When it comes to finding ideas for this blog, Green is Sexy is truly the gift that keeps on giving — and it’s wrapped in a reusable hemp bag, with a 100% post-consumer recycled card that has seeds embedded into it.
So yet again, I swallowed my pride, moseyed over there and snooped around in their filing cabinets until I found something good. Then, when they were busy refilling their Nalgene bottles with carbon-filtered tap water, I stole one of their ideas, submitted by Rebecca Boudin.
She says whenever she has a cup of green tea (which she buys loose and in bulk, natch), she saves the used leaves in a sealed container; then, whenever her fingers get all stinky and smelly from chopping garlic or onions, she’ll simply dip them into the tea leaves and presto — they’re clean and odour-free! No need for fancy hand soaps or sanitizers.
Because I often brew green tea at home, I’m going to make a point of doing this myself, which means I’ll be using less of my Method hand wash. Then, when the tea leaves get dry or start to smell weird themselves, I can just toss them into the compost bin. Hoorah!
Photo courtesy of this website
Coffee grounds will do the same thing
Wow, never heard of either of these ideas. Thanks!
Oh wait, I have a question. You say she saves the used leaves in a closed container. So, are the leaves wet still? Don’t they mold? Or is the container in the fridge?
Sorry, you know I’m a stickler for specifics!
How is the compost bin doing? Have you been able to use any of the casings yet?
Interesting. I wonder if it really does help with garlic hands. Nothing worse than smelling stanky for a day after cooking with garlic
No amount of washing has ever gotten rid of it for me.
Hi, Vanessa. I just came across this site and thought I’d pass it along to you. Maybe some of these ideas will get you through a few of those “what more can I possibly do?” days…
http://www.bankrate.com/nltrack/news/energy-environment-2007/tips_environmental_main_a1.asp?ec_id=brmint_ns_frugal_20071009&caret=4b
Actually, a much easier way to get rid to onion/garlic smell from your hands is to take a stainless steel bowl or spoon (not a knife for obvious reasons) and rub it with your smelly fingers under a very slowly running tap. I’m Indian and cook a lot with onions, garlic, ginger, and cilantro, which have to be diced, chopped, peeled, mashed for pretty much every Indian recipe. (This method works like a dream. )
At one point, William Sonoma was offering an egg-shaped stainless steel ball that you could keep at your kitchen sink for this very purpose. Cost: $24. I was much amused by it and I’m sure some soon-to-be-wed couple put it on their wedding registry.
Sonya