I’ve always been a fan of a great at-home bar. I strongly believe it’s a must-learn life skill to mix up classic cocktails, and as an avid host, it’s important to provide an array...
Looking back on Easter as a child, I remember how excited I was to dig through my Easter basket. Full of chocolate bunnies, malt ball Easter eggs, Peeps, golden coins, and my favorite Cadbury...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
Here’s another idea to “refresh” this month; nothing drastic, but one that’ll hopefully inspire a few better habits to stick. I’m sharing ten easy ways to go green around the house, and I think you’ll find that they’re all totally doable and reasonable. A lot of times, we get so stuck in our ways that we don’t even realize small, subtle changes that can do us better in the long-run (and save us money!!).
Below, check out a few of the goals I’m setting for myself in the new year. They include easy things like switching out the chemical-laden cleaning products, swapping paper towels for dish towels, as well as introducing green alternatives to my personal care routine like all natural toothpaste, oil-pulling and smudge sticks. See? Nothing too crazy or life-changing, but all helpful ways to go green around the house. But I’d love to add some more to this list; comment below with your favorite way to go green(er). Cheers! Kat
My household is guilty of going through a few rolls of paper towels per month. In 2017, I’m introducing wash rags and dish cloths to our countertops instead. For even the smallest of spills, instead of using an entire paper towel, we’ll be using these dish cloths that we can then later throw in the wash. Easy-breezy.
Instead of using wasteful plastic water bottles (full of BPA too!), opt for reusable water bottles you can refill throughout the day.
We’re big fans of these copper water bottles because they have countless health benefits (and they look pretty cool). Copper water helps you maintain good digestive health, killing bacteria and washing the gastrointestinal tract. It flushes kidneys, stimulates digestive process and overall reduces fat. Convinced yet?!
Harsh synthetics and toxic chemicals can be found in your tried-and-true personal care items like hand soap, mouthwash, toothpaste, deodorant and more. To give your personal care routine a green overhaul, consider gentle, safer hand soaps (like Thieves), oil pulling packets (your teeth, gums and breath will thank you!) and nontoxic toothpaste (again, Thieves for the win!).
Say no to the disposable dryer sheets that are laden with chemicals and synthetics. Instead, use reusable wool dryer balls to soften fabrics the natural way. The not only shorten drying time and save energy, they are better for sensitive skin and are completely eco-friendly.
I know I’m guilty of stashing plastic and paper grocery bags in a random cabinet in my kitchen…either to pile up or be thrown away later. Instead of doing this, use a cloth or canvas grocery tote! These are reusable and perhaps even easier to deal with than the disposable alternatives. A lot of places will give you a discount when using them, too. Win-win.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) use 10x less energy than normal incandescent bulbs! It’s time to switch yours out for these ones, and rest assured that they’ll last a whole lot longer (read: you won’t have to replace them as often!).
Did you know that dishwashing generally takes 27 gallons of water, compared with the four gallons in the dishwasher to wash the same number of dishes?! So next time you think you’re doing better by hand washing, put that stuff in the dishwasher!
Another scary fact about water waste: about five gallons of water are wasted when you brush your teeth with the water on! Turn the water OFF while you brush.
Air fresheners’ packaging causes waste, and there are better ways to purify and freshen the air. A lot of big-box brand air fresheners contain harmful chemicals that actually only mask the odor, rather than neutralize or clear the air.
A good alternative when you need to freshen up and clear the air? Diffusing essential oils like Thieves, Lemon and Purification, using smudge sticks to purify the air and having plants to naturally detox the space (and get rid of that formaldehyde lingering around!).
This will be an easy adjustment when you start using your dish towels like I mentioned above. Using cloth napkins (chic French stripe ones if we’re getting specific) at mealtime instead of paper towels or paper napkins is a game-changer in terms of waste (not to mention, they look so much better!).
Switch to Chemical-Free Detergents & Cleaning Solutions
Go green around the house with safe, clean products that don’t include harsh chemicals and ingredients. Start with any products from the Thieves line; they truly are wonder products that go so far (the cleaner is highly concentrated and can be used for countless DIY recipes) It’s time to swap out the laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner and more.
More on this tomorrow!
Featured image, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha
We’re kicking off our Refresh with perhaps the simplest (yet sometimes hardest) task of all: purging your possessions. The unnecessary sure has a knack for staying around, especially when it retains a certain sentimental value or hope for a come-back. But I don’t just mean the sweaters from 2005 that hang stagnant in your closet. With this 30-day bag challenge, I’m talking about the junk drawers, the guest bedroom closets, the bathroom drawers, the garage, etc. Alllllll of the stuff, my friends.
I invite you to join me in a 30-day challenge to go through the junk. Everyday, I’ll be donating a garbage bag full of stuff from the house. Think piles of old magazines, forgotten cans in the pantry, unused dinnerware in the cupboards, old shoes in the closet, bookshelves off dusty books that deserve a new home.
