congratulations to Amanda and Amira, winners of a set of five cloth Fabkins! 

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By Amy, March 24, 2008  
Filed under: Eat, Kids, Reduce/Reuse, Win

As an on-again, off-again vegetarian, I’m always on the lookout for tasty new meatless meals for my family. Enter Vegetarian Times magazine. Month after month it arrives filled with tantalizing vegetarian recipes, articles about health, wellness and green living, as well as enough food porn (you know, pictures of scrumptious food!) to satisfy the lusty appetites of foodies everywhere. Whether you are a full-fledged vegetarian, looking to cut back on your meat consumption or even just looking for new and interesting ways to make veggies more appealing to the kids, Vegetarian Times is one resource that’s sure to tempt your taste buds.

Find It Here: Vegetarian Times

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By Amy, March 22, 2008  
Filed under: Eat, Learn, Read

Featuring positive messages like “Choose Happiness,” “Live Mindfully,” and “Today Matters,” Tees for Change t-shirts are a wonderful way to inspire yourself and those around you to live with purpose and passion. These shirts are super soft, made from 100% organic cotton or organic bamboo, colored with low impact dyes and screen-printed with water-based inks. Cute, eco-friendly and inspirational — oh, and they’ll plant a tree when you buy a tee. What more could you possibly ask for in a tee shirt?

Find It Here: Tees For Change

Congratulations to Annette T., winner of a “Chase Dreams” Organic Cotton Jersey from Tees for Change!

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By Amy, March 19, 2008  
Filed under: Mama, Organic, Style, Sustainable, Wear, Win

Since becoming a mom, I’ve grown increasingly concerned over the foods that my family eats as well as the safety of the pots and pans used to cook them. Teflon and other non-stick surfaces are now believed to pose a potential health hazard when used at high temperatures or when the surface has been scratched. Classic cast iron, on the other hand, is a great (and totally non-toxic) option. Not only does it distribute heat better than any other cookware but cooking in cast iron is known to greatly increase one’s dietary iron, of which only 65% of Americans get enough. It’s also naturally non-stick when properly seasoned and, when it’s well cared for, cast iron cookware will last a lifetime and then some.

Find It Here: Lodge

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By Amy, February 27, 2008  
Filed under: Eat, Home, Tips

A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids by Julie Hall is a hip and educational book recommended for kids age 9 and up. Focusing on all aspects of climate change - from what it is and how it came about to actions that make a difference - this book is loaded with information and facts, as well as colorful pictures and illustrations. I love that A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids not only educates, but also empowers children to make a positive difference in the future of our planet. Though the title suggests this book is just for kids, it’s also a great resource for “cool” parents and “cool” teachers, as well.

Find It Here: Green Goat Books

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By Amy, February 13, 2008  
Filed under: Kids, Learn, Read

If you’re anything like me you’ll agree that a bath isn’t relaxing unless it includes a good pillow to rest your head on as you soak up those precious minutes of solitude. I recently tried out a hemp bath pillow, gifted to me by my husband, and found it to be a very welcome addition to my soaks in the tub, few and far between as they may be.

Because hemp is naturally resistant to most molds (as well as insects and other pests), you won’t have to worry about anything funky growing on it. Hemp is also the most environmentally positive of crops, one that actually leaves the soil in improved condition.

Now if I could only find the time to sneak off into the tub more often, I’d be all set.

Find It Here: Greenfeet

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By Amy, February 2, 2008  
Filed under: Indulge, Mama, Sustainable

After years of using a conventional “free and clear” laundry soap, which was neither “free” nor “clear” (of chemicals anyway), I began looking for a natural alternative. I came across Charlie’s Soap, gave it a try, and never looked back.

Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder “is made with a unique blend of biodegradable coconut-based detergents and high-grade, completely soluble, Green River washing soda.” It’s also hypoallergenic and leaves no residue, making it perfect for babies and people with sensitive skin.

Charlie’s worked really well on all of our clothes, including my son’s diapers and I love that the clothes come out smelling like clothes instead of heavy perfumes. As their saying goes, “Leaves nothing but the good old-fashioned sweet smell of clean. If you want flowers, go pick some.”

Charlie’s Soap also sells a liquid version of their laundry soap.

Find It Here: Charlie’s Soap

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By Amy, January 24, 2008  
Filed under: Baby, Biodegradable, Clean, Home