Author: oi_admin

Want A Healthier Life? Start Here....

Posted on April 18, 2012 by oi_admin - Healthy Body

This week, Whole Foods Market plans to announce that 90% of the cleaning products in its stores now meet its Eco-Scale rating criteria, which launched on last year's Earth Day, April 22.

The three-tiered system requires products to disclose all ingredients on their labels, which is something the United States government does not require.

The system will also not allow chlorine, phosphates or some preservatives. The top rating goes to products made entirely with plant-based, rather than petroleum-based, ingredients.

According to a Harris Interactive Survey, which was conducted April 2011 for Whole Foods Market, about three out of four Americans assume federal law requires ingredient disclosure on the labels of cleaning products like they do for food.

The Whole Foods' program is a huge step forward in helping customers pick safe products, which can be very helpful considering the plethora of cleaners coming on the market from existing companies and newcomers alike.

Way to go Whole Foods!

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the health of you and your family. For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to http://greencleancertified.com and http://maidbrigade.com. To learn more about the asthma and allergy triggers in your home, or to learn more about household products and breast cancer, please log on to http://www.greencleancertified.com/greentv.

Outdoor Green Cleaning

Posted on April 17, 2012 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Green products used for cleaning outdoors help reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. They also avoid killing the flowers in your gardens. Some of these cleaners may be hard to find, and some may not be exactly what their labeling makes them appear to be. Before purchasing any products, log on to http://greenseal.org to find lists of environmentally-friendly cleaning products.

A pressure washer with plain tap water is more than adequate to remove built-up dirt and discoloration on your home. Heavy jobs may require a bit more cleansing power. If necessary, step up to a phosphate-free detergent to really bring out the clean.

When it comes to cleaning gutters, the leaves and other debris that was laying in the gutter make great compost, particularly if it is a little damp from.

To clean windows, use a vinegar/water mixture in a spray bottle. Wipe off windows with newspaper.

Toxic Cleaners That Can Cause Indoor Air Pollution

Posted on April 16, 2012 by oi_admin - Healthy Home

A great deal of cleaning goes on in most homes. We wash, scrub, vacuum, spray, and polish so that our homes stay clean and neat. Strange as it may seem, some of these cleaners also can cause pollution, both indoors and outdoors. How green are your cleaning supplies?

1. Laundry detergent: Your washer sends a lot of dirty water down the drain. Besides dirt, what is in that water? Many detergents contain phosphates, chemicals that help get clothes clean. When phosphates get into waste water, they speed the growth of algae, which can kill fish and plants that live in the water.

Besides phosphates, some detergents contain concentrated chemicals, like surfactants (which help with cleaning) and bleach (which removes stains). Surfactants are made from petroleum, the nonrenewable source from which oil and gasoline are made. Most bleach contains cancer-causing chlorine.

Some detergents claim to be "biological", meaning that they contain enzymes to help dissolve stains and make the detergent work in cooler water. Some detergents claim to be "biodegradable", which means that the detergent breaks down and becomes harmless in the waste system. But this doesn't always happen.

2. All -purpose cleaners may contain ammonia, which can be harmful to your lungs, and chlorine, which can form cancer-causing compounds when released into the environment.

3. Drain Cleaners contain very strong chemicals such as lye and hydrochloric and sulfuric acids. These can burn your skin and can cause blindness if they get into your eyes.

4. Flea and tick control products contain ingredients that have never been adequately tested for safety. While not intended for use on people, they can rub off your pet onto furniture, exposing you to the risk of cancer and other diseases.

5. Floor and furniture polishes contain phenol, which causes cancer in laboratory animals.

6. Metal polishes contain ammonia, phosphoric, and sulfuric acids, which are not healthy to breathe.

7. Mothballs contain p-dichlorobenzene, which causes cancer.

8. Oven cleaners contain lye, a powerful chemical that can burn your skin and lungs or cause blindness if splashed in your eyes.

9. Toilet cleaners contain chlorine and hydrochloric acid, which can burn your skin and eyes.

Take a good look at the cleaning products you use to clean your home with. Note which ingredients they contain that may be harmful. Why expose your family to all these toxic chemicals? Help save the planet and keep your family healthy br green cleaning your home.

No More Dust Mites!

Posted on April 13, 2012 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

House dust mites are tiny little creatures that cause allergy and asthma symptoms worldwide. They are so small that they are not usually seen with the naked eye.

House dust mites can survive in all types of climate. They thrive indoors, mostly in bedrooms and kitchens. Dust mites survive well in mattresses, carpets, furniture and bedding. Even in dry climates, house dust mites survive and reproduce easily in bedding (especially in pillows), which takes up moisture from body contact.

House dust mites reproduce quickly enough that their effect on human health can be significant. As dust mites like warm, fluffy furniture and materials, they are most likely to be found on beds, couches, carpets, rugs, toys, and curtains.

To lessen house dust mites, keep stuffed animals off the bed, or get rid of them altogether. Wash you sheets and other bed linens in hot water. This will kill the mites and their eggs. Drying sheets and linens in a hot dryer for about ten minutes can also help kill dust mites.

Place a mattress cover over the mattress and another one over the box spring. Purchase pillow covers that zip. Another option would be to buy an anti-mite mattress.

Reduce moisture levels in your home. Try to keep a relative humidity level in your home, preferably under fifty percent.

If possible, get rid of the carpeting in your home. Carpeting is a safe haven for dust mites and other allergens like dust and dander.

Spring Clean Moldy Areas Using Natural Ingredients

Posted on April 12, 2012 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

The thought of mold growing, especially in the home, can be a bit overwhelming for most of us. Besides the unattractive look and smell, mold can trigger allergic reactions such as watery eyes, runny nose, coughing, and headaches. Some strains of mold may also be toxic.

Mold is usually found in excessively moist places like bathrooms and basements, where humidity is higher. Make sure to check your entire home for signs of water damage and mold. Don't forget to check mold "hangouts" like rotting windowsills and peeling paints.

To combat mold, first check the moisture level in your home using a hygrometer. A hygrometer can be found in your local hardware store. Indoor humidity is usually between thirty and fifty percent. If your home contains more moisture, fix all leaks and buy a dehumidifier to lessen the moisture in the indoor air.

To clean mold without wreaking harm on yourself or the environment, use natural ingredients and try these ideas:

~ Add dishwashing liquid soap and one teaspoon borax to a quart of warm water. Soak moldy areas with the mixture. Rinse off. Let dry.

~ Add twenty drops of grapefruit seed extract to two cups of water and spray. Let dry.

~ Tea tree oil is a natural antimicrobial that attacks mold. Mix a teaspoon of it with two cups of water. Spray. Let dry.

~ Mix two parts baking soda with one part vinegar and one part water. Mix until it becomes a thick paste. Spread some of the mix onto the surface and let it dry. Scrub off. Repeat until the mold disappears.

~ Add a half cup hydrogen peroxide to one cup warm water. Apply.

Keep areas of your home well ventilated. It is easier to eliminate mold more frequently than it is to let the mold build up.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the health of you and your family. For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to http://greencleancertified.com and http://maidbrigade.com. To learn more about the asthma and allergy triggers in your home, or to learn more about household products and breast cancer, please log on to http://www.greencleancertified.com/greentv.

Read Ingredients Before Cleaning...

Posted on April 11, 2012 by oi_admin - Healthy Home

When it comes to your health, the number one rule of thumb that environmental safety experts recommend, is read the ingredient list carefully on anything you’re going to be spraying in the air or wiping on touchable surfaces in your home.

When it comes to cancer-triggering toxins, air fresheners are among the biggest culprits. Air fresheners contain either Isopar, which is deodorized kerosene, or paradichlorobenzene, both of which are carcinogenic and toxic to the lungs, liver, and kidneys.

Among cleansers, oxygen bleach cleansers are particularly dangerous. Watch out for products containing chlorine bleach and ammonia. Both of these are not good to breathe. Avoid spraying chlorine bleach in the shower or bathroom where the steam makes you more likely to breathe it in.

There are many "green" cleaning products on the market. Replace your old standbys with green products that are approved by "Green Seal." Or, for a fraction of the cost, try making your own healthy green cleaning products at home. Your lungs and cells will thank you!

Cleaning with Borax

Posted on April 10, 2012 by oi_admin - Cleaning Tips, Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Are you looking for a natural way to clean your home? Borax is an often overlooked answer to many of your house cleaning problems. A common ingredient in laundry detergent, borax should be kept out of reach of children and pets, but it is an effective choice for your house cleaning needs. You can find borax in any grocery store in the laundry detergent aisle.

Mold Remover: Mix together 1/2 cup of borax with 1 gallon of water and use the solution to remove mold and mildew in your bathroom.

Laundry Fix: Use a borax paste to deodorize clothes and remove stains from laundry.

Shine China: You can even use borax to shine your china! Warm water mixed with a 1/2 cup of borax will do the trick.

Disposal Cleaner: Pour 3 tablespoons of borax down your garbage disposal and then a half hour later flush with hot water.

Oven Cleaner: Create a solution of 2 teaspoons borax, 2 tablespoons liquid soap and 1 quart of warm water. Spray the ingredients in your oven and let sit for 20 minutes. Next wipe clean and rinse with warm water.

Alternatives to Bleach and Antibacterial Soaps

Posted on April 7, 2012 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

According to a recent World Health Organization report, antibacterial soaps are helping to promote growth of resistant bacteria.

Chlorine bleach, a common disinfectant frequently found in scouring powders and cleaning solutions, is highly caustic, meaning it can burn skin and eyes. Plus, it can be fatal if swallowed. When it travels from your drain into the natural world, it can create organochlorines (suspected carcinogens), as well as reproductive, neurological, and immune-system toxins.

Bleach (also known as sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide), should never be mixed with any product containing ammonia or quaternium compounds. Doing so creates highly toxic chlorine gas. Many conventional scouring powders and cleaning solutions contain chlorine bleach.

Solution.....

Instead of using antibacterial soap, do a thorough hand-washing (about 2 minutes) with plain soap and warm water.

To disinfect bathroom or kitchen surfaces, try white vinegar, which helps kill bacteria, mold, and viruses. White vinegar can be used on everything from kitchen surfaces to toilet seats. The only foolproof way to kill food-borne pathogens such as salmonella or E coli is to use hot, soapy water to wash all cutting boards, dishes, knives, and surfaces that have touched raw meat or eggs.

Scrubbing sinks, tubs, and countertops with a paste of baking soda (or washing soda) and water effectively removes dirt rings and some stains. For cleaning windows, fill your own spray bottle with water and either one-quarter cup white vinegar or one tablespoon lemon juice to cut grease.

The Many Wonders of Baking Soda

Posted on April 6, 2012 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

April is a perfect time for spring cleaning. This year, try using baking soda to clean your home like I do. Here are some ideas that I use to help get you started:

Place a bowl of baking soda in your refrigerator to help absorb odors.

Sprinkle baking soda on a wet sponge and clean your refrigerator.

Dissolve a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in water in a microwave safe bowl, then bring to the boil in your microwave. Let it sit for a minute, then wipe clean.

Sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of garbage bags or cans to control odors.

Clean your dishwasher by running it through a cycle but adding baking soda instead of detergent.

Wash chemicals and pesticides off fruits and vegetables in a pot filled with water and 3 - 4 tablespoons of baking soda added.

Anywhere that moisture is a problem, such as cupboards under sinks, place a bowl of baking soda to help control humidity. Stir the powder every once in a while for maximum effective life.

Mix baking soda and water together, grab an old toothbrush, and scrub crayon marks off of walls.

Water stains on wooden floors can be removed with a sponge dampened in a mix of baking soda dissolved in water.

Sprinkle some baking soda into your vacuum bag to help reduce musty/pet smells being spread throughout your house when vacuuming.

Sprinkle baking soda on rugs and carpets before vacuuming as a deodorizing treatment. Do not sprinkle in areas that are very humid, the baking soda may stay in the carpet.

Clean you mop in a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda and a gallon of water.

Stains on porcelain sinks, toilets and plastics can be removed by applying baking soda to a damp sponge.

Unclog drains by pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a couple of pitchers of boiling water.

Baking soda can deter ants by pouring a solid line in areas of activity. Ants will not cross the baking soda line.

Mix a tablespoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of dish detergentent and a gallon of water to make a spray for treating roses against black spot fungus.

Make a paste of baking soda and water and brush onto stains on clothes before washing them.

Add a half cup of baking soda to your laundry in the washing machine to help remove odors and brighten clothes.

To remove rust, mix a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Apply with a pot scourer.

Apply baking soda and water to chrome surfaces to clean chrome!

Baking soda applied to grease and oil spills on your garage floor will draw away the oil, which can then be scraped off.

Baking soda sprinkled and mixed into cat litter will help control odor.

Eliminate odor after you've cleaned up pet accidents by sprinkling over the dampened area with baking soda. Let dry. Vacuum.

Fill up old socks with baking soda and place into shoes overnight to help remove odors.

A thick paste of baking soda and water applied to bug bites can provide relief.

Make your own mouthwash by adding a half teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water.

Sprinkle baking soda onto regular toothpaste to create a whitening toothpaste

To clean jewelry, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rinse, then polish.

