How do you know if your dry cleaners is truly environmentally safe or just putting the “eco” stamp on their business because they offer reusable bags for your clothes and recycle their hangers? What does being a green cleaners even mean?

First, let’s look at the difference between eco friendly dry cleaning and traditional dry cleaning, and what you should look for when searching for a green cleaners.

Everyone knows dry cleaners use chemicals to clean clothes, so how bad can they really be? Apparently bad enough for the state of California to start making some changes. Even now, the harmful chemicals are still being used. They’re in your clothes and in the air because they still haven’t been banned—they are just in the process of being weeded out.

The culprit being eliminated is called perchloroethylene, known as “perc.” It was introduced to the dry cleaning industry in the 1930’s.  “Perc is a synthetic, volatile organic compound (VOC) that poses a health risk to humans and a threat to the environment. Minimal contact with perc can cause dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, nausea, and skin and respiratory irritation. Prolonged perc exposure has been linked to liver and kidney damage, and cancer. Perc has been identified as a “probable” human carcinogen by California’s Proposition 65 (www.greenamerica.org). You can do the math, but that toxin has been in our environment for far too many years. Under the Dry Cleaning ATCM (Airborne Toxic Control Measure), emissions have decreased substantially but still not completely. Unfortunately perc dry cleaning machines may not be fully eliminated until 2023. That seems like a big cushion that dry cleaners have to “clean” up their act. Instead of waiting for California and other states to make their drawn out changes, we can make decisions that help eliminate toxins in our clothes and going into the environment and affecting others by choosing cleaning options for our clothes that do not use these harmful substances.

Two alternatives to traditional cleaners: hand washing and asking for “press only” at the dry cleaners. If you still want that dry cleaning feel (without the toxins and that awful smell), thankfully there are non-chemical options available. You just have to search a bit and ask the right questions — many dry cleaners claim to be environmentally friendly but are far from it.

What should you look for? what are some questions you can ask them before dropping your clothes off?

Four new cleaning methods have been introduced since the “perc-demic,” but only two of them are considered safe. The hydrocarbon and GreenEarth solvent methods are a safer bet than perc, but still aren’t completely environmentally friendly and chemical free like the wet cleaning and CO2 methods.

First from the eco friendly group is a process known as wet cleaning, which requires no toxins. Even though it uses water, this method is a safe and energy efficient option for your Dry Clean Only items. Wet cleaning machines are designed to custom clean any type of fabric, and remove stains so as to keep your clothes in perfect order. Even though the main concern with this process is that it does produce water waste, it still is much less than traditional dry cleaners (and of course eliminates toxins from going into the environment that normally could be harmful).

The second process in the eco friendly cleaning group is the liquid carbon dioxide cleaning method, also known as the CO2 method, because it uses pressurized liquid CO2 in place of perc.

According to GreenAmerica.org:

“CO2 is a nonflammable and nontoxic gas that occurs naturally in the environment. It becomes a liquid solvent under high pressure. In this process, clothes are placed in a specialized machine, which is emptied of air. The pressure in the chamber is raised by injecting gaseous CO2, and then liquid CO2 is pumped into the mix. Clothes are rotated in a cycle that lasts five to 15 minutes at room temperature. The liquid CO2 dissolves dirt, fats, and oils in the clothing. At the end of the cleaning cycle, the liquid CO2 is pumped back into the storage tank, to be reused again, if possible. The remaining CO2 is released in the air. While CO2 is a main greenhouse gas, no new CO2 is generated with this technology, so it does not contribute to global warming, says Peter Sinsheimer, director of the Pollution Prevention Center at Occidental College, who has been studying the effects of perc dry cleaning and its alternatives for over ten years. Liquid CO2 companies recapture the CO2 that’s already a by-product of several manufacturing processes, and they then recycle it into the liquid solvent for cleaning clothes. With both wet and liquid CO2 cleaning, your clothes are also professionally finished, so you get a wrinkle-free pressing and an attention to detail that likely surpasses what you can do at home. (www.greenamerica.org)”

Even though it may take a little research to find cleaners that offer either the wet cleaning or CO2 cleaning options, you can rest assured that you won’t be dragging toxins into your home and will be helping eliminate those going into the environment. With the changes already set in motion, more and more cleaners will be forced to shut down their perc machines and choose healthier alternatives for their businesses, which in turn means a healthier environment for us.

