Category: Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Toothpaste...Not Just For Brushing Your Teeth!

Posted on January 26, 2011 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

The combination of a mild abrasive, a surfactant (detergent), and an antibacterial agent makes toothpaste a potent stain-fighter and a great house cleaner! For cleaning purposes, stick with a standard paste, not a gel, and steer clear of formulas designed for tartar control and whitening., because they often contain chemicals and additional abrasives that can damage items such as fine silver.

Here are some ways you can use your toothpaste:

Acrylic accessories (like desktop organizers). Squeeze toothpaste onto a toothbrush and work it into scratches until they diminish. Wipe residue off with a cloth.

Chrome fixtures. To polish faucets and taps in the kitchen or bathroom, smear a dime-size amount of toothpaste onto them, then buff with a soft cloth until they shine.

Scuffed linoleum. Reduce marks by scrubbing them with toothpaste and a dry cloth until the toothpaste residue disappears.

Piano keys. Rub each key carefully with a damp cotton swab and some toothpaste. Wipe dry and buff with a clean cloth.

Tarnished silverware. Put a dab of toothpaste on a soft cloth, rub it onto the tarnish, then rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth.

Steam iron. Mineral deposits can stain an iron’s soleplate. Apply a dab of toothpaste and work it into the plate. Use a clean cloth to remove residue.

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 go to https://maidbrigade.com/green-house-cleaning/. For more information on "Household Cleaning Products and Breast Cancer", please watch our video at www.greencleancertified.com/greentv.

Cleaning With Essential Oils

Posted on January 25, 2011 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Did you know that some essential oils can kill bacteria and mold? Essential oils are extracted from plants and are very strong, so don’t go overboard. One drop of peppermint oil is as potent as 30 cups of peppermint tea!

Here are some ways to clean using essential oils:

Combs and brushes. Fill a container with 1½ cups water, ½ cup distilled white vinegar, and 20 drops tea-tree, lavender, or eucalyptus oil. Soak combs and brushes for 20 minutes. Rinse and air-dry.

Scuffed floors. Apply two to four drops of tea-tree oil to the spots. Wipe excess oil with a cloth and rub in distilled white vinegar.

Gum-encrusted items. Orange oil is great at removing this sticky offender from various materials. It should not stain fabrics, but do launder immediately. Apply with a cotton ball.

Shower doors. Wipe scum-covered glass doors with a few drops of lemon oil twice a month. It will protect them from grime buildup.

Toilets. Add 2 teaspoons tea-tree oil and 2 cups water to a spray bottle. Shake, then spritz along the toilet’s inside rim. Let sit for 30 minutes, then scrub. You can also place a few drops of your favorite oil on the inside of the toilet-paper tube. Every time the paper is used, the scent will be released.

Windows. Mix 2 ounces water and 10 drops lavender or lemongrass oil to wipe grime off windows. These oils can also repel flies.

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 greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com. For more information on "Household Cleaning Products and Breast Cancer", please watch our video at greencleancertified.com/greentv.

An All-Natural Green Cleaning Solution

Posted on January 25, 2011 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Did you know that the acid in lemon juice removes dirt and rust stains? It’s especially effective when mixed with salt, which makes an excellent scouring paste. Here are some tips on how you can use lemons for cleaning:

Countertops.  Dip the cut side of a lemon half in baking soda to tackle countertops.  Wipe with a wet sponge and dry. Do not use on delicate stone, like marble, or stainless steel because it may discolor.

Cutting boards. To remove tough food stains from light wood and plastic cutting boards, slice a lemon in half, squeeze onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.

Dishes. To increase the grease-cutting power of your dishwashing detergent, add a teaspoon of lemon juice.

Faucets. Combat lime scale by rubbing lemon juice onto the taps and letting it sit overnight. Wipe with a damp cloth.

Garbage disposal. Cut a lemon in half, then run both pieces through the disposal. The lemon cleans it and makes it smell great.

Grout. Add lemon juice to 1 or 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar, which is an acidic salt that acts as a natural bleaching agent.  Make a paste, apply with a toothbrush, then rinse.

Hands. When you touch raw fish or onions, the smell can linger on your fingers. Rub your hands with lemon juice, which will neutralize the odor.

Laundry. To brighten whites, add 1/2 cup lemon juice to the rinse cycle for a normal-size load.

Plastic food-storage containers. To bleach stains from tomato soup and other acidic foods on dishwasher-safe items, rub lemon juice on the spots, let dry in a sunny place, then wash as usual.

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 greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com. For more information on "Household Cleaning Products and Breast Cancer", please watch our video at greencleancertified.com/greentv.

