Toenails are such frequent targets of fungal infection, that this ailment is among the most common in the world. Because the fungus is more likely to grow in dark and damp places, feet and toenails are particularly susceptible.

Vinegar is often the home remedy most readily available to address this problem.

Vinegar contains natural properties that can both stave off and help cure toenail fungus. Many people choose this remedy over harsh chemicals or synthetic medicines.

Because both apple cider and white vinegar can aid in the eradication of fungal infections in the nail beds, either is acceptable for use as a home remedy. Not only is this remedy very cheap, but it is also among the most effective available.

Because vinegar is a safe, non-invasive treatment for toenail fungus, you don’t need any special training to apply it yourself.

Here is a basic outline of a common home remedy:

• Create a solution of one part vinegar and one part water.
• Soak your feet in this solution at least once daily, for 30 minutes, as well as alternate between cold and hot baths.
• Additionally, many people recommend that a person take three of these baths per day, at regular intervals.
• Because it causes a pH imbalance in the skin, toenail fungus can make skin more alkaline and thereby cause irritation of the cuticles and tissues.
• Toenail fungus should be treated immediately, since the infection can manifest itself as both itchiness and pain in the affected area.

The acidic properties of vinegar restore the pH balance of the skin, which allows the integumentary system to relieve the itchiness associated with the infection.

Many vinegar options are available today, which are relatively inexpensive at local groceries and markets. These include rice, malt, fruit, coconut, cane, balsamic, and apple cider varieties of vinegar.

The inflammation and pain that fungal infections cause has been shown to be reduced by the application of apple cider vinegar.  Hydrogen peroxide can also kill bacteria and viruses, when used in conjunction with a regular vinegar application.

An alternative to soaking your feet in a bath is to directly apply the vinegar on the base of the toenail, at least twice a day.  Just make sure that the vinegar will stay in place long enough to get the desired result.

A maximum of two drops of vinegar is suggested, for the remedy to be effective.

Toenail fungus can be effectively treated with vinegar. If you get infected, look to your kitchen cupboard first, for this simple but efficient solution for fungal problems.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are ill you should consult a medical doctor.

This post was first published on The Green Bean Blog. To continue reading, please visit Will Vinegar Treat Toenail Fungus? is a post from:

I, personally, love to clean. I love the look of a sparkling kitchen and a tidy bathroom. However, I am not as fond of the toxic smell of chemicals, which is usually a side effect of having a clean home. So, I was thrilled when I finally tried Method’s line of soaps, surface cleaners and detergents. They are ‘people against dirty’ (read, people after my own heart) and they stand for great design, sustainability, safety and good-smelling cleaning products.

Method offsets their carbon from all of their employees’ commutes and the energy it takes to run their office buildings. They also offset the energy consumed by the manufacture of products through renewable energy credits. They work to reduce their energy consumption from making, shipping and using their products. One of the ways they can do this is by manufacturing concentrated soaps and detergents. Oftentimes, soap contains a large percent of water, but Method makes more concentrated products which allow less packaging materials and less weight. This results in fewer carbon emissions during the shipping and distribution of products.

In terms of safety, Method has followed the ideas of Michael Braungart, co-author of Cradle to Cradle, in using completely natural, biodegradable and harmless ingredients in their products. They were recognized at the ‘champions’ level of Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative, as part of the EPA’s Design for the Environment program. The program works to reduce chemical risk and improve energy efficiency to be better for both people and the planet. The EPA now has 1,034 products and counting as part of this program, which have eliminated more than 270 million pounds of harmful chemicals. Method currently has 50 products in compliance with the DfE program.

Method also prominently displays their ingredient lists on their website, breaking each product down ingredient by ingredient. You can feel good about knowing exactly what’s in every product you use. The people at Method work with Michael’s Braungart’s team at the Environmental Protection and Encouragement Agency (EPEA) to carefully consider every material that goes into their final products, and to make sure that the products won’t pollute any of our water systems with harmful chemicals.

Method makes Cradle to Cradle certified products, which is a huge achievement in itself, but they also became endorsed as a Cradle to Cradle company recently, which means that they are environmentally sustainable not only in their products, but in all aspects of their business.

Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry, the founders of Method, have also figured out how to capture the market (and my gratitude) with their sleek designs. I no longer feel the need to stuff cleaning products under the sink or put them in non-descript containers; my dish soap stands proudly out on the counter. The bottles are 100% recycled plastic and Method uses labels that won’t jam up recycling systems. And did I mention they are pretty?

I knew I loved Method’s products the moment I read the bottles and discovered scents like ‘pink grapefruit, cucumber, ginger yuzu’ among others. Thankfully, we finally have another choice for scents in the cleaning aisle besides lemon.

Method has revolutionized a market which has historically been seen as environmentally unsound. They have made effective cleaning products that can be washed down drain without the subsequent environmental guilt pains. They have made it so we can take off the rubber gloves, and we can keep our cleaning products on display. Above all, they have set a standard of sustainability.

