Well-meaning pet owners are using dryer sheets to control pet hair, and laundry companies are happy to encourage this secondary use of their products. But is it safe?

We love our pets — and they love us. Which is the main reason dog and cat dander seems to get everywhere: on the sofa, your clothes, and your carpet. Your furry companion loves to sit wherever you do.

There’s a tip making the rounds these days: use a dryer sheet to repel pet fur. And it seems to work. Dryer sheets cut down on static, which is what makes fur cling to fabric surfaces. Some owners even use dryer sheets directly on their animals to reduce the static buildup which accompanies thunderstorms and alarms jittery pets.

But is this safe?

First, hats off to Bounce for their truly generous support of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Last year, their Bounce Everywhere campaign donated $10,000 to the ASPCA. It’s part of a bid to promote dryer sheet usage by pet owners that goes by the slogan, “Share the love, not the hair!”

Dryer sheets repel static and smell so darn good because they’re full of chemicals. Formulas vary from product to product, but your favorite fabric softener or dryer sheet (not necessarily Bounce) might contain such unpleasant substances as benzyl acetate, camphor, or even chloroform.

Possible health risks

None of this stuff is good for humans, and the same is true for pets. The Merck Veterinary Manual warns that cationic detergents, which are present in fabric softeners and dryer sheets, can cause a variety of problems for animals ranging from minor irritation to widespread systemic distress and pulmonary edema. Bounce’s own product literature cautions pet owners to keep dryer sheets away from animals to avoid accidental ingestion.

Animals lick their fur and the areas on which they rest, so using dryer sheets to repel dander may needlessly expose Fluffy or Fido to health risks. The danger is increased when pets are allowed to use  sheets as toys — and cats, in particular, just love them. Some owners have reported kidney failure in animals which have ingested dryer sheets. 

A better way

Want to keep pet fur at bay — the safe and natural way? Brush your animal companion daily. A stiff brush or rubber squeegee will make quick work of any hair which gets on furniture. Use a lint brush or length of masking tape to remove danger from clothing.

A few minutes of extra work means fewer chemicals in the lives of you and your pet. Take a little extra time with your cat or dog — and show you care.

How do you beat pet hair in your home? Please share your best ideas in the Comments section below!

Motrin has angered parent groups with an allegedly insensitive commercial about baby wearing. But controversy won’t slow the revival of this ancient practice.

In searching for ways to green and simplify my family’s life, I often look to indigenous people’s practices. One such practice is baby wearing, in which parents can avoid the plastic strollers that fill our landfills and create a happy, bonded baby in the process. In fact, the Sacagawea dollar features this famous native woman carrying her child on her back. Many products are available for baby wearing, including some that are 100% organic.

A common complaint of new parents is that they can’t get anything done. Baby wearing is the solution! Newborns are used to being inside their mother’s body and feeling the rhythms of the mother’s heart, breathing, walking, etc. Baby wearing allows the infant to still feel these rhythms by firmly holding the baby against the mother’s/father’s body. By wearing my babies, I have been able to cook dinner, do the dishes, teach preschool and art, rototill, hike, grocery shop, etc.

What’s out there

My favorite baby-wearing device for both of my children is the Baby Björn Baby Carrier. There are many other cheaper made versions of this front style carrier; however, the imitations do not hold up to the comfort of the Baby Björn. Using the Baby Björn Baby Carrier, newborns are snuggled close facing their mother’s chest. As the baby gets older, they can be placed facing outward in the Baby Björn. The straps on the Baby Björn are adjustable to fit the growing baby and the various caregivers that will use it. In fact, after carrying two infants in our Baby Björn, I have grown quite attached to it and have saved it for my sister. I could not have survived my children’s infancy without the Baby Björn!

Once my babies outgrew the Baby Björn, I switched to the backpack by Kelty. These backpacks are expensive (thank goodness for grandparents), but essential if you plan to hike with your child. Of course, I used mine for more than hiking but taught preschool and art, mowed the lawn, shopped, etc. while keeping my growing child happy. The backpack also comes with a shade, which is great for keeping the sun off your child. With the shade on, it looks like your baby is in its own little tent.

Beyond slings

I have tried several slings for baby wearing, including the 100% organic one by New Native Baby, which perhaps is the most green option in baby wearing. I have never been comfortable with slings, as I do not feel like the sling securely holds my baby. However, I was given the Maya Wrap for my second child, and it felt more secure with the adjusting rings. Maya Wraps are made of the most beautiful fabrics and are adjustable. They also work well to support your baby on your hip, once he/she has the ability to sit up. A good friend of mine uses her Maya Wrap constantly, including getting her son to sleep for his nap.

The Ergo Carrier is another great baby wearing product that a friend of mine recommended when I started having back trouble. This carrier adjusts from a front pack to a backpack as the child grows, so it lasts longer than the Baby Bjorn and may be the only baby wearing device you will need. I don’t have personal experience with this product, as I couldn’t justify the expense for my second child when I already had other baby wearing products; however, it has received rave review!  There is a 100% organic version available too!

Find what works for you

Each person is different in what they feel comfortable with for their baby and their body, and some women with large chests may have trouble with front carriers. Unfortunately, many of these products are expensive, so it is hard to try them out. If you can borrow one from a friend and wear it for an hour, you will know if it is the right product for you. Many of these products are available in resale shops, as they are durable and sustainable; however, it is important to check for recalls before purchasing. Of course, it is essential that whatever baby carrier you decide upon, it must be easily washed!

More Reading:

Mothering Magazine
Dr. Sears
Eco Child’s Play

With darker months come heftier energy bills. But greening-up your winter lighting needs can save valuable resources — and your pocketbook. Here’s how to start.

No, it’s not your imagination. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, the days are getting shorter — by almost two minutes each day, depending on your latitude.

It all adds up. With Daylight Savings Time behind us, most commuters are returning home by twilight. Evening outdoor activities are coming to an end, and we’re all spending more time indoors.

Lighting typically represents about 25% of a home’s overall energy use. A 1997 study found, perhaps unsurprisingly, that homes use 50% more power for lighting in the darker months than the rest of the year. This means that making adjustments now can payoff both in lower annual energy bills and in a reduced environmental footprint for your household.

Ready to lighten your winter lighting needs? Here are three ideas to get you started:

Convert your fixtures to CFLs

We’ve written extensively about Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) in the past, and there’s no shortage of documentation showing their energy saving value. If you’ve not already re-lamped your fixtures, a full complement of CFLs could easily reduce your lighting power needs by 60%. A couple of things to keep in mind: CFLs work differently than their incandescent counterparts, so do your homework before choosing CFL bulbs appropriate for your household. And since CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, they shouldn’t be tossed out with the regular trash. Learn how to properly dispose of your old CFLs before it’s time to retire your first expended bulb.

Install motion detector switches wherever practical

A doorway with motion sensor lighting

Motion detectors are widely used to regulate outdoor security lighting. But they’re also useful indoors. Hall and bedroom fixtures, for instance, lend themselves well to on-demand use. Walk into a dark room — the lights turn on, without fumbling for the switch. More importantly, they turn off when you leave. Inexpensive motion detector switches are available at most hardware stores and home centers. They’re both productive energy managers and a real convenience item.

Be aware of your energy habits

Your parent were right: turn off that light when you’re done with it. Sitting down to watch TV? Take a moment to walk around and switch-off the lights you don’t need. It’s possible to trim 10-15% of your lighting needs just by being more conscious of bulbs burning in storage areas and unoccupied rooms. It only takes a second to save.

Do you have any favorite energy saving tips to add to this list. Share your winter-wise ideas in our Comments section!