It’s been a long, cold winter, but spring will eventually be here. You might be starting to think about doing a little freshening up, disinfecting and cleaning house….

But did you know that indoor air pollution in our homes can be as much as 100 times worse than outdoor air pollution? Most of that pollution comes from the “offgas” from cleaning supplies and air fresheners…so sometimes when we think we’re cleaning and disinfecting our homes, we’re actually loading the air with toxic chemicals!

Here are a few tips for a greener spring cleaning:

  • Use natural fiber sponges or old t-shirt rags to do your cleaning instead of paper towels and other one-time use tools.
  • Skip the chemical air fresheners, which can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. Instead, try fresh or dry flowers, cedar blocks or an open box of baking soda to add natural fragrance to the room.
  • Use vinegar. Nature’s cleaning miracle, vinegar can be used to clean just about anything. Use it straight to clean kitchen floors or wash windows, mix it with baking soda and essential oils to clean sinks, and even use it to remove stains in your carpet. Learn More.
  • When you make the switch to natural cleaning products, be sure to safely dispose of any dangerous chemical products. Don’t pour them down the drain, into the ground, or into the trash. Drop them off at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Learn More.
  • Open the windows. The best way to get dirty air moving out and fresh air moving in is to open the doors and windows and feel the breeze!

*source: Sierra Blogging Post.

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This week’s tips made possible by our friends at Keloland Television.

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Local Green Experts Series

(Following is a guest column, the second in our new Local Green Experts series.  Whitney Parks is founding director of Chartreuse Research and a project designer at Koch Hazard Architects.)

by Whitney Parks

photo by Dean Isham

This year, Plain Green will open with an exciting event, a community service project, integrating hands-on learning, sustainable building concepts, and community stewardship.

The Project

The Sioux Falls Chapter of Architecture for Humanity and Sioux Falls Seminary have partnered to organize the construction of a Straw Bale Shed, April 27 and 28, before the Plain Green 10 Conference. Sioux Falls Seminary’s Summit House, located near downtown Sioux Falls in the Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood, will be the building site for the new straw bale shed. Sioux Falls Seminary students living at Summit House hope to eventually use the structure as a Tool Lending Library for the residents of the Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood for simple home maintenance and repair.

Want to get involved?

If you are interested in learning about straw bale construction, would like to help build the fi rst straw bale structure in the City of Sioux Falls, or if you would like to volunteer your time for a good cause, join the building team. Spend two days bale raising and plastering with a straw bale specialist from Nebraska, Joyce Coppinger, Managing Editor and Publisher of The Last Straw Journal.

Participants will learn sustainable construction skills with hands-on involvement while building the straw-bale shed. Space is very limited and an application is required. Though there is no fee, space is available for Plain Green attendees only. Register here today. After registering, you will be emailed an application. Team selection will be completed by April 13, 2010.

This Community Service Project is made possible by Koch Hazard Architects and Chartreuse Research, in partnership with Architecture for Humanity Sioux Falls Chapter, Sioux Falls Seminary and other supporters.

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Sioux Falls Green Drinks will celebrate it’s one -year anniversary a little early on February 24 at Latitude 44. In March 2009, two dozen people gathered for green conversation and networking at this odd shaped establishment by the railroad tracks downtown for the first ever Green Drinks in Sioux Falls. To celebrate one year of sustainability networking, we’re heading back to where it started at Latitude 44.

We’ll pass the conversation starter bucket, give everyone a chance to share their own green news and notes with a ’round-the-room, and take in a short talk on the future of biofuels by Poet Energy’s Director of Public Relations, and Green Drinker from the begining, Nathan Schock.

As always, Green Drinks is free. Ideas and friends always welcome.

The Details:

  • February 24, 2010
  • 5:00pm ’til whenever
  • Latitude 44, 201 North Weber Avenue

What is Green Drinks? A free and informal monthly mixer that brings together folks who are interested in sustainable business, design, policy and living. This is your chance to connect up and help shape a future that’s green and happy in the Sioux Falls region. Join us for good booze, good convo and a little networking with other environmentally minded people.

Green Drinks is always free and open to the public. Green Drinks is organized locally by the Sioux Falls Green Project and Astronaut Brand Studio. (Thanks to Greg and the gang at Astronaut for another awesome poster.)

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Trash Talkers Get $5,000

February 10, 2010

Today Patrick Gale of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation presented a $5,000 check to Green Project director Joe Bartmann. The grant will be used to boost the Trash Talkers upcoming summer season effort.
The Trash Talkers are a team of volunteers who help keep festivals clean and green, and talk with fans about recycling. Want [...]

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Plain Green Announces Big Time Keynote Speakers

February 9, 2010

Cameron Sinclair and Mitchell Joachim will headline a slate of five world-class keynote speakers at Plain Green Conference + Marketplace April 28-29 at the Washington Pavilion.

Cameron Sinclair is the co-founder and ‘eternal optimist’ at Architecture for Humanity, a charitable organization that seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crisis and brings professional design services to communities [...]

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Early Bird Pricing Opens for Plain Green Conference and Marketplace

February 4, 2010

Plain Green is a premier conference and marketplace for green design, business and ideas in the northern plains. Save the Dates for the next Plain Green Conference: April 28 & 29, 2010 at the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
You can save 34 bucks on your Plain Green 10 registration! [...]

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ONE TIP TO KNOW: White snow. Yellow snow. Green snow?

February 4, 2010

Right in the heart of winter, many find it the perfect time to let loose and hit the slopes. Preparing those mountain slopes for thousands of skiers, and traveling to get there, makes a big impact on the environment. This year, try to lessen your snowshoe footprint by skiing a little greener.

Lower your travel footprint. [...]

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ONE TIP TO KNOW: Fall in Love With the Environment

January 28, 2010

This Valentines Day, fall in love with the environment.
Around a billion valentines are sent each year globally, making it the second largest card-sending holiday. This year, show your love without chopping down all those trees. Here are a few tips for spreading greener gifts:

Instead of buying a paper card, send an e-card. It’s not only easy and [...]

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Miss South Dakota All Decked Out in Green

January 28, 2010

Local Green Experts Series
(Following is a guest column, the first in our new Local Green Experts series.  Anita Kealey is founder of the South Dakota Institute of Design and Technology, .)

By Anita Kealy
She will grace the Miss America runway, not in sequined gowns out-sourced or manufactured in foreign workrooms. Instead in a wardrobe consisting of [...]

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ONE TIP TO KNOW: Green Up Your Home to Green Up Your Wallet

January 20, 2010

Greening up your home and saving a little extra money doesn’t have to be difficult. Sometimes it just takes a few small changes to conserve energy, money and the environment.
Here are a three tips to get you started:

Setting your water heater to 120 degrees could save you $25 annually.
Cleaning your air conditioning, furnace and clothes [...]

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