Let's make some green cleaners, mamas

Activistas is throwing a green cleaning party with the Oregon Center for Environmental Health on NE Fremont (at their EcoSafe Home Store).  We're looking forward to learning a thing or two about toxics in cleaning supplies and whipping up a few of our own cleaners, while we're at it.  Hope you can join us on Saturday, 11.15.  Details and RSVP (required 'cause space is limited) on Activistas.

Laundry Days Part II - The Drying Rack

Since we've been talking laundry recently, I thought I'd capitalize on the local expertise! 

I actually like doing laundry. There.  The cat is out of the bag.  And I like hanging it out to dry in the summer months even more.  Perhaps it's the slow, methodical process of it all.  Or maybe it's how my 2-YO squirts it with water when it's almost dry.  No, I think it's the way the kids arrange the clothes on the rack.   They love to do it, and can't quite seem to grasp the concept that if you pile (multiple) items on top of each other - while space saving - they just won't dry! 

Anyway.  I'm in the market for a BIG FANCY outdoor drying rack.  Like the kind they have in Australia.  The kind you can stick in the patio table where the umbrella's supposed to go.  BIG.  Like these.  And before I make this enormous and very sexy purchase, I need advice from those who already made the leap.  'Cause I want to get the right one.  The perfect one.  For cheap (natch).  Help!  Do you have one of these fold up thingys?  Where'd you get it?  Do you like it?  Do tell.

Laundry: Do you drown in it?

If only doing laundry were child's play, but unfortunately it's my least favorite chore.  No matter how hard I try, the laundry situation can spiral quickly out of control especially with dirty little boys who rarely will make it through the day with nary a stain on their clothes.  On top of this, there's the extra laundry created by the adults who sweat especially in the summer because of the daily bike commute or exercise. Let's also not forget the nighttime accidents that occur on top of towels for baths, showers and swimming. Yes, not everything worn once needs to be be thrown in the wash, but few items pass the "smell" test which leaves little that can be worn more than once without being offensive.

Alright, it's time to air your dirty laundry.  We want to know how you stay on top of laundry.  How do you avoid moving piles of clean clothes from the bed, back to the laundry basket, and then to the floor several times before they get folded?  How do you avoid having piles of clean clothes dispersed all over the house that never make it to drawers or closets? Do you have any strategies for not having laundry take over your lives? Have you found any way to make it less of a chore to do laundry? Photo credit: cafemama.com

Natural Stain Removers...

I thought I was a messy person before I had a child.  I now realize that "messy" is relative.  Far be it from me to try to contain my son's shall we say, "artistic expressions", but with a tight budget it is important that I do not have to constantly replace stained clothes.  Being cautions of harmful toxins in many stain removing agents, I am always on the lookout for potent but gentle ways to get those clothes clean.  A reader poses the question, how do you get those clothes looking bright and new using safe and natural cleaning alternatives?  More specifically, Andi asks:

Has anyone found an environmentally friendly stain remover that actually works?  I've tried a number of them and they are no match for the sweet potato and carrot stains on my baby's shirts. 

Anyone have any surefire natural cleaning tips for this urbanMama?

Cleaning Indoor Air

We're certain that many are sneezing and wheezing as you read this with allergens in full force.  However, for Amy, she thinks it may be something else lurking in her house.  She writes:

We have a (very amateurly installed) air conditioning unit in our 1920s house. Twice recently, when the temps got unbearable inside (mid 80s), we turned it on for a few hours. Both times, I got a sore throat that led to sinus infection within a couple of days. This last time, my husband got a sore throat followed by a migraine (which he has never had before) the following day. Amazingly, our 9-month-old daughter didn't get sick ... but we're wondering if our ductwork needs cleaning. (All this could be seasonal allergies or coincidence, but we're still leery.) I haven't been able to find reliable information about household air cleaning services - has anyone had their ventilation systems cleaned, and did it help noticeably? Any references for a reputable company? What about air purifiers? DIY solutions? Other ideas? Wheezingly yours, Amy

Permanent Marker Stain Removal Help

Let's try to help Michelle out.  We've probably been her predicament.  She writes:

Okay. Breathe. My three-year-old aspiring artist has taken a permanent Sharpie to our light carpet! Surely, I'm not the first mama to experience this...does anyone have recommendations on a cleaner - store bought or home creation? I am open to ANY suggestions!