Category: Uncategorized

Grow A Healthy, Eco-Friendly, Lawn that is Safe For Your Family

Posted on May 17, 2011 by oi_admin - Healthy Home, Uncategorized

This year, bring your lawn back to life the eco-friendly way. To save money, start planning now.

Part of creating a green yard is your plant choices. Go with indigenous (native) or hardy varieties because they require less water and fertilizing. Most hardiness zone areas give you hundreds of options, from azaleas to zelkova trees.

From sowing to maturity, your plants need water. Set sprinklers to run during the coolest part of the day so water will not evaporate as quickly, giving it time to soak in. This will keep your water needs, and bill, down.

Once your garden is growing, consider how you feed and protect it. Many common fertilizers and pesticides have toxic chemicals that can run off into drains and water sources. Many experts say that, if tracked into your home on feet and paws, toxins can linger without sunlight, water, and soil microbes to break them down.

To crowd out weeds, seed bare and thin spots in lawns, add mulch gardens and flower beds. Fertilize with products that are low in soluble nitrogen and, for a truly green garden, go organic for slow nutrient release and fewer toxins.

Use compost and mulch to reduce water use. Compost keeps plants healthy so they require less water. Mulch helps keep soil moist.

Set mower blades to cut grass as high as possible (at least 3 inches). Taller grass shades its own roots and requires less water.

For new lawns, plant perennial ryegrass and drought-tolerant fescue. These types need less watering and chemical care.

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.

Reducing Pollen and Dust Mites

Posted on May 14, 2011 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Your number one defense against pollen is to avoid it as much as possible. You cannot get rid of pollen outside, but you can limit it indoors. Here are some tips:

Close the windows at home and in your car.

If you need to cool down, run the air conditioning instead of opening the windows. Put the air on "recirculate" so you are not bringing in oustide air filled with pollen.

Put pillows, box springs, and mattresses in cases that keep dust mites out.

Throw sheets, comforters, blankets, curtains, and washable stuffed animals regularly into the washing machine, set to the hottest water temperature the material can handle.

Use the clothes dryer. Dust mites cannot take heat.

Keep kitchens and bathrooms clean and dry. If you use a humidifier, clean it regularly so it doesn't become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold.

If your kids have dust mite allergies and their toys cannot be washed, put the toys in the freezer for 48 hours every two weeks. Freezing temperatures will kill the dust mites.

To further reduce dust mites, consider replacing your carpeting with hard flooring and getting rid of upholstered furniture.

In the basement or attic, put away collectibles and clothes in plastic storage bags and run a dehumidifier to prevent mold growth.

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

Featured Franchise of the Peninsula

Posted on May 13, 2011 by oi_admin - News, Uncategorized

We love Maid Brigade of the Peninsula owner Linda Hendrickson’s approach to employee relations and we think you will too! That’s why she’s our Featured Franchise this week.

Linda opened her local office in 2006 and from the beginning she’s focused on employee retention. At Maid Brigade of the Peninsula (and all Maid Brigades around the country!) treating employees well is an essential part of running the business. And Linda’s genuine care and concern for her team members’ well-being has been rewarded with loyalty and hard-work. One team member recently celebrated her five year anniversary with Maid Brigade and more anniversaries are coming up! The office also runs an Employee of the Month program to reward team members with the most happy customer reports. Last month four employees tied for the award!

Maid Brigade of the Peninsula finds time to contribute to the local community—and the office is making a real impact! Linda and her team members provide free cleanings for homeless shelters, including Shelter Network, which operates several shelters in San Mateo County. In fact, one of Linda’s current employees was once a client of Shelter Network.

Click here to see local specials and to read about Charlie—the most popular team member at Maid Brigade of the Peninsula.

Switching Over to Healthy Green Cleaning

Posted on April 29, 2011 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

If you've ever wondered why most of the cleaning products you have known for years are going green it is because we have taken a closer look at what is in them and realized they aren't any good for us.

By taking a closer look at the labels, you will find products with harmful agents like benzene, chlorine, and phosphates. Other chemicals are also included but it is not required for manufacturers to print them on their labels.

The cheapest and safest way for general household cleaning is the natural way, which is using baking soda and vinegar. These two products don't cost that much and there are no harmful side effects, which is great for cleaning a home filled with children and pets.

