Author: oi_admin

Almost every item in your home could be hazardous to your family's health.  However, for every toxic product in your home, there is a safe alternative.

Most of us believe that the government has laws that protect us from harmful products, but they do not protect us as well as they should.  

Unfortunately, many products are assumed to be safe and are allowed to be sold in the market place without adequate testing.  Of the 17,000 chemicals that appear in common household products, only 30% have been adequately tested for their negative effects on our health.  Less than 10% have been tested for their effect on the nervous system.  And, nothing is known about the combined effects of these chemicals when mixed within our bodies.  

Cleaning products are among the most hazardous substances you will find in your home.  They are so toxic that they are the only household products regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Unfortunately, there is no federal law requiring pre-market safety testing by the manufacturer, so the hazards of some products have not been revealed until after consumers have been injured.  

Air fresheners can cause cancer; irritate nose, throat, and lungs.
All purpose cleaners cause eye damage; irritate nose, throat, and lungs.
Bleach is toxic if swallowed; vapors are harmful; causes central nervous system disorders.
Carpet shampoo may cause cancer; causes central nervous system and liver damage.
Dishwasher detergent can cause eye injuries; damage to mucous membranes and throat.
Dishwashing liquid is harmful if swallowed; irritates the skin.
Disinfectants are very toxic; cause skin, throat, and lung burns; causes coma.
Drain cleaners cause skin burns; cause liver and kidney damage.
Fabric softeners may cause cancer; cause central nervous system disorders; cause liver damage.
Floor/furniture polish can cause central nervous system disorders; may cause lung cancer.
Laundry detergents can irritate the skin and lungs.
Oven cleaners can cause skin, throat, and lung burns.
Chloronated scouring powder is highly irritating to nose, throat, and lungs.
Spot and stain removers may cause cancer; causes liver damage; vapors can be fatal.
Toilet bowl cleaners are very toxic; causes skin, nose, throat, and lung burns.
Window cleaners can cause central nervous system disorders; causes liver and kidney disorders.

Manufacturers of these hazardous products are not required to list exact ingredients on the label.  For example, you cannot look at a label and be sure that a mold and mildew cleaner doesn't contain pentachlorophenol, a substance that can kill.  

Most products can be harmful during use, even when following the instructions, and mention of this danger isn't required by law.  Labeling only considers danger of ingestion.  Inhaling toxic fumes from these products may produce reactions such as headaches, fatigue, burning eyes, and runny noses.  Allowing cleaning products to touch bare skin on your hands not only produces skin rashes, it allows the toxic chemicals to go straight into your bloodstream.  Even if you don't have immediate symptoms, years later you or your children may suddenly get cancer, heart disease, lung problems, or damage to the liver or immune system, etc.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about our environment and health of you and your family.  For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com and maidbrigade.com.  Watch our video on achieving work/life balance at greencleancertified.com/greentv.  To learn more about the hidden allergy and asthma triggers in your home, log on to greencleancertified.com/greentv.

A green home is a happy home! 

Going green doesn't have to be expensive.  All it takes to make your home healthy, safe, and green are simple changes in your life.  Here are some tips to help you get started:

Find eco-friendly alternatives to harsh chemical cleaners, which can cause health problems and pollute the environment. Several brands of non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products are available at both natural grocery shops and chain stores.  Better yet, make your own using baking soda.  Baking soda is a cheap and effective all-purpose cleaner, scourer, polisher, and fungicide. Switch to natural disinfectants such as tea tree oil or citrus oils. Try borax and white vinegar as a toilet bowl cleaner. 

Skip the cleaning products altogether and switch to micro fiber cloths designed to attract dirt on their own.  A damp cloth can clean glass, stainless steel, brass, wood, and ceramics. A dry cloth is great at wiping away dust.  

Minimize the use of pesticides in your home.  Instead of using repellents, keep insects out by sealing cracks and holes around doors, windowsills, and baseboards. Keep food stored away and kitchen and eating areas as clean as possible.