We had a blast meeting lots of dachshunds, and Emma made some new fellow low rider friends!

So many sweet adoptable dogs need homes. Visit their site and fill out an application!

This little guy can’t use his back legs, but that doesn’t keep him from cruising around wagging his tail at everyone. Even if you can’t adopt a dachshund, you can still help by donating to this non profit to support vet bills and help keep these dogs in homes and out of the shelters.

Doggy Go Green’s booth

SCDR is a non-profit organization that has been rescuing, helping, and finding forever homes for dachshunds since 1998.

The event next week is an annual fundraiser so swing by if you want to adopt a doxie, volunteer, donate raffle items, or just show support and have fun with other fellow dog lovers. Doggy Go Green will have a table during the event so stop by and say hi!

More info: There will be Dachshund Races, Bobbing for Wieners Contests, White Elephant sale, Vendors will participate and we will have a raffle to benefit Southern California Dachshund Relief.

We will again be offering hot-dogs, chili, chips, cookies, and sodas for a small donation. So bring your appetite.

Indian Village Park
6060 Hefley St
Westminster , CA 92683

Additional parking available at Temple Beth David next to the park

If you need more information, please call Dawn at (714) 961-0114, e-mail: dawnaa@pacbell.net

This post is dedicated to my brother and his creative outlet of art…painting, drawing, photography, graphic design, and typography. I’m so proud of him for graduating college and starting his own freelance graphic design business, Ben Britten Design. He’s very talented (and I’m not saying that just because he’s my little brother) so please check out his work! He goes above and beyond when working on a project, and is very meticulous about his work. He thinks outside the box, and may even create you a custom typeface! I hire him for all my design needs, and he’s so easy to work with.

Here are just a few samples of his work:

And of course, Doggy Go Green’s logo:

If you ever have design questions or need a project, you can email him at benbritten@gmail.com. Also check out his Facebook Page.

For fabulous eco printing needs, I have just the place. GreenerPrinter.com. They do everything from greeting and business cards to invitations and promotional material, as well as banners and catalogs…all with recycled paper and soy and vegetable-based inks. It’s all online so their turnover is very fast, and costs are lowered making it a great option for your projects. Definitely give them a try.

My fellow food truck hunters, Lou and Jenielle, are not only obsessed with their dachshunds but also each have their own dog-related businesses.

Lou of Scratch & Sniff Photography has a dapple dachshund named…Scratch. She is very involved with the Southern California Dachshund Relief and their adoptions and events. Be sure to check out her Etsy shop and blog for great gifts and photos.

Jenielle and Lou met through their volunteer work at Southern California Dachshund Relief. Jenielle’s red haired dachshund Parsnip has been the inspiration behind her line of doggy clothes on Etsy, and her cute blog showing all the outfits she makes for her four legged little girl!

Stay tuned for upcoming events that we will all be exhibiting at!

So for a limited time get 25% off…plus enter the coupon codes below at checkout to get an additional $5 off!

Sky City Slicker: SBFR65QTC2

Moss City Slicker: QRD6RKN8X6

Weekend Getaway Knitz: 5HJBPDK6SB

http://doggygogreen.wazala.com

Stay warm & dry

The three main ingredients to avoid in nail polish are toluene, dibutylphthalate (DBP), and formaldehyde. The main nail polish companies seem to be moving away from “the big three,” but that doesn’t mean they are good for you—just better than others or what they used to be.

