by Katie LaFond

Step 9: Look into Environmentally Friendly Products

• Be aware that being “eco friendly” is now a fad, and a marketing scheme. Don’t be sucked in.
• Many times, you can make your own cleaning products. Baking soda, washing soda, borax, water, and vinegar are great natural solvents. (But be careful when mixing baking soda and vinegar, unless you’re doing a science fair project!). Here’s one resource; there are many
  

  Photo by Arria Belli, used under a Creative Commons License

  online.

• Try castile soap in the shower, as hand soap, and as dish soap.  You can even use the bars to make your own laundry detergent!
• You can make many personal care products using recipes found online.  This lets you know exactly what’s in it and avoid ingredients derived from fossil fuels.
• If you have a septic tank, avoid using products that will kill the natural flora like bleach. The flora will break down your waste naturally, allowing it to cycle back into the ecosystem.

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This is part ten in Katie’s thirteen-part series on how to walk lightly on the Earth.  Read more: introduction, step 1 (recycle), step 2 (reuse), step 3 (reduce), step 4 (compost), step 5 (drive less), step 6 (local food), step 7 (buy local), step 8 (garden).