Locate Zones on Open Homes Page lendly 82 ~ Friday, May 14, 1999 — North Shore News - Spring cleaning can be earth friend! With the rags [ve gar tree. Mix it with water to form instead? tions. Leftover paint cans be advertising in’ the Contributing Writer AS I sit in my garage overwhelmed by vari- ous piles of “stuff,” i’m trying to practise what I preach; a daunt- ing feat when spring cleaning rolls around. In celebration of spring, I am attempting to tid myselfof the clatter in my fife, which is difficult, to do withour increasing my household waste. My husband and E fill less than one garbage can cach week, thanks ro the expanded reeveling available on the North Shore and our commit- ment to composting. However, surrounded by vears of collectible T-shirts, unwanted gifts and) broken toys, T feel like laughing with reckless abandon as FE trash it all, giving no thought to my impact on the environment. What ho! Is that the vaice of reason reminding me of my promise to step lightly on the earth? Darn it, it sure is. Thankfully, Pve researched how to make spring cleaning less painful and more carth- friendly. From donating to local charities and creative craft ideas, to non-toxic (and cheap!) household | cleaners, here are a few tips on lessen- ing your clutter and mess. For the unwanted, hur still usztul, items ling: about my basement, | donate toa few North Shore charities so the items can be reused. The Salvation Army is a_ faithful standby for the spring cleaner. They accept small houschold appliances, clothing, books, sports equipment, even small furniture, and they will arrange to pick up donated items for those who cannot make it to a drop off facility. The Canadian Mental Health Association and the SPCA also run thrift stores on the North Shore. While both accept dona- tions, they may be over- wheltaed with generosity at this time of year so call ahead to sce what they're accepting, A more time consuming, but profitable choice tor reducing clutter is a garage sale. Gather some of your neighbours together, place an ad in the paper, and make it an event. Just don’t Jet them —. throw away their leisure suits from the °70s) or their Stairmaster — someone out there wants them! ~ You can also sell, trade, or give away unwanted items by paper. great way to pass on old a avines is to drome them off ata local caté or recreation centre for others to enjoy. For items bevond repair, there are a number of options. Reeveling on the North Shore is simple now, duc to the expanded curbside pick up and a reeveling depot envied by many, Another option beyond disposal, is to reuse portions of “useless” items, which is great for cratts or household projects. My favourite way to reduce the stack of greeting cards that Pye saved over the years is to cut off their fronts to make postcards, You're lett with half as much to keep or recyele, and you've saved the cost of beautitil posteards. Just a paint job and the right handy man and most old fur- niture can be re-used for parts, A dilapidated wooden dresser became my new closer shelves recently. Another re- use trick is to make rags out af oid socks or tattered clothing — no more paper rewels needed! nered from old clothes, Pm ready to move on to the most daunting task of this spring's clean-up —- housceleaning. This vear, Pn trying to woid using chemicals to clean my home, net only for my family’s sake, bur also for that of my community. households go down the drain, ending up in our water system. Tf allowed to) enter streams and lakes, the phos- phorous in many cleaners can cause algae to grow rampantly which, in) turn, oxygen and leaves aquatic wildlife with no way te breathe. Furthermore, cleaner chemicals pollute the air we breathe, causing a number of health problems to arise. Bevond the environmental risks of many cleaners, they're also. expensive. Instead, Po turning to plain old favourites — baking soda and vinegar. With these two, vou could clean up polities. Baking soda is a tireless warrior and it's phosphorous NEWS photo Terry Peters MIXING baking soda and vinegar is an effective and eco-friendly way to cut through dirt and grease, and to clear clogged drains. TAY 18TH YEAR IN REAL ESTATE . © 1 SELL GOMES IN ALL SIZES - S-M-L-KL! } 986- 0654 Home * 686-4870 Pager *e, mait. shira@ sutton:com “1 BDRM + COMPUTER ROOM Excellent North West exposure - view - bright - Come see - not a of giylocesn $5500 Du S8 mis yes). drive by. #374 - 250 W, 1st St. pt. ; $9300 DOWN + @ Fireplace + Insuite faundry + @ lovely city V--E-W. 155 E. 3rd. St. Open Sat 3:10 to5 RECENT S-A- y #8-1923 Purcell mM 307 W. Queens fe #207-160 E 19 #1907-145 St. Georges E-S CHOOSE 2 SUITES 1. NICELY UPDATED 1 bdrm #203- 211 W. 3rd “O” Sat 1:40 to 3 2. SPACIOUS 1 bdrm - south facing almost 700 sq.ft. $109,000 open to offers STUNNING V. $5500 DOWN + S699 PM (5 YRS) D-CROFT -0-0- 1 BDAM. Close to 700 sq.tt. Sunny side Reduced! $111,900. r FREE MARKET EVAL $6200 ROM a7e '$789PM (5 yrs) FIREPLACE & INSUITE Laundry - in this totally UPDATED | $20.000 Many of the chemical cleaners used in chokes off kitchervbathroom, “O" Sun 1:50 to 3 #206-120 & 5TH BDRMS & Central Lonsdale - 1 BDRM #208 - 1550 Chesterfield Se5g0 ON 2 paste and use it to scrub countertops, For my favourite carpet deodorizer T mix one cup baking soda with four drops of lavender essential vil and sprinkle on the carpet before vacuuming. Dust stinky sneakers with the fra- grant powder as well. Mixing vinegar and baking sada ts another great way to cut through dirt) or clogged drains. Pour one cup baking soda down the drain, follow with one cup bot vinewar and, voila, no More clogs. Vinegar mixed with water is also great for oserubbing | hardwood floors. ‘The examples are truly endless, Why bother with toxic cleaners When vou can opt for these safer strernatives #304 - 2271 BELLEVUE AVE. i Hurry on this immaculate 2 bedroom tuxury apartment in the Rosemont, a prestigious @ building with a lovely brick and glass exterior and beautiful landscaping. One street from the # ocean and seawall. Offers an excellent floor plan, top of the line appliances, insuite laundry, guest suite at $25 per night, high ceiling, 2 bathrooms with in-floer radiant heat, 2 parking Stalls, a huge independent storage and direct gated entrance from Marine Drive as well. By appcintment only. "sutton grou GREAT PRICE Spacious suite. Shows really well. nr Seabus #314 - 250 W. 1st St. The last thing T have on my to-do list this spring is dis- posing of the hazardous waste inmy home (ne, Pm not har- bouring a nuclear power plant in my basement), Many common items qual if as hazardous waste, due to their potential to pollute. Alkaline batteries, paint and motor off can all cause enormous damage if disposed of improperly. Just one litre of used motor off poured down a storm drain can) contaminate up to two million fitres of water — most storm drains lead directly to our local waterways. Instead, moror oil canbe reeyveled without charge at a number af sites, including Mohawk gas. sta- yaeperident medhn Diamond Master Member of Medatliton Club of Van R.E.Board 16 yrs SAVE S5000 IN CMHC FEES down only - 000 @ monthly + BDRM nanny Suite. 1073 Litlocet. assume payments. 3 taken to various depot loca tiens — such as the bottle depot at 125 W. First St. near Lonsdale Avenue -— bur unfortunately, batteries aren't readily reeveled, so seal them ina secure glass container for future disposal. Better yet, share leftover paint with friends and start using rechargeable batteries to save both time and money. Have other materials you don’t know what co do w Call the B.C. Reeveling Hodline — they're a great resource for all reeveling information. For ideas on reducing, reusing and reeveling, contact North Shore Reeyeling at 984-9730, #403 - 120 E. 2ND ST. King of the castle with the world at your feet. The most Juxurious and private unit in the building offering 2 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms and sharing the top floor with only 2 neigh- & bours. Huge skylights in the living room. 4 sky- lights in total which makes the apartment bright and great for indoor plants. Lots of room for your pet to roam. 2 good size balconies. Corner unit with North and South view. Gas fireplace and open kitchen to nook. Open by appointmant only. Travet Cert. tor $300 § upon completion. so | Be [$488,500 oT g a =f SPACIOUS HOME (4500 SQ.FT.) *3 bedrooms / den / rec cm ¢ Fam rm off kitchen «3 baths «Totally remodelied * Nanny suite (1 BDRM / bath) GREAT FOR ENTERTAINING Prime location - 4 bdrms huge family room off kitchen + 1 bdrmi2densirec rm down, 4 fireplaces, 3 1/2 baths - over jf 3500 sqit.. :