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Old nylons, new uses

Huddler's Green Home Community — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:04:43 PDT

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We dedicate this to all our stockings that have bit the dust.

Many women have felt the frustration of being all dressed up when disaster strikes -- a run in your nylons. Maybe it's small and in an inconspicuous spot and can be salvaged with clear nail polish.

But if the run is beyond hope, here are some great alternative uses for your damaged stockings.

Nylons can:

Tie up things, like plants that need to be staked.
Filter old paint from one can into a new can. Just stretch the nylon across the top of the new can and pour the old paint through it. It will filter out lumps and dried paint.
Store scraps of soap. Collect enough pieces, and tie the stocking off. It will made a good soap scrubber
Protecting very small items, like handkerchiefs and doilies, in the washing machine and dryer (low temp). They may need ironing afterward, but lace trim and hem-stitching will be safe from the zippers and rivets of other clothes, and they won't find their way into the lint trap.
Be made into sachets ... put in some lavender flowers, cedar chips, or your favorite potpourri; tie a knot; cut above the knot; repeat up the leg and then toss the little bundles in drawers, shoe boxes, the pockets of stored coats ... wherever.
Remove cat hair from furniture. Pull the stocking over your hand, and wipe down your couches and chairs. It creates static and the hairs come right up.
Find lost contact lenses, earrings, or other such tiny items. Put the stocking over the end of the vacuum hose and gently vacuum the area where the item was dropped.
Repel deer and other animals from your garden. They hate the smell of humans, so you can use nylons with ivory soap staked in the garden to keep the deer away.
Shine shoes like the best of them.
"Scrub" silver, plexiglass, and other easily scratched surfaces.
Store things like screws, nails, nuts, etc. Pour the items into the stocking, tie it off and hang it over a work table.
Be attached to the discharge hose of your washing machine to catch lint before it goes down the drain and clogs pipes.
Be pulled over a yardstick to dust under the fridge, washer, dryer, or under any hard to reach area.
Be used like a bungee cord to tie things down. Keep an old pair in your car trunk.
Become a pet toy -- for cats, fill the nylon foot with pieces of old fabric, then tie off the opening. Add a bit of catnip for an extra treat. For dogs, put a tennis ball in an old stocking and tie a knot.
Apply varnish or finish in the hard-to-reach places where a brush won't fit.
Keep kids warm -- on extra cold days, use clean old stockings as mitten liners for children. They are ideal because they can provide warmth at least up to the elbow.
Keep kids entertained -- nylons can be used to make a crafty seed sprouting creature.
Bind piles of newspapers and magazines. Cut the top of a pair of nylons off and voila! You have a large rubber band.
Reduce your heating bill. Make a stocking snake to prevent drafts by filling the leg of a nylon with sand and tie the end shut. Place at the bottom of the door to prevent cold air from seeping inside.
Haul around small toys, like action figures. This works great for road trips.
Replace expensive stuffing in homemade pillows or dolls. When the stuffed toy wears out, you can take the nylons out and use them again.
Protect shoes from scuffing while traveling. Store one shoe in each leg of the nylons.
Create an outdoor hand-washing station. Put a bar of soap into an old nylon and tie it to an outdoor faucet. If you donât have a convenient outdoor tap, an old laundry detergent container can be filled up with water. Tie the soap to the handle. You can use a hammer to poke a hole near the bottom of the container, and stick a golf tee inside to create a lower level of water flow. Now you can wash your hands after gardening, walking the dog, and playing or working outside.
Be used to create a non-slip bar of soap for kidsâ bath time. Put the bar of soap into the nylon, and tie off the edges. Cut off any tail. This makes the soap have better grip for kids.
Be used as a disposable headband. Cut the nylon across the leg to create circles. In a pinch they can also be used as hair bands for ponytails.
Be turned into an inexpensive softball that won't hurt kids or your furniture. Stuff an old stocking with other old pairs of nylons, and sew the top closed.
Scrub your back when you canât reach -- place a bar of soap in the middle of a stocking, and tie off both ends. Now you can grab each end of the stocking and seesaw your back clean.
Help someone with a broken arm or leg get dressed. Cut the foot part off of a stocking, and stretch it over the cast. This nylon will keep clothing from getting caught on the cast.
Make you rich quick -- go to a bank, pull the nylons over your head and ... um â¦ maybe not. ;)

The green Olympics leave us with high-tech, eco-uniforms

Trystan L. Bass — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:27:04 PDT

China has hyped the XXIX Olympiad as the "green Olympics" with everything from adding a little bit of clean power (versus coal) for Beijing to earning an energy-effeciency award for the Olympic Village.

