So Sylvie

Here is a photo of a ceramic vent on Monet’s house that I took a few years ago.

I said in my last post that I would write about Utopian Neighborhoods, and on this green day I think it’s appropriate. A couple of years ago I had an idea about getting together with neighbors and helping them to make a transition to nontoxic home and garden products. Recipes were to be provided on how to make your own pleasant smelling and nonirritating potions. My hope was that other neighborhoods would join in and the idea would spread far and wide. Well, I bowed to unresponsiveness in my Santa Cruz neighborhood. People embraced the "idea" enthusiastically, but when it came to making time in their schedules things fell apart. Was it merely a utopian daydream?

I encourage you to browse the list of Eco-Home Cleaning books in the right-hand sidebar. If you only buy one, I suggest the title pictured above.

One of my favorite recipes for an all purpose cleaner:
2 gallons hot water
2 cups white vinegar (make sure it’s made from grains and not petroleum derived alcohols)
10 drops pure essential peppermint oil

Use on linoleum, tiled and wood surfaces, stainless steel sinks, toilet seats, and plastic finishes (such as telephones). Use also for soap rings in the bath or sink, and film on shower walls.

Vinegar is a disinfectant, and peppermint is an antibacterial and antiseptic.

Important note: If you have cats be aware that their livers cannot metabolize the compounds in essential oils and liver damage could result.

Above: a green toy store in Paris.

Happy spring cleaning. Now, I’m going to go listen to Greenday!