Green Savings in Honor of Earth Day

This week we have a few deals and tips to save you some green while helping you to be green. We have an offer from ComEd that will not only save you money it will make you money. Do you have a second fridge or freezer that is causing a drain on your electricity bill? Give ComEd a call and they will pay you to take it away.

Have you been thinking about switching out some of those environmentally toxic household cleaners but don't want to spend a fortune replacing them with 'green cleaners' that many merchants are promoting? We have a solution for you in the tips section.

As always, remember to check with the merchant for additional details.

1. ComEd Customers

Deal: ComEd will pick up your old working fridge or freezer for free and pay you $35 to recycle it. Go here to make your appointment online or call them at 888-806-2273.

Valid:  Through April 30, 2011 - Be sure to use Promo Code ALV35

 2. , Huntley Outlet Center

Deal: "7 Days, 7 Deals" going on now. This sale started on April 17 however, it continues through April 23. Get the 7 days of coupons here.

Valid: Through April 23, 2011 

 3. Kohl's, Algonquin

Deal: 50 percent off many select items throughout the store, Today Only.

Valid:  One day only - April 20, 2011 

The solution is Baking Soda! Or rather, the environmentally friendly, key ingredient for many household cleaning solutions is Baking Soda. Before I detail some of my favorite uses for baking soda, I feel the need to express my dismay that not one of the local big name grocery or discount stores has baking soda on special this week. I checked all the big name stores who have ads online. 

I did find a coupon for baking soda at the main Arm & Hammer Web site.

1. Use baking soda to freshen the fridge—sure practically everyone knows this one by now. And, I will venture to guess that most of you know the trick about dumping the 'fridge' box down the garbage disposal when it has finished its job in there. My personal experience with this one is that if it did its job correctly it is not quite fresh enough to 'deodorize' the garbage disposal. Instead, how about using it to clean the inside of the toilet bowl or use it to scrub out the shower or the tub. It still works as a non-abrasive scrubber even if it is carrying around all the fridge odors that it absorbed, those will go down with the rinse water.

2. Scrubbing the grill with a paste made from baking soda and water does a great job on the exterior as well as using it on the interior with your grill brush on the grating.

3. Sprinkling it on carpeting. Sprinkle it over the carpet and let it sit for a minimum of fifteen minutes before vacuuming it up.

4. Use on your body in the bath to soothe skin rashes. Add one cup to the bathtub.  Also works as a gentle exfoliant when sprinkled on a washcloth before scrubbing your skin. 

5. Use on bug bites and stings to cool the skin, stop the itch and help draw out toxins. Mix baking soda and water into a paste and immediately apply to the bite or sting and when necessary immediately seek medical help.

There are many more alternative use suggestions at the Arm & Hammer Web site. They even have an option for you to add your own. If anyone reading this has some additional uses that you have tried and want to share, please do so in the comments section.