Soap Nuts. Don't laugh (like I did). These suckers contain 100% natural detergent (saponin) and they really work. I've been using them for about 4 months now and I can't tell the difference between clothes I was in my normal detergent and clothes washed with Soap Nuts. Normally-soiled dirty clothes come out clean, fresh, and soft. Plus, it's fun to combine the 'Nuts with different essential oils to scent your laundry. A shot of Borax along with the Soap Nuts helps to keep whites white, and you don't need additional fabric softener since they naturally soften your clothes. Fill a muslin baggie (incl.) with 3-5 soap nuts and toss them in the wash. You can reuse the bags 2-3 times. Perfect for allergy sufferers of those with sensitive skin. Cost to you: varies depending on quantity you buy. Cost to me: Free.
Bona Hardwood Floor Products from Sweden. If you have hardwood floors (and someone in your household suffers from allergies), you need this cleaning system. Having tried the Bona, I am never going back to mopping or Swiffering. Not only are the cloths reusable/washable making the entire system "greener," the cleaning solution is a waterborne,
environmentally
responsible, non-toxic
cleaner specifically
formulated to clean all
polyurethane finished
wood floors and factory
pre-finished wood
floors. Once you Bona, you'll never go back. Cost to you: $29.99 for the starter kit which includes the mop, microfiber dusting cloth and cleaning solution. $59.99 for the Ultimate floor care system which includes Bona
Hardwood Floor Cleaner,
32 oz. spray and 64 oz.
refill; Bona Hardwood
Floor Polish, 32 oz.;
Bona Microfiber 4" x 15"
mop with 4-pc. pole;
Bona Microfiber Dusting,
Cleaning and Applicator
Pads. Cost to me: Free.
Smart Shopper. Say it, print it, go get it, is the motto, and that's exactly what you do. Speak your grocery items into the smart shopper (which can magetize itself right to your fridge if you like) and it records the items you need at the store. It comes preloaded with 2,500 items. My only problem is that I need Smart Shopper "Ethnic" for when I go to the Korean store or the Indian market. It contains a printer which never needs ink and runs on 4-AA batteries. Perfect for gadget lovers. And hey! They are on Twitter. Cost to you: $79.99. Cost to me: Free.
How and why do you get sent all this free stuff, CityMama? Where do I sign up!? lol!
P.S. Been faithfully reading your blog for years ;) It's a joy.
Posted by: Jess D | January 01, 2009 at 09:01 PM
Smart Shopper? Hmmm...whatever happened to pencil & paper?
Posted by: Asianmommy | February 22, 2009 at 08:50 AM
soap nuts did not work for me. i soooo wanted them to. :(
Posted by: maya | springtree road | February 24, 2009 at 09:02 PM