| So you are an ecology-minded, modern, "green" mom | | | | example] |
| or mom-to-be, who wants to do everything you can | | | | - Potpourri: either store-bought or homemade. These |
| to save the planet. After all, the children you bring | | | | days, potpourri is everywhere. You can even buy |
| into the world are going to have to live here in the | | | | huge bags at the local dollar-store! |
| future, as will their children and grandchildren. And you | | | | - Extracts: vanilla, orange, almond, or any flavor. Also |
| want to expose your babies to as few harmful | | | | at your local grocery. You don't use much -- a little |
| chemicals as possible. Bravo! You're officially a mom | | | | dab goes a long way. |
| of the 21st Century! But wait! To be truly green, you | | | | Here too, a little goes a long way. If there is a local |
| will have to use cloth diapers, and not contribute to | | | | branch of "The Body Shop", or any seller of essential |
| the plastic- and paper-waste mess that is already in | | | | oils at your local mall or shopping center, you can |
| our landfills. | | | | choose from dozens of fragrances. I recommend |
| You say "eeeeeeewwwww!!" Your mind immediately | | | | vanilla, lemon, lavender, or almond, but any fragrance |
| flashes to visions of diaper pails filled with the odor of | | | | you like would be good. And here too, you might |
| human waste. You can practically smell the ammonia | | | | want to try some interesting combinations. If you |
| odor and the other pungent stenches that will | | | | can't get to the mall [new moms especially might not |
| permeate your nursery. Since you are "green" you | | | | be able to get out easily], here is a good source for |
| don't want to use industrial-strength air fresheners | | | | essential oils you can order online. |
| that put harmful chemicals into the air your family | | | | Burn these out of reach of children and objects that |
| breathes. What to do? Here are some | | | | can catch on fire [fabric, paper, plastic, wood]. Why |
| environmentally-friendly, non-toxic, bio-degradable | | | | soy candles? Because they are non-polluting, they are |
| solutions. | | | | environmentally-friendly and safe for children. If your |
| Botanicals, Herbs, and Spices | | | | local candle shop doesn't carry soy candles, or you |
| If you want to go totally natural, the answer might | | | | can't get to the mall, here is a wonderful online |
| be at the nearest essential oil shop, your local | | | | source: |
| grocery, or even already in your cupboard | | | | Ginger-Sweet [ |
| Here are some suggestions: | | | | Commercial air freshenersStill want the convenience |
| - Diluted white vinegar: use it to mop floors, wipe | | | | of commercial air fresheners? Don't despair! There |
| surfaces, or wipe inside diaper pail -- it's cheap and in | | | | are eco-friendly products out there. If you can get to |
| every grocery store! | | | | Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, you will find many |
| - Baking soda: always reliable odor neutralizer, | | | | environmentally-safe, natural, baby-safe deodorizers. |
| probably already in your refrigerator and cupboard. | | | | Or try the Smelleze® Nursery Disposable Pouch |
| Sprinkle in the diaper pail. Totally safe and nat | | | | by the Imtek Environmental Corporation |
| - Spices: Cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger, basil, | | | | There are so many alternatives to putting harmful |
| rosemary etc: you can sprinkle this in diaper pail or on | | | | chemicals into your baby's nursery. Even if your |
| surfaces [where baby can't accidentally get to them | | | | diapers sit for a couple of days between laundry |
| and ingest them]. You can boil them or use as-is, you | | | | days, there are eco-friendly, non-toxic ways to |
| can use them whole or ground. Don't be afraid to | | | | control odor. You are helping your baby, as well as |
| experiment with mixtures [cinnamon and ginger for | | | | helping the planet your baby will inhabit in the future! |