I Love Phosphates!

So my husband and I are really trying to live "greener." We recycle at least three times as much as we trash. I use reusable bags when I go shopping. I've stopped bleaching our whites. I hardly put anything down the garbage disposal anymore. My husband even made me buy a bag of kitty litter (we have no pets) just to pour expired cough medicine into so it wouldn't get into the water supply.

But I just can't give up my phosphate-laden dishwasher detergent! I tried Palmolive Eco gel, but it left a white film on our black plastic spoons and spatulas. Then I tried Seventh Generation powder, but that was WAYYYYY worse, leaving powder on everything to the point that I honestly think the dishes were cleaner without the soap (yes, I'm a scrubber). I was finally tempted beyond measure when I saw those oh-so-easy-to-use gel packs on sale, AND I had a coupon, and I have blissfully enjoyed two days of actually clean dishes! But I do feel a tad bit guilty. So my question is, has anyone found a phosphate-free dishwasher detergent that works?

Scrub, scrub, scrub

Anyone have wood laminate flooring? What is the best way to clean it? I vacuum and/or sweep mine but how should I clean it when it needs more than that? I have it in the kitchen and in our living room.

I'm Seeing Spots!

Do you have trouble getting spots out of your kids' clothes or am I just really bad at this?  I know she's two and messy and that's okay but EVERYTHING has spots on it and it doesn't matter if I stain stick it or bleach the whites, they don't seem to come out.  And I want to reuse these clothes for her little sister!  Any tips?

Hate it...

I hate to take out the garbage. When I was single (for many more years than I ever planned) I said there were three things I needed a man to do:
1 - Take care of my car.
2 - Handle the finances.
3- Take out the garbage.

Well, I learned to take care of my own car (including putting in a new catalytic converter) and got really pretty good at managing my finances (including long-term retirement etc.) but I never got to the point where I could take out the garbage unless I absolutely had to (thank goodness for good roommates who did it). Now Phil does the garbages (and actually, the car care and finances too).

What chore do you just refuse to do and who ends up doing it instead of you?

Cleaning Methods

How do you organize your household chores? Do you have a specific schedule (e.g. Monday-laundry, Tuesday-bathrooms, etc.)? Or do you clean as situations require/permit? Any helpful hints for making your "chores" more efficient/enjoyable?

Thanks!