Why Microfiber is so Important in Preventing Cross-Contamination During the Cold and Flu Season

Posted on January 21, 2011 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Over the past few years, because of the H1N1 virus, infection control has become more of a trending topic than it ever has before. Since germs and bacteria are all around us, it is important to be proactive in preventing their spread.

While many illnesses and infections are prevented through proper hand washing, infection control also needs to be addressed in your cleaning.

Wiping products are used in all areas of cleaning and are often crucial in helping to stop the spread of germs. There are several wiping options known to reduce the spread of infectious germs and bacteria, such as color-coded microfiber cloths, mops and rags. Microfiber technology is extremely helpful in preventing cross-contamination.

For example, using red tools for toilets, yellow for sinks and mirrors and blue for windows and dusting, can help you avoid cross-contamination and spreading germs from room to room. Color coding is a way of simplyfying your cleaning. It is also easier to recognize what product to use and where.

Microfiber cloths and mops also contain about 95 percent of bacteria on a surface, while traditional products may spread the bacteria around. Plus, microfiber cloths and pads are easier to swap out from room to room, so they are less likely to be used in multiple settings.

Even though the initial cost is more than a cotton mop, microfiber products are washable 400 to 700 times. Microfiber cloths can be used and reused if you simply wash them in a gentle cycle with detergent.

What are microfiber cloths and mops made of?

Microfiber cloths consist of an interlocking blend of two fibers: Polyester and polyamide, a nylon material. Polyester is an effective scrubbing and cleaning fiber, while polyamide is an absorbent, quick-drying fiber.

Combining the two is what makes microfiber such a unique and effective material, as they do not harbor bacteria like their cotton counterparts. In fact, microfiber is a naturally antibacterial material.

Each microscopic strand of microfiber has been split, creating millions of tiny hooks that attract, absorb and remove all kinds of dirt, dust and bacteria.

Unlike traditional cotton and paper wiping products or cotton mops that tend to push or smear dirt and grime, microfiber actually gets underneath the dirt and germs, scraping them from the surface and trapping them until the cloth or mop is laundered.

Microfiber has become a universally used cloth because of its cleaning capabilities and cost effectiveness.

Control Infection by Green Cleaning

Posted on January 20, 2011 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

In June 2009, the World Health Organization declared a “level 6” alert regarding the H1N1 flu virus, declaring it a global pandemic. Level 6 is the most critical stage of a pandemic, and such an alert is meant to serve as a warning that the human-to-human spread of a disease is currently occurring in multiple communities and countries.

In the United States, green cleaning experts predicted that the move to green cleaning products and systems would be put on hold while industry decision makers focused on measures capable of eradicating the H1N1 virus, regardless of their impact on the environment. After all, to rid Hong Kong of the virus that causes SARS, hotel managers and housekeepers working in an emergency situation used thousands of gallons of bleach to clean and disinfect surfaces. But in some cases, the bleach was not applied, diluted, or disposed of properly, causing a variety of health-related problems for the users.

When it comes to the spread of new and frightening viruses, environmentally responsible products, systems, and services have appeared to meet the challenge. Consumers throughout North America and the world have begun to incorporate scores of green measures into their cleaning routines. More and more consumers are learning that they can use green cleaning practices and products rather than resorting to the use of conventional, and potentially environmentally harmful, products and procedures.

One of the first steps in preventing disease transmission is learning all the facts about H1N1 and cross contamination in general. For instance, proper hand hygiene is still at the top of the list when it comes to preventing the spread of a variety of diseases.

Use natural, environmentally friendly cleaners properly and often instead of harsh sanitizers and disinfectants that have an adverse impact on the environment.

Sometimes the most common transmission points for disease are frequently overlooked or unrecognized, which can increase the risk of infection. Examples of these are television remote controls, telephones, keyboards, railings, door knobs, and light switches. To prevent the spread of contamination, these “touch points” should be cleaned frequently.

The good news is that there are products that can disinfect and sanitize surfaces while still minimizing any effect on human health and the environment. When used correctly, a combination of hydrogen peroxide and citrus ingredients are an effective cleaning and disinfecting tool. This is because citrus ingredients break down surface oils and soil while hydrogen peroxide acts as a disinfectant. These safe, effective products have also been certified as Green by key organizations, making them a perfect choice for any Green cleaning program. In fact, many hospitals use hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectant wherever possible.

Keeping A Clutter-Free Home

Posted on January 10, 2011 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Is clutter taking over your home? Here are some easy ways to help you declutter your home and your life today:

Tackle messes one room at a time.

For every new item you buy, get rid of an old item.

Remember that improvements in one room can spread to the rest of the house.

Make cleaning up fun for your kids.

Create a vision for the room you're cleaning.

Teach your kids how to sort.

Use a hanger system to determine which clothes you wear most.

Ask yourself if you really need something. If you hesitate, you don't.

Establish a "magic triangle" in your kitchen between the stove, refrigerator and the sink. Keep the items you use most in that area. Anything you use less often, keep outside the triangle. It will save you a ton of time.

Identify useful utensils with the cardboard box test: Take all the utensils out of your drawers and put them in a cardboard box. For the next month, whenever you use one of the utensils, put it back in the drawer. If after four weeks it's still in the box, you probably don't need it.

Tips for Decluttering Children's Rooms

Posted on January 6, 2011 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Any parent knows that kids create clutter like nobody’s business, but it is possible to have a relatively simple, uncluttered home as well as peace of mind. Here are some tips for simplifying your home with kids:

Identify what is important. The first step in decluttering is identifying which toys and other possessions are truly important to your children. What do they play with, what do they love? Then get rid of as much of the rest as possible, keeping only those they use and love.

Massively purge. In the beginning, if you have a lot of kid clutter, you’ll want to go through a massive purge. The way to do this is to block off a day to go through their rooms. Do one area at a time: a drawer, a section of the closet, a shelf. Take everything out of that area, put it in a pile, take out the important items and donate the rest to charity. Move on to the next area.

Contain the clutter. Contain your childs clutter by letting them keep their stuff in their rooms. Use the living room, kitchen and dining room for household items only. If you have play areas for toddlers around the house, try and contain the toys in those areas only. This will help leave your living area simple and minimal.

Bins. Bins and baskets are the best type of containers for childrens items. They also help make cleanup simple and easier for the kids. Label each bin, or use picture labels if your child cannot read yet. Try to teach your children that everything they own has a “home”.

Cubbies. Try adding small plastic 3-drawer organizers, or cubbies in the closets or in childrens rooms. This will allow them to have a place to put their little odds and ends that would otherwise be all over the place.

Find a place for school papers. Try to have one place to keep all incoming school papers. Designate an inbox or a folder just for school papers so you never have to search for them. Try using the Google Calendar online for all important school events and activities.

Clean as you go. Teach your children to clean up after they are done playing.

Clean before bed. Try doing a quick clean-up right before going to bed. This will help make your mornings more pleasant.

30-minute cleanups. Once a week, try doing a “30-minute cleanup” with the children. Make family cleaning fun. Set a timer, and see if you can all finish cleaning and pitching in with household chores in 30 minutes. This way, the house is clean and everyone has the rest of the day to have fun.

Allow them to mess. Kids are not perfect. They will inevitably make a mess. You have to allow them to do this. Then, when they’re done, ask them to clean it 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 greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com. For more information on "Household Cleaning Products and Breast Cancer", please watch our video at www.greencleancertified.com/greentv.

After Holiday Cleaning Tips

Posted on December 27, 2010 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

The holidays are full of festivity and fun. Here are some tips to help you clean a little easier.

Spills on the carpet. No matter how careful everyone tries to be, someone is going to spill some food or drink on your nice clean carpet! To keep the spill from doing damage, try to dab it up as quickly as possible. Mix one tablespoon of mild liquid dishwashing detergent in 1/2 cup of warm water (you can also use 1/2 cup of white vinegar). Grab two clean white towels. Use one to dab at the stain with the solution, and the other to alternately blot the area to soak up the spill.

Keeping frost away from windows. If you live in a cold weather area, it's nice to be able to look outside and see the pretty winter snow and holiday decorations. If your home windows fog up in cold weather, wipe windows with a solution of 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol (or antifreeze) per 1 quart of water. You can also moisten a cloth with glycerin and wipe the insides of the windows.

Clean candle wax drippings. To clean hardened wax off of candlesticks, place the candlesticks inside the freezer for about an hour. After an hour, remove the candlesticks and the frozen wax should easily peel off. Wash and dry candlesticks. If you're pressed for time, run the candlesticks under very hot water, cover your hand with a soft towel and gently push hot wax off the candlestick.

To remove still warm candle wax from a tablecloth, rub the wax with an ice cube to harden it, then scrape the wax off with a spatula. Place a paper towel over and underneath the remaining wax. Press wax area with a warm iron. Keep changing paper towels until all remaining wax is absorbed.

Fireplace cleaning. To prevent a lot of ash dust from spreading around the room when you clean out your fireplace, sprinkle damp tea leaves onto the ash first.

If you have a slate hearth, you can make it a glossy showpiece by washing it every six weeks, letting it dry, and wiping it down with lemon oil.

Wash brass fireplace tools in warm sudsy water.

Quick Clothing Stain Removal. Dip a clean white cloth or handkerchief into a glass of club soda and sponge off the stain.

Coming Clean on Cleaning Products

Posted on December 2, 2010 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Many people use detergents and cleansers every day, even though the contents of these household products, including potentially harmful chemicals, remain a mystery.

The state of New York has begun to enforce an unusual state law that requires manufacturers to disclose cleaning product ingredients.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is working on a draft plan due out early next year, that will detail what kind of information will be collected and how to give consumers the results. The results may also show how the chemicals affect human and environmental health.

In the meantime, many corporations have voluntarily begun posting product ingredients on their websites to head off proposals in Congress for tougher disclosure, which would include listing ingredients on labels.

Consumers have a right to know what chemicals they are using on their kitchen countertops, and around their families, especially their children and pets.

The DEC decided to act on this issue because of the heightened interest in household cleaner ingredients.

All I Want For Christmas is A Clean Green Home!

Posted on December 1, 2010 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

It's that time of the year again....holiday shopping, parties, family gatherings, and house guests! Keep your home looking good and smelling fresh by cleaning with natural, homemade, non-toxic cleaning products.

Most toxic cleaning products contain strong, artificial colors and fragrances and harsh cleansing agents like bleach, ammonia and acids. These chemicals can produce indoor air pollution by releasing toxic fumes that can irritate eyes and lungs. Many cleaners also contain unnecessary antibacterial agents that actually make bacteria stronger.

Some of the biggest messes and toughest stains can be tackled effectively with baking soda, borax, lemon juice and other simple ingredients.

Bathroom Cleaning.
Baking soda and water:  Dust surfaces with baking soda, then scrub with a moist sponge or cloth. If you have tougher grime, sprinkle on some kosher salt, and work up some elbow grease.
Lemon Juice or Vinegar:  For stains, mildew or grease streaks, spray with lemon juice or vinegar. Let sit a few minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush.
Disinfectant:  Instead of bleach, make your own disinfectant by mixing 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil.

Kitchen Cleaning.
Baking soda and water: Clean counters by sprinkling with baking soda, then scrubbing with a damp cloth or sponge. If you have stains, knead the baking soda and water into a paste and let set for a while before you remove. This method also works great for stainless steel sinks, cutting boards, containers, refrigerators, oven tops and more.
Kosher salt and water: If you need a tougher abrasive, sprinkle on kosher salt and scrub with a wet cloth or sponge.
Natural disinfectant: To kill germs, mix 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil. Spray on countertops and other kitchen surfaces.

Window Cleaning.
White vinegar, water and newspaper: Mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with a gallon of water. Spray, then scrub with newspaper, not paper towels. Paper towels cause streaking. If you don't like the smell of vinegar, you can substitute undiluted lemon juice or club soda.

Carpet Cleaning.
Beat rugs: Take any removable rugs outside and beat the dust and hair out with a broom.
Club soda: Club soda works well on carpet stains if you attack the mess right away. Lift off any solids, pour on club soda and blot with a rag. The soda's carbonation brings the spill to the surface, and the salts in the soda thwart staining.
Cornmeal: For big spills, dump cornmeal on the mess, wait 5 to 15 minutes, and vacuum.
Spot cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup liquid soap or detergent in a blender, with 1/3 cup water. Mix until foamy. Spray on, then rinse with vinegar.
Deodorize: Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the carpet, using about 1 cup per medium-sized room. Vacuum after 30 minutes.

Hardwood Floors.
Vinegar: Whip up a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar and 30 ounces of warm water. Put in a recycled spray bottle, then spray on a cotton rag or towel until lightly damp. Mop.

Oven Cleaning.
Oven cleaners are loaded with toxic ingredients, like ethers, ethylene glycol, lye (sodium and potassium hydroxide), methylene chloride and petroleum distillates. The products are harmful to skin and eyes, and the fumes are unhealthy. Use baking soda and water instead. Coat the inside of the oven with a paste made from water and baking soda. Let stand overnight. Wipe off grime with a moist cloth.

Clogged Sink.
Baking soda and hot water: Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by 2 cups of boiling water. If the drain is still clogged, pour a 1/2 cup of vinegar and cover tightly, allowing the vigorous fizzing of the chemical reaction to occur. Flush with one gallon of boiling water.

A Healthy Way To Green Clean This Thanksgiving Holiday

Posted on November 22, 2010 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Healthy green cleaning for the holidays doesn’t need to be stressful, it just takes a little extra planning. Your home should have the aroma of that incredible Thanksgiving meal, not the toxic fumes of cleaning products.

Try replacing your typical cleaners with something natural. You may find that cleaning up before and after your party is fun without the strong smell of chemicals. Below are some green cleaning tips and alternatives to use during the holiday season.

Dusting. Instead of using a typical dusting product, try using a light dusting spray made from 2 tea bags, lemon juice and three cups of water. Boil the water, add the tea bags and leave them in the water until it cools completely. Put the tea mixture in a spray bottle with a teaspoon of lemon juice. Lightly spray the mixture on a microfiber cloth and dust.

Put your curtains in the dryer for a few minutes to remove dust and also kill dust mites. This is faster than trying to wash, dry and iron your curtains and they will look just as fresh and clean.

Laundry. Launder your tablecloths, napkins, and dish towels that you will be using for dinner in a homemade laundry soap using items like soap flakes, borax, washing soda or baking soda. You can find these items at your local grocery store. Your linens will be clean and fresh without any lingering fragrance from a detergent.

Mopping. Why not clean your floors with the same type of mop being used by hospitals. Hospitals love microfiber mops because they clean well, get washed in between uses, and prevent cross contamination. By using a microfiber mop you can avoid using heavy, toxic cleaners since the microfiber does the work.

Silver Polish. Try using an old fashioned way to clean your silver. Place a piece of aluminum foil in the bottom of your kitchen sink and fill it with 2-3” of boiling water. Add a tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of salt. Place your silver in the sink so each piece of silver touches the foil. The tarnish will disappear off the silver and onto the foil.

If you prefer to rub your silver with a paste, use toothpaste to make it sparkle.

Clean up. Say yes to any offers by your guests to help you clean up after dinner. It is a great way to have the kitchen cleaned up quickly and to continue to enjoy their company. Mix up your own gentle dish soap for anything that has to be washed by hand. You can make your own by using a liquid castile soap and adding 8 drops of a pure essential oil. Try using peppermint or orange clove essential oils to celebrate the holidays.

You can also mix up your own automatic dish soap by using a tablespoon of salt, borax and baking soda. Place the mixture in the powder dispenser of your dishwasher and then top with concentrated lemon juice. When you see the mixture start to foam, close the dispenser lid and start the dishwasher. The mixture works with the hot water to remove all the grime on your dishes.

Celebrating A Green Clean Thanksgiving

Posted on November 16, 2010 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Thanksgiving is all about being grateful for everything we have. And this year, we hope that caring for the environment and living a healthy green lifestyle are at the top of everyone's list. To celebrate these good gifts, here are some cleanup tips that can easily be applied to anyone's feast.

Wrapping up Leftovers. Avoid plastic wrap. Most plastic wraps contain PVC, which quickly winds up in landfills and leads to harmful environmental consequences. Use containers that can be washed and reused. If you must use something to wrap, use aluminum foil, it can be recycled.
Dishwashing. Your dishwasher uses about half the energy, 1/6 of the water, and less soap than you might use during hand dishwashing.

If you have a lot of dishes to wash, load your dishwasher with an eco-friendly detergent and air-dry the dishes rather than heat drying them. Make your own non-toxic dishwasher soap by mixing equal parts of borax and washing soda (increase the washing soda if your water is hard).

Dishwashing Soap. Commercial low-phosphate detergents are not harmful themselves, but phosphates nourish algae which use up oxygen in waterways. A detergent substitute is liquid soap. For tough jobs, add 2 or 3 tablespoons of vinegar to warm, soapy water.

All-Purpose Cleaner. Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep.

Cleaning with microfiber cloths can lift off dirt, grease and dust without the need for cleaning chemicals because the cloths are formulated to penetrate and trap dirt. A good quality cloth can last for several years.

Carpet Stains. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on stain, let sit for several minutes, then clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water. For fresh grease spots, sprinkle corn starch onto spot and wait 15 - 30 minutes before vacuuming.

For a heavy duty carpet cleaner, mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax, and vinegar. Rub paste into carpet and leave for a few hours. Vacuum.

Chopping Block Cleaner. Rub a slice of lemon across a chopping block to disinfect the surface. For tougher stains, squeeze some of the lemon juice onto the spot and let sit for 10 minutes, then wipe.

Coffee and Tea Stains in Cups. Stains in cups can be removed by applying vinegar to a sponge and wiping. To clean a tea kettle ot coffee maker, add 2 cups water and 1/4 cup vinegar, bring to a boil, cool, and wipe with a clean cloth. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

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 greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com. For more information on "Household Cleaning Products and Breast Cancer", please watch our video at www.greencleancertified.com/greentv.