Green Tips for Sinus Relief

Posted on April 6, 2012 by oi_admin - Healthy Body

Each year chronic sinusitis affects between 30 and 40 million people in the United States. During spring, there will be many sufferers seeking relief.

When you suffer from sinusitis, the undrained mucus in the sinuses causes pain and pressure and creates a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, which can make you more susceptible to viruses and infection.

Here are some practical tips you can try at home if sinuses become congested:

Clean Nasal Passages:

Rinse with salt water twice a day to clear out irritating mucus and kill bacteria. Get a bulb syringe or a neti pot (a spouted pot designed for flushing sinuses). Mix 1/4 teaspoon salt with 1 cup warm water and let the solution stream through one nostril and flow out the other. Studies show this is the number one recommendation for serious sinus relief.

Full Steam Ahead:

Moist, warm therapy can increase blood supply to an area, which in turn can help clear infections. Take a warm shower, or, inhale steam rising from a pot of heated water by leaning over the pot with a towel draped over your head. Breathe the steam for 15 minutes.

Apply a warm, wet washcloth to your nose, cheekbones and eyes. This will take the edge off of the pain and promote sinus drainage.

Humidify:

Dryness irritates sinuses, so humidify the air. Use a saline nasal spray too.

Stay Away From Mucus Boosters:

Milk and wheat are big mucus boosters, so avoid them when sinusitis hits. Avoid inflammatory foods and eat fresh fruits, vegetables and plant protein. Drink lots of water to thin mucus. Steamy soups (like chicken noodle soup) may also provide relief.

Avoid Potential Allergy Triggers:

Avoid common allergens like dust, pollen, pet dander and mold. Certain chemicals can also set off sneezing, coughing, and asthma attacks. Install a HEPA filter to clean the air in your bedroom. A humidifier can help reduce congestion, but clean it regularly or mold and bacteria buildup can do you more harm than good. Avoid smoke, chemical fumes and alcohol because they all swell sinus membranes.

Outdoor Allergies

Posted on April 5, 2012 by oi_admin - Healthy Body

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, outdoor allergies affect more than 35 million people in the United States.

Outdoor allergies (“seasonal allergic rhinitis,” “hay fever,” or “nasal” allergies), occur when allergens that are commonly found outdoors are inhaled into the nose and the lungs causing allergic reactions. When inhaled, the allergen may cause a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, and sinus pressure.

Outdoor allergies usually occur in the spring, summer, and fall, when plant pollen is more prevalent.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, here are some plants that may trigger your outdoor allergies:

~ Ryegrass, timothy blue and orchard grass, are problems for allergy sufferers. While mowing, mold and pollen are also being picked up.

~ Mountain cedar can cause some of the most severe allergy problems.

~ Ragweed. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says that about 75% of Americans are sensitive to ragweed.

~ Arizona cypress may cause pollen problems for about six months out of the year.

~ Oak produces less potent pollen but the most pollen for the longest season.

~ Pecan trees can cause severe allergies.

~ Maple trees produce potent allergens.

For up to date pollen (and mold) counts, please log on to the National Average Bureau at http://aaaai.org.

American Academy of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology

Asthma and Allergy Foundation

Cleaning Tips for Allergy Sufferers

Posted on April 3, 2012 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Spring has sprung and so have your allergies. For allergy sufferers, spring can be the worst season to clean the home. If your allergies are causing sneezing, sniffling, itchy and watery eyes, the last thing you want to expose yourself to are more allergy triggers like particles and pests.

What can you do to reduce these allergies? A thorough green spring cleaning! It can actually reduce symptoms, especially if you are allergic to things that thrive in an unclean house, like dust mites, mold and animal dander.

To rid your home of allergens for good, first know what you are allergic to so you are better prepared to tackle cleaning tasks that stir them up.

To get rid of dust mites that might be lurking in your bed sheets, wash your bed linens in 130 degree water weekly. The hot water will kill the mites. Remember to wash the decorative pillows and stuffed animals in hot water every 1-2 weeks.

Try not to dust with cotton cloths because they can spread particles around on surfaces which sends them back into the air. Use microfiber cloths instead. They trap dust and remove dust mite allergen that accumulates on hard surfaces.

Buy a vacuum cleaner with a hard-shell container or a bag vacuum with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters prevent smaller particles from blowing back out.

To remove bathroom mold, use a solution of borax and water.

Spring cleaning a house from top to bottom is a big job. If you are not up to the task of cleaning because of your allergies, hire someone to do your spring cleaning. Maid Brigade house cleaning services can clean your house in a couple of hours!