Ten easy swaps to make your cleaning green.

Sometimes I am a lazy environmentalist. For example, I don’t compost – it just seems like a lot of work (gasp, I know). With spring in full swing (remember our no fail spring cleaning tips?) it’s time to ensure our cleaning products are doing more good work (cleaning) and less tragic tasks (toxic polluting). Here are ten easy product swaps to take your cleaning to another level of health for you, your home, and the environment. Oh, and did I mention these simple steps are seriously effortless? Even the laziest earth enthusiast (or rationalist) can tackle these swaps.

1. Spare the toxins washing down your drain by switching to JR Watkins Orange Citrus Liquid Dish Soap ($6.49). Easy on hands and the environment, but strong enough to provide spotless dishes. (Pictured above.)
2. Ditch the dryer sheets for these Nellie Dryerballs ($16.99 for 2). They’re reusable, last at least 2 years, and reduce drying time, all without any toxic chemicals.
3. Toss your dusting rags for this elegant feather duster Ostrich Brush ($60). Naturally shed ostrich feathers are bound to a pear wood handle to help gather particulates from your home in a natural way. (Pictured above.)
4. Swap your standard hand soap for a blend of olive oil and aloe vera, Mrs. Meyer’s Basil Liquid Hand Soap ($3.99). Sleep easily knowing Mrs. Meyer’s deliciously aromatic suds are cruelty-free, paraben-free, and biodegradable.
5. Baking soda is a natural, simple way to combat odors. Sprinkle a dose of the gentle alkaline on rugs and carpets, let sit for five minutes, then vacuum for a fresh, odor-free aroma. A box of baking soda in the freezer and/or fridge will absorb rogue smells, too. You can also use essential oil infused baking soda as a room freshener.
6. The artificial sponges (you know, the dual sided neon yellow sponge and forest green scrubber) you may be using are full of, well artificialness (toxins, dyes, etc.). Here’s a fresh idea, use natural sponges. Twist Loofa Sponges ($4.25 for 2) are unbleached, undyed, plant-based and compostable (if you’re ambitious enough to compost, of course). (Pictured above.)
7. Plastic trash bags seem somewhat inevitable. Recycled plastic trash bags are the lesser of two evils. These Seventh Generation Recycled Trash Bags ($5.49 for 20) contain 80% recycled content. Condense trash and reuse bags as much as possible to stretch the recycled content even further.
8. Say goodbye to toxic cerulean blue window cleaner and welcome a crystal clear, completely natural option instead. Mix equal parts vinegar and water for an inexpensive and effective window cleaner.
9. Skip your dishwasher’s steam cycle and dry the dishes yourself with blends of cotton and linen fabric. Plus, these perky tea towel stripes from the Studio Patro Just Stripes Collection ($22 each) will add personality to your kitchen while you’re saving the world.
10. Stop plastic bags from choking your produce with these Credo Produce Bags ($19.95 for 4). Nestle your precious fruits inside drawstring organic cotton mesh to eliminate plastic in your vegetable drawers (and landfills).

Make these uncomplicated changes and save your energy for the actual cleaning.

The pallid and soft tones of this living room are an alluring invitation. The furnishings are pragmatic and the details are whimsical. The composition of artwork and frames is the perfect anchor for the three dimensional piece of Mother Nature (yes, it’s a real branch and yes, it’s gorgeous).

This is the warm and relaxed living room of Eldrid. She has explored her imagination and found this wildly creative use for bringing nature inside – her intention was to create the ambiance of sitting magically under a tree. It is magical.

Here are five (almost) effortless ways to realize a similar look inside your walls.

1. Scour your nearest form of Mother Nature for a fallen branch. Look for one that is structurally interesting with lines that make you stare, ponder, and drool. Mount and/or hang your new confection of sticks on the wall.

2. Score this Reclaimed Tin Picture Frame (in white). The secret – don’t fill it. Let the pallid grey of your walls shine through.

3. Use two of these Bakery Bins as a base for an inspired coffee table. Top these gorgeous wooden crates with glass, a simple window pain, or a reclaimed slab of wood.

4. Rest a few of these Red Tick Decorative Pillows (in greige) on your couch for hint of texture that you can sink into.

5. Rest a Vintage Antler on your coffee table next to a gathering of Soy Candles – the organic lines of the horn will gleam under flickering flames.

The patina of vintage and repurposed pieces adds a lot of charisma to this living room – to really perfect the look, peruse some antique stores and flea markets to make it your own.

If you love the look of grey, but you crave a little color – click here to adore a gorgeous room grounded in grey and brimming with mustard and camel (complete with three ways to get the look).

Julie Gilhart, who helped Barneys see the potential of major designers during their formative years, who is a pioneer of eco-friendly practices – primarily for creating a green Barneys label – and was a welcoming face at many events featuring the likes of both, has officially left the building. While some might say they could see the struggling Barneys needed a fresh injection, others are crying that she and executive vice president Judy Collinson were blindsided.

Mark Lee, who just accepted the CEO gig at Barneys has replaced Julie’s role as Fashion Director with Daniela Vitae who worked under him at Gucci, where he served as CEO and she was president of all North and South American business. People are fearing that the union of Vitale and Lee under the Barneys roof will dilute the quirkiness and energy of some of its talent, making the iconic store more mainstream.

The New York Times writes that designers have grown accustomed to the “hands-on, almost nurturing approach of Ms. Collinson and Ms. Gilhart, and people in the industry were not sure how to read the decision by Mark Lee, the store’s chief executive since August, to dismiss them on Monday – without warning, according to two individuals familiar with the matter.”

With now recognized names like Proenza Schouler, Olivier Theyskens, Alexander Wang, Zero + Maria Cornejo, AsFour and Alabama Chanin as part of her successful roster of talent schooled through Barneys, the fashion world is up in arms asking “For real?”

The best question going is probably through the New York Times asking “Will Top Firings Change Barneys Cool?”

We can only wait and see, but if this re-shifting proves some sort of new trend for ho-hum mainstream to work its way even more into the fashion industry, we’re in for a boring ride.

UPDATE: A Barneys spokesperson has just informed us that Daniella Vitale will not be replacing Julie Gilhart. The organizational change is as follows: Ms. Vitale was hired on as Chief Merchant and Executive Vice-President responsible for all of Women’s and Barneys.com operations. She is also responsible for the hiring of the new women’s Fashion Director.

This charming glimpse into a space grounded in gray and brimming with tones of mustard and camel is gorgeous and thoughtful. The artwork perched on the wall balances the layers of throw pillows embellishing the couch. This living room is a cohesive and beautiful invitation to plop down and make yourself comfortable.

Here are three (almost) effortless ways to realize a similar look in your own abode.

1. Score this WWII propaganda Keep Calm and Carry On print from Reform School Rules. Choose a vintage frame from your local thrift store and gracefully lean this graphic delight against a light charcoal backdrop for delicious contrast.

2. Bring home one of these gorgeous handmade Moroccan Pouffes (in tan) from Graham and Green. Soak up the charm of this exotic inspiration while you sink into the soft cushion.

3. Introduce soft layers of texture with throw pillows and throws like this succulent Organic Plisse Blanket (in slate) from West Elm.

The effortless look of the ‘lived-in’ living room above evolves over time, collecting items that capture your charisma and personality will always add up to immeasurable details – but these three items will certainly point you in a decidedly beautiful direction.

(This lovely living room was spotted at Simply Grove.)

Parlez-Vous Français? Me neither, but for an encounter with this graceful hotel, I would be rolling the romance of France off my tongue in a heartbeat. All five guest rooms nestled in this stone haven (once a winery) are screaming my name. La Maison Pujol is quite possibly the most swoon-inducing and tempting vacation I have ever met. You can find this lovely hotel at the crossroads of vintage modern and intricately simple in southern France.

The interiors of La Maison Pujol transcend the standard style genres. Owner and architect/designer Philippe Phi combines vintage typography, authentic ancient stone walls, modern lighting, and classic design. There is something innately satisfying about the sole intention of a designer – the homes and designs of creative minds without the inhibitions of client constraints just seem to sing with personality and artistic abandon. (For more spaces that belong to designers, visit Gold Chairs and Bond Girls, Auction House Awe, and Blissfully Arranged Chaos.)

This property is more than just a luxurious and beautiful bed; it also comes with a heaping side of delicious breakfast. That’s right, this gorgeous property in France is a boutique bed and breakfast on a vintage silver platter.

The talented lens of Manolo Yllera captured this charismatic place of slumber. For more glimpses of Manolo’s polished photography, click over to Sex in a Convent.

In my local market I stand in the “not food” aisle and look at the dishwashing liquid. I remember an old TV commercial pitching presumably safe, “mild” Palmolive in which a manicurist, Madge, tells a woman whose nails she’s tending, “you’re soaking in it.” I always think about that ad when I buy this junk, figuring maybe I can find something that’s at least a little non-toxic. Increasingly, though, I’m perplexed as virtually every brand’s label screams: “Pick me! Pick me! I’m eco-all that! You can bathe in me! I swear!” Can this be true? Uh, no, it can’t.

Greenwashing, the tsunami of eco-friendly white noise we experience each day in brand-land, is everywhere, taking advantage of our better instincts and our lack of self-education regarding the products we buy. Every day, real live Mad Men are pulling the eco-cover over our eyes to sell us stuff based on vague and sometimes false claims that what they’re selling is good for us, the environment, and all creatures, great and small. Acknowledging this, and in an effort to protect us, the Federal Trade Commission released its “Green Guides” in 1992 (revised in 1996 and 1998) to “help marketers ensure that the claims they make are true and substantiated.” Hmm – 1998. A dozen years ago.

Last week, the FTC proposed updates to those Green Guides designed to make them easier for companies to understand and use. The changes include new guidance on marketers’ use of “product certifications and seals of approval, renewable energy claims, renewable materials claims, and carbon offset claims.” (They’re looking to hear from you, by the way, on proposed changes until December 10, after which they’ll decide which changes to make final.)

In a brief homage to ridiculously diplomatic language, FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said: “In recent years, businesses have increasingly used “˜green’ marketing to capture consumers’ attention and move Americans toward a more environmentally friendly future. But what companies think green claims mean and what consumers really understand are sometimes two different things. The proposed updates to the Green Guides will help businesses better align their product claims with consumer expectations.”

Yeah, well, nice companies need nice reminders every so often, I guess.

Here are some highlights (and we quote):

Degradable: For solid waste products other than those destined for landfills, incinerators, or recycling facilities, the proposal clarifies that the “reasonably short period of time” for complete decomposition is no more than one year after customary disposal… Marketers should not make unqualified degradable claims for items destined for landfills, incinerators, or recycling facilities because decomposition will not occur within one year.

(Read: If it’s still going to be around a year after it’s been used, it’s not “degradable.”)

Free-of: Even if true, claims that an item is free-of a substance may be deceptive if the item has substances that pose the same or similar environmental risk as the substance not present.

(Read: You can’t play with poisons and say you’re poison free.)

General Environmental Benefit (e.g., “green,” “eco-friendly”): Marketers should not make unqualified general environmental benefit claims. They are difficult, if not impossible, to substantiate. Qualifications should be clear and prominent, and should limit the claim to a specific benefit.

(Read: Enough with the eco-babble. If it doesn’t mean anything, don’t say it.)

There’s more good stuff in this long overdue update. Take a quick perusal of the proposed changes and you’ll get a sense of what’s been going down (i.e. overlooked) in the world of greenwashing over the past twelve years. After all, for my money, this isn’t about fixing something that ain’t broke.

Image: Samuel Mann; See also: GOOD

The Waterhouse hotel in Shanghai is an industrial gem, salvaged from the spoils of war. The four-story hotel was built from a three-story Japanese Army headquarters from the 1930s. The Chinese architecture firm NHDRO (Neri & Hu Design and Research Office) made a series of perfect decisions to arrive at the gorgeous boutique hotel. Existing raw concrete and exposed brick were preserved, and new steel additions draw on the industrial skeleton for relevance.

Modern architecture combines seamlessly with old industrial components to capitalize on the location - a rooftop terrace offers adjacency and intimacy with the Huangpu River and offers gorgeous views of the glamorous Pudong skyline.

A unique relationship between spatial divisions exists at The Waterhouse. This quote from NHDRO explains, “The interior strategy is expressed through a blurring and inversion of the inside/outside as well as public/private, creating a disorienting yet refreshing spatial experience for the hotel guest who longs for the extraordinary.”

(Beautiful photography by Pedro Pegenaute.)

Each week, I beg my favorite bloggers and designers to hand select a beloved green product, whether it’s a finish, furnishing, or accessory. The end result? An endless anthology of aesthetically perfect products for your perusal.

This week Kelle Dame has been gracious enough to share her immaculate taste and charming creativity. Kelle has a namesake blog where she notes her inspiration, design musings, and dispenses enchanting and pragmatic advice.

Kelle handpicked a gorgeous Wooden Ammunition Crate from Hindsvik (one of the best sources for vintage treasures). While the product itself is entirely gorgeous, Ms. Dame loves vintage crates for their endless function in addition to their lovely form, “I love them and they have so many uses.” Scour your neighborhood antique stores, flea markets, and garage sales for your own versatile and delightful crates.

Kelle has sprinkled these classic gems throughout her own house (click here to drool through some creative crate ideas and a peak into Kelle’s home).

You can find Kelle sharing her real life projects on her blog (the inspiration is deliciously palpable) and sharing her bits of nesting on Facebook through her design and organization service.

The alluring appeal of tropical nature is enthralling. Straight from the pages of one of my favorite glossy muses, the May/June issue of Australia Vogue Living offers this piece of paradise in a ten page spread. Here’s an edited taste of the original article written by Susan Westwood.

All the elements of a glamorous resort are laced together with the skills of local artisans at the Sovena Kiri Resort. Conceived by Six Senses, this hotel offers charm and responsibility perched beautifully on an island in the southeast corner of the gulf of Thailand. Earthy, local materials have been designed to gracefully depict nature through driftwood poles and rafters, teak leaf ceilings, and bamboo supports.

Pavilions are sprinkled throughout the property, nestled into rainforests, balanced high on cliff tops, and standing just steps from the beach. Central amenities include breezy dining salas (open air pavilions), an observatory pod for star gazing, and restaurants serving fresh, organic food (most vegetables are grown on site). The natural materials are adorned with vibrant splashes of color – hot fuschia, orange, and yellow – like “tropical blooms bursting through the surrounding jungle.”

Eva Shivdasani, director of interiors at Six Senses, shares her thoughts on the project, “My initial concept for this resort, as always, is to fit the designs with the natural environment and for them to represent the local culture.”

(This gorgeous photography by the talented Mikkel Vang.)

Each week here at EcoSalon, I beg my favorite bloggers and designers to hand select a beloved green product, whether it’s a finish, furnishing, or accessory. The end result? An endless anthology of aesthetically perfect products for your perusal.

This week we are graced with the presence of Francine Gardner, from Art De Vivre and Interieurs. Art De Vivre is “a blog dedicated to the full enjoyment of life and all it has to offer.” Interieurs is a design studio and lifestyle store that will make you drool, brimming with style – a mixture of modern and found industrial gems. The eye candy is almost unbearably gorgeous.

This particular piece of aesthetic overload, the Industrial Credenza/Console, is a functional furnishing made of reclaimed components. The furniture, accessories, and lifestyle products from Interieurs are lovely – and they’re just the beginning. Salivate through the Interieurs Project Portfolio, or peruse the Inspiration Gallery (click on “View all inspirations” to linger through the stunning images).

(A special thank you to Ania Palermo from Interieurs for her keen eye and beautiful product suggestions.)