Critics say China hasn't done enough to clean up its act, and even Beijing officials admit they won't continue all the same pollution controls once the Olympic flame moves on.

Perhaps one small, but lasting token of the "green Olympics" is Nike's uniforms and shoes for both American and Chinese athletes. The sports gear company worked with Team USA the Chinese Olympic Committee to create high-tech, high-performance outfits for the games.

But what's truly innovative was Nike's extensive use of recycled polyester. In particular, the Swift Suit for the track and field events is entirely made of 100% recycled polyester. This means the fibers are reclaimed from soda bottles and post-industrial scraps.

The company claims that this suit has a 7% drag reduction over the one it designed for the Athens Olympics. This could cut 0.02 seconds off a sprinter's time in a 100m race, and in the Olympics, those fractions may be the difference between gold and silver.

Nike's new Swift Suit is proof that a business can combine environmental responsibility with advanced technology. And that's not the only improvement Olympians are wearing.

The footwear -- especially those on the 'Redeem Team' for U.S. basketball -- is 18% lighter than the average Nike shoe. Both the basketball shoes and the track and field shoes use a new Flywire design that radically reduces the weight and ends the use of multiple layers of material to create support in the shoes.

All of this could be a long-term environmental gain because using less material in shoes means using less resources overall. Plus, the shoes would have less to recycle after they're worn out. The Flywire technology is available to the public in Nike's Hyperdunk shoes.

Hopefully this "making more out of less" concept will extend throughout Nike's product line. That could help the green Olympics last well after Beijing passes the torch.

Solar bags go bling

Jaymi Heimbuch — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:09:00 PDT

Solar bags so far are notoriously expensive. From $1,500 for a briefcase to $300-$400 for a carry-on style bag to $250 for a beach bag. All of which are fairly ugly.

They grasp desperately onto some appeal factor by looking like anything you can pick up at Target, but end up utterly unspectacular except for the sore-thumb solar cells on the sides. Luckily, women -- or men exceedingly comfortable with their sexuality -- will be able to have their style and solar power too.

Cost competitive for other bags weâve seen (though still pretty pricy), is the new Solarjo Power Purse. Coming in at $285, itâs about what someone with extra cash would spend on a fancy purse. And this one looks like something you might find at a nicer department store. In fact, it looks really stylish.

The purse is covered in solar cells that can soak up enough sun in two hours to charge a cell phone battery. The PV cells are laminated for protection from scratches, and two batteries held in the lining of the purse hold a full charge that can last for up to a month. A USB port inside the purse can be used for charging most any small device, from phones to cameras, palm pilots to iPods.

Basically, someone can just plop the purse on a window sill at work or some sunny location, wait for a charge, and plug in their doo-dads, all with the purse functioning exactly as a purse should -- no obtrusive wires or obnoxiously geeky give-aways.

The purse was designed three years ago by Joe Hynek who recognized just how lame solar accessories can be. Itâll be available by the end of 2008 for people who want to flash their attachment to the green movement with something that wonât clash with their outfits. It definitely has the potential to get picked up by some hip celebrity, and then the bags will go flying off shelves.

Considering itâll cost no more than a designer bag already costs, it looks great, and youâll get free solar power, I think this is a pretty big breakthrough in solar power fashion. Now, weâll just have to see how well it actually works at collecting energy, and if the price stays at the projected $285 after release.

