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Safer Cleaning for Allergy Season

Posted on May 6, 2013 by - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

When it comes to cleaning my home, I always try and use the safest and most efficient products on the market.  I have to be especially careful because my children and I suffer from allergies, so products containing harsh chemicals are not an option.

Four products that are known for their wonderful cleaning abilities are white vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and club soda.  Not only do these products work wonders cleaning my home, but they are safe for my family and the environment.

I use white vinegar to clean the bathroom.  Vinegar helps remove soap scum and mineral deposits in the shower.  It is great for cleaning toilets too!  Vinegar can also be used in the laundry, on the dishes, and a few sprays can even keep pests away!

Baking soda is great at removing odor and sweat stains from clothing.  It also works wonders as a cleaner because it is a mild abrasive which can be used to clean tubs, sinks, counter tops and even tile floors.  Baking soda can keep garbage disposals smelling fresh and can also neutralize pet odors, especially near the litter box.

Lemon juice is a mild disinfectant that is used as a bleach alternative.  Use it to clean counters, tile floors, or to remove stains on clothes!

Club soda is carbonated water that helps to remove many stains like red wine, juice, tea, or coffee.  It can also be used in the laundry.

Because my family suffers form allergies, choosing green cleaning products to clean my home is definitely the safer choice for me.

Allergy Triggers That Might Be Overlooked

Posted on April 30, 2013 by - Healthy Body

For us allergy sufferers, we spend half the time in spring sneezing and sniffling and the other half trying to avoid allergy triggers.

Here are four places that might be overlooked by some when trying to avoid allergy triggers:

Pillows.  Believe it or not, some pillows  may contain about sixteen different types of fungi.  Protect yourself by washing your pillow in hot water at least four times a year.

Houseplants.  Although certain houseplants are great for cleaning indoor air, they are also famous for harboring mold.  Be sure to wipe off any mold you see with a wet cloth.  Also, be careful not to over-water your plants.  Place plants by a window so they stay dry.

Pets.  The tree and grass pollen that pets sometimes carry on their coats can cause allergies to flare up.  Avoid this by bathing your pet weekly.

Cars.  Carpets, mats, and upholstery in your car can retain moisture from rain brought in on your shoes and clothing, which can make the surfaces in your home a perfect place for mold growth.  Roll down your windows, or run the heat or air in your car for a few minutes.  The air will blow the dust mites and mold spores out of the car.

Better Ways to Clean for Allergy Sufferers

Posted on April 26, 2013 by - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Dust mites, mold, and pet dander are major issues for allergy sufferers, but chemical fumes from cleaning products and spray air fresheners can also be major detriments to your household's air quality.

For allergy sufferers, the best types of cleaning products are those that are non-toxic.  "Green" cleaning products are better for those with allergies, but read the labels carefully, as some of these products still contain irritating substances.  Some of the best anti-allergy cleaning solutions can be found right in your own home.  Baking soda and vinegar work wonders in the natural cleaning world.  Homemade solutions made from these products can help keep your home spotless and clean for a minimal cost and at a minimal hazard.  If the smell of vinegar bothers you, add some drops of lemon juice to your solution.

Most toilet cleaners use very strong chemicals like hydrochloric acid or chlorine. Undiluted vinegar works just as well and won't put a bunch of harsh chemicals in the air.

For cleaning surfaces, use a spray bottle that contains one part vinegar and one part water to naturally disinfect countertops and other surfaces.  Do not use this on marble countertops;  specific cleaning products are required for marble surfaces.

To fight nasty odors, mix some baking soda and water and apply to a microfiber cloth for scrubbing dirt and stains.

For allergy sufferers, try to avoid using chemical cleaning products altogether.  All that is really needed for efficient dusting is a good, clean microfiber cloth.

Many modern homes also contain carpeting, and while it may be pretty and pleasant to bare feet, carpet is a haven for allergens.  If you can't lose the carpet, you will have to aggressively clean your floors to reduce the amount of dust mites and other allergens who live there.

To reduce the amount of pollen coming into your home and sticking to the carpet, try and mandate a "no shoes indoors" policy for all.  Each day, vacuum high traffic areas with a HEPA filter vacuum.  Vacuum other areas every few days at least.  Don't forget about bath and area rugs.

Consider buying or renting a vapor-steam cleaner, which is very effective in wiping out germs, grime, and dust from floors, furniture, drapes, tiles, countertops, and more without aggravating allergies.  Be sure that the machine is a vapor steam-cleaner instead of a water-extraction cleaner which uses a chemical cleaning solution and water, since those types can contribute to mold and mildew.

Dust mites are the chief indoor allergy culprits.  They thrive on moisture and live off of human skin.  Wash all bedding and sheets on the hottest setting at least once a week to control the dust mite population in your pillows and sheets.  Don't forget about the kids' stuffed animals.  Launder them on the hottest setting.  If they cannot be washed in hot water, put them in the freezer for a few hours, then wash them in cold water.  This will help get rid of dust mites.

Spend Your Tuesday Morning Talking "Green"

Posted on April 23, 2013 by - News, Uncategorized

Want to know how to make cleaning fun?

Tune in to Leslie Reichert's "Clean Green Talk" radio show every Tuesday morning from 9:00AM - 10:00AM EST.  You can even call in your questions!

In fact, those listeners that call in this Tuesday (April 23, 2013) will get a FREE COPY of Leslie's ebook, "The Joy of Green Cleaning."

Celebrate Earth Day!

Posted on April 22, 2013 by - News

Happy Earth Day! Think of the earth as you begin your spring cleaning endeavors. Before throwing anything in the trash, consider if it can be reused or recycled. Many companies are doing amazing work recycling used household and yard items.

Hazardous wastes. Local governments have designated areas and days for disposal of household liquid and solid hazardous materials. Cleaning chemicals, paints, oil and other toxic materials can be dropped off for proper disposal. Contact the EPA or your local government for information. Hazardous materials should not be poured down drain or dumped into septic or drainage systems.

Electronics. Most electronics, old TVs, computers, and GPS devices can be donated back to local electronics retailers. Many charitable organizations also accept electronics and will give you a receipt for your taxes. Many schools or daycare centers will accept electronics that are in working order. Most cell phone carriers have designated areas you can recycle old phones, batteries and accessories. Many charitable organizations will also accept phones. Be sure to clear your phone of all identifying data as well as pictures that may be stored in the memory.

Books. Libraries, schools and some hospitals take book donations. Your community may have a used book store or book exchange. There are many online book exchange programs with little or no shipping costs. Textbooks can be sold on separate sites specifically for academic books.

Craft supplies. Schools for young children are always looking for stockpiles of craft supplies. Whether it be an old bag of yarn or a half used bottle of paste, it will be welcome with open arms.

Toys. Most schools, hospitals, or even pediatric medical specialty offices are looking for washable (non-soft) toys in good condition. Even if they cannot use them within their own office, they can distribute toys to children of need. Day cares accept sand toys and other outdoor toys as well. Some preschool and elementary schools will even take old tricycles and bicycles (or training wheels) that are in working order.

Clothing and shoes. There are many places to donate clothing and shoes. Most provide receipts for taxes. Clothing that is in disrepair can be recycled into soft rags for cleaning and polishing. Old blankets and towels can be donated to local humane societies and animal shelters.

Wire and metal. Your local government will have listings for disposal of metals, but some can be recycled. Dry cleaners will take wire hangers. Some schools take metal buttons, beads and keys to hang in the trees and make wind chimes.

Furniture. Sell, donate or recycle. Some can be recycled around your own house and used for other purposes. Cribs can be turned into homework desks by taking off the front panel, raising to the proper height for the child and replacing mattress with a wooden board painted with chalkboard paint or black/green paint with cornstarch added. The old mattress can be added to a child's play room, fort, or given to the family pet for a raised bed.

Prescriptions. Glasses and contacts can be donated to charitable organizations. Many opticians will accept donations as well. Vitamin supplements and prescription drugs can be disposed of at the semi-annual National Take Back Day. The DEA and local law enforcement join together twice yearly for drug drop off. The next Take Back Day is on April 27, 2013, from 10 AM to 2 PM. You can call 1-800-882-9539 or look on the DEA website for details about collection sites in your area.

Clean those Stinky Shoes Naturally!

Posted on April 21, 2013 by - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Springtime.  It brings the air of new life.  Blooming flowers send delicious aromas in small bursts through the warm breezy air.  It brings long days of children running through the grass, playing soccer and lacrosse, and bringing stinky shoes home to roost.  Thankfully, there are some easy ways to decrease the odor, bacterial content and potential fungi from thoroughly used shoes.
Washing.  If the shoes can take it, throw them in the wash.  Canvas shoes without much support can go through the washer without losing much shape.  Allow shoes to dry completely outside in the sunshine.  If shoes can not go into an agitator like a washer, you can make a solution of borax, vinegar and lemon juice added to a gallon of water.  Let shoes soak for 30 minutes.  Rinse and dry in the outside air.
Sunshine.  For supportive shoes or other shoes that cannot be washed in a traditional way, there are a few options.  First, dry shoes completely.  A damp shoe is a great place for bacteria and fungi to breed.  UV light from the sun is a deterrent to fungus and certain bacterial growth.  Sometimes just drying a shoe will decrease the odor.
Baking soda.   Baking soda is wonderful for decreasing odors and killing both bacteria and fungi.  For shoes that are routinely wet, make a mixture of baking soda, salt, water, and lemon juice into a paste.  Apply to the inside of the shoe and let dry for a few days.  When the mixture begins to crack off, bang shoes together to get rid of the remains.  Dust the inside of the shoe with cornstarch and wipe out.  If you have especially sensitive skin, baking soda may not be the best option.
Cedar.  Recycle old panty hose by filling with cedar shavings and tying off the ends.  Place in shoes each night.  The shavings will help to draw the moisture out of shoes and leave a fresh scent.
Vodka.  Fill a spray bottle with vodka and a few drops of your favorite essential oils.  Shake and lightly spray the inside of the shoe.  The alcohol will help dry the shoe and prohibit bacterial and fungal growth.
Coffee.  Place coffee grounds in a cheesecloth or recycled panty hose.  Leave overnight.  The coffee will absorb moisture and odors.  Do not use with lightly colored shoes as the coffee may stain the material.

Cleaning Your Pots With Natural Ingredients

Posted on April 21, 2013 by - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Not too long ago, I visited my sister's house.  Normally, everything is in almost compulsive order.  On this day, however, a 5 quart stainless steel pot sat out of place near the kitchen sink.  A quick peek revealed the scorch marks left after a mishap with her home made oatmeal.  She tried for 3 days to scrub the pot clean and was ready to get rid of it completely.
Before discarding these items, consider the stain and the pot.  For this burned on mess of milk and carbohydrates, pour in enough lemon juice to cover the bottom of the pot.  Sprinkle a light coating of salt and let sit overnight.  In the morning, take a damp sponge or cloth and scrub lemon/salt mixture around stain.  It should lift almost instantly.
For greasy stains and messes, try scrubbing with salt alone.  For tougher stains, pour about 1 cup of vinegar into the pot.  Fill the rest with water (for big pots, add another half to full cup of vinegar) and boil for 5 minutes.  Then scrub with sponge and salt.
In place of a scrubber sponge, you can use a bit of crumbled aluminum foil.  If you have old panty hose to recycle, you can cut them and tie around a regular sponge or cloth and use as a scrubber.
Pots that have reached their limits as cookware can easily be recycled.  They make excellent planters, especially for seed starting.  They can even be painted, etched with sand, or dented to add character to a patio garden.  Pot tops can be used as bird feeders or baths.

