Comments mearph has made

  • chair bed

    My friends have various sleeping furniture that works very well.  I don't know if its less hazardous than pvc since i know that was not their objective but its still pretty neat.  They have a loveseat/big chair that folds out like a sleeper sofa and they have a large ottoman that folds out to be single bed. Both are pretty comfy and you would never know just looking at the furniture.  Prior to these pieces they had what was referred to as the 'chair bed'.  It was a chair that had a z-folded mattress like the above mentioned japanese mattress.  It was quite old but I do have to say it was really uncomfortable as a chair and as a bed.  But I think it was just realy really old.  The places that they got the above mentioned furniture was from Crate and Barrel and Costco.  I have seen z-folded foam foldout sleeper sofas and chairs in the LL Bean catalog. Don't know if they are chemical free though.On Umbra on air mattresses posted 1 year, 4 months ago 9 Responses

  • Not on the East Coast :)

    OK OK maybe in a dry climate.  Have you been to NYC in the summer?  There's no cool dry night air to suck in.  Usually it feel like a sauna outside.  That's just my $.02.  On Umbra on fans versus AC posted 1 year, 4 months ago 19 Responses

  • Charlie's Soap

    Just got some and I love it!  It cleans great and dissolved so fast. I never used powdered detergent before but I really like it and you only need a tablespoon. And....it comes in a 5 gal bucket for 1,280 loads. Wow! (I personally have no room for that big boy)

    http://www.charliesoap.com/On Umbra on buying eco-products in bulk posted 1 year, 6 months ago 17 Responses

  • teddy

    My Mom had my Grandmother's fur made into a teddy bear by a local artist.  I think it is a nice idea for sentimental furs coats.  You get to keep it.  You don't wear it so you don't show support for new furs.  Support local artist. It looks cute!On Umbra on (inherited) fur coats posted 1 year, 10 months ago 60 Responses

  • Yay homemade cleaners

    Yay for making homemade cleaners.  I don't understand people's need to bleach everything in the world.

    My favorites are:
    Baking soda is awesome for cleaning stains on formica counters and wall smudges (along with a million other things).  It also was the only thing to get the coffee stains out of my travel thermos.

    10% white vinegar + water to clean carpets and bathrooms.
    ps. Don't get 100% white vinegar on ceramic tile. It dissolved my grout!

    Borax got a red wine stain out by soaking! Pretty good.

    I have a question for anyone...Is there anything 'natural' or 'non-toxic' that can clean mildew in the bathroom?  You know, the black nasty kind in the grout.  White vinegar does not work.

    Ok I just love talking about my homemade cleaners.  It's my thing.On Umbra on household help and homemade cleansers posted 2 years, 2 months ago 14 Responses

  • Definitely not black or white

    I agree that everything is not black or white. You can't instantly change everyone's mind.  You can curse and yell and pout about it all, but that won't get you anywhere. You have to work with people to slowly get them to understand the better option.  And yes, 'free range' and 'pastured' can be confusing and misleading but not if you know your farmer.  If I can get there, I go to a farm to buy cheese and meat. I see the cows and I know they are well cared for. I also like that I am supporting the endangered small farmer.  He loves what he does and I like what he does so, I like to support that. He manages his manure and waste responsibly.  And I agree that we should eat less meat but being a vegetarian or vegan isn't for everyone.  Food is very important.  It's not just about the environment and nutrition but its also about tradition and culture.  It can even be almost religious to people.  You just can't forget about that and assume they will also forget. If you can get them to choose the better option then you are doing a good thing.On Umbra on sustainable meat posted 2 years, 3 months ago 32 Responses

  • new zealand 'fridges

    When on my honeymoon in New Zealand I noticed they all had very small fridges.  They also didn't keep a everything in the fridge that us Americans do. They never put eggs in the fridge! I think they also do not buy a lot of frozen/pre-prepared foods. Kiwis are very eco-consious.  It was very inspiring.  Where can I find a half-flush toilet??? :)On Umbra on refrigerator downsizing posted 2 years, 4 months ago 34 Responses