Via Dailymail

Sew green, save green, look fab

Trystan L. Bass — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:16:52 PDT

Sewing might seem like an archaic skill in the 21st century, but it's a fun way to green up your lifestyle, add some flair to your wardrobe, and even save some money. You don't even need a sewing machine for most projects -- just a few basic needles, some scissors, straight pins, and thread.

The Daily Green points out that July 25 is Thread the Needle Day -- a traditional holiday for tailors, seamstresses, and garment workers. So why not take this time to acquaint yourself with a little stitchery?

Mend, don't toss

The most eco-friendly thing you can do is repair stuff instead of throwing it in the garbage. According to thrift-store chain Savers, the average American throws away about 67 pounds of clothing every year!

While some of that may be threadbare socks, nasty undies, or frightening fashion disasters, surely some of those pounds of clothes are just missing a button or have a saggy hem.

Never sewn a stitch? Instructables to the rescue. Start with this step-by-step how to sew tutorial. This page guides you through the basics of hand-sewing. CraftStylish also has a useful primer to get to know your hand-sewing needles.

The most common mending task is replacing a button. They always fall off. But they're quick to put back on. It helps if you've saved the original, of course. eHow has a nice tutorial on how to sew on a button. So easy, a teenager could do it.

Pants need hemming? Check out Expert Village's complete video series on how to hem pants. From picking the right thread to marking the hem to cutting off old hems, you won't need an expensive tailor after watching these vids. This technique also works for skirts and dresses. Take it from a gal who's 5'2" -- hemming is an important skill!

One common reason clothes get thrown out is sticky or separated zippers. For zippers that don't run smoothly, try rubbing a candle or a piece of soap across the teeth, then zipping and unzipping the zipper a few times. If the zipper has come apart, check out eHow's instructions for repairing a separated zipper. You'll just need some pliers, a needle, and thread.

Don't forget about your shoes too. You may not be able to repair them at home, but taking them to a cobbler is cheaper than a new pair of loafers or Jimmy Choos. Most shoes can be re-heeled a few times before the uppers actually wear out.

Running shoes don't need to be replaced until after 350-550 miles of use. If you run 25 miles a week, that means you need new shoes every three to four months. The rest of us slackers can keep our sneaks for ages!

Add your own style

Decorating plain clothes can give them new life so you don't want to toss 'em out. In fact, it's become quite the niche in sewing and craft stores as well as book stores -- so if you need inspiration, you'll find it fast.

A great place to cruise for ideas is the Wardrobe Refashion community (which I've praised before). The blog is for people who pledge not to buy new clothes for a few months, and instead they remodel old clothes or sew new clothes from scratch.

Here are some simple ways to makeover something in your wardrobe:

Sew unusual buttons on a jacket or shirt.
Shorten a skirt or dress.
Turn a long-sleeve skirt into a short-sleeve one.
Cut long pants into shorts.
Sew a band of trim near the hem of a straight or A-line skirt.
Dye a white or pale garment a new color.
Make a baggy button-down shirt more fitted.

Some of these updates will be easier with a sewing machine. If you've never bought one, read through this detailed sewing machine shopper's guide written by a very experienced friend of mine. That should help you ask the right questions at the store.

Hit the runway

You can take recycling to the next level by making totally new garments out of old ones. For example, Threadbanger has videos on making a new tie out of old ties and a dress out of men's slacks.

On the One Pearl Blog, you can see how to revamp an old sweater into an adorable cardigan. It just took a big snip, some edging, and a little decoration (to cover up a stain).

Check out these two different ideas for making an old pair of jeans into a denim skirt: sleek pencil skirt or sassy A-line skirt. Both use similar methods for varied effects.

If you want to learn to sew stuff from scratch, SewMarm's YouTube channel has some handy tips on everything from inserting the bobbin on a sewing machine to making a 1920s-inspired dress in one hour.

BurdaStyle also has useful tutorials on techniques like pleats, different types of seams, pockets, and buttonholes.

Sewing doesn't require a huge, up-front investment, although it's easy to go nuts at a fabric store. Keep it eco-friendly by looking at thrift-stores for fabric. I love using sheets, tablecloths, and curtains as material because you get a huge piece of great yardage on the cheap. And making over clothes you already own is definitely green since you're reducing garbage.

