| Re-use is the one of the best ways that we can benefit our earth and limit our consumption of resources. These are some reusables that you can make and maintain for your home, usually all that they require is a wash before they can be reused. I hope they help you make your transition to sustainable living. |
| "Green'ex" Tissues If you've become accostomed to the convenience of a box of tissues this is an easy transition to make. You may find that you'd rather carry a tissue on your person all the time. But these boxes are wonderfull for arround the home. The hankercheifs are easy to make and though they take some time, if you take care of them they can last ages. For regular tissues broadcloth works really well, just Serge or machine sew a tight straight stitch all arround the edges. A good size tissue is approximately 8 inches square. You can incorporate the tissues into your home by making and decorating a tissue box that matches your decor. box instructions and examples COMING SOON! |
| Poo-rags Yes, it sounds a little unappetizing but realistically do you feel comfortable wiping your bottom with toilet paper made from a tree that took decades to grow? Poo-rags also leave no pulp residue on your skin because they are in fact made out of fabric. I like mine made from poly-cotton flannel. The polyester adds durability to the fibre making them last longer and the flannel makes them super soft, but regular cotton muslin or broadcloth work, as would an old bedsheet or tightly woven clothing. If you have a serging sewing machine its easy to go arround the edges to prevent fraying. With a regular sewing machine just go arround the edges with a tight single or zig-zag stitch. I find that peices about 4or 5 inches square do the job. After use store them in a covered container such as a yogurt tub or easy to open tupperware type container filled with a solution of vinegar and water at aproximately equal parts. Wash them on low water wash cycle with a little bit of eco-safe detergent or a couple spoonfulls of baking soda. Hint: If you want them really soft and fluffy spend the extra buck and a half and dry them in a spinning dryer. |
| Reusablesthey keep going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going |
| Girl stuff You may not be aware ladies, but conventional menstrual products can actually be harmfull to your body. The bleaches and chemicals used in production of pads and tampons are not regulated by any government agency and theres a good chance that you may be absorbing damaging chemicals each month. Tampons also damage the interior of your vagina because they are so abrasive and they absorb too much moisture which can cause irritation. Not to mention the ammount of non-recyclable non-biodegradable garbage these products contribute to our landfills. For more info check out Blood Sisters. But wait, there are alternatives! If you're a pad kind of girl, there are washable menstrual pads made by a variety of independent girl run organizations, or you can sew your own! If your a tampon lady, there are unbleached and natural tampons as well as sea sponges and my personal fave, the Keeper. STOP FEEDING THE CORPORATE GREED EVERY TIME YOU BLEED! Check out the BloodThirsty? page for more info, or go to your local health food store. |
| Ear Picks (mimikaki) These are my favourite new discovery in the realm of re-usables. They are a cute little replacement for bleached cello-wrapped plastic Q-Tips. These little bamboo scoops are made in Japan and often have a cute little character on the opposite end or a peice of soft marabou for a finishing sweep. They can be bought in japanese import stores I've also seen the solid gold variety for sale online. |