Even I need a friendly reminder to keep it simple. Last week, I asked some of my running friends how they get the smell out of their running clothes. I use Trader Joe's laundry detergent which I like for my regular clothes, but I was starting to feel like my clean running clothes still had a smell to them. One of my friends, Rosaura, suggested I try distilled white vinegar. Why didn't I think of that, especially considering I use it to clean my house? I was ready to go out and buy a sport wash but using vinegar saves me money and aligns with my use of natural products. I simply put the vinegar in the "bleach" section of my washing machine and my clothes came out without any smell.

Because we have so much choice when we go to the grocery store or drugstore, we get caught up in the complexity of it all. Try to remember every now and then to go back to the basics. It is safer for you and the environment and will save you money to boot. For example, to clean my house, I use distilled white vinegar as my "windex" (1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water) and baking soda as my "comet". Many conventional cleaning products leave indoor air pollution because of the petrochemical VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and synthetic fragrances. These toxins build up in your home each time you use these products. As they evaporate, they can make their way into your body and be dangerous to your health, including dizziness, watery eyes, skin rashes, and respiratory problems. Vinegar and baking soda can be your new best friends. They are safe, economical, and can be used for much more than dyeing Easter eggs and keeping your refrigerator odor-free. Get creative. I just found a new use for the vinegar. I simply needed a friendly reminder to go back to the basics.