Now, if the sound of getting rid of a garbage bag’s worth of stuff scares you, shoot smaller; donate a grocery bag. The simple practice of parting with things you do. not. need. will help you truly “refresh” as you start the new year. Believe me, I’ve taken a headstart (#sorrynotsorry) and I already feel a million times better.
Follow along on Instagram stories and Snapchat (username WAITINGONMARTHA) as I sift through my stacks and stashes and find a better home for it all. We’d love to see your progress too, so be sure to tag @waitingonmartha and #itsgone as you join in on the fun. And of course, we’ll be talking later this month on tips and tricks to live (and buy) smarter for your wardrobe and home. Truly, MKR
P.S. Looking for what to do with all your stuff?! Think beyond the obvious donation spots (where it could even eventually end up at a landfill), and instead do a little research on a great local charity that will benefit from your donations (think Women in Distress, AMVets or even PETA if applicable). Some organizations will even schedule a pick-up from your home to make it an easy, seamless process.
SHOP THE STORY / CLICK LEFT & RIGHT ARROWS TO EXPLORE
My bed is my oasis. It’s as simple as that. And that oasis doesn’t end in my bedroom. When I have guests in town, I want them to feel like they have their own little slice of heaven in the guest bedroom, too. Part of that “slice of heaven” feeling is crisp sheets and covers on a well made bed. The problem, I’m actually not so great at making the bed. I keep telling myself it’s because I don’t have my dream machine yet, (the Miele Rotary Iron), and once I have room for that sweet piece of machinery there’s no bed I won’t be able to conquer. But since it doesn’t look like the Miele will be joining the Rye household anytime soon, I figured it’s probably time I taught myself how to fold hospital corners, and that dang fitted sheet once and for all.
You may remember this bedroom scene from our recent One Room Challenge final reveal. Well this gorgeous Pine Cone Hill bedding became the ginny pig for my “how to properly make a bed” challenge. I Googled, and You Tubed, and tried out about a dozen different techniques to “properly make a bed,” and when it was all said and done, came up with the eight below. And because we could all use a little refresher now and then (and some added inspo for holiday hosting this weekend!), I’ve outlined those eight easy steps to properly make a bed below. And I’d love to hear if you’re a bit Type-A when it comes to making the bed, any tips?? Truly, MKR
P.S. On a side note, this bed made me decide it’s time to do away with duvets; I’m Team Quilt going forward! I mean it just lays so much nicer then a duvet, does it not??
No. 1…Iron your sheets. There’s no denying the look of crisp, smooth bedding. The only true way to achieve it, unfortunately, is by pulling out the iron (or the Miele…please Santa)! It’s a pain, yes, but it’s totally worth it to find wrinkle-free sheets come bedtime. And if you’re considering steaming don’t. Steaming may release a few wrinkles, but it does nothing for crispness.
No. 2…Place your fitted sheet on the bed. After pulling your mattress pad smooth, tuck the fitted sheet in tightly on top of your mattress and mattress pad. Also take this moment to flip or turn your mattress…a key tip in making your mattress last longer. And take a vacuum to it while your at it.
No. 3…Drape your flat sheet on the bed, pattern side down. By placing the flat sheet pattern side down, you’re saving the full presentation of the properly dressed bed for guests when they climb into it. Oooooh, mystery and intrigue for your guests; I like it!
No. 4…Layer a blanket on top of the flat sheet. “Hospital corners” are the secret to a perfectly made, crisp bed…that’s all there is to it. To get the look, pull the flat sheet’s long edges and a blanket away from the corners of the bed, forming a 45 degree angle on top of the mattress. Slide your hand under the mattress and tuck the side edges of the sheet and blanket underneath. They should form a crisp crease. This video helps demonstrate the steps if you’re a visual learner like I am!
No. 5…Fold down the blanket with your flat sheet. Draw the top of both your blanket and flat sheet down about a foot in length. By tucking the side edges under the mattress, you’ll have a taut fold.
No. 6…Add a comforter, duvet or quilt. Spread your topper of choice over the bed. You can leave the sheet and blanket you just folded in #5 visible. Here, this silky smooth linen and viscose quilt drapes to perfection atop the bed. Go Team Quilt!
No. 7…Add pillows (the more the merrier). I’m a firm believer that one can never, ever have too many pillows. But when making a bed, I usually stick to having a standard six pillows or more. I know the 5-pillow combination is popular (with a small throw pillow front and enter), but I prefer an even, stacked look. I arrange two Euro shams in the back (usually in a print like pictured above), with two standard pillow shams (matching the comforter if possible), and two small throw pillows. Discover your favorite pillow arrangement with the help of One Kings Lane here.
No. 8…Finish with a folded coverlet or throw blanket at the foot of the bed if desired. Lastly, and it’s not pictured here, I like to fold a cozy throw blanket at the foot of the bed. It gives guests yet another cozy, huggable addition to a heavenly bed. And think about switching out your throw seasonally. Might I suggest a faux fur for colder months and a nice light cotton quilt for warmer months.
 Around Your Home)
