Fresh, Clean and Green News

Whether you are planning a relaxing summer vacation, a volunteer adventure, gearing up for a house swap or just heading out to enjoy a warm summer day, we have some earth conscious tips to help insure your travel experience is environmentally smart & pleasurable.

Picnicking? Camping? Traveling around the world? Now more than ever are there more eco-friendly options and information available for where to go, how to get there, and what to bring.

Some basic green travel advice

     To fly or not to fly: Air transportation is now the fastest
     growing source of carbon dioxide emitted into the Earth’s
     atmosphere. For this year’s vacation, why not consider
     exploring your own country. Take a road trip, climb aboard
     a bus or train. Or, have you ever considered a cycling holiday?

     Keep it short and sweet: Air travel is one of the largest
     sources of green house emissions. Consider going the short
     haul rather than the long haul if you must fly.

     Linger longer: Instead of taking off three to four times per
     year, plan taking your vacation time in bulk to minimize
     air travel. Or consider limiting yourself to one summer and
     one winter trip.

     Just like home: Don’t forget to pack your good green
     habits when you travel. Bring along a few reusable bags for
     your purchases. Turn the lights out and the AC down
     when you leave your hotel rooms. Just as you would at
     home, reuse your bath towels and sheet sets instead
     of requesting a new set daily.

Traveling in Eco-style
Eco-travel isn’t synonymous with bare-bones accommodations. Instead, some would say, “eco-travel is earth conscious, guilt-free luxury,” and sustainable tourism is among the most significant movements in travel right now. The earth-conscious and guilt-free effects come from the goal of the eco accommodation; that being to blend into the environment and promote eco-conservation by using as little of the natural resources as possible. Think of it as becoming one with the location while you vacation.

     •ecotourism.org
     •ecovoyager.com
     •forbestraveler.com
     •itsagreengreenworld.com

To pitch a tent, or not
Did someone say feather beds, safari tents and internet access? Getting back to nature doesn’t have to mean roughing it anymore. From luxury camping accommodations to the perfect plot, check out these great camp site finders. And if the natural experience is what you crave, those options are plentiful too.

     •koa.com
     •reserveamerica.com
     •costanoa.com
     •elcapitancanyon.com
     •gorp.away.com

Volunteer vacation
Why not lend a hand on your next vacation by volunteering to assist Mother Earth? You can enjoy the ocean while helping to clean up a coral reef, spend time in the forest with a tree planting group, or experience island living while you help save a turtle from extinction. Check out these great sources for the adventure that best suits your family’s interests.

     •globeaware.org
     •globalvolunteers.org
     •sustainabletravelinternational.org
     •unitedplanet.org

Be a local
When booking accommodations, support the local economy by choosing locally owned guesthouses or hotels rather than a multi-international hotel chain. If you choose to eat in while traveling, purchase your food and drink in local shops rather than supermarket chains.

Remember many tourist spots have local markets that can be fun to browse, but be conscious of the use of animal products sourced from endangered species, particularly in the case of jewelry.

When traveling to new areas, insure your experience is authentic. Use licensed local guides, agents and operators for your excursions and activities. It’s also another great way to contribute the economy and insure that you are exploring properly, protecting natural resources and wildlife, and promoting conservation.

Book smart—Good guides for great adventures
     •Fodor’s Green Travel
     •Volunteer: A Traveler’s Guide
     •Lonely Planet Code Green
     •Green Travel Hub

All geared up and everywhere to go
Ready. Set. Pack! Check out some of Simple Green’s favorite earth conscious shopping sources and stock up on good green gear for your summer adventures.

     •gaiam.com
     •greenshopper.com
     •patagonia.com
     •rei.com
     •simpleshoes.com

When purchasing remember to look for items made from organic and naturally renewable sources. And don’t forget to look into buying gently used items too. Purchasing used and recycled goods and gear can save on money and the resources it takes to create new items.

Lastly and very simply, remember to take nothing but memories and leave nothing but foot prints.

From the Simple Green family to yours, we wish you a summer season full of fun, sun and adventure!

Try our cool cleaning tips and get your summer gear ready for some fun in the sun!

Cleaning Tip #1- Clean Your Boat:
For general cleaning of the hull of your boat mix a 1:30 solution of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner and water. For best results work in sections: wet the area to be cleaned first, apply the Simple Green solution, scrub with a soft carwash-type brush or non-abrasive sponge or mitt, rinse well and use a chamois or lint-free cloth to remove any excess water. You should never wash the exterior of your boat in or near a natural water source. Remember, allowing anything other than water to enter into streams, lakes, storm drains or other natural water sources is a violation of the Clean Water Act. This is true for any fluid (except plain water) – not just Simple Green.

Simple Green is also safe for use on your boat interior, bilge, upholstery, sails and hardware.
More here…

Cleaning Tip #2- Clean your RV Inside & Out
RV Exterior and Rubber Roof – Using Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner to clean the exterior of your RV, including rubberized RV roofs should be done with a 1:30 solution of Simple Green and water. It is always best to clean your RV in the shade or on an overcast day. The hot sun can cause any cleaning solution to act more aggressively, and can cause the cleaner to dry onto the surface. Work in sections and rinse after cleaning so that the solution does not have a chance to dry (it’ll be harder to remove if allowed to dry before rinsing.) Rinse each section as you go. Another helpful tip - Wash from the bottom up and rinse from the top down. This will help to prevent streaking.

Black-water tanks – To use Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner as a deodorizer for a black-water tank, add a whole quart to your full 50-gallon tank before setting off for the destination where you plan to dump it. The sloshing of the Simple Green in the tank will help liquefy and deodorize so that you have an easier flushing task at your next stop. Once you have flushed your black-water tank you can retreat the system with enzymes and be back on your way!

Gray-water tanks – Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is safe for gray-water tanks. When you use Simple Green to clean typical household soils (counter tops, floors, sinks, showers, etc.) it will be rinsed into your gray-water tank. This is perfectly safe for the tank. To deodorize a gray water tank you shouldn’t have to add Simple Green if you are cleaning with it. Simply keep a pre-diluted 1:10 solution of Simple Green and water for cleaning most surfaces inside your RV. Be sure to mix the Simple Green solution in a clean bottle that is marked “Simple Green” so that no one mistakes it for mouthwash or hairspray!

Cleaning Tip #3- Clean Your Tent & Awning:
Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is both safe and effective for cleaning your canvas, mesh, or nylon tent or awning. Simple Green will not affect treated surfaces such as Scotchgard®. The recommended dilution ratio is 1:30. It is always best to wet the fabric surface prior to applying the Simple Green solution and always clean the surface when it is cool. For best results apply to a wet surface, scrub with a soft bristle brush or non-abrasive scrubber and rinse well with a hose. Allow to air dry, preferably in a sunny area and voila, you are ready to hit the road!