Lauren Brown of Maid Brigade shares a few ways you can make the jump to green cleaning.
No matter where you are on the path to going green, or if you haven’t even started, there are several ways you can implement eco-friendly practices in everyday cleaning tasks. Here are some examples:
Easiest
• Use a high quality entrance mat to keep out dirt, allergens, and other contaminated particles
• Or make your home shoes-free
• Get good quality micro fiber cloths to clean better with fewer (maybe no) chemicals
• Use these cloths in a color-coded fashion, using separate cloths for the kitchen, bathroom, etc. to prevent cross-contamination of germs throughout the home
• Use micro fiber mops, not brooms, to remove daily traffic dirt and pet hair without stirring up more allergens
• Use the mildest cleaning solution possible for the job
• Watch the Signal Words on the product labels, avoiding anything stronger than a Caution! label
• Spray cleaners on the cleaning cloth, not the surface to be cleaned; overspray is a leading cause of unnoticed residues and airborne chemicals
• Wear rubber gloves to prevent absorption of chemical solutions and vapors through the skin
Medium
• Select products designed to work in cold water
• Select products with low or no VOC content
• Find products with a moderate pH, from 4 to 11
• Purchase products that come in recyclable containers
• Purchase green cleaning solutions in concentrated form and dilute into re-useable spray bottles
• Avoid products containing pesticides, organochlorines, formaldehyde, or APEs
• Avoid products containing known or suspected carcinogens, neurotoxins, reproductive toxins, developmental toxins or endocrine disruptors
Hardest
• Get a high filtration vacuum (preferably a HEPA filter) with a closed canister system to trap and remove 99.7% of particles 1 micron or larger (including dust, dirt, pollen, dust mites, pet dander, hair and mold – really tiny stuff)
• Go to a chemical-free dry steam vapor system to clean, deodorize, disinfect and kill mold, mildew and dust mites using water alone
• Purchase a water-ionizing system for a chemical-free portable device that effectively tackles just about everything (you may need something stronger on heavy grease and soap scum)
• Make your own natural cleaning products – like baking soda, lemons, vinegar, borax and vegetable-based oil soaps for ultimate knowledge and control of what is in your home
• De-clutter your home to make a more enjoyable environment for recharging and to make routine cleaning easier and faster
Take baby steps! Choose a few items here and there that seem doable and see and feel the difference.
About The Author
Lauren Brown is the Grass Roots Marketing Specialist with Maid Brigade. Lauren has been with Maid Brigade for three years, educating the community on the importance of going green for the health of the environment and our families. She emphasizes the value of using safer alternatives and how easy and affordable it can be to go green!
Maid Brigade is a residential cleaning service that uses only Green Seal certified cleaning solutions and green methods to clean homes. This ensures a safer work environment for their employees and a safer, healthier home for their clients.
Connect With Lauren: Facebook | Twitter | E-Mail | 703.823.1726
Connect With Maid Brigade: Facebook (DC Metro) | Web
It’s NAPO Conference week in San Diego, CA! While I’m off at this year’s conference, enjoy this 2009 article from guest author from Candita Clayton on how to add a touch of green to your spring cleaning.
Unlike like my blog hostess Deb, cleaning is not really one of my favorite things to do. So you may be wondering why I would write a book about green cleaning. In my career as a professional home organizer, I have discovered time and time again that an organized and clean living space can reduce stress, and help every daily routine run smoothly. So with spring cleaning on everyone’s mind, let’s consider greening up your cleaning routine.
Some things you need in your green cleaning arsenal:
• All Purpose Cleaner – I love a product from Better Life called “What-ever!” It works on every surface and really works! Find it at www.cleanhappens.com.
• You can whip up your own all purpose cleaner by filling a spray bottle 1/2 white vinegar, ½ with water and a few drops of nice smelling essential oil like Lemongrass and Tea Tree (found in natural food stores).
Click here to read the entire article
So, you know I’ve been on the green bandwagon, or at least, I’ve been trying to get on board. I mentioned to another organizer on Twitter that I was having a bit of trouble finding green products that cleaned as well as the harsh chemical stuff. It turns out that not only does she know a thing or two about green cleaning, but she’s also written a book about it. Of course, what was I to do but ask her to share, share, share! I hope you’ll enjoy the green tid bits from our guest blogger, Candita Clayton. Check it out…
Unlike like my blog hostess Deb, cleaning is not really one of my favorite things to do. So you may be wondering why I would write a book about green cleaning. Well, I wrote Clean Your Home Healthy: Green Cleaning Made Easy (Morgan James Publishing, April 2008) to help people make educated decisions about the cleaning products they use in their homes. I am truly a green loving girl and my quest to support eco-conscious companies who use naturally derived ingredients and safe manufacturing practices is a personal passion. In my career as a professional home organizer, I have discovered time and time again that an organized and clean living space can reduce stress, and help every daily routine run smoothly. So with spring cleaning on everyone’s mind, let’s consider greening up your cleaning routine.
Some things you need in your green cleaning arsenal:
• All Purpose Cleaner – I love a product from Better Life called “What-ever!” It works on every surface and really works! Find it at www.cleanhappens.com.
• You can whip up your own all purpose cleaner by filling a spray bottle 1/2 white vinegar, ½ with water and a few drops of nice smelling essential oil like Lemongrass and Tea Tree (found in natural food stores).
• Hydrostatic and Microfiber Cleaning Cloths – These babies are a god send! They can be used to dust with no chemicals at all, and can also be used over and over for surface cleaning. They can be found in Target and other big box stores.
• Bonami – This natural cleanser contains no harsh chemicals and has been around for years! Works like a charm when you need to clean your sink, tile and anything that requires a little abrasive action.
If you are having trouble letting go of your traditional cleaners…baby steps! You can start by implementing some green cleaning products and slowly let go of your traditional cleaners.
Why do it?
You will feel better. Harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia which are found in most traditional cleaning products can cause respiratory distress and pollute your indoor air. Protect yourself, your family and your pets by making the switch.
For a complete list of companies, products and ideas about cleaning your home healthy, check out www.cleanyourhomehealthy.com and www.yourlifeorganized.com/blog for monthly giveaways.
About the Author
Candita Clayton founded her company, Your Life Organized LLC, in 2001, after the birth of her second child. Since then, she has been dedicated to helping people improve their home environments and their lives through the power of organization.
Connect With Candita: Web | Twitter
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