This post was first published on The Green Bean Blog. To continue reading, please visit Clean and Green: Method’s Home and Personal Care Products is a post from:

Odds are, you have a DVD lying around the house that you’ve watched so many times it’s practically committed to memory. Or a book someone gave you that you’ll never read. You’ve thought about trying to sell these items on e-bay or amazon, but then it hardly seems worth it with the time and costs of listing those things. Well, for those of you who have been holding onto your old collection of movies, music, books or video games, you’ve hit the jackpot.

You can now swap any of your old media for something new through Swaptree. They allow you to set up a list of all your DVDs, CDs, books and video games that you no longer want (a “have list”), and media that you want (a “want list”) and the website goes to work to find you what you want. It’s easy, and it’s free. You’re only responsible for the shipping costs, which can be done on the cheap through the post office’s media mail rates.

Swaptree keeps consumers happy but is also reducing the number of shopping trips, packaging, and new goods purchased. Say you’ve got the last season of “Lost” on DVD, but you’ve watched it so many times you’re sick of it. Instead of tossing it, or even donating it, you can retain its value by trading it for something else you want.

If you’ve always wanted Michael Pollan’s book The Omnivore’s Dilemma, you can put it on your “want” list, and if you’ve got something that somebody else wants, you’ve got the book and it’s yours for as long as you want. For those of us who want to keep books we really love, this is a great system since libraries always have a return policy and buying through bookstores can be expensive.

Swaptree has brought real meaning to “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” The more members, the greater chance of scoring the loot you want. So go ahead and try Swaptree, maybe that novel you just read at the beach this past weekend will be just the thing to get you a copy of your favorite movie.

This post was first published on The Green Bean Blog. To continue reading, please visit Swaptree: Trade Books and DvDs Free Online is a post from:

As many of you know, homemade cleaning supplies are often the greenest cleaning supplies. Such is the case with homemade window cleaner solution. Making your own window cleaning solution not only reduces the negative impact of the packaging, shipping, and hazardous chemicals of traditional cleaners, but it also saves you a little cash.

A simple mix of 2-4 common, around-the-house, and most importantly, non-toxic items and a reusable glass spray bottle or recycled plastic spray bottle (try to use something you already have, rather than buying anything new) are all you need for the perfect window cleaning solution.

I’ve gathered together the best recipes I’ve found. Just put all the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake it up. Experiment with them until you find a mix you like. If you are like me and find even dish detergent a little less natural than you’d like, I recommend recipes #4 or #8.

Homemade Window Cleaner Recipes

Recipe #1

2 cups water
½ t mild dish detergent
3T vinegar

Recipe #2

2 TBSP cornstarch
1/2 cup household ammonia
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 gallon warm water

Recipe #3

1 cup water
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 cup rubbing alcohol

Recipe #4

1 gallon warm water
1/2 cup white vinegar

Recipe #5

1 gallon water
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tsp dish detergent (liquid)

Recipe #6

1 gallon water
2 TBS lemon juice
1/4 cup vinegar
squirt liquid dish detergent

Recipe #7

4-5 cups water
2 cups rubbing alcohol
1/2 cup ammonia
1 tsp dish detergent (liquid)

Recipe #8

3T Ammonia
1T vinegar
3 cups water

Window Cleaning Tools

Another important aspect of green window cleaning is the tools you use. Believe it or not, windows can, and should, be cleaned without paper towels because paper towels always means unnecessary waste. All you really need to clean your windows is a squeegee and old newspapers or reusable lint-free towels.

Just spray on your homemade cleaner, wipe it off with the squeegee, and clean up the excess spots with newspaper or towels. It’s that simple.

I know it is not a big step towards saving the environment, but it is a little thing to lessen your impact.

This post was first published on The Green Bean Blog. To continue reading, please visit Green Window Cleaner: Homemade Window Cleaning Solution is the Best Alternative is a post from:

How many times have you sorted through a pile of papers looking for a phone number you jotted down? Or looked, horrified, at your kids after they decided it was more fun to draw on the wall than the paper you gave them? Not to worry – now you can encourage creativity and communication with Ideapaint which lets you write, draw, or scribble directly on any number of surfaces, walls included.

With just one coat of Ideapaint, you can transform any smooth surface into a dry-erase board. The paint can coat anything from a tabletop to a refrigerator door.  Feel free to get imaginative; there are many uses for Ideapaint around the house. And the best part is that it’s both kid and adult friendly. Kids can doodle away, and parents can jot down important phone numbers, appointments, grocery lists, recipes, you name it. Families are brought together to play games, inspire creativity, or share ideas. Ideapaint is also available in a variety of colors, most of which are relatively muted except for a striking orange which could be a bright and fun choice. Ideapaint is not only more fun and flexible in its use, but is also a more sustainable product than your conventional dry-erase board.