“Healthy”

Removing the big three toxins is a start, and many companies have done just that—and only that. It doesn’t guarantee that there are no other chemicals in their products. For example, OPI has removed the toxic trio but still has resin and some acetate. If you look at their bottle it says “Nail Lacquer”—not quite as comforting sounding as “polish” no matter which one has more chemicals! According to the Environmental Working Group’s cosmetic safety database, OPI’s nail polish is ranked middle of the road in terms of hazard. On the other hand, their cuticle products and nail strengthening products are very hazardous. It is kind of ironic that the nail strengthening products are so bad for your nails. http://www.opi.com/

Another healthy choice is the vegan polish known as SpaRitual. Going beyond just eliminating “the big three” like above, they also removed the resin, synthetic dyes, parabens, and petrochemicals. Although they still contain butyl and ethel acetate, SpaRitual is a great alternative to many other polishes and offers a huge variety of colors to satisfy whatever mood you are in. http://www.sparitual.com/

“Healthier”

Water based nail polish seems the way to go if you are looking for one of the healthier options. Hopscotch Kids WaterColors (don’t let the “kids” stop you from trying this out) is a colorful non-toxic, kid-friendly alternative to solvent-based nail polish. Their water-based formula is free of the harsh, smelly chemicals including toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, nitrocellulose, butyl and ethyl acetates, acetone, FD&C, coal tar and lake colors. http://www.hopscotchkids.com/

With 25 fun and flirty colors, Honeybee Gardens is another water-based nail polish. This odorless, non-toxic formula contains NO FD&C colors, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, xylene, or formaldehyde. Check out their link for tips on prepping and applying water-based polishes for the best results: http://www.honeybeegardens.com/product/natural-cosmetics/npwcne.html#appearance

“Healthiest”

For the healthiest option Karma Organic Spa created not only organic and non toxic nail polishes, but a completely eco friendly spa in New Jersey. They boast a plethora of colors whatever your mood is, and be guaranteed your nails won’t turn yellow. As far as polish removers go, opt for Karma Organic’s soy based nail polish remover. It is a favorite on so many levels, first being that we don’t have to wear a gas mask to use it, coming in lavender and tea tree scents (or unscented)! It is also 100% biodegradable, non toxic, non carcinogenic, and free of petroleum ingredients. Karma Organic supports local farms in the US by using their products. Don’t forget to recycle the glass bottles when you are done using these products. http://www.karmaorganicspa.com/

While this is a favorite among celebrities and boasts a non toxic polish (which would fall under the “healthy” category due to still containing butyl and ethel acetate), Priti NYC offers a sweet smelling soy based nail polish remover that is 100% biodegradable, non toxic, non carcinogenic, and free of acetone and petroleum. It not only removes the polish, but leaves hands and nails feeling moisturized and nourished. Why would you use anything else? More than just pretty nails, Priti NYC is also very active in working with various charities and events in the community that support both environmental and women’s issues. The brand regularly collaborates with other socially conscious companies and charities, including Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Foundation, Group for the East End’s Ecofabulous in the Hamptons, and Teens Turning Green to develop a private label polish exclusively for Whole Foods Market. http://www.pritinyc.com/

The questions that beg to be answered: What is the point of having these toxins in our products? Why were they used in the first place? Who thought it was a good idea to use these chemicals that can potentially cause reproductive damage, cancer, and allergies? In the end, regardless if all these companies fail to rid their products of toxins, we can make the effort and rest assured in choices we have made and will continue to make for ourselves to be healthy and toxin free and educate our friends and family about a healthier future.

Just like us, our pets thrive on proper nutrition. With the right diet this means less visits to the vet, strong bones, a healthy heart and anatomy–which in the end leads to a longer life and better quality of life.

I’m sure one of the healthiest meal options you can feed Fluffy is a home cooked (or raw) organic diet (and that doesn’t mean table scraps!). While we’d all love to be able to do that, realistically do we even do that for ourselves on a daily basis?