Reduce Stress From Your Busy Life

Posted on April 19, 2013 by - Healthy Soul

The house is a mess, the kids need a ride to school, the car keys are missing, the dog just got out of the yard, and your boss just scheduled a mandatory meeting first thing this morning...

...no wonder why you feel stressed out.

Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened, or upset your balance in some way.  In small doses, stress can help you perform under pressure and motivate you to do your best.  But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.

There is no doubt that women have a lot on their plates these days, between balancing work responsibilities with commitments at home and still trying to find time to do the things they enjoy.  Often women feel overwhelmed by the things that are expected of them and do not take the time to plan for and achieve the things they want.

According to the findings from the 2013 Work/Life Balance Survey conducted by Maid Brigade, 78% of women feel they work a "second shift" when it comes to their daily life responsibilities, such as cooking, cleaning, running errands, and taking care of family.  In 2012, the survey yielded 72%.

The survey also showed that 51% of women feel the need for control over their lives.  The lack of control over the minute-to-minute chaos that fills each day may be a leading stress trigger.

The survey's findings showed that daily home and family repsonsibilities prevented some women from persuing their individual hobbies and personal health goals, which added stress in their lives.

In honor of April's "National Stress Awareness " month, here are some preventative measures that can help combat stress and help you lead a more balanced and healthy lifestyle:

Learn to delegate properly and be comfortable with it.  Delegating things that you don't like to do can lighten your load and free up some needed time.  Make a list of all your routine tasks.  Decide what can be delegated.  For example, hiring a cleaning service is one way to take that large weekly chore off your hands and free up some time.

It is important to delegate responsibilities to create that "me time" you deserve (and need).

Taking "me" time when you have a family, work, home, and life to keep may seem like a selfish act, but guilt may be our greatest setback to creating a more balanced, calm and happy existence for ourselves and our families.

Because of our demanding schedules, there is often very little time or energy left for for ourselves.  Decide what really matters to you and what you can realistically achieve based on other commitments.

Stress may not be completely eliminated from your life, but you CAN control how much it affects you.  Relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing can help the body and mind relax.  When practiced regularly, they can lead to a reduction in everyday stress levels and can also increase your ability to stay calm and collected under pressure.

Stay Allergy-Free in Your Bedroom

Posted on April 19, 2013 by - Healthy Home

Sleep is imperative to good health.  As spring blooms into the allergy season, consider a few simple tricks to keep your bedroom allergy free.
Fresh air.  While the pollen count is low, open windows to circulate air in the house.  When pollen counts are high, close windows and use air conditioning or ceiling fans to cool the bedroom.
Pets.  We love them.  They add so much substance to our lives.  Unfortunately, during allergy season, they can also add dander and pollen.  Bathe pets weekly to reduce the amount of dander they shed and to clean fur of any pollen collected while frolicking through the grass and flower beds.
Dust mites.  They are known to be a huge allergy trigger.  Wrap mattress and pillow in protective coverings.  Wash bedding in hot water or dry in a hot dryer.  Heat kills the mites that are embedded in the cloth.
Decrease respiratory irritants.  Don't allow smoking in the house.  Decrease the amount of perfumes and fragrances.  Use natural, non-toxic cleaners in place of harsh, irritating chemicals.
Bringing the outdoors in.  Remove shoes and leave them by the door, especially if you have carpeting.  When children come in from playing outdoors, have a change of clothing or a bath waiting for them.  Bathe nightly to reduce pollen on skin and hair.  Dry clothing on an indoor line or in the dryer.  Do not use window fans as they may draw pollen into the house.
Mold.  It hides everywhere.  Check window sills and carpeting around windows.  Fix any leaks in the plumbing or roof.  Keep dirty clothing in hampers outside of the bedroom and empty every day.  Wash damp clothing as soon as possible.  Keep humidity in the house below 50%.  Most allergies worsen in humid climates.  Moist air promotes mold growth.  Get a dehumidifier if needed.  Be sure to empty collection containers often and clean thoroughly with a solution of vinegar and water.  Dry completely.
Filter.  Change central air filters regularly.  Dust bedroom with a damp microfiber cloth.  Use a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter at least once weekly to vacuum bedroom, under bed and nightstand.

Spring Window Cleaning

Posted on April 17, 2013 by - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

It is that time of the year again!  The weather is warming and the birds are singing.  The signs of winter are quickly becoming a memory.  Early spring is a great time to get the remnants of winter out of the house.  Open those windows and circulate that fresh air!\

Dry the condensation on the windows and clean the window sill.  Use a paste of baking soda and water to remove any mold or dirt stains in the tracks.  Clean windows with a vinegar/water solution and a squeegee.  Remove dirt from window screens by wiping both sides gently with a microfiber cloth.  Spray with an ample amount of vinegar, wipe with a damp sponge, then rinse with warm water.  Repeat on the other side of the window.

Dust blinds with a microfiber cloth.  Launder curtains and spray with your favorite freshener.

To make your own air freshener spray, grind a few teaspoons of your favorite spices (cloves, rosemary, oregano, or thyme), or add some essential oils (lemon or lavender) to distilled water with a few teaspoons of vodka.  Shake up and mist on curtains and around room.

Breathe deeply, and relax!

Stress Relief

Posted on April 17, 2013 by - Healthy Soul

Let's face it, we all have stress in our lives, some more than others.  How we cope with the stress is what is important.  So, when the going gets rough, here are a few tips to keep in mind when quick stress relief is needed:

Take a breath.   Breathe in and out.  Be aware of your breath as it moves through your lungs.  When you exhale, focus on the tension leaving your body with each breath.

Go for a walk.  If the situation allows, go for a quick walk.  A short burst of exercise will get your blood flowing.  It will help to bring endorphins and other mood elevators back into your system.

Alter your perspective.  When we focus on a stressful situation, it may be difficult to see things differently.  Look at yourself in the mirror and try to see your situation the way an outsider may see it.  If you have a problem with a friend or colleague, try to visualize their point of view.  Often, this will lead to clues for a resolution.

Vent.  Use your friends as a sounding board.  Stress that is held close or bottled up may contribute to health problems over the long term.  Calling a friend will alleviate stress and may offer the fresh perspective you need.

Touch.  Contact with other people or pets is valuable for people who are stressed.  Touch can be reassuring and comforting.  Whether it is a hug from a friend or a few minutes petting a furry friend, touch lowers blood pressure and reduces other physical manifestations of stress.

Go to your happy place and laugh!  Thinking happy thoughts actually can reduce stress.  Focusing on the positive in any situation changes your overall outlook.  Laughter increases endorphins, regulates breathing and provides a physical release to help reduce tension.

Stains... And the Natural Ways to Beat Them

Posted on April 2, 2013 by - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Stains...no matter how hard we try, we can't get them out of our lives!  The good news is there are natural ways we can clean them when they do appear.

Try using lemon juice (an acid) to help with grass stains (alkaline).  White vinegar can also be used to combat grass stains.

Borax (alkaline) is a great cleaner for protein and acid stains.  Corn starch, diluted or sprayed on clothes, is very absorbent and works beautifully on protein stains.

Ditch the petroleum-based detergents and opt for vegetable-based soaps which are better for the environment.  Castile soap, which contains olive oil, is a great vegetable-based soap.  Use Castile soap or Washing soda on grease stains.

The water and bubbles in club soda work wonders in lifting acidic stains like berries and wine.

Cream of Tartar is color-safe and can be used on coffee or tea stains.

Borax, Washing soda, and white vinegar can be used on stains like tomato juice.