Category: Uncategorized

Easier Ways to Clean Your Home

Posted on March 7, 2013 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Once again, here in New York, the weather outside is “frightful!” Another two day snowstorm has hit our state and I am hoping it won’t leave behind that much snow.

The good thing about snowstorms is that I get good, quality cleaning done in my home (at least during the time the kids are in school). I have definitely slacked off on my cleaning these past two weeks so I am eager to catch up and get back on schedule.

Because I am a firm believer in using non-toxic cleaning products, I make a lot of my cleaners from ingredients I have at home. Here are some of my favorite recipes:

For a good drain cleaner, pour ½ cup baking soda, followed by 1 cup vinegar down the drain. After it fizzes, rinse the drain with hot water. About five minutes later, rinse the drain with cold water.

To clean the bathroom tile floors in my bathrooms, I mix together water, vinegar, alcohol, a couple drops of dish soap, and if I am in the mood, I add a couple drops of essential oils. Believe it or not, this solution also works very well on windows, glass, and stainless steel appliances as well.

When a scouring scrub is needed, first I spray the area with a vinegar/water mix. Then, I sprinkle the area with baking soda and scrub it with a damp cloth. Rinse and watch the area shine!

Light carpet stains usually can come up by dissolving 2 tablespoons of salt in ½ cup vinegar. Just spray the affected area with the mix and let it dry. After it dries, vacuum the area. For tougher stains, add 2 tablespoons of borax to the salt/vinegar mix.

To clean my granite countertops, I just use plain old warm water and a little dish soap.

Happy cleaning!

Maid Brigade Hosts Book Drive in Honor of "Reading Across America" Day

Posted on March 4, 2013 by oi_admin - News, Uncategorized

In honor of this year's "Reading Across America Day," which took place on March 1st, Maid Brigade is holding their annual book drive.

The book drive begins today, Monday, March 4, and will run for 6 weeks, through Friday, April 12.

About 25 franchisees will be participating in this year's book drive. These franchisees will be collecting new and gently used children’s books for 31 different local organizations ranging from family or women’s shelters, children’s hospitals, child advocacy centers to missions and libraries.

This is the third year that Maid Brigade is hosting the book drive and many of the franchisees have participated all 3 years and continue to donate to the same organizations, building partnerships with them. Some of our franchisees are also partnering with local organizations and placing drop box book collection bins at their retail locations or at community events.

Maid Brigade is also accepting monetary donations that will go to "Reading is Fundamental".

All books collected will be donated to the organizations in late April.

For more information about Maid Brigade's Book Drive, please log on to: https://www.maidbrigade.com/book-drive.

Updated Information Regarding Antibiotics and Ear Infections

Posted on February 27, 2013 by oi_admin - Healthy Body, Uncategorized

This past week, the American Academy of Pediatrics set new guidelines for identifying and treating ear infections in children.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the guidelines indicating a possible treatment for an ear infection are now more clearly defined. Observation and close follow-up are encouraged first instead of antibiotic treatment for many children, including those under the age of two. When dealing with recurrent ear infections, the guidelines advise doctors and parents when it is time to see a specialist.

These new guidelines were set in hopes of decreasing antibiotic use. The biggest change in the new guidelines compared to thelast guidelines that were issued in 2004 is the definition of the diagnosis itself. Even though the diagnosis is now more clear-cut and precise, it can still become tricky because of the different stages of an ear infection.

The Best Non-Toxic Ingredients For Your Home

Posted on February 23, 2013 by oi_admin - Healthy Home, Uncategorized

Did you know you can clean your entire house with about 7 to 10 different ingredients that you may already have right under your kitchen sink?

Here are the ingredients I use to make my home sparkle. The best part about using these ingredients is that they are mostly non-toxic, which helps keep my family and my pets healthier:

Vinegar: I use it for everything. It dissolves grease, soap scum and dirt, plus it absorbs odors.

Baking Soda: A great scouring powder and a natural deodorizer.

Borax: I use this to clean my laundry. Borax removes dirt and eliminates odors. Be careful around pets and children when using borax. It may be toxic if swallowed.

Lemons: Lemons cut greafights fight bacteria. Lemons are great stain removers and deodorizers.

Club Soda: Great as a stain remover.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Acts as a bleach and helps clean mold.

Castille Soap: A great all-purpose cleaner for the home.

Pumice Stick: I use this to help get tough stains out.

Olive Oil: A wonderful way to polish your furniture.

Essential Oils: Add them to your cleaning products and they great wonderful scents!

Try using some of the ingredients listed above in your home and you too can have a healthy, non-toxic, clean home!

Celebrate with Your Loved One by Going Green on Valentine's Day

Posted on February 14, 2013 by oi_admin - Healthy Soul, Uncategorized

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Did you send that “special someone” a gift yet? If not, there’s still time!

Show your loved ones that you are thinking of them and the environment by going green!

~ Send your loved ones e-cards. This way they can receive them anytime, anywhere.

~ If you prefer sending a card other than an e-card, make sure the card is made from tree-free or recycled paper. Usually the cards will mention this on the back.

~ Show them how much you care by giving them perfumes made from natural ingredients.

~ Eco-friendly jewelry made from metals, gemstones, and wood are sure to be a big hit this Valentine’s Day. Or, save money and buy pre-owned jewels. If you are planning on proposing, think of buying an eco-friendly wedding ring.

~ Gift cards or gift certificates to health food stores or health spas are very thoughtful and much needed!

~ Capture the beauty of the earth by taking a romantic stroll through the park or touring a wildlife reserve or museum.

~ For those wanting to give flowers or make a romantic dinner this evening, support your local farms, produce stands, and flower shops by shopping local. Don’t forget to buy organic fruits and vegetables! Earth-friendly candles and a bottle of organic wine will complement your romantic setting beautifully!

~ If you prefer to dine out this evening, save gas and dine locally.

~ For a thoughtful but sexy gift, buy lingerie made from organic, silk, or bamboo.

~ Organic or Fair Trade chocolate is a perfect gift for the chocolate lover in your life.

~ Instead of buying a gift for that special someone, why not donate to a good cause in that person’s name? Choose a charity or cause that they believe in.

~ My personal favorite gift of all time…..let your loved one feel like a queen for the day and hire a professional green cleaning company to come in and clean your home!

However you choose to celebrate this special day today, keep your environment in mind by going green!

Keeping Your Home Safe

Posted on February 13, 2013 by oi_admin - Healthy Home, Uncategorized

This past weekend was a tough one here in New York. Twenty inches of snow fell in my town. Some towns even got thirty inches. But it is winter, so the snow is expected. What surprised me about this blizzard, however, was not the amount of snowfall we received (even though the weatherman told us nine inches of snowfall maximum), but the amount of homes that went on fire. In fact, two of the homes were right near mine. So today I would like to remind everyone how important it is to keep your home safe through the rest of the winter and into spring.

When trying to keep your home danger-free, here are some things to consider:

- Check for signs of water leakage and water damage (leaky pipes, damage to external part of house, etc.). Fix them to prevent mold.

- Large amounts of moisture can create breeding grounds for bacteria, mold, dust, pollen, mites and dander. Change filters and keep humidity level between 30% to 50%.

- Prevent dust in the home as much as possible. Use a HEPA filter vacuum, leave shoes at the door, change air conditioning filters monthly, avoid smoking in the home, declutter, clean your home at least once a week.

- Lessen toxic cleaning chemicals in your home by using natural homemade cleaners and green cleaning methods.

- Reduce exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) by switching to low VOC products.

- Limit your formaldehyde intake by using non-toxic, formaldehyde-free products. Formaldehyde is found in glues, paints and adhesives. Use fans and open windows to clean your air.

- Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

- Have your home tested for radon and asbestos.

- Install smoke alarms in your home. Also, prevent electrical failure – check circuit breakers. Faceplates should cover switches and outlets. Check wattage in bulbs. Make sure electrical appliances are in good working condition and do not overheat.

- Avoid using toxic pesticides inside and outside of the home.

Great Smelling Natural Household Cleaning

Posted on February 6, 2013 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

These days you don't have to use harsh chemicals to clean your home. There are many antibacterial cleaners on the market today that can be used around the house for cleaning, doing laundry, or even for personal care.

Personally, I prefer making my own antibacterial cleaners with natural ingredients of my choice.

Many natural alternatives to chemicals have antibacterial properties that work just as well. Soap and water is the cheapeast and least hazardous way to kill germs effectively. For quicker cleaning of countertops and baseboards, making a homemade antibacterial spray with great smelling essential oils can also get the job done.

Essential oils come from all types of plants which are broken down into their purest form. Some of these oils contain natural antibacterial ingredients.

One of my favorite oils to use when cleaning comes from the thyme plant. Thyme has actually been proven to be a better antibacterial agent than most of the toxic chemicals that are found in common hand cleaners and soaps.

Lavender is another oil that can be used for antibacterial purposes. Lavender also has great antiseptic and antiviral properties.

Rosemary and Peppermint essential oils are also good antibacterial agents. Peppermint is great to add to household cleaners because of its smell.

Citrus essential oils like orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and lemongrass are all wonderful at killing bacteria. Orange oil also has antiviral and antiseptic properties.

Eucalyptus essential oil is also a favorite of mine that has anti-fungal, antiviral, antiseptic and antibacterial properties. I add a couple drops of this to my homemade cleaners all the time!

Another common oil known for its antibacterial property is Tea Tree oil. Tea Tree essential oil is also a great antiseptic, antiviral, and anti-fungal cleaner.

When making your own homemade cleaner, add about 2 or 3 drops of your favorite essential oils to one cup of water. Pour mixture into a spray bottle. Shake well before using. Spray on surface and let it air dry. Keep mixture stored in a cool, dark place.

When using oils to clean, make sure to use 100% essential oils, not "scented" oils. Essential oils can be found at health food stores and can also be purchased online.

Easy Ways to Keep A Clean Home

Posted on February 1, 2013 by oi_admin - Healthy Home, Uncategorized

Don’t have enough time in your day to clean ? Don’t like to clean? Then these tips are for you!

Here are some of the easiest things to do to help keep your home clean and germ-free:

One of the simplest things you can do to reduce the dirt coming into your home is to put a solid shoe scraper matt at each entry point of your home. Reducing dust and dirt from your shoes will reduce the number of times you need to clean the floors and carpets.

Clean the air in your home with plants. Many indoor plants have been proven to remove harmful volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) from indoor air. This way your home will smell cleaner, which can also improve your physical health and well-being. The asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus), English ivy (Hedera helix), waxy leaved plant (Hoya carnosa), the purple waffle plant (Hemigraphis alternate) and the purple heart plant (Tradescantia pallida) have all been proven to clean indoor air.

Throw away old those rags and sponges and use microfiber cloths to clean instead! With microfiber cloths you can also skip cleaning products and paper towels altogether. Microfiber cloths are made from a polyester and nylon blend that grabs and holds dust, dirt and grime. The cloths can hold six times their weight in water! Microfiber cloths are also eco-friendly because they reduce water usage, reduce the use of cleaning products, paper towels, and other disposables used for cleaning, and they thoroughly remove dust, allergens and bacteria.

Remove toxic products from your home. Get rid of the oven cleaner, the furniture polish and the bleach. Believe it or not, small amounts of toxic chemicals leak out of these cleaners which can float around the air in your kitchen.

Is It The Cold or Is It The Flu?

Posted on January 28, 2013 by oi_admin - Healthy Body, Uncategorized

The cold and flu season is underway and sometimes when we get sick it can be difficult to distinguish between catching a cold or getting the flu.

Because both the flu and cold have the same symptoms such as a runny nose, aches and pains, and a sore throat, it is best to try and find out exactly which one you have so that you can treat it accordingly.

The first sign to look at is your body temperature. A normal body temperature is about 98 degrees. If your temperature goes up to around 100 – 102 degrees, you have a fever, which can mean you may have caught the flu. A cold usually does not raise your body temperature.

The flu usually comes on suddenly. Your aches and pains are a little worse than they would be with a cold, and you may feel weak and tired. The flu also has the ability to turn into pneumonia or bronchitis if you do not allow your body to rest. In some people, a cold can develop into ear infections or sinus congestion.

Whether you have the flu or a cold, drinking lots of fluids and getting a decent amount of rest will help relieve your symptoms. Sometimes doctors may prescribe antiviral medications for the flu, however, these types of medications will not work if you have a cold. Because the cold and flu are caused by viruses, antibiotics will not help. Why? Because antibiotics treat bacterial infections.

Before taking any meds to help your flu or cold, talk to your doctor first. Many over-the –counter medications have side effects that can be dangerous to your health.

What Every Family Should Know

Posted on January 25, 2013 by oi_admin - Healthy Home, Uncategorized

Most people use cleaning products that they know and trust. But, do they know what ingredients actually make up that cleaning product? There are many household cleaning products that have been known to cause health problems. These health problems can range from mild, such as a headache or dizziness, to severe, such as cancer or neurological disorders.

Since the majority of people use at least one cleaning product a day, knowing what you are cleaning your home with is important. The body has a hard time absorbing certain chemicals, so if you are using something the body cannot absorb, those chemicals can accumulate over time which may become harmful.

In order to protect our families from harmful chemicals, we need to inform ourselves first. Get used to reading product labels. Research the “Household Products Database.” Learn easy and inexpensive recipes that you can make at home that do not contain harmful toxins (www.blog.maidbrigade.com is full of great inexpensive, natural recipes and tips that you can use to clean your home)!

Be aware of ingredients such as formaldehyde, phalates, organochlorides, volatile organic compounds, and pesticides. All of these have been proven to cause all kinds of health issues, such as birth defects, asthma, allergies, reproductive problems, and even cancers.

Learn the heart of “green cleaning” so your home stays HEALTHY and clean!

A Ban on BPA

Posted on December 6, 2012 by oi_admin - News, Uncategorized

A recent vote by Suffolk County Legislature has made Suffolk County, New York the first in the nation to implement a ban on retail receipts coated with the chemical BPA, which is linked to breast and prostate cancers and other disorders.

Paper for sales receipts is coated with BPA so that it reacts to heat to create a printed image. This paper is used at gas stations, retailers, and restaurants.

BPA is a synthetic estrogen which can alter the immune system, cause cancer risks, and cause hyperactivity and reproductive problems.

In 2009, Suffolk was the first in the nation to ban the use of BPA in baby bottles and children's sippy cups. Last summer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration stated that BPA would no longer be allowed in baby bottles and cups.

Hopefully, other states will follow and ban BPA too.

sources:

New York Times

Giving Thanks

Posted on November 22, 2012 by oi_admin - Healthy Soul, Uncategorized

I would like to share an article that I recently wrote for Maid Brigade's "Green Clean Certified" site. I hope you enjoy it. Happy Thanksgiving!

“What happened, where is the rest of it?”

“It’s gone, it’s all gone.”

She dropped to her knees and sobbed like I have never seen before.

…This is a conversation I never thought I would have, but unfortunately will always remember.

The aftermath of hurricane Sandy has left many people homeless. Those who once had the simplest things like food, shelter, clothing, heat and electricity, now have nothing.

I have fifteen relatives that live on the south shore of Long Island, New York that have been affected by hurricane Sandy. Two homes were lost completely and the other thirteen had their main floors, garages, cars and boats destroyed. Most of them still do not have heat or power to this day. The neighborhood that I grew up in looked like a war zone. It was absolutely heartbreaking.

As I watch my mother scrambling through the streets sifting through muck, oil and gasoline, trying to find even a trace of something that wasn’t destroyed, like her photo albums, her good china, or other valuable contents that were swept out of her home, I wonder how we are all going to get through this. The weather is turning cold and my mother just lost everything she owned.

….But we are getting through this…it is tough, but we are.

I cannot stress enough how grateful I am to all of those people that have donated their time to help our community and those in need after the hurricane. The outpouring of kindness and generosity that I have experienced these last few weeks is something I will cherish forever.

Because it’s Thanksgiving, I wanted to end this article with a two minute video that I found of a reporter who tells how his heart was touched by a man he met for only a short time. The message that the reporter is trying to give is exactly how I feel. Please watch it and pass it on.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Giving-Thanks-After-Sandy*