It is very easy to make your own green cleaners with basic ingredients. Using reusable spray bottles is also better for the environment. Here are samples of natural green cleaning products that you can make:

For a general household cleaner, mix together 1 teaspoon liquid soap (castile, peppermint); 1 teaspoon borax; 1 squeeze of lemon, and 1 quart warm water.

For a general disinfectant, mix together 1/4 cup borax and 1/2 gallon hot water.

For windows, mix 2 teaspoons vinegar and 1 quart warm water, or 2 tablespoons borax and 3 cups water.

For air freshener, mix 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice, and 2 cups hot water, put in reusable spray bottle and spray!

If you prefer to buy green cleaning products, make sure your store-bought cleaner is truly green. Look for the "Green Seal" certification. Words like "green" and "natural" are no guarantee of safety.

Maid Brigade's Green Clean Certified system is a cleaning system that uses "green" solutions that are certified by Green Seal for a safe and thorough cleaning.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about you and your family. For more information on healthy green cleaning and green living, please log on to greencleancertified.com and maidbrigade.com. For more information on "Household Cleaning Products and Breast Cancer", please watch our video at greencleancertified.com/greentv.

What Are You Cleaning Your Home With?

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

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 you and your family. For more information on healthy green cleaning and green living, please log on to greencleancertified.com and maidbrigade.com. For more information on "Household Cleaning Products and Breast Cancer", please watch our video at greencleancertified.com/greentv.

Quick and Easy Green Cleaning Recipes

Posted on April 23, 2011 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

One of the greatest exposures to toxic substances can be found right in our very own homes.

Many cleaners and solvents used on surfaces such as countertops, tubs and floors are filled with ingredients whose labels read caution, poison, warning, or danger. Today, there are safer alternative cleaning products that can be used which will lessen our exposure to these toxins and chemicals. Castile soap, baking soda, and lemon juice work wonders on tough grime in bathrooms and kitchens. You can even save money by making your own easy recipes that are toxic-free for you, your family, and the environment.

Here are some recipes to try:

Basic Household Cleaner. Mix together one teaspoon liquid castile soap, a squeeze of lemon juice, and one quart of warm water. If a surface needs extra power, try saturating area with moist salt or baking soda, allow to sit for ten minutes, and scrub.

Grease Cutter. Dissolve one teaspoon castile soap in one quart of hot water and add 1/4 cup lemon juice. Let soak for ten minutes before scrubbing.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner. Sprinkle 1/4 cup baking soda into bowl and add 1 cup lemon juice. Let sit for 1/2 hour, scrub, and flush.

Basin, Tub and Tile Cleaner. Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with three tablespoons liquid castile soap. Scrub.

Drain Cleaner and Deodorizer. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down drain followed by one cup hot lemon juice. Let sit for 10 minutes. Run water for 30 seconds.

Glass and Window Cleaner. Mix four tablespoons of lemon juice with 1/2 gallon warm water.

For dishes and tough stains, mix lemon juice and baking soda to make a scrubbing paste.

For an abrasive cleanser, use baking soda.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about you and your family. For more information on healthy green cleaning and green living, please log on to greencleancertified.com and maidbrigade.com. For more information on "Household Cleaning Products and Breast Cancer", please watch our video at greencleancertified.com/greentv.

Safe House Cleaning for Your Home

Posted on April 8, 2011 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Here are some tips for safer house cleaning:

Ventilate your work area when using strong cleaning produts.

Read the manufacturer's label for warnings and directions before using products.

Don't ever mix ammonia and bleach, or any other strong cleaners together.

Remember that labels of strong commercial products may not list all hazardous chemical ingredients.

Call the manufacturer for a Material Safety Data Sheet to find information about product ingredients and safety issues.

Remember that soap and water usually do the job, and antibacterial products are not usually necessary in the home.

Vinegar has many gentle but effective cleaning properties.

Save money by making your own products.

Green Clean Your Home with Natural Cleaning Products

Posted on April 5, 2011 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

These days, there are many cleaning products to choose from. Supermarket and hardware stores are filled with different brands and types, most of them using harsh, powerful chemicals to do their job.

However, it is possible to clean just as effectively using natural green products which are less harmful to your health and the environment.

Baking soda is an effective natural cleaner and deodorizer. Mixing baking soda with lemon juice, vinegar, or even water and making it into a paste will create a fantastic all-purpose cleaner and stain remover. As a deodorizer, baking soda absorbs odors and also neutralizes them. Use it to deodorize the dishwasher by sprinkling one-half cup baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher between loads. Baking soda can also be used to help mask pet odors.

Sprinkle baking soda on carpets 10 minutes before vacuuming to get rid of any unpleasant odors that are lingering in the room. Use baking soda to clean stainless steel items, and also to remove tannin stains from tea and coffee in crockery. You can even use it to remove crayon marks from walls and wallpaper by gently scrubbing with a damp sponge sprinkled with baking soda.

Vinegar is very effective on solid stains, such as limescale and calcium deposits (soap scum) from hard water because it is a mild acid. Use it to clean the shower and the bath and even to unclog the washing machine (once a month pour one cup of vinegar into the washing machine and run the machine through a normal cycle, without clothes). Vinegar can also remove mold and mildew from bathroom tiles and shower curtains.

Vinegar is a great stain remover, whether it is food stains in pots and pans, stains in toilet bowls, perspiration from clothes, or animal urine stains in the carpet. Like baking soda, it is also a great natural air freshener. Place a small bowl of vinegar in the room or spray some into the air to help deodorize the area.

Lemon juice is mildly acidic and dissolves grease very effectively. It also has a bleaching and deodorizing effect. Use lemon juice to clean and deodorize cutting boards, clean kitchen sinks, brass, copper, or stainless steel cutlery. Combined with salt, it can get rid of berry juice stains from fabric.

Salt is a fantastic stain remover. Mix it with alcohol (1 part salt to 4 parts rubbing alcohol) to tackle grease. Use salt to clean spilled red wine or to clean blood stains.

Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh and Green

Posted on April 1, 2011 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Everybody wants a clean smelling home, which is why air fresheners are such hot selling items. But commercial air fresheners are filled with VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that put toxins into the air.

There are plenty of natural, healthy ways to keep the air circulating in your home as fresh and sweet smelling as possible:

Open the windows. Open the windows every once in a while to optimize ventilation.

Sprinkle baking soda. Baking soda absorbs odors. Sprinkle a small amount on stale carpets and vacuum. Put a box of baking soda in your fridge to eliminate food smells.

Decorate your home with plants. Potted houseplants help take VOCs and carbon dioxide out of the air. Boston ferns are especially good for removing formaldehyde, and the Peace Lily is ideal for reducing acetone.

Use aromatherapy. Burning a few drops of essential oils such as lavender, lemon and verbena, in a diffuser with hot water will do wonders for cleansing the air and imparting a wonderfully natural fragrance. Make your own aromatherapy room spray by mixing 8-10 drops of essential oils with 2 ounces of water filled in a spray bottle.

Green Your Allergy Season

Posted on March 28, 2011 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Spring is here, but with it comes seasonal allergies, which are affected by pollen from flowers, trees, grass, and a host of other factors right outside our windows. For allergies to seasonal things, like pollen, or those in your home, like dust mites, there's a lot you can do to minimize the misery:

Hot Water For Laundry

Wash your bedding weekly in water that is at least 130°F to keep dust mites in check. These bugs also live in clothes and carpeting, but their highest concentrations are in beds. Washing with cold or warm water will not help get rid of dust mites, and the dryer alone is not hot enough to kill all of them.

Air Filter

Keeping the air clean in your home can bring relief from pollen, mold, and pet dander. HEPA (high-energy particulate arresting) filters are most efficient. This kind of filter has been shown to remove 99% of airborne particles without producing harmful by-products. They are ideal for bedrooms and living rooms. When buying larger units, note the square footage a purifier can treat, listed on the package.

Dehumidifier

Keep your home cool and dry to decrease mold, dust mite growth and roach intrusions. One study found that levels of dust mites and other allergens dropped significantly in homes where the relative humidity was lower than 50%. To maintain this level, you may need to run your air conditioner along with a dehumidifier. However, remember to empty the unit's water often and clean it regularly, according to the manufacturer's instructions, to prevent mold growth.

Use your bathroom exhaust fan when taking a shower

This will help prevent to growth of mold in the shower. Cleaning your bathtub or shower liner is also important. Better yet, replace your liner every month or two, if you have mold sensitivities or asthma.

Keep your dryer vent clear

Build-up of lint in the dryer vent will cause an excess of dust in your house. Have your vents cleaned regularly to avoid aggravating your allergy symptoms.

Use a vacuum with a HEPA Filter

HEPA filter vacuums do not recirculate back into the air the polluting particles that the vacuum has just picked up. Make sure you have a true HEPA filter and not a HEPA-like filter. You can tell by looking at the manufacturer's test results of their filter. A true HEPA filter will have test results stating that .3 microns are 99.97 percent or above.

Get rid of clutter

Allergy sufferers need to be especially careful about controlling dust in their homes. And clutter is a major source of dust and dust mites. If you can't see your floors or walls in closets and basements, you have a clutter problem. Just as clutter clogs your house and obstructs the free flow of energy in your home, clutter also clogs your nose and obstructs the free flow of life-giving air into your body.

For more information on healthy green cleaning and green living, please log on to greencleancertified.com and maidbrigade.com. For more information on "Household Cleaning Products and Breast Cancer", please watch our video at greencleancertified.com/greentv.

Green Spring Cleaning Preparation

Posted on March 18, 2011 by oi_admin - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Spring is approaching, and many of us are getting ready to start our spring cleaning. For some people, this involves going out and purchasing cleaning products from the store. But did you know that there are dozens of green, inexpensive ways of cleaning out one's house, many of which can already be found in your kitchen?

When it comes to cleaning, vinegar will be your best friend. Mix one part vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle, and clean your bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. Vinegar not only disinfects, but it also deodorizes. Use it to clean the bathtub, counters, toilet, sink, stovetop, and kitchen floor. You can also use it as a natural fabric softener. The money you'll save avoiding harsh chemicals is definitely worth looking into.

Baking soda is another great cleaner. Use baking soda on any surface you would usually tackle with an abrasive cleaning product. Stick a box of baking soda in your fridge, freezer, closet or any other stinky area to help keep these areas smelling clean.

While borax should be kept well out of the reach of children and pets, it's a great alternative to bleach. Use this natural mineral to kill mold and bacteria, as well as deodorize clothes and remove tough stains. Warm water mixed with half a cup of borax will allow you to shine china, while pouring three tablespoons down the garbage disposal and running hot water half an hour later will clean out the disposal with ease.

Ever wonder why most cleaning products smell like lemons? Not only is the scent one of freshness, but lemon juice is also a great cleaning aid. It is most handy in the bathroom, where it cuts through soap scum and hard water deposits. By mixing one cup of olive oil and half a cup of lemon juice, you can make a polish for hardwood furniture. Additionally, sticking lemon peels in the garbage can will help keep it smelling fresh.

As you can see, cleaning without using harsh chemicals is extremely easy. It also allows you to save your money, and take care of the earth all at once. Going green does not have to be difficult or expensive. It simply requires taking the time to become informed regarding various cleaning ideas and techniques. Some of them might surprise you, but all of them will be sure to work with you to keep your house sparkling clean.

For more information on healthy green cleaning and green living, please log on to greencleancertified.com and maidbrigade.com. For more information on "Household Cleaning Products and Breast Cancer", please watch our video at greencleancertified.com/greentv.

Featured Franchise of Northeast Valley

Posted on March 17, 2011 by oi_admin - News, Uncategorized

The owners of the Phoenix, Arizona Maid Brigade are Ginger Simmons and Barbara Halaburda. Barbara enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and playing with her 5 dogs when she’s not focused on green cleaning. You can find Ginger cooking, enjoying some fine dining, exercising, or traveling in her free time.

These women met while working in the insurance and financial services industry. They decided to become Maid Brigade owners after a shift in the company. They knew they wanted to try something different and a Maid Brigade house cleaning service certainly fit that bill!

Ginger and Barbara have chosen to not let the weakened economy get in the way of their goals. They decided they were going to focus on growing in the Phoenix area and their efforts have paid off because their office has shown steady gains over the past 18 months! These ladies agree that they owe this growth to their employees and reward them for the increase in revenue as well as quality.

The Phoenix, AZ Maid Brigade makes it a point to donate to different charities throughout the year. Local and national non-profits including the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Phoenix’s Walk to Empower and Healing Hearts Animal Rescue all receive support from the green cleaning team of Maid Brigade. This March, the ladies are also participating in the Maid Brigade Read Across America book drive in order to support children’s literacy. The books they collect will be donated to Chrysalis; a Phoenix-based non-profit serving women and children who’ve been victims of domestic violence.

The Phoenix, AZ Maid Brigade services the Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek, Carefree, Anthem, Rio Verde, Glendale and Peoria areas.