non toxic

How To Deep Clean Your Bedroom In 8 Steps

by Jennifer | No Comments Thursday, March 15, 2012

It can be easy to skip out on deep cleaning your bedroom. After all, it’s not a kitchen or bathroom, right? Ok, maybe it’s not as intensive as deep cleaning one of those, but you spend more time in it than any other room, so it deserves some TLC here and there. If you are cleaning your home on your own, we recommend doing this deep clean quarterly, then keeping it up with dusting and spot cleaning in between. For this deep cleaning, we recommend opening your windows a little to keep the air circulating, so there will be minimum resettling of dust.

1. Use An Extendable Duster To Clean The Ceiling

Before you do anything else, dust the ceiling fan, crown moulding, and remove any cobwebs with an extendable duster. This way, everything will fall onto surfaces and your bed before they are clean.

2. Clean Your Bed

Strip your sheets and bedskirt, and throw in the washer. If anything is dry-clean only, take it a day or two in advance so that it will be ready today, and use your backup linens/comforter in the meantime. Take a spray bottle with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of baking soda filled to the top with water and spray on your mattress and pillows until slightly damp. This will remove unsightly odors and freshen up everything. You can add a little scent to the baking soda mix if you like, but if you are sensitive, just leave it as is. Make your bed at the very end of your deep clean, making sure the mattress and pillows are completely dry.

3. Clean Blinds, Windows, and Sills

Carefully dust your blinds and window sills with a microfiber rag, to minimize tossing dust up in the air. With a clean rag and a spray bottle with 2 tablespoons vinegar, a few drops of essential oil of your choice (optional) filled to the top with water, remove any spots from your blinds, windows, and sills.

4.  Doors, Door Frames and Switchplates

With the Vinegar solution, go around and clean all door frames, doors, door handles, and switchplates. These are commonly touched areas that can harbor viruses and bacteria. Vinegar is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal, so it will not only make those areas look sparkling, but will sanitize them as well.

5. Dust Wall Decor

With a microfiber rag, dust every item on your wall carefully. If possible, gently pull the decor away from the wall and dust behind it.

6. Dust Furniture

A good trick is to take every item off of your dresser and tables first. This way, when you put everything back, you are less likely to put everything back as clutter, and find a new home for everything you don’t need sitting out. Go around with a microfiber cloth and dust every piece of furniture, including the sides and any detail work. Don’t forget the headboard and footboard! As you put all decor and necessities back on your furniture, dust each item as well.

7. Wash Your Basebaords

Using the vinegar mixture and a rag, wash all basebaords. Move furniture away from the wall if possible.

8. Vacuum/Sweep And Mop Floors

If you have carpet, use the hose attachment of your vacuum to go around all edges, corners, and underneath all furniture before doing the main area. If you are sweeping and mopping, be sure and get every possible nook and cranny.

How To Clean Your Oven With Baking Soda

by Jennifer | No Comments Thursday, March 8, 2012

I found this great video on youtube.com that I had to share! It gives a step-by-step on effectively cleaning your oven with baking soda and water. No chemicals, no self-cleaning cycle, nothing dangerous. If you have read some of our previous blogs, you know that we are big fans of cleaning with simple, green ingredients. And this is about as simple as it gets!

The Benefits Of Having Your Own Herb Garden

by Jennifer | No Comments Monday, March 5, 2012

Having your own herb garden can be very beneficial to you and your family. You tend to feel very accomplished when your plants grow and thrive. And having fresh herbs in your recipes can take your dish from great to WOW! Not to mention the savings. For example, a 1/2 oz. of fresh basil at the grocery store will run you $2-$3 dollars, whereas you can spend a few dollars to get a plant that will give you that same amount over and over again. And who knows, maybe it will inspire you to eat healthier!

For outdoor gardening, try this How-To From The Tasteful Garden.

If you live in an apartment, or just think the kitchen would look and smell great from an indoor garden, start with E-How’s Guide To Indoor Herb Gardening For Beginners.

The 5 Best Uses For Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

by Jennifer | No Comments Thursday, February 23, 2012

Olive oil is a real treasure. We would write sonnets about it if we were any good at it. There are so many applications you would find useful, but we are going to break it down to the 5 best uses.

1. A Great Addition To Food

First of all, it is recommended that you NOT use extra-virgin olive oil to cook, because the smoke point can be very low, which is dangerous. This Article From Whole Foods goes into greater detail. It is, however, fantastic for adding to food once it has been prepared, such as spraying on vegetables or lean meat. It is low calorie, great for your health, and also makes a fantastic salad dressing!

2. Using It On Your Hair

Olive Oil is incredible for the hair. It is great for every type of hair. We recommend keeping a plastic bottle in the shower, and adding about a dime-sized amount to your conditioner every time you wash your hair. Leave it in for about 5 minutes and rinse clean. A few drops on dry hair will help calm the frizzies, especially on a humid day.

3. Skin Care

Just as it is great for hair, olive oil is just as great for every type of skin. Yes, even oily skin (I promise!) Keep a small bottle with your products and add a few drops to your daily moisturizer (face and body) and apply straight oil onto very dry areas, such as knees and elbows. Once a week, apply straight oil to your fresh, clