Category: 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.    
 

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 https://greencleancertified.com and https://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 https://www.greencleancertified.com/greentv.

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!

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 https://greencleancertified.com and https://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 https://www.greencleancertified.com/greentv.

Environmental tobacco smoke, better known as secondhand smoke, is the mixture of smoke that comes from the end of a burning cigarette, cigar, or pipe.  Secondhand smoke is also the smoke exhaled by the smoker.

Secondhand smoke contains a mixture of more than 4,000 compounds.  Most of them are strong irritants, and more than 40 of them are known to cause cancer in humans and animals.

According to a report done by the Environmental Protection Agency, secondhand smoke is responsible for about 3,000 lung cancer deaths each year in nonsmoking adults, and affects the respiratory health of over 100,000 children.

Children from parents who smoke in their presence have higher chances of getting middle ear infections, from fluid buildup, and respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.  Older children who have been exposed to secondhand smoke may have slightly reduced lung function.

Children with asthma are greatly affected.  The EPA estimates that exposing your children to secondhand smoke increases the symptoms and the number of episodes they have.  Exposure can also cause eye, nose, and throat irritation.

To reduce secondhand smoke exposure in your home, do not smoke inside your home, and do not allow others to smoke in your home.  This can help, but will not eliminate the non-smoker's exposure to secondhand smoke.

If smoking does occur in your home, open windows or use exhaust fans.  Ventilation will help reduce but will not eliminate exposure.

There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.  Any exposure is harmful!

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.

Source:

https://www.epa.gov

https://www.cancer.org 

In the last couple of years, scientific evidence has shown that air within homes can be more polluted than outdoor air.  Other research indicates that people spend about 90% of their time indoors.  Because of this, the health risks for some of us may be greater due to exposure to pollution indoors than outdoors.

Most homes have more than one source that contributes to indoor air pollution.  Luckily, there are steps that we can take to reduce the level of indoor air pollution in our homes.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes come from sources that release gasses or particles into the air.  Insufficient ventilation can increase pollutant levels by not bringing enough outdoor air inside to dilute emissions. 

If there is not enough outdoor air in the home, pollutants can build to levels that pose health concerns.  Weather conditions also contribute to lesser amounts of outdoor air entering the home, which can make pollutant levels build up even more.

Health effects from indoor air pollutants may also be experienced soon after exposure, or, possibly, years later.

Apartments can also have the same indoor air problems as single-family homes because the pollution sources are similar.

Office indoor air problems are usually caused by contaminated ventilation systems, improperly placed outdoor air intakes, or maintenance issues.

Tune in to this weeks blogs to find out how to improve indoor air in your home, apartment, or office.

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.

Source:

https://www.epa.gov

https://www.cpsc.gov

One of my New Year's resolutions for this year was to make my home healthier and greener.  My family was all on board with this, especially my children, because they are learning all about "going green" in school.  We try and buy fresh fruit from the local markets whenever we can, we use recyclable bags instead of plastic ones, and we recycle our cans and paper goods weekly.  I decided to compile a list of ideas and tips to help me in my quest to go greener.  If you can think of any more, please write in and let me know!

Switch one of my appliances to an energy efficient one.  This is a perfect reason to get that new energy star dishwasher I've had my eye on!

Stop buying plastic disposable water bottles and opt for reusable ones.  Besides saving money, this is a great way to help the environment.  

Turn off the lights when leaving the room.  This will help cut down on the electric bill too!

Open the curtains and use natural sunlight as much as possible.

Turn off all computers, cell phones, ipods and ipads at night.  Unplug them from the wall as soon as they are done charging.  Also unplug unused appliances.

Reuse old computer printer paper as scrap paper.

Make my own natural homemade cleaners to clean the house with and share my recipes with others who want healthier, greener homes!

There are so many things we can do in our homes that help play a part in reducing landfill waste, cleaning the air, and preserving our environment. 

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.

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Here are some small changes that you can do everyday to make your life a little healthier:

Leave shoes at the door.  Every time you go outdoors, toxic chemicals are brought inside on the soles of your shoes. Asphalt, pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals may be present where you walk.

When you walk around your home with toxic chemicals on the soles of your shoes, they come off on the floor. When you walk barefoot around your home, they can be absorbed through the soles of your feet. These chemicals are also being inhaled. If you have children playing on the floor, toxic chemicals can get on their hands and into their mouths. Because of this, children (infants especially) are more susceptable to the dangers of toxic chemicals and carcinogens than adults.

Leave your shoes at the door. Have a rack set up next to the door you enter most frequently, where you can leave your shoes when you enter your home. Have slippers or socks ready to put on if you don't want to go barefoot.

Use natural cleaning products.  House cleaning products contain many toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. Air fresheners, all purpose cleaners, disinfectants, dry cleaned clothing, and mothballs are some of the worst.

Try making your own nontoxic house cleaning products at home.  You can find natural house cleaning recipes throughout our past blogs.

Control pests.  Pesticides can cause cancer. Instead of spraying carcinogens around your home, there are natural means for controlling pests.

Figure out how pests are getting into your home, and do something to keep them out. Fill holes and cracks, put screens on windows, put up chicken wire barriers or fences.

Make your home an unpleasant place for pests to be. Take away their food supply by keeping living areas clean.  Sweep up crumbs, wipe up spills immediately, wash dishes after eating, store food in tightly closed containers, empty garbage and compost scraps frequently. Dry up their water supply.  Repair leaky faucets, pipes, and clogged drains.  Get rid of any clutter they can hide in.  Clean out closets, attics, garages, basements, and anywhere else unused or infrequently used items pile up.

There are many simple things you can do to control pests, without buying any special products. You can shoo them away, vacuum them up, put a glass over an insect, slip a card under it and take it outdoors. Herbal repellents work well, too.  Most pests do not like the smell of bay leaves, cloves, pennyroyal, lavender, or cedar.  In the garden, use organic gardening methods.

Sleep in natural bedding.  Most bedsheets are saturated with a non-iron finish that releases carcinogenic formaldehyde as you sleep. Synthetic mattresses are treated with cancer-causing brominated fire retardants. The PBDEs in polyurethane foam may be as toxic as PCSs and DDT, both banned for their toxicity.

The solution is a bed where every layer is made from untreated natural materials. Today you can buy natural beds of every firmness and style, from budget to luxurious.

Drink pure water.  Drinking water can lower the risk of cancer by flushing carcinogens out of the body, but it is important to drink pure water. Arsenic, heavy metals, fluoride, and chlorination by-products are all toxic chemicals that can be found in most municipal tap water.  Using a water filter is affordable and can help screen out these chemicals.

Eat organic food.  Foods contain many different kinds of carcinogens. In fact, 25-30 percent of all cancer deaths are linked to diet.

Many food additives are linked to causing cancer or are suspected carcinogens.  Artificial sweeteners, aluminum compounds, artificial colors and flavors, preservatives, nitrite and nitrates are all known to cause cancer. And then there are the pesticides in produce and in the fat of animal meats and dairy products. Alcohol depresses immune function, making it more difficult to fight cancer cells.

Eat whole, fresh, organically grown foods as much as possible, and especially raw vegetables and fruits. It has been found that people who eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily have only half the risk of developing cancer as people who eat only one to two servings each day.

Drink green tea.  Green tea inhibits cancer-causing chemicals because of its high levels of antioxidants.

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.

This holiday season, why not go green?  Here are some tips to help you get started:

Give back.  One major problem with global impact is waste.  We buy things with the best intentions that sometimes end up going unused or unnecessary.  Why not donate these items?  The Salvation Army Christmas Drive is a perfect example of how we can all give back to other families in our communities during the holiday season.  Charities and local shelters can always use extra clothes or gifts for needy families. 

Tree Farms.  When choosing a Christmas tree, farms are the way to go for the sake of the planet.  Fake trees use nonrenewable resources to create, and wild trees take longer to replenish. With a tree farm, every tree cut down will be replanted.  

Decorations.  Reuse as many decorations as possible.  Families can save Christmas stockings, hangers, garlands, wreaths, and ornaments, Reusing decorations helps eliminate waste.

Homemade Decor. Create your own Christmas décor at home.  There are many options to choose from, including materials, shapes and holiday themes for decorations and ornaments. Make an advent calendar from recycled paper, use recycled papers and raffia for garland, use edible ornaments for the tree, or create a heirloom tree skirt from fabric and embellish

This year, why not give your family the gift of health?  Keeping your home free from toxins is a great place to start!

Here are some ideas for keeping your home and your family healthier:

Avoid chemical house cleaning products by choosing natural ones. Baking soda, vinegar or orange oil can replace almost any chemical cleaner.

Avoid chemical pesticides at home. Use baking soda with sugar or peppermint oil instead.

Avoid synthetic chemicals in personal care products and cosmetics. Read labels and avoid those ingredients with which you’re unfamiliar.  Avoid products that contain parabens, diethanolamine (DEA), or phthalates.

Try not to use mothballs. Mothballs contain paradichlorobenzene, which is very toxic. Instead choose sachets made with natural herbs and essential oils like rosemary, lavender, thyme and mint, which are natural moth repellants.

Avoid heating food or storing it in plastic. Most plastic contains bisphenol-A (BPA) that migrates into the food stored in these containers. BPA has been linked to thyroid and other hormonal problems.

Reduce your fragrances. Most perfumes and colognes, scented candles, plug-in air “fresheners,” pot pourri, laundry soap, fabric softeners, dryer sheets and house cleaning products are loaded with toxic ingredients that have been linked to hormonal imbalances, mood swings, fatigue, brain damage and many other symptoms.

Switch from sponges to natural cloths for cleaning. Most sponges have been treated with a chemical called triclosan, which is toxic to the skin and immune system.

Eliminate mold with tea tree oil.  A few drops of tea tree oil can be used on a cloth to wipe down walls, floors and other surfaces to help kill mold.

Choose "VOC-free" paints for your home. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are linked to cancer.

Toss the non-stick pans. Teflon, Silverstone and other coatings emit harmful perflourochemicals (PFCs). The EPA classifies them as carcinogens.

maidbrigade.com.  To find out ways to protect your family's health against breast cancer, please log on to greencleancertified.com.

We all want our homes to be clean and our families to be healthy, but what if there were potential health hazards lurking around our homes that we don't know about?

Here are some of the most common household hazards that may be lingering in your home and inexpensive ways to correct them:

Unless you sanitize them often, kitchen sponges can carry more germs than toilet seats.  Sponges can harbor more than 100,000 bacteria, including food-borne diseases that were wiped off the counter. Toss them in the dishwasher regularly, replace them, or put them in the microwave for two minutes.

Dirty air ducts contain dust, pollen, bacteria, and even mold, and the contaminated air is recycled and circulated throughout your home, day after day.

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell, or taste.  It is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.  Purchase a do-it-yourself radon test at a home improvement store and get the results in a couple of days.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), scientific experts warned of adverse health effects from bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical found in water bottles, cups, baby bottles, tin cans, and other household products.  BPA is a hormone-mimicking chemical used in polycarbonate plastics.  They often have a #7 recycling code (www.rodale.com).

Lead is another invisible threat in your home. It is a potent neurotoxin that can affect the brain and can result in a lower IQ, memory problems, or increased aggression.  Lead can be found in old paint, pipes, and even soil. Have your home tested for lead by a professional, or purchase a lead test kit and swab surfaces for evidence of the chemical (www.epa.gov/lead).

Basements are often the culprits of mold spores, which can produce allergens, irritants, and sometimes, potentially harmful toxins. Black mold is an especially dangerous type of mold. If you discover mold in your house, clean it up and fix the water problem that is causing the mold.

Aluminum, found in pots and pans, can leach into your food, and when ingested, can damage your kidneys and liver and weaken your bones. A growing number of researchers say the metal could cause Alzheimer’s disease. Glass, cast iron, stainless steel, and porcelain cookware are good alternatives to aluminum.

Bed sheets that have permanent press finishes which are commonly used by manufacturers in order to minimize wrinkling usually contain formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen.  Formaldehyde becomes a gas at room temperature and new or unwashed sheets can release formaldehyde fumes, causing flu-like symptoms. Avoid permanent press fabrics, and opt for organic cotton or bamboo sheets instead (www.ghchealth.com).

Cockroaches carry bacteria, including salmonella, staphylococcus, and streptococcus. Make sure the kitchen trash can is emptied regularly.  Do not keep newspapers, cardboard boxes, or magazines stacked inside the house.  Try not to leave pet food out, and repair any holes in the walls.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about our environment and the 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.

For more information on cleaning products and breast cancer, please watch our video at maidbrigade.com.  To find out ways to protect your family's health against breast cancer, please log on to greencleancertified.com.

Household toxins and indoor pollutants can be harmful to your family.

Make your home a healthier place by avoiding indoor pollutants.

Houseplants help remove pollutants, such as ammonia (in cleaning products) and formaldehyde (in furniture) in your home.  According to NASA, the best nontoxic indoor plants are spider plants, philodendrons, and rubber plants.

The fragrance found in air fresheners, shampoos and soaps may contain phthalates.  Studies have shown that exposure to phthalates may cause allergies, health problems, and affect reproductive development.  Look for phthalate-free on labels.  Make your own air freshener by mixing one teaspoon of baking soda with water in a spray bottle.

Instead of using chemical pesticides indoors, try spraying a mixture of water, alcohol, and dish soap throughout your house and garden to keep bugs out.

It is back to school time and the stores are full of school supplies.  The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts a record $55.12 billion will be spent on merchandise for school this year. 

This year, why not take a different approach and purchase green school supplies?  They are not only good for the environment, but also for your children too. 

Avoid items made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).  A report from Tufts University states that vinyl chloride, the building block of resin, has been classified as a human carcinogen. 

Several studies have documented links between working in vinyl chloride production facilities and the increased likelihood of developing diseases including angiosarcoma of the liver and other non-cancer disorders. 

Additives such as stabilizers, plasticizers, and fillers mixed in with PVC can leach out of a product during its useful life posing public health hazards, including the development of reproductive problems in children.

Another plastic, called polyester, is common in backpacks and lunchboxes.  Look for backpacks and lunchboxes made of natural fiber instead of hemp or canvas.  If your child requires a backpack made of synthetic material, opt for polyester or nylon over PVC.

Water bottles should be BPA-free.  BPA is an endocrine disruptor, which can mimic the body's own hormones and may lead to negative health effects especially when exposure occurs in early development.  Many states have banned BPA in infant formula containers, baby bottles, and sippy cups.  If possible choose stainless steel water bottles. 

In addition to to avoiding poisonous plastics, choose tree friendly products.  Find pencils made from FSC certified forests and paper with a high recycled content.

If last year's items are still in usable condition why not use them and save money?  Try thrift stores, yard sales and Freecycle for some second hand backpacks and lunchboxes.

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 greencleancedrtified.com/greentv.  To learn more about the hidden allergy and asthma triggers in your home, log on to greencleancertified.com/greentv.