Category: Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Did you ever wonder about the ingredients that make up your cleaning products?  Since companies do not have to disclose all the ingredients in cleaning products, how do we, as consumers, know which ones might be harmful to use?

Here is a list of frequently found ingredients that can be toxic to you and the environment:

Ammonia is found in glass cleaners, floor cleaners and bathroom cleaners.  It is poisonous when swallowed.  Ammonia is a big irritant to the skin or when inhaled.

Diethylene Glycol is found in glass and bathroom cleaners.  It is poisonous when swallowed and irritating to the lungs.

Chlorine Bleach is found in a variety of cleaners.  It is very irritating to the eyes and skin and is an environmental hazard.

Triclosan is found in antibacterial cleaners and thought to be contributing to antibiotic resistant bacteria.

DEA and TEA are found in many products and used as preservatives.  When combined with nitrosomes, they can produce carcinogens.

Petroleum based ingredients are found in all kinds of cleaners.  They are very bad for the environment.

Fragrance is found in air fresheners and almost all cleaners.  Fragrance usually contains phthalates used to stabilize synthetic scents.  Fragrance is a known carcinogen and is a frequent cause of allergies.

1,4-dioxane is found in dishwashing and other household cleaners.  It has been found to be a cancer causing ingredient.

Formaldehyde is found in a variety of cleaners.  It is a known carcinogen.

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.

Source:  Environmental protection agency

 If you are like me, you take pride in your clean home.  I wash, scrub, vacuum, spray, and polish so that my home stays clean and neat.  But some of these cleaners also can cause pollution, both indoors and outdoors, which is why I will only use natural household cleaners.  How green are your cleaning supplies?  According to the EPA, keep the following in mind:

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 and see 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 by green cleaning your home!    
    
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.

Every year during spring time, before I bring out all of my outdoor furniture, I like to give the deck a good cleaning.  Because I do not like to use harsh chemicals in or outside of my home, I turn to vinegar to help make my deck sparkle.  

Vinegar is a great cleaner, inside and outside the home.  It is even good in the garden.  Combining vinegar with baking soda can boost its cleaning power.

Vinegar is acidic which means it is a good cleaner for water stains and lime deposits. It is also a great rinsing agent because it dissolves soap scum. Spraying it in the shower, tub or even adding some to the laundry rinse cycle does wonders when it comes to getting rid of soap residue.

To clean the deck, pour on some vinegar and let it sit for about one hour in the sunlight.  Rinse with water.  Repeat if necessary. With a little scrubbing, you can clean the deck, remove resistant rust stains, keep ants away and make the soil acidic for other plants. Using a scrub brush can help get rid of those stubborn mold/mildew areas.  

Mix equal parts of water and vinegar together.  Apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar should get the job done.  Add twice as much vinegar for a stronger solution, or mix 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda toa gallon of water.

To sanitize the deck area, spray on hydrogen peroxide after cleaning with vinegar.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  
 

 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.

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!
 

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.

Over the past decade, the ever-expanding market of home cleaning products has included a number of dangerous chemicals and harsh cleaning agents.  Today, the cleaning products are more dangerous than the things we are trying to clean up. 

Many common household products contain bleach, ammonia, alcohol, formaldehyde and more.  The toxic fumes of these chemicals are a major threat to indoor air quality, which can irritate eyes and respiratory systems.  Some substances are even linked to neurological, liver and kidney damage, asthma and even cancer. 

Fortunately, green cleaning can achieve an accepted level of cleanliness, which is pleasing for adults and safe for children and pets, without using hazardous household cleaners and disinfectants.  Green cleaning is the use of environmentally -friendly products and services that are non-toxic, biodegradable, and petroleum-free. 

Green cleaning is simply taking the next step beyond our current approaches to maintain and improve the healthfulness, comfort and aesthetics of our surroundings.

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.

Cleaning the bathroom can be very tiresome.  Here are some great tips to make cleaning the bathroom easier:  

For the shower floor ~ In a large bowl, make a paste by mixing several scoops of baking soda with liquid castile soap.  After a shower, while the floor is still wet, apply a layer of paste to the floor. Allow to sit and dry for at least 24 hours. The next, rinse off before showering to avoid slipping on the paste.

For shower door soap scum ~ Add lemon oil to a cotton rag and wipe..it is that easy!

To prevent soap scum ~  When broken down with water, a;most every soap will leave a scum residue as the water evaporates. However, castile soap does not leave a residue.  Castile soap works great on preventing soap scum.

Bathtub and shower cleaner ~  Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the shower floor, or into the bathtub.  Close drain.  Pour vinegar onto the baking soda and let it bubble. Be careful not to dilute the baking soda, just wet it. Let sit for a half hour to help remove stubborn stains.  Lightly scrub with a cotton rag. Rinse with water.

For cleaning mirrors ~  Mix 1 cup vinegar, 3 cups water, and 10 drops lavender oil together in a spray bottle.  Use a cotton rag for wiping.  Paper towels often leave tiny bits of paper and paper dust behind.

For mold and mildew cleaning ~  Mix 2 cups water, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1/8 cup tea tree oil together in a spray bottle.  Keep this mixture in a marked spray bottle and spray the shower floor with this every day to prevent mold and mildew. If it's already built up, scrub with some baking soda and vinegar first.  

To clean toilet bowl brush ~  Clean your toilet bowl brush by filling its container with water and dropping in one or two denture tablets.

For a great bathtub/shower drain deodorizer ~  Mix together 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1 tablespoon cream of tartar and sprinkle into drain. Pour a kettle-full of boiling water down the drain to activate the cleansing, removal of debris, and odor.

To clean inside the toilet ~  Drop in 1 or 2 inexpensive denture tablets between cleanings to release debris and remove calcium deposits.

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.