Review by ecometro blogger Hillary Ryan. Read her blog Baby Greens at Seattle ecometro.com.

Eco-Me specialized in 100% do-it-yourself cleaning kits. They carry a line of cleaning kits to help people make their own natural, non-toxic, chemical-free products including: Eco-Me Home, Body, Baby, Dog and Cat. I was drawn to the product concept of 100% natural baby products made at home since so many baby items aren't as gentle on the skin as they could be. More...

Green building is the convergence of three goals: conserving natural resources, saving energy and improving indoor air quality. Whether you are building a new home or remodeling, there are myriad ways to go green, increase your comfort and lower your bills. For inspiration, learn the impact of your home energy use by calculating your CO2emissions at carboncounter.org. More...

What’s lurking in your closet, garage, basement? Take stock of both bulky items (mattresses, appliances) and hazardous materials (old paint, insecticides, batteries). List them on the recycling page of our book or on a piece of scrap paper, then go to StopWaste.org to find out how to dispose of both types. More...

Looking for a hiatus from consumerism? Join others in the region through the Compact, a network of individual groups committed to not buying new products of any kind for a 12-month period. More...

Make all your own cleaners — to get started buy spray bottles and salvage washable rags from old clothes instead of paper towels. The website eco-me.com sells a basic kit and provides recipes, or get a biodegradable cleaning kit from Pleasanton-based Shaklee Company. More...

The hazardous cleaning products that may be in your cabinets are also in the air— and they may release toxins long after you’ve finished scrubbing. More...

Seven to ten percent of your household electric bill may be from phantom power — appliances and gadgets that are turned off but still draw electricity. The phantoms include cell phone and iPod chargers, TVs and DVD players, printers and appliances in the kitchen. More...