Grow your own salad greens, veggies, and herbs. A garden can help reduce soil erosion and reduce air pollution. Grow plants that don't use a lot of water.  Instead of using toxic pesticides or chemical fertilizers, try organic and earth-friendly products. 

Learn to compost to reduce landfill waste.  Mix yard trimmings with your coffee grounds and leftover fruit and veggies.  This combp makes a great soil enhancer.    

Water your garden in the early morning or evening when it's cooler.  Water evaporates more slowly when it's cool. Water that's been used in sinks, bathtubs, showers or the washing machine  can also be used to water the garden, if it contains only biodegradable soaps.

Grass cuttings act as natural fertilizer when they decompose. So take advantage of them. 

Ditch disposable razors for reusable ones. Swap plastic cups and paper plates for ceramic ones. Choose reusable food containers over plastic wrap. Choose rechargeable batteries over the conventional single-use kind. 

Look on labels for recycled products like toilet paper.  Choose food items like cereals and crackers packaged in recycled cardboard.

Donate used toys to a worthy organization. Host a clothing or book swap. 

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about our environment and health of you and your family.  For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com and maidbrigade.com.  To learn more about the hidden allergy and asthma triggers in your home, log on to greencleancertified.com/greentv.

Baking soda is well known as a natural and safe household cleaner.  Baking soda can also be used to kill mold in your home.  Unlike other mold killers which contain harsh chemicals, baking soda is mild (pH of 8.1) and harmless to your family and pets.

Besides killing mold, baking soda also deodorizes, so it can also get rid of the smell mold leaves in your home.  Baking soda also absorbs moisture to help keep mold away.

Vinegar is sometimes used along with baking soda when cleaning up a mold problem since vinegar kills different species of mold than baking soda.

To kill mold, add 1/4 tablespoon of baking soda to a spray bottle containing water. 
Shake the bottle to dissolve the baking soda into the water.
Spray the moldy area with the baking soda and water solution.
Use a sponge or scrubbing brush and scrub the mold.
Rinse the surface with water to remove any residual mold.
Spray the area again and let the surface dry.  This will kill any left over mold and prevent mold from returning.

You can also use a cloth instead of a spray bottle.  Just soak a cloth in water, add 1/4 tablespoon baking soda to it, and scrub the moldy area.  Rinse and repeat if necessary.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about our environment and health of you and your family.  For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com and maidbrigade.com.  To learn more about the hidden allergy and asthma triggers in your home, log on to greencleancertified.com/greentv.

Trying to remove blood from clothing or furniture? Gently rub hydrogen peroxide into the stain.

If you are having trouble with soap scum build up try switching to liquid soap. The talc in most bar soaps is the cause of buildup.

Is your shower curtain beginning to get discolored and moldy? Toss it into the washing machine with some white vinegar.

Cleaning the inside of a microwave can be a tough job because the food particles are baked on and hardened. Place a mug or measuring cup full of water inside the microwave for about 2-3 minutes. The hot water should steam the inside of the microwave, softening and loosening those hardened food splatters. Spray the inside of the microwave with your favorite cleaner and wipe it down.

Have some gum stuck under your table? Put some ice on top of it to harden it and pry it free with a dull knife.

Use club soda or seltzer water to clean chrome.

Try using a paintbrush to get to hard-to-reach places while dusting.

Clean the lint trap on your clothes dryer after every dryer load. Too much lint in the trap makes the dryer work longer and harder to dry your clothes, and excessive lint in the dryer vent can start a fire if it should overheat. Use the narrow crevice nozzle of your vacuum cleaner to suck up as much lint as you can from the area surrounding the lint trap.

Hairspray will often get pen ink stains off of clothing and upholstery.

Are you trying to remove a dirty ring around the collar of a blouse or shirt? Try rubbing a little shampoo into it. Shampoo is made to remove body oils so it's ideal for the job.

To keep yourself entertained while you clean, try listening to books on tape. The time will pass much faster and you'll be able to catch up on all that reading you've been meaning to do.

Here is a great mix for cleaning windows and mirrors: In a 32 oz spray bottle mix 1/3 cup of white vinegar with ¼ cup rubbing alcohol.