I’m going to get straight to the point because most people skip this part anyway. (Don’t worry, I don’t take offense. I do the same thing)

I’m about to launch my youngest baby bird out of the nest and into the wild world of college dorm life. I want her dorm room to be a cozy, healthy haven that screams “responsible eco-warrior” instead of “science experiment of cheap plastics and weird smells.” Let’s be real, moving into a dorm can be expensive, but you don’t have to sell a kidney to make it greener. I’ve spent years obsessively researching non-toxic, eco-friendly alternatives (some might call it a hobby, my kids call it a personality trait).

And because I love saving the planet and a good deal, here are three money-saving tips to keep in mind:

1. Shop from within your house:

You’ll be amazed by what you already have lying around, no need to buy new when home shopping saves you time and money.

2. Embrace pre-loved items:

Check Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local Buy Nothing groups. Many dorm essentials are barely used and begging for a second life.

3. Hunt for student discounts:

Stores love students. Think Target, Apple, North Face, Nike, Levi’s and don’t forget to stalk Amazon for price drops.

In my efforts to make mindful purchases:

• I look for products Made in the USA if possible
• I chose products with thousands of really great reviews
• I try to find products that are plastic-less (or plastic-free)
• At times, I choose a more expensive item because it’s likely to be better constructed, ensuring its longevity. ***Bonus – I can easily sell or donate it when I no longer need it.

Below is my hand-picked list of eco-friendly dorm items to help your college kid (and mine) stay healthy, save money, and maybe even make Mother Earth just a little less cranky. Let’s do this!

Bedding & Towels

When it comes to bedding, options like Oeko-Tex certified, organic, or bamboo materials can be excellent choices. I really try to make sure my kids’ bedding is free of toxins since they spend so much time sleeping and hanging out in their beds.

• These sheets at Target or these sheets at Amazon because they were super soft and fit perfectly over the mattress topper. Definitely get 2 sets (just in case they spill something and can’t do laundry right away).
• Pillowcases – 2 sets
• Blanket/Comforter/Duvet Cover: This is all preference. My daughter wanted a blanket but some love a duvet cover so you can easily wash it. This one has really lasted.
• Mattress Topper: I did a three-day deep dive on this one. Super important to me since college kids spend so much time in their beds. I chose this one because my younger child would also would use it, and it has great resale value. My kid had some back issues and this was perfect. Plus, her friends loved hanging out in her bed because it was so comfortable. ***Because I got this topper, I didn’t bother buying a separate mattress cover since it already had one. This was the only thing my college kid used before putting on the sheet which saved me money only buying one thing.
• Cheaper Mattress Topper: BUT if that topper is too pricey, I did a ton of research, and everyone loved this option too, it was my second choice.
• Coop Pillows: These are a bit pricey, but I keep pillows for YEARS, so I’d rather invest in good ones. I have these all over my house, I love them so much. You can adjust the fill to make them as big or as flat as you like.
• Towels: I like this set because you get 2 washcloths, 2 hand towels (my daughter uses those at the gym) and 2 towels. She has 2 sets which is more than enough.

Dorm Room

• Woozoo Fan: This is a MUST for those of you whose kids have absolutely no air conditioning and it’s 95 degrees.
• Surge Protector and Extra Surge Protector: You probably only need one, but my husband insisted she take 2. ***A flat plug is great for behind a desk or bed and definitely want to have some USB ports.
• French Press Coffee Maker: My kid is a bit of a coffee snob and wanted the French Press. It’s the best French Press that’s not glass. I loved it so much I bought a large one for myself
• Stainless Steel refillable K-Cups: If you kid absolutely insists on a single serve coffee maker, at least use these stainless steel refillable K-cups.
• Electric Tea Kettle
• Jewelry Organizer
• Apple Air Tags for Backpack and Keys
• Desk Lamp with Bonuses: When a lamp that is just a light isn’t “cool” enough
• Boot Tray (best thing we ever got). We got a large one so everyone in the room could share it and they only needed one by the door. Keeps them from dragging rain, snow and mud into the room.
• Tool Kit (the whole floor loved my daughter – she was the only one with tools). Again, you can create your own tool bag if you have extras.
• ** (Option 2) Thor’s Hammer Tool Kit if you need to make a statement while literally saving the planet. This is not just for boys, my husband carries this around in his truck and my daughters are both “borrowing” it.
• We bought the Zero Water 10-cup and it’s been working great, also here’s a great guide for choosing a water pitcher.
• Air Purifier
• Veno Moving Bags: These are a double win. We used them to move her into her room and then she used them for storage under her bed
• Lightweight Vacuum (another item that was popular with the kids on my daughter’s floor)
• Easy to use, but still cool Alarm Clock
• Reusable Cloths to clean spills/wipe surfaces (these are the ones I use at home too)
• Ice Maker

First Aid Kit

Here is a great complete kit, but if you want to make your own kit, here’s some ideas

• Adhesive Bandages
• Antibiotic Ointment (like Neosporin)
• Ice Pack
• Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen
• Cold Medicine
• Bandages and Scissor
• Essential Oils if that’s your thing
• Heating Pad
• Feminine Care Products

Laundry

• Earth Breeze and Clearalif laundry Sheets: Just check with your college first because some don’t allow laundry sheets. But if they do, I highly recommend them. They’re easier to carry and better for the environment and your health. I’ve used both of these and they work great.
• Wool Dryer Balls: Skip dryer sheets and use these instead
• Bag/Basket/Hamper: this depends upon where the laundry room is located. Some like backpacks if they have stairs but we had an elevator so my daughter wanted this one on wheels
• Collapsible Dryer Rack
• Non-slip Hangers: We love these and just ordered more
• Shower Shoes
• Hanging Shower Caddy/Toiletry Bag
• Shower Caddy (if you don’t want a hanging version)
• Blow Dryer: BUY 2 – one for your daughter and one for YOU

Miscellaneous

• Wearable blanket: This one seemed silly, but she uses it like every day
• Emergency car tire inflator: For students with cars
• Bike tire pump: For students with bicycles
• Sewing Kit
• Reusable coffee/tea mug
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Lock Box for Valuables and Medications
• Overnight Travel Bag for Trips HOME
• Backpack
• Noise-Cancelling Headphones: They’re expensive but my daughter swears by them
• Noise Reduction Earplugs: my daughter absolutely loves these

Remember, don’t stress.

I know you’re striving to create a comfortable and inspiring space for your kids, one that also mirrors their individuality, but they may not actually “need” as much as you think. If you’re not sure your kid is going to “need” something, you can always wait and get it to them later. Here’s to an enriching, unforgettable, and eco-conscious college adventure!

Affiliate Disclosure:

I have affiliate marketing relationships which may result in my earning a small commission from purchases resulting from links posted. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases when using my link. These commissions help cover my expenses including my website www.livingcleananddirty.com which is another helpful resource to living your “greenest” healthiest life.

The post Empty your nest without emptying your wallet appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.

I’m talking to all you soon-to-be freshmen out there, so listen up! Your parents have been busting their butts trying to turn you into functioning members of society for the past 18-ish years and while our job never ends, it’s now up to you to start making some smart choices on your own. Much like shower fungus (don’t forget your flip-flops) being eco-friendly can be super contagious so if you play your cards right, before you know it you’ll have your whole dorm joining in the fight to save Mother Earth.

So parents, grab a compostable cup of fair-trade coffee and join me as we celebrate the incredible journey your child is about to embark on – a journey filled with eco-conscious choices, sustainable adventures, and a commitment to leaving a positive footprint on this precious planet we call home. And if you don’t have kids or they’re not old enough for college yet, don’t worry – this list is a guide perfect for college kids, grandparents, and anyone just trying to be a little bit greener.

• Sustainable Shopping:

Picture this: No matter what meal plan you end up getting, you could still find yourself doing some shopping for some snacks and pantry items for your room. Do your best to make sustainable choices for your in-person or online shopping cart. Opt for organic, locally sourced produce, and choose products with minimal packaging. Say no to single-use plastics and hello to reusable water bottles, coffee cups, and utensils. Remember, every small step counts!

Real-life example: Meet Sarah, a college freshman who started a trend on campus by organizing a weekly farmers market. She connected local farmers with students, promoting healthy, sustainable eating while supporting the community. Way to go, Sarah!

• Energy-Saving Hacks:

Living on your own means having control over your energy consumption. Embrace the power of energy-saving hacks to keep your carbon footprint in check. Turn off lights when you leave a room, unplug electronics when they’re not in use, and make the most of natural light during the day. Opt for energy-efficient dorm-size appliances and use power strips to easily switch off multiple devices. You don’t get an electric bill (unless you’re living off campus) but your making smart choices which will benefit the planet now and your wallet later.

Real-life example: Meet Alex, a freshman who started a dorm competition to see who could reduce their energy consumption the most. By encouraging his fellow students to be mindful of their energy usage, he created a fun and eco-friendly atmosphere in the residence hall. Kudos, Alex!

• Waste Reduction:

College life often means countless coffee runs and late-night study sessions with snacks galore. But all those disposable cups, food containers, and wrappers can add up quickly. Embrace waste reduction by opting for a reusable coffee mug and bringing your own food containers and utensils. Embrace the art of recycling and composting, and encourage your dorm mates to join the eco-warrior squad.

Real-life example: Meet Maya, a freshman who initiated a composting program in her dormitory. With the help of her environmentally conscious peers, she transformed food waste into nutrient-rich compost, which was used in the campus garden. Great work, Maya!

• Sustainable Transportation:

Not everyone lives on campus, so we didn’t forget about you commuters out there. Bid farewell to traffic jams and parking struggles by embracing sustainable transportation options. Dust off your bicycle or invest in a skateboard or scooter for a fun and eco-friendly way to navigate campus. Utilize public transportation whenever possible, and carpool with friends to reduce carbon emissions. Your daily commute can become an adventure for both you and the planet.

Real-life example: Meet Jake, a freshman who started a bike-sharing program on campus, making it easy for students to access bikes for their daily commute. He even organized group rides to explore nearby nature trails, promoting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Way to pedal, Jake!

• Engage and Educate:

One of the most powerful ways to create change is by engaging and educating others. Join environmental clubs, attend sustainability events, and take part in community service projects that focus on eco-conscious initiatives. Share your knowledge, inspire your peers, and together, you can create a greener campus and a brighter future.

Real-life example: Meet Emily, a freshman who organized a “Green Living Week” on campus. She hosted workshops, film screenings, and panel discussions to raise awareness about eco-friendly living. Her dedication to sustainability ignited a passion in many fellow students, leading to long-lasting change. You rock, Emily!

As you embark on your college journey, don’t forget that you have the power to make a difference. By implementing these eco-friendly tips and following the footsteps of these real-life eco-heroes, you’ll not only reduce your environmental impact but also inspire others to join the movement. Embrace the adventure of college life while living clean and green. Together, we can create a sustainable future, one freshman at a time.

Remember, change starts with you!

And if you’re craving more eco-inspiration, be sure to check out LivingCleanandDirty.com for a treasure trove of sustainable living ideas, tips, and delicious planet-friendly recipes.

Pass this onto anyone who has a kid in college or going to college. Stay tuned for future articles on which products will be best for an eco-friendly dorm or join the Facebook group, Eco-Friendly Dorm Essentials & Discounts, moderated by me for ideas and discounts!

Happy eco-friendly college life!

The post The Freshman’s Guide to Living Clean and Green: College Edition appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.

Water, it’s kind of a big deal. But what’s really in it, is it safe?

Millions of people around the world suffer from illnesses spread by polluted water.  I’ve seen enough of those heart-wrenching commercials about a small village in a country thousands of miles away with no access to clean drinking water. The stories are awful and my gratitude goes out to those who volunteer to do their part in improving the quality of life for perfect strangers.

You might say, “but that’s on the other side of the world, that wouldn’t happen here.” I’ll bet there was a time when the residents of Flint, Michigan said the same thing.  Ever since I first read about Flint’s water crisis in 2014 I haven’t looked at my water the same.  Over the years I bought a whole house water filter, a filtered instant hot spout on my sink and even a filtered water pitcher which sits on my counter.  Because like dad always said “If you’re going to do something, then take it to the extreme”.

Recently I reached out to my local water company to ask the tough questions

• Is my water safe?
• If I don’t just take your word for it is there a publicly available report I could read?
• Where did I leave my other green dangly earing?

Well, two out of three ain’t bad. Their representative told me our water is incredibly clean and perfectly fine to drink and he provided me with a report that may or may not have been in English. I recognized a lot of the letters and numbers but when you put them all together it was like a word salad, and not the kind you would toss.  Let’s just say my chemistry knowledge to this day still rivals that of Gene from high school, meaning I really didn’t understand most of it.

So next stop …the Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database (https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/) where I learned I had 30 total contaminants in my water and 5 exceed their guidelines. But what does that mean? I know it’s not crystal clean water that came from a babbling brook in Maine (why they babble I have no idea) but am I the next Flint, Michigan?  I was pretty sure the water company wasn’t going to tell me “Oh, your water is garbage, you should probably keep your mouth closed when you shower”. I needed to get impartial answers from someone with nothing to gain.  At this point the Wikipedia side of my brain had kicked in and I spent many a sleepless night wondering what sort of physical damage our water could be doing to do my family.  Now don’t get me wrong, emotional damage is just part of good parenting, but physical is where I draw the line.

Well thanks to the good folks at envirotestkits.com I can put my worries to rest.  They sent me an awesome water quality test kit so I could get the answers I so desperately needed.  So check out the video and see how we did. And if you happen to see a green dangly earing in the background anywhere let me know.

Envirotestkits.com provided me with a SafeHome water quality test kit to facilitate this review; however, all opinions expressed are my own. 

Editor’s note (2026): This review reflects the information available when it was originally published. Water quality standards, testing methods, and recommendations continue to evolve, so always check your local water utility’s most recent Consumer Confidence Report and current independent resources if you’re evaluating your own drinking water.

The post Take care of your largest organ appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.

2020. What a mess!

But like the filthy Genie that I am (without the Barbara Eden outfit), I have 3 pieces of good news for you.

First, as you can see, we’ve been hard at work (well, he’s been hard at work) putting a fresh coat of paint on the Living Clean and Dirty website.  Still living green, still staying filthy, but with a cleaner, simpler look. Drop me a line and let me know what you think, and if you haven’t subscribed yet then you know what to do.

Second, you all remember meeting our new pup Leia at one of our Saturday Night Lives.  Well our Leia has found her Han (literally we named him Han Solo), the picture below is our scruffy-looking Nerfherder (ask a Star Wars fan) playing leap frog with our princess.

The third bit of news I think may even be more exciting.  When I made the pureWash pro video last year I never would have guessed that JUST YESTERDAY i would still be getting comments…in Italian. Thanks google translator for letting me spread the clean and dirty to an international audience.

I thought it would be helpful to answer the most popular question I get (yes, they’re real and they’re spectacular), and the second most popular question…does the pureWash Pro really work?

So here’s the honest truth…10 months later. It TOTALLY still works, I haven’t used a drop of laundry detergent, clothes (and laundry machine) smell great, but about a week ago my clothes started to smell like I peeled them off of a dead body (don’t ask me how I know).  At first I thought maybe my homemade deodorant was failing me until one of my girls pulled a sweatshirt out of the laundry, threw it on and then winced.  “Ugh, did one of the dogs shit in the laundry machine?”  Obviously Han and Leia both took great offense to this and will probably shit in her bed out of spite (and so the cycle of laundry continues). I was hopeful that the advised yearly cartridge change would be our one-way ticket out of stinktown.

Do I have your attention now…of course I do.

You’ll have to watch the video to find out what happened.

The post pureWash Pro X2 10 Months Later…so many loads appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.

In my house whenever I say, “I need to do the laundry” my hubby jumps up and down screaming, “I’m the laundry”.  Unlike most people I know I like doing the laundry, the one where I actually clean our clothes, and even my husband’s version that messes up my sheets.  Ideally I don’t see a reason to do the laundry more than a couple of times a week, but there are times I find myself in the middle of doing it and don’t even remember how I got there.  Sometimes it’s just easier to give in and do it rather than listen to “the laundry isn’t going to do itself”. It’s easy, you throw a load in while you’re doing other stuff, ok the longer I go down this road the weirder the similarities get…

So anyway, I consider myself a pretty eco-friendly gal. I think I do more than most, but I’ve still got a long way to go.  When it comes to “clothes” laundry, I’m always trying to make this domestic ritual more eco-friendly. I never, and I mean never did a laundry that wasn’t a full load using cold water. I’ve tried every eco/green/non-toxic laundry detergent on the market, washed my clothes with soap nuts, attacked stains using only eco-friendly stain removers and line dried almost all my clothes. It should come as no surprise that both my washer and dryer are Energy Star and if I wore a pair of jeans or a top for only an hour or two – I hang them back up to wear again before cleaning them. Stop judging, you know you do that too.

The problem has always been, unless I’m using some sort of actual “detergent”, my laundry is missing two things. My clothes aren’t clean and they don’t smell nice, both of which are factors that seem pretty important in my laundry adventures.  So the hunt has been ongoing for a magical laundry solution and I think I just recently found it.  I’m a research geek and never met a google search that I couldn’t get lost in like Alice down the rabbit hole.  Let me introduce you to my new Bestie, the pureWash pro. Much like the return of Beverly Hills 90210 it sounded too good to be true and I expected crushing disappointment. I finally found a friend who actually had one and she said it was the Holy Grail of eco-laundry.  She swore that everything good I had heard about it was true and so much more. I was still skeptical; but I decided to be brave and hope for the best.  I reached out to the makers of the pureWash Pro, explained who I was and what I was about, and now a few weeks later I’m writing about a product that has literally changed my life.

“Giddy with delight” is the best way to describe how I felt when I found the delivery box on my doorstep from the wonderful people at Greentech Environmental.  At last the wait was over…I had a pureWash Pro X2 in my house, ready to install and review. Let me rephrase that…for my husband to install and me to review.  Hubby knows his way around a pipe wrench but he said that even I would have been able to install it and I’m way more Dora the Explorer than Bob the Builder. He said if you understand how to hang a picture on a wall and attach a garden hose to the nozzle outside your house then you have all the skill required to install this in your laundry room. The fine folks at Greentech Environmental also sent me an awesome magnetic mounting kit, which includes all the hardware and bracketing to mount my purWash unit to the back of our washing machine but because of the way my hubby modeled our laundry room it was better for us to mount it to the wall. I will say that the magnetic mounting bracket was genius and would make it even easier to install, especially if your laundry is in the basement, nobody wants to start drilling holes into concrete walls.

In anticipation of this laundry revolution I took a page out of my family’s book when it comes to laundry…I left it on the floor.  It piled up for over a week, even our dog started to make a little bed for herself in this miniature mountain of dirty clothes. My kids were forced to wear the clothes in the back of the closet. You know what I’m talking about, the other 90% of their clothes that they just never put on. After a quick hubby installation I was elected the mayor of LaundryTown, population me.

“Holy Shit, it works!”

The first thing my whole family noticed about my pureWash pro X2 experiment was the smell. Our clothes came out with a clean almost electric smell, one of my daughters actually said “mmmmmm, smells like lightning”.  Now don’t ask me how or why she would know what lightning would smell like or if lightning even has a smell, but in a strange way I have to agree with her.

I have been using the X2 for about a month and not once have I added laundry detergent to any of my loads. My clothes come out clean and fresh; although to be fair, for the past few years all my detergents were fragrance free.  The other smell I noticed was the smell that was missing. That dank, moldy smell in my washing machine after using it a few times. If you have a front loader you know exactly what I’m talking about. You have to dry the machine after every single use and each month you have to wash your washing machine. It’s friggin’ crazy, you actually have to run an empty load using white vinegar to clean your washing machine. Clean your washing machine, how stupid and wasteful is that? Next you’re going to tell me that shampoo running down your body doesn’t count as showering.

Because I’m a wild woman who lives on the edge, I even started a load of wash before I went to bed and didn’t take it out until the next night. We’ve all done it and usually when you open it up your clothes have that “ugh I forgot we left that dead body in here” smell and you’re forced to wash them yet again.  Well, I don’t know exactly what sort of sorcery they’re using over at Greentech Environmental but the “death smell” was gone, not “better” but completely gone.  Clean clothes in a lightning storm, that’s what I smelled and I’m not ashamed to say I loved it.  I put them in the dryer and went about my day.

So let’s recap

Clothes smell great…check!

Washing machine doesn’t need to be cleaned or wiped down all the time like a toddler running with a full glass of grape juice…check!

Not spending an embarrassing amount of money on strictly organic laundry detergent…priceless!

I can quote you all of the technical specs from their website and from other reviewers, but that’s stuff you can look up yourself and honestly I’m more concerned about the “does it work”  than the “HOW does it work” so here are three important facts I want you to walk away from this review with.

1.  It works
2.  It works
3.  A 2^nd season of BH90210 should happen

Laundry has never been easier, come out cleaner and fresher or been more eco-friendly. The downside is now I have no excuse to not throw a load of laundry in before bed and leave it until morning.  Now that doing the laundry is even easier to do, Hubby has volunteered to help me with the laundry anytime I want.  We may each be talking about different versions of doing the laundry, but now I feel like I’m winning either way.

Greentech Environmental provided me with a pureWash Pro to facilitate this review; however, all opinions expressed are my own. 

The post Saving Money and the Earth…One Load at a Time appeared first on Living Clean and Dirty.