Some argue that the healthiest food for your pets is a raw food diet, taking them back to their original diets before they were domesticated (and what animals eat in the wild still), which eliminates many health issues and allergies. For some information on this diet, check out these links:

http://www.living-foods.com/articles/rawpetfood.html

http://www.rawlearning.com/rawfaq.html

When considering doggy foods, choose ones that are made with human grade ingredients and are full of nutrients.

“AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) has suggested a pet food definition for ‘natural’ as ‘of or pertaining to a product wholly comprising ingredients completely devoid of artificial or manmade substances including, but not limited to, synthetic flavors, colors, preservatives, vitamins, minerals, or other additives, whether added directly to the product or incidentally as a component of another ingredient.’ ”

Flint River Ranch offers a high quality dog food that is free of corn and packed with vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber. The meats used are free of antibiotics and hormones. Aside from the fact that this is such a healthy option for your four legged family members, I love that the company makes all their products in the US.

Another natural and nutritious dog food is made by Precise Pet Products. This dog food is free of corn, wheat, soy, dairy,  and grain sorghum, making it another safe and healthy option.

While many dog foods claim to be all natural or holistic, some of their ingredients may be healthy while the others don’t hold such a high standard. They are still healthier than many others on the market and can be a good option for more readily available and budget friendly foods.

Some of these are Natural Balance (Organic Formulas in particular), Newman’s Own Organics, Holistic Select, Wellness Pet Food, and BLUE which still contain vitamins, fat, protein, and fiber, but are not as nutritionally packed with the highest quality ingredients as the choices above.

What you don’t want in your dog’s food:

• Meat by-products or poultry by-products
• Meat meal or bone meal
• Animal fat
• Preservatives such as Ethoxyquin, BHT, BHA, EEA
• Colors, dyes, or flavors added

Foods to avoid (Companies):
these have corn as a main ingredient, along with added color and animal by-product

• Abady
• Alpo
• Beneful
• Bil Jac
• Diamond
• Good Life Recipe
• Iams
• Kasco
• Kibbles ‘n Bits
• Ol’ Roy
• Pedigree
• Purina
• Science Diet
• Tuffy’s

Foods to avoid (the human stuff):

• Alcohol (duh!)
• Avocado (I hear various comments on this one–some say the whole avocado is bad, and others say just the seed. We have an avocado tree in the backyard so my dogs have always loved them, but interestingly enough never ate the seeds–which leads me to believe that the seeds are what is not good for them!)
• Fish bones
• Chocolate (probably the most well known one)
• Grapes
• Fat trimmings
• Macadamia nuts
• Human vitamins
• Marijuana (ummm, I really hope people aren’t that stupid)
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Garlic
• Persimmons
• Raw eggs
• Sugary foods & artificial sweeteners
• Coffee

2. Thou Shalt Not buy cosmetics based solely on advertising claims or celebrity endorsements. Very few celebrities actually use the products they advertise. neither do models whose faces are used in ads, no matter what models say in interviews. Read the label, scan the ingredients list online using the Skin Deep (www.ewg.com) tool for chemical hazards, read online reviews, and then decide whether this product is worth your money or not.

3. Thou Shalt Not believe that just because a cosmetic product is called “natural” it is generally safer. Cosmetics may claim to be “natural” or made with “organic” ingredients, but may still include paraben and formaldehyde preservatives, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, or other toxic ingredients.

4. Thou Shalt Not believe that you have to spend a lot of money on organic beauty products. Many inexpensive natural cosmetic lines have wonderful products that perform just as well as expensive ones because most plant extracts, vitamins, and minerals are not exclusive to one company. High-quality ingredients do not necessarily cost a lot more; many cosmetic companies buy ingredients from the same farm or wholesale supplier. There are many organic beauty manufacturers who grow their own ingredients, too. The only difference may be the concentration of these plant juices and extracts.

5. Thou Shalt Not believe there is such a thing as a magic beauty bullet. There are no secret ingredients that can instantly cure all your skin’s woes, but there are many new, effective active ingredients that can do wonders for your skin.

6. Thou Shalt Not compare your skin or hair to those of celebrities and spend hours moaning over a pimple, a wrinkle, or a stray lock. All celebrities are humans with their flaws and insecurities, and their picture-perfect skin is not due to the use of some secret potion but rater skillful hairstyling, makeup artistry, and computer retouching.

7. Thou Shalt Not share your mascara or lipstick, kep the jar of moisture open, lick the tip of your eyeliner, apply face cream with dirty hands, dilute shampoo with water–simply put, contaminate your beauty products and shorten their life span. Never use beauty products when their “best before” date is overdue.

8. Thou Shalt Not believe that you need a special moisturizer for hands and another one for the rest of your body; that you need an eye cream and a separate face cream and a really cute neck serum;  that you cannot use baby bath gel to cleanse your face; that you should have a different sunscreen lotion for each part of your body. In other words, do not let smart marketers manipulate you. Less is more, especially when it comes to organic formulations. From an oat scrub to a honey mask, the best things in beauty come incredibly cheap, and you don’t need to spend tons of money to look great and be healthy.

9. Thou Shalt Not believe that if a famous doctor, chemist, dermatologist, yoga guru, hairstylist, or movie star created the formula, it would mean a world of difference. Lots of dermatologists, biologists, herbalists, and even aerospace engineers are involved in whipping up beauty products. It’s the juice that counts, not the bottle, as Aubrey Hampton, the pioneer of organic beauty, used to say, and your skin doesn’t care whose name is on the packaging. Read the ingredients list, ask smart questions about the concentration of particular ingredients, check reviews, be skeptical, and take everything with a grain of sea salt.

10. Thou Shalt Not keep it a secret. Spread the news. Help teenage girls avoid toxic beauty products. If you work in a spa or health-care facility, explain the dangers of toxic chemicals to your patients and clients. Phone the companies whose products you use and express your concerns directly. Many product labels carry toll-free phone numbers. Be an informed, vigilant consumer because what you know (and what you don’t) can turn really costly in terms of your looks and health.

Taken from The Green Beauty Guide by Julie Gabriel

Some brands that claim to be organic:

• Avalon “Organics”
• Desert Essence “Organics”
• Earth’s Best “Organic”
• Giovanni “Organic”
• Goodstuff “Organics”
• Head “Organics”
• Jason “Pure, Natural & Organic”
• Kiss My Face “Certified Organic Botanticals”
• Nature’s Gate “Organics”
• Physicians Formula “Organic” Wear
• Stella McCartney “100% Organic”

Buy these certified USDA organic brands:

• Alteya Organics
• Baby Bear Shop
• Badger
• Brittanie’s Thyme
• Bubble and Bee Organic
• Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps
• Earth Mama Angel Baby
• Indian Meadow Herbals
• Intelligent Nutrients
• Kimberly Parry Organics
• Little Angel
• Mercola
• Miessence Certified Organics
• Nature’s Paradise
• OGmama and OGbaby
• Organicare
• Organic Essence
• Origins Organics
• Purely Shea
• Rose Tattoo Aftercare
• SoCal Cleanse
• Sensibility Soaps/Nourish
• Terressentials
• Trillium Organics
• Vermont Soap

The Environmental Working Group provides this nifty guide of ingredients to avoid. Print it out and keep in your purse or wallet to always have on hand when shopping for body products. On their site, you can also type in a product if you are unsure of the ingredients and they will rate it by low, medium, or high hazard.

For a more comprehensive list of ingredients (ie: chemicals) to avoid, check out the Teens Turning Green website’s “Dirty Thirty.”

Always read the labels–don’t just believe the packaging!