Whether it’s autumn in Austin or summer in Saigon, we love trolling foreign towns.

But the next time we get blisters in Beirut and aches in Oban, we’ll be quick-changing into a pair of Pocketflops. These springy flip flops (from $15) are made out of durable recycled tire rubber and fold together for easy packing. From lavender paisley to black-and-white damask, each pretty pair comes with an organic cotton bag and plantable paper tags embedded with wildflower seeds.

Now that’s going the extra step.

At www.pocketflops.com

We’ve all made sacrifices for the environment (like chipping our nails bringing out the recycling). Have a laid-back Earth Day with our editors' tips.  

Simple Shoes (you probably wore a pair in the early ’90s) are still kicking, but now the brand makes footwear that’s eco-friendly to the nth degree. This season they introduced their BIO-D collection, which will actually biodegrade after they hit the landfill. www.simpleshoes.com
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

Make your own dryer sheets by adding a few drops of essential oil to a damp cloth. Toss in the dryer, and voila! You’ve beaten global warming and static cling in one fell swoop.
Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

Now that carrying a plastic bag is an even bigger faux pas than toting a fake Louis, notable totables are a must. Pack your veggies in this set of three organic cotton drawstring produce bags ($23). www.lavishandlime.com
Maria Tallarico, Managing editor

Kim Mitchell’s “Patio Lanterns” may be a radio station deal breaker for some, but Ikea’s new outdoor Solig solar-powered lighting collection (from $9.99) has us wanting to spruce up the garden, make lemonade, and cue the 1986 hit.
Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor

Why not opt for natural cleaning products straight from the pantry? Lemon juice makes a great copper polish and a decent bleach alternative, too. Vinegar removes mildew, cuts grease and removes coffee stains and wax build-up. Cornstarch is super on windows, carpets and rugs. A shot of vodka cures all ills, and it even cleans chrome and porcelain.
Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor
 

With Earth Day just a week away, tame toxic habits with a thorough eco-cleanse.

We’re starting things off by creating our own all-natural cleaning products at Artistri Atelier-Boutique. Biologist and eco-warrior Julie Bouvrette’s workshop will show us how to blend three all-purpose scrubs, cleaners and disinfectants using borax, tea-tree oil and vinegar mixed with sweet-smelling essential oils.

Take that, greenhouse gases!

Saturday, April 24 (1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.), 5319 Park Ave., Montreal. Register at 514-461-4437, $25 (including supplies).

So you gave up on the cloth diapers, forgot to ditch the PBA bottles and  didn’t splurge for the bamboo crib set.
 
Wait! There’s still a chance to reverse your eco-kid karma.
 
These cheerful Velcro-closure organic cotton snack sacks from Graze Organic are illustrated with water-based dyes and are machine washable, so they can be used again and again.
 
Now just make sure those veggies are local and the bread’s got ancient grains.

US$35 for set of 5. www.grazeorganic.com 

Why is it that every time we watch Jersey Shore, we feel the need to scrub things down?

Made in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Envirolab is a hardy line of eco-friendly cleaning products (from $4.49) that are phosphate-free, made from vegetable-based solvents and government-certified EcoLogo.  \Best of all they do the job well: the dishwashing liquid is generously foamy, the toilet bowl cleaner cuts through rust, the floor-and-wall spray is streak-free, and each bottle is carefully sweetened with essential oils (so no stinking up the joint).

Too bad we can’t use them to wash out Snooki’s potty mouth. Fuhgeddaboudit!

At Réno Dépôt stores, www.renodepot.com

After spending months in musty squalor at the back of the closet, our goose-feather parka is in desperate need of resuscitation

We’re performing emergency CPR with Granger’s eco-friendly Down Wash ($11.95), finally available in Canada. We added this handy little remedy (and our hot-chocolate stained jacket) to a warm-water washing machine. After a low-heat tumble dry, voila! Loft and water-repellency restored, odors eliminated, and we’re ready for the slopes.

Inspired by the success of Operation Ski Coat, we may even try to steam vac those marks on the couch. Naaah.

At Sports Experts, 930 St-Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-866-1914, www.sportsexperts.ca

We love a weekend fry-up, but the lingering smell of eggs and onions leaves a guilt-ridden stink all day long.

No need to ditch your morning ritual with some olfactory help in a bottle. Made in Quebec, Lotus Aroma’s chemical-free home fragrance sprays ($16) are formulated from 100 per cent natural essential oils with nose-worthy scents like geranium and rosewood. With notes of orange and bergamot, the citrusy Uno Agrumi blend is perfect for hiding the evidence of a heavy breakfast. 

Now if anyone asks what you ate this morning, just wink and say, “half a grapefruit, of course.”

At Jean Coutu stores, www.jeancoutu.com

We’ll never be mistaken for a minimalist but we do believe in paring down, especially en voyage.

Packing for weekends away is a whiz since we discovered worldPRODUCTS. Created by Kim Cattrall’s stylist Brian Phillips, the eco-conscious line includes a trio of basics, each serving double-duty: worldCLEAN can be used to wash hair and skin, worldPROTECT moisturizes legs and locks, and worldBELIEVE salve soothes chapped lips and bug bites. Use them scentless or customize with drops of essential oil blends such as citrus and peppermint ($28). Best of all? No artificial colours, sulphates or parabens.

Apparently, the best things in life are three.

worldPRODUCTS trio ($75) at www.world.ca

Whether requesting homemade playdough or asking if their fish sticks are Ocean Wise, sometimes even we're surprised by the eco-activism of little ones. 

Humanity clothing line taps into the eco-consciousness of kids with funky tees (from $35) with environmentally approved slogans like "Walk Don't Ride" and "Feed the Hungry."

But just because the message is smart doesn't mean there can't be some youthful silliness as well—just check out the line in collaboration with SpongeBob Square Pants for a tee your Nickelodeon-obsessed tot will love. Or pick them up a wrap-around leather bracelet (from $24) with messages like "Plant Peace" and "Lead the Way." 

They'll be so impressed with your environmentally friendly style that they'll think your cooler than SpongeBob. Well, not quite. 

Shop online or find retailers at www.humanityforall.com

Dressing sweet doesn’t mean stuffy and fussy frocks.

Cielo’s adorable Spring ’09 collection is full of cute and casual pieces for pint-size fashion plates. An offspring of The Pharm Design Group, each Cielo piece is made in Canada using organic bamboo or cotton, including this adorable polka dot ruffle tank ($38) that is hand block printed so each dot is unique.

Now if only we could get her to stop pulling her shirt over her head.

Look for Cielo at the Portobello West Vancouver market this Sunday, May 30 or shop online at www.cielokids.com