Fru-Gal Friends

Subject: Re: February's ecochallenge Sat 02 Feb 2008, 10:49 pm

skin where did u get the cloth and what is it called? That would help save me some. I guess I could use more rags. I have always been so torn about using paper products or wasting water to wash the others. It is all so confusing to me
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Vicki

Subject: Re: February's ecochallenge Sun 03 Feb 2008, 1:04 am

You are not alone in that confusion Vicki, because water is such a precious resource. This past summer when we were in a severe drought, we had to drastically reduce our water usage, or face very high fines. It got so bad that at one point there was only a 60 day supply of water left. We really had to make some tough choices.
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MARY

Very Valuable Member Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 368

Gee, I said "no offense"~ Rolling Eyes

skin is sooooo green, possibly the greenest person on this board....perhaps you should come up with next month's ecochallenge, ok? sunny

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Subject: Re: February's ecochallenge Sun 03 Feb 2008, 9:20 am

Cheapy my dear friend, I am deeply sorry if I have upset you and wish to apologize. That was never my intention and I do ask for your forgiveness.
I was really just sharing my experience with our severe drought this summer and how I was forced to make difficult decisions because of it. When I spoke of confusion, I was merely speaking of my own. It is so easy to confuse me. Smile

I want you to know that I do admire you so much for your ability to live so responsibly and green, and I am sure the ladies would not wish you to stop your monthly challenges....this month was a great one. Again I am sorry, and hope that you will accept my apology. I would not hurt anyone here for the world, and I wish you all the best in the future.
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MARY

Subject: Re: February's ecochallenge Sun 03 Feb 2008, 9:44 am

Its all good,,we all learn from everyone,,Ok,,I have a few idea on postings for the future,,,

Like,.

What items can be given a new life by repurposing it,,recycling something reusing,,repairing,,kinda like a trash to treasure type posting.Something that your saving from the landfill and have a new use for it in your home/life.

Very Valuable Member Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 368

oh no, Mary, you didn't offend me at all!! I'm so sorry if you thought so...I completely understand your reasoning of washing and using water as opposed to disposing of, I always think of that stuff myself...it's hard to figure out what's best for the environment is all, that's what does make it all confusing and how everyone has to do what's right for them, what they are willing to do so that it CAN fit into their lives. so, please, no apology needed, Mary!!! I love you

Sounds great, Donna,maybe you can post that next month or whenever.
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Subject: Re: February's ecochallenge Sun 03 Feb 2008, 3:14 pm

Cheapy thank you so much for responding, and I am very relieved to know that I did not upset you! Very Happy

You have put so much work and thought into this new going green section, and I can use all the tips that I can get. It really is hard sometimes isn't it to do the right thing, but I always learn so much from my friends here. Thanks again!
sunny

{{Hugs}}
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MARY

Subject: Re: February's ecochallenge Sun 03 Feb 2008, 6:32 pm

Cheapy, no-one seemed offended in anyway, it's all a bit 'tongue-in-cheek'.

I'm definitely not the greenest person here, I mean...I can barely care for 'Lazarus', my one-and-only live plant...lol...he suffers from water shortages too, mainly due to my forgetfulness though Embarassed

I have a very good friend who is incredibly passionate about environmental issues and I admire 'everything' she does with regards to being kinder to our earth, she inspires me a lot.

It is hard weighing up the pros and cons of what's right and wrong in some of these circumstances. Personally, I'd rather use a little water responsibly than think of all the trees that have gone into the manufacture of many paper products, which is why I dislike junk-mail also (what an incredible waste of resources).

I see things at work, like everyone in the lunchroom using the polystyrene cups provided, those things take so long to break down in landfill and so many get used...that's just in ONE store. One of the new managers removed all of the cutlery, because some people were too lazy to clean it after using it, and it was all replaced with disposable plastics. The large container of loose sugar was replaced with individual sachets because of the mess, now the empty paper sachets litter the worktops! I understand why this was done but it is less environmentally friendly. Some people can't even throw out their rubbish after eating, they'll hardly wash up crockery/cups after themselves.
Often it seems that the efforts of some is just a tiny drop in a vast ocean of thoughtlessness or unawareness...I'm never sure which rates higher.

Donna, as always, you have some great ideas, I know you're passionate about being greener also Smile

Recycling, re-using and being thrifty is green too!

Vicki, I purchased my window/glass cloth in a supermarket about 3-4 years ago and it's still going strong (it looks a bit like a chamois) and all I need is water, it leaves no streaks and is very hassle-free, one of my best cleaning purchases ever Smile

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~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Subject: Re: February's ecochallenge Mon 04 Feb 2008, 1:17 pm

Well I found some more cloth napkins at the dollar store today. I got 6 for $3.00. I folded them up and put them in my napkin holder. We will use these instead of paper and I am going to try and cut back my use of paper towels. Thanks for the challenge cheapy!

Skin - I looked in 2 stores today for something like this cloth of yours and found nothing. I am now on a search to find it. LOL.
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Vicki

Subject: Re: February's ecochallenge Mon 04 Feb 2008, 6:20 pm

Great price on the cloth napkins Vicki and good luck with finding a similar cloth. Anything that doesn't require additional cleaning products saves money Very Happy

.
BTW I did buy mine in Aus...lol.
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~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Subject: Re: February's ecochallenge Mon 04 Feb 2008, 6:46 pm

Skin - I think I found it and more. Check it out ladies. It costs but if it works will be worth it. Now just to save up the money.

http://magicmicrocloth.com/
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Vicki

Subject: Re: February's ecochallenge Mon 04 Feb 2008, 7:18 pm

This looks good Vicki, more of an all-purpose cloth. The one I purchased looked like a chamois and was specifically for glass. Manufacturers are always redesigning and renewing their products. Sometimes it is worth spending a few extra dollars to save many more.
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~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Subject: Re: February's ecochallenge Tue 05 Feb 2008, 7:26 am

I think I might have received a free sample of the cloth you are talking about and have been meaning to mention it. It is called the ultimate cloth and it looks like a sturdy paper towel. You just put water on it, wring it out and wipe. It is excellent on glass, but also the countertops, floors, and cabinet. I use it all the time and it is supposed to last for years.
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Subject: Re: February's ecochallenge Tue 05 Feb 2008, 7:44 am

I saw a 3pk of microfibre all purpose cloths at the supermarket today for $4.99, good for dusting, glass, tiles, etc.....
I might get them and devote one to the bathroom, one to the kitchen and one for eeny,meeny,miney,mo...hmmmm....
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~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Subject: Re: February's ecochallenge Mon 11 Feb 2008, 1:24 pm

Well I have not yet opened the paper towels I purchased a little over 1 week ago. We have been using the cloth napkins
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Vicki