As Ideapaint points out, they are the “most environmentally friendly dry-erase product on the market.” They eliminate the extraction of virgin materials such as steel, aluminum, resin, vinyl and wood used to manufacture conventional dry-erase or chalkboards, and they use less energy. Ideapaint is stirred where as manufactured dry-erase boards need to be baked and cured, a process that consumes a greater amount of energy. The paint is also better for air quality as it is formaldehyde-free, and once it is completely dry, does not produce any harmful gases. That said, while you’re painting, make sure to ventilate the space until the paint is completely dry. If you get tired of having a dry-erase board, or you are re-doing a room, simply paint over it and you’re done. Ideapaint helps keep dry-erase boards or chalkboards (and the raw materials they consist of) out of landfills.

Though Ideapaint has been praised for encouraging innovation and collaboration in our professional and educational systems, I think that it’s just as easy and fun to use around the house. Why not paint a patch of wall, put a frame around it and inspire your own masterpiece? Or paint the bottom of a tray and bring someone breakfast in bed with a personal note? Forget the piles of sticky notes and the scraps of paper, order a sample of Ideapaint and get creative.

This post was first published on The Green Bean Blog. To continue reading, please visit Write on the Walls: Dry-Erase Boards with Ideapaint is a post from:

Before you put on your make-up in the morning, consider this: A woman may ingest around 4 pounds of lipstick over the course of her life. Skin is one of the most absorbent surfaces on the body, and the average woman slathers on product after product to achieve younger looking, more radiant skin without thinking about the ingredients.

The cosmetics industry, worth about $50 billion dollars, is among the least-regulated in terms of examining health effects, controlling the addition of chemicals, and labeling products correctly for consumer information. Not to mention, about 89% of all cosmetic ingredients have not been tested for safety by any public institution that can be held accountable. As the FDA explains on their website, “Cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA premarket approval authority.”

So who is responsible for ensuring only good things end up on your skin? The short answer: You.

So instead of running out and trying the face cream du jour, why not try some of these simple and natural solutions for clean, clear, and smooth skin?

Try At-Home Spa Solutions

There are many ways to make an exfoliating scrub made from ingredients you probably already have lying around the house. This recipe comes from our friends at Planetgreen :
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of olive oil
1/2 cup of chopped strawberries
1 tsp of vanilla
1 shot of rum
It sounds more like the ingredients for a delicious cocktail (maybe leaving out the olive oil), but in fact, it is an effective exfoliating recipe that will remove dead skin cells to reveal softer, suppler skin.

Or when you’re cleaning up after breakfast, you might be throwing away (or hopefully composting!) your coffee grinds. Take an extra minute to give yourself a quick exfoliating hand scrub. Take about a tablespoon of coffee grinds and put them in the palm of your hand, adding a little bit of hand soap. Rub the grinds and the soap with a little bit of water, scrubbing your hands, then rinse. Your hands will feel noticeably softer.

Spend a Day at the Beach

It sounds good doesn’t it? In fact, playing in the surf and sand can actually be good for your skin if you’re wearing the appropriate sunscreen. The sand will slough off dead skin cells, and the minerals in the saltwater will help cleanse and renew your skin. The sun, in appropriate doses can also be good for your skin as it can absorb the vitamin D needed.

Apply Sunscreen

Wearing a good sunscreen is critical to your skin’s overall health and radiance. The Environmental Working Group has done research to provide us with information about sunscreens on the market and which are safe and which provide the greatest protection. They say that “3 out of 5 brand name sunscreens either don’t protect skin from sun damage or contain hazardous chemicals – or both.” So, make sure that your sunscreen has made their list of the best products both for sun and chemical exposure. It is also critical to wear a daily moisturizer that contains some sun protection. All those 10 minute trips outside add up and can have detrimental effects on your skin, so make sure to protect your skin daily, as well as on those day-long trips to the beach.

Drink Plenty of Water

One of the best things you can do for your overall health is to drink enough water. The extent to which water can help your skin look better has been debated for awhile, but the truth is that water flushes away harmful toxins from your body. If you’re not getting enough water, these toxins may be released through your skin which can cause clogged pores. So making sure that you are staying hydrated, and in addition to more beautiful skin, you will have more energy and be healthier!

If you want healthy-looking skin, the main idea is to keep it simple. Avoid using too many products, and keep it as natural as possible. Look for organic products with short ingredient lists, and do your research to stay away from as many chemicals as possible. When you are buying cosmetics, see if the company has signed The Compact for Safe Cosmetics, a pledge to produce safer, less toxic products and to be more transparent about their products’ health.

Healthier skin can be fun – head to the beach, take a walk with a friend, try making inexpensive at-home spa treatments, and keep your beauty routine green.

This post was first published on The Green Bean Blog. To continue reading, please visit Natural Solutions for Beautiful Skin is a post from: