environmentally friendly

Using A Sh-Mop In Your Home

by Jennifer | No Comments Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Here at Bit a Bliss, our cleaning professionals use a Sh-Mop as opposed to a conventional mop. It is a greener, cleaner, and much safer alternative. As you can see above, it looks similar to a Swiffer mop, but there is a big difference between the two. The Sh-Mop is used as a wet mop, and comes with removable mop heads that are laundered, so there is less waste since they don’t get thrown away. Every home we go into gets a fresh mop head (and more as needed) so you won’t need to worry about having another home’s dirt brought into yours.

The way we use it, is we take the mop head and get it damp, then spray cleaner directly on it and mop the floor in an inward motion so that any dirt that is left behind can be delegated to a small area to be wiped up. If used correctly and with products that are designed for your floors, it will leave behind no streaks or smudges, and will leave your floors sparkling.

If you have never heard of this handy tool, you can get More Information Here. If you would like, you can purchase it on your own or through us. If you are a client and would like to get one through us, let us know and we can bring it to your home on your next cleaning and simply add the cost to your cleaning! If you are not a client, that is no problem at all, we can have it shipped to you.

Choosing The Right All-Purpose Cleaner For Your Home

by Jennifer | No Comments Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Every home needs a good all-purpose cleaner. It will keep you from having too many products, since it can clean multiple surfaces. But with so many out there, how do you choose which one is right for you? Whether you are looking to change the one you have, or are just completely lost on the idea of products, here are a few guidelines to help you choose.

What Type Of Surfaces Are In Your Home?

If your home is mostly laminate and tile, almost any type of cleaner will work, as those surfaces are designed for durability. If you have granite, marble, and other high end surfaces, you want to be very careful about what you choose and make sure your cleaner is safe for those surfaces.

Do You Want Green Cleaning Or Chemicals?

Hopefully your answer is green, because you can clean just as effectively without chemicals, and it is safe for you and your family and pets. But some people love the smell, and don’t have children or pets, and that’s ok as long as you are very careful and use sparingly. If you do choose to use chemicals, we recommend watering them down if possible. Antibacterial cleaners are typically just as effective at killing germs when diluted, but read the labelling carefully to make sure, and don’t ever mix chemicals to avoid creating a highly toxic product that can seriously harm your health.

Now that you have answered these questions, we have a few suggestions for what will work best for you:

-If your home does not have high-end surfaces and you want a green cleaning, try putting 2 tbsp. of vinegar in a spray bottle, fill with water and add a couple drops of peppermint oil, and you’re ready to go! Just be sure to shake the bottle before use. Vinegar is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. For stuck on messes, let it sit for a few minutes and then scrub.

-If you have high-end surfaces and want a green clean, we recommend Mrs. Meyer’s All Purpose Cleaners. They are safe to use on any surface, and it comes in a concentrated formula that you dilute yourself, so the bottle will last ages. If you do not clean regularly, we find that using a magic eraser with the cleaner does wonders!

-If completely natural isn’t your thing, try Clorox Green-Works. It is mostly green, but not 100% and is safe to use on all surfaces.

Why I’m Glad I Went Green With My Home Cleaning

by Jennifer | No Comments Monday, July 2, 2012

Going green with the products you use in your home is a great idea for you, your family, and your pets. Something just happened in my life that is a great example of the benefits of using as little chemicals as possible, and I wanted to share it with you.

My sister-in-law Katelyn has this adorable little dog. Fleas are a big problem in their area, so she is diligent in keeping up with his flea medicine. On his last treatment, she went with a different brand because it was on sale, and almost immediately her entire body broke out into these painful, itchy welts. Flea medicine is designed not to be washed off easily and spread throughout the body, so before she knew it, there were traces of it all over the house. Everywhere she sat, even laying in her bed, made her break out more. So she spent the evening at a friend’s house so her mother could try to clean everything, and she realized that even being away, she was still having reactions to things that never used to bother her, such as fabric softener on bedsheets, and bleach that had been used in the bathroom.

In my home, we use a homemade all purpose cleaner with vinegar, water, and peppermint oil (Click Here for a guide to making your own green housecleaning kit.) We even make our own laundry soap, which you can cheaply and easily do by following These Easy Instructions. We have two children, so we like to keep our home free of unnecessary chemicals, especially when what we use is just as/even more effective. And the money we save is a great perk!

We invited Katelyn to stay with us until everything was ok for her to go back home, and during her stay here she has not broken out, and the welts all over her body are quickly subsiding and becoming less irritating. I’m glad we made the choice to stop wasting our money on standard cleaners, and the fact that my home is the only place Katelyn can be without breaking out is a testament to what a better choice it really is.

For other ways to green your home, check out our blog on Keeping Chemicals Out Of Your Drain!

How To Care For Hardwood Floors

by Jennifer | 1 Comment Thursday, May 31, 2012

Having hardwood flooring in your home is a great thing, it adds a certain character to your home, and almost any kind of hardwood greatly improves the overall look. The only problem is, how do you really know how to care for them? If you had them installed, you probably were instructed in the matter, but if you moved into a home that already has them, you will need to know a few do’s and don’ts. And remember: you are not caring for the wood itself, but rather the shiny coating on top of it.

Do:
-Vacuum after you lightly sweep if it’s been more than a few days since you last cleaned the floors, a broom will put more dust and hair in the air that will just resettle than a vacuum will.

-Dry mop before and after you mop to remove any leftover dust, hair, and other particles. You can use a swiffer or a microfiber mop.

-To wet mop, we recomment using a flat-head mop with washable mopheads. You will have more control over how wet you get the floors. The best thing to do is wet the mophead in the sink, and wring out until it is no longer dripping, put on the mop and spray the cleaner directly to the mophead. You never want to spray cleaner directly onto the floors. As for what cleaner to use, we recommend Bona. Click Here For More Information On The Product.

Don’t:
-Wax your own floor. Leave that to a professional. We have seen many damaged floors because clients wanted to do it on their own, and it came out uneven, and any dirt or hairs left on the floor before waxing become stuck underneath. The only way to fix this is to have the floors professionally buffed and refinished, which can come with a hefty pricetag.

-Use oil soap on finished hardwood. The forumlas are outdated, and over time will leave a film on it similar to candle wax that can only be removed by a professional.

-Drag furniture across the floors without padding. They will scratch your floors, and that is just a pain to mess with.

-Use ammonia, it will wear away the finish and make your floors dull and unsightly.

Check out ehow.com’s article on caring for your floors for more great info!

Throwing An Eco (And Budget) Friendlier Birthday Party For Your Child

by Jennifer | No Comments Monday, May 21, 2012

Birthday parties are a big part of the fun of being a kid, and as a parent your job is to help make it that way. A common misconception as a parent is that it needs to be a big extravagant blow out, when really your kid just wants to have fun with his/her friends. Great memories aren’t sononymous with a hefty pricetag, and not everything has to be one-time use. So forget deposits, themed-every little detail, and all the excessive waste that goes along with it, and have FUN!!

1. Celebrate At Home

Sure it’s easier to just pay someone to handle things like creating a fun environment and cleaning up after, but it can get very pricey, and often comes with a whole lot of waste. If your home is suitable for a birthday party, take advantage!

2. Keep The Guest List Small

Instead of inviting your child’s entire class, instead just invite their actual friends. They are the ones who will be getting all the attention from the birthday star anyway, and you won’t have to buy an outrageous amount of supplies.

3. Pick A Theme, Then See What You Can Use From Home

Toy Story? Cinderella? Dora? Whatever your child picks, go with it! But instead of buying every little thing that has the theme on it, focus on key items such as a few balloons (with the bulk filled in with plain balloons with coordinating colors,) the cake, centerpieces if you have tables, and party favors. Things like disposable cups, plates, and cutlery can be purchased for cheaper in a solid coordinating color. Things from home can include tablecloths, platters for food, punch bowls, and entertainment! You can get a family member to dress up, or use games you already own!

4. Make Your Own Cake, Or Make It Together!

If you’re the anti-baker, it may be best to leave the cake to someone else. But try finding someone you know that can help before buying one from the store. If you are up for the challenge, go for it! If you kid could have fun, invite them to help! Another great alternative is cupcakes in themed colors. Whatever you decide, if it’s sweet, they will love it! Go Here For A Step-By-Step Guide To Making A Themed Cake Of Your Choice!

5. Set A Recycle Bin Out With The Trash

Instead of just having a trash can out, put a recycle bin next to it. Kids don’t always understand what you can and can’t recycle though, so it might be helpful to put a sign on it with either pictures of what to recycle or a list, depending on the children’s ages. You will be helping to teach them about recycling, and at the same time doing your part to keep recyclable materials out of a landfill!

How do you make an eco-friendlier birthday party?