The extra benefit is that you'll have a wardrobe like nobody else! Who needs Project Runway?

Flip-flops that are good for the planet

Trystan L. Bass — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:06:01 PDT

You know the summer sun can give you cancer (and the wrong sunscreen can kill marine life). Over-chlorinated swimming pools can give you asthma. What's next on the summer hit list?

Flip-flops.

That's right. Those noisy little sandals â once only seen in slimy camp showers but now creeping into casual Friday workplaces across the nation â turn out to be made of nasty PVC.

This vinyl is chock full of phthalates, a distressingly common chemical compound that's been linked to developmental and reproductive problems in children. Plus, manufacturing PVC produces dioxins, which causes cancer.

Kind of makes you want to wear socks, huh?

Despair not! Plenty Magazine has a list of clean, green PVC-free flip-flops. And they're not weird, granola styles either â you'll find sporty models from Adidas and Nike for women, men, and kids.

When you're looking for thongs that won't out-gas evil chemicals, choose materials like rubber, EVA, and polyurethane. While not perfect, these components are still less damaging than PVC is to the environment and to you.

Recycle, retread your toes

Trystan L. Bass — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:08:16 PDT

Here's a new idea for summer footwear -- make a pair of sandals out of an old tire. Planet Green points to instructions from a camping expert.

To make Thomas J. Elpel's sandals, you'll need a saw for the large cuts and a utility knife for the small cuts. Then add some nylon harness strapping for the Teva-style straps, and that's it. No glue or stitching required. You've got a pair of hardcore recycled sandals.

These shoes are similar to those worn by the Maasai warriors in Tanzania. Six warriors from this east African country raced in the London Marathon in April 2008 to raise money for their drought-stricken village.

Their efforts were largely successful, though water remains a critical issue in Africa. While you're trying to chill this summer in your nifty retread kicks, see how you can help the reset of the world cool down with fresh, clean water too.

Recycle, retread your toes

Trystan L. Bass — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:08:16 PDT

Here's a new idea for summer footwear -- make a pair of sandals out of an old tire. Planet Green points to instructions from a camping expert.

Undies for the earth

Trystan L. Bass — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:32:59 PDT

Thank you Grist for tackling the really important issues â¦ how green is your presidential candidate ... achieving social justice with green jobs ... and earth-friendly underwear ...

Yep, you heard that right. Environmentalists finally have a comprehensive guide to a carbon-neutral lingerie drawer. Who says being green is all work and no play?

Buy organic cotton or hemp briefs, since tons of pesticides are used on regular cotton and nylon production is messy. Go commando every so often -- it's good for the planet (and maybe your love life!).

Look for eco-friendly detergents to wash your skivvies. Make everything smell pretty with natural sachets. And consider upgrading to a sustainably-made dresser to store all your new boxers or camis.

Shoes and your carbon footprint

Trystan L. Bass — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:30:56 PDT

Did you know that America has more than seven pairs of shoes per person? (If you're female and anything like me, you may have triple that in your own closet.) Did you realize that 84% of those shoes were made in China?

Sustainablog does the math and wonders about the environmental impact of all this footwear. Leaving a small footprint isn't easy when your very soles are steeped in sweatshop labor and unsustainable materials.

According to the Green Guide, everything from the leather to the glues holding our Nike cross-trainers and Manolo Blahnik stilettos together are rather toxic. Shoe factory workers get sick from the chemicals. Production waste is dumped into rivers and delicate ecosystems.

If your shoes are made of synthetic materials, the impact is just as bad. Faux leather and vinyl are made of PVC, and making this plastic creates environmental problems.

So do we have to walk barefoot if we really want to live lighter on the earth? Not necessarily.

Walk on
Ecolocalizer points out that we can start by taking better care of the shoes we do buy. Don't throw 'em out if they get a little scuffed -- repair those Jimmy Choos! I've been doing this for ages because once I find shoes I like, I want to wear them as much as possible. Getting a new sole, capping old heels, or repairing a buckle doesn't take long at a cobbler shop, and the cost is certainly less than new shoes.

