Two-ingredient upholstery cleaner that works

Finding the months-old puke stain in my van was the final straw. My car needed a serious scrub-down. And of course, I was out of Resolve cleaner, which I admit is my usual standby.

On this evening, I decided to bypass the store and see if there wasn't a way to make this easily myself. And what I found impressed me: a two-ingredient option that was worth the attempt even if it didn't work.

Homemade upholstery cleaner
2 cups warm water
squirt dish soap

In a mixer, blend on medium or higher until foamy.

Sounded easy enough, but did it work? I put my dirty, puke-stained floor coverings to the test.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I may never buy Resolve again.

The only challenge with making your own upholstery cleaner? It's your 8-year-old discovering how easy it is to make, and coming out with extra bowls of the cleaner that she's whipped up herself. Before I knew it the kids were slipping and sliding all over the back of the van. But then again, I have to say, my floor hasn't looked this clean since the day I brought it home!

Driving me nuts: My daily routine

Here is my confession: For someone who purports to live a green life, my days are ruled by my car.

It's a reality of mine since a lifetime ago when I was a green reporter. I live in a car.

And while it's grown up (and out) from my old Honda Accord to an efficient Toyota Echo (so small you couldn't fit an infant carseat in backwards!) to a mom-like Sienna minivan, one thing has stayed the same: my car rules my life.

It's my storage, I'm ashamed to admit. My scrap pile for receipts. My recycle bin of old Diet Coke cans. And a place I spend too many hours in my day.

Four years ago, we made a family decision to change that. We sold our home and moved 30 miles away to a place closer to both of our jobs. Now, instead of 75 minute commutes each day, I sigh about managing the kids all the way to the other side of town for the occasional errand.

But I'm still ruled by the car.

My commute has shortened, but the daily drive isn't the only trek I make. The realities of my job, being off-site from the other main locations, means that my productivity is eaten by drives to meetings, sometimes as many as four or five a day. Now while I don't mind the quiet, the lack of calls, the interruptions, and I appreciate the thoughtfulness of discussions on NPR, the driving gets a bit old.

And then, I've just made matters worse in recent weeks. Two decisions meant I'm logging more miles than ever.

First, we opted to send our daughter to private school for all-day kindergarten this fall. It means daily driving and picking her up from school. Not that I mind - we had preferred to send her there if we could find the means, and the scholarship she received means the cost will be lunch and transportation over what we were paying for her daycare.

Second, we made the tough decision to leave a daycare we'd used since my daughter was 2. A number of factors went into the call, but we've been testing a provider this summer that my son took to right away. So while we're adding on yet again a few more minutes to our drive, he feels loved. And is happy. And that's what matters.

This is part of the Green Moms Carnival on daily routines. Read what other Green Phone Boother's days are like later today.

Raising Baby Green: 10 great tips for non-parents, too

Dr. Alan Greene's book, Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care, is a great resource guide, but it's definitely geared for the mom-to-be.

I did find many great green tips for non-parents, though. Here are 10 new things I learned from Greene's book:

1. There are alternatives to plastic toss-away silverware. You can actually buy "SpudWare" - forks, spoons and knives that feel like plastic but are made from potato starch and soy oil. Not sure whether they taste potato-ey.
2. When buying cling wrap, you should look for products made with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) which is safer than PVC (polyvinyl chloride, the #3 plastic.) According to the book, some of the brands that are LDPE-based are Glad Cling Wrap, Saran with Cling Plus, Saran Premium Wrap and Diamant Food Wrap.
3. To control your fridge's energy use, make sure there is space around every side, including the back. Vacuum coils on the back of your fridge biannually.
4. Insulating your water heater can reduce its energy use by up to 9 percent.
5. If you have clothing stains, try to soak the fabrics in water mixed with borax, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar.
6. Take care of your car. Keep your tires inflated correctly and change the air filter regularly. The author estimated those two tips could save more than $1,000 a year in gas money - and that was before the recent price increases!
7. Park your car in the shade. "It lowers the temperature of gas tanks by four to seven degrees, which curbs emissions, the author writes.
8. Using vinegar when doing laundry helps get soap out of the cloth, minimizes possible irritants and reduces static cling. The author suggests using a quarter cup of white vinegar in the wash water.
9. Looking at a remodel, or just a new look in your house? You can consider more earth-friendly options as salvaged or recycled materials; natural, milk-based or zero- or low-VOC paints; or wood, bamboo or natural cork flooring.
10. Since it's summer, it's worth mentioning that soapy water or citrus essential oil and water can kill ants quickly.

Read on for tips for parents.