Buy green
If those loafers have truly loafed their last, replace them with eco-friendly brands. Lime has a guide to stylish green shoes -- Birkenstocks are no longer the only option.

MooShoes, a vegan shoe boutique in New York, sells more than 100 styles. Hear store owner Erica Kubersky's perspective on "fashion with compassion" in this video interview.

Want something a bit more rugged? Timerland's Earthkeepers line of shoes are made of organic and renewable materials. The company is working with its suppliers -- especially leather tanneries -- to be more sustainable. You can even see the environmental footprint those hiking boots will leave, thanks to Timerbland's nutrition label on the box.

For casual kicks, Simple Shoes sells sneakers, sandals, and more made of materials like hemp, organic cotton, and recycled car tires.

And if you're a real Carrie Bradshaw type (with a green streak), step over to Great Green Shoes for almost-daily recommendations of vegan and earth-friendly shoes.

Green wedding guide

Elizabeth Hurchalla — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:01:52 PST

Getting married is one of the biggest commitments you'll ever make. Why not use it to honor your commitment to the environment -- and inspire your guests to go greener in the process?

Here's how to throw your own sustainable celebration, from food to flowers: Â

Rings

Give each other family rings instead of buying new ones. A jeweler can melt down an old ring and/or reset old jewels to make a new ring in whatever style you want.

For a new ring made of recycled materials, shop Green Karat.

If you have your heart set on a diamond, do your research, since the profits from mining some diamonds end up funding civil wars in Africa. For questions to ask retailers, see Amnesty International's buyer's guide.

Location

Get married close to home so you and your guests don't need to expend a lot of energy getting to the wedding.

Consider a pretty outdoor location, such as an arboretum or community garden, run by a nonprofit that will benefit from the cost of your wedding.Â

Invitations

Instead of paper invitations, send electronic ones. Evite offers dozens of wedding-themed invitations to choose from.

If you prefer the traditional mailed invite, go with recycled paper. Some invitations even containÂ flower seeds that guests can plant.Â

Clothes

Instead of buying a new gown that you'll only wear once, get a vintage one. You can alter your mom's dress to suit you, or look for one you like at vintage and thrift stores. Some bridal shops will even rent gowns - ask around.

There's no rule that says the groom has to get married in a tux. Why not pull a suit out of the closet?Â Â

Food & drink

Choose a caterer who cooks with organic, locally raised food. Not sure where to look? Try Local Harvest's list of organic restaurants in your area. Even better, make your meal vegetarian or even vegan to reduce the resources needed to produce your food.

Select organic wines. For suggestions, check out TreeHugger's organic champagne and sparkling wine guide.

Rent plates, glasses, cutlery, napkins, and everything else you'll need to serve guests, rather than relying on plastic or other disposables.

Flowers

Choose flowers that are ecologically grown, like those from Organic Style.

After the wedding, donate the flowers to a local nursing home or charity.

Choose plants for decorations and centerpieces instead of cut flowers. After the reception, have guests take them home.

Gifts & favors

Check out the I Do Foundation registry. Here you can register for your favorite charities (including the National Wildlife Federation and the Sierra Club) and retailers (including Gaiam) who will donate a percentage of each gift's cost to the charities of your choice.

Give flower seeds or tree seeds as favors.Â

Transportation

Instead of renting a limo, try a horse and carriage or a hybrid.

Provide guests with information on public transportation and/or encourage them to carpool.

Consider renting buses to transport guests. It's not only easier on the environment but also safer, since you don't have to worry about anyone driving drunk.

Honeymoon

Instead of flying, which has a relatively high environmental impact, travel by train to your destination.

Be an ecotourist. Before you plan your trip, find out how to travel more responsibly by visiting the International Ecotourism Society site.

Sources:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/04/how-to-green-your-wedding.php

http://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Green-Wedding

http://ecofabulous.blogs.com/ecofabulous/valentines-day-gift-guide.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_2093558_rent-wedding-dress.html

http://www.theknot.com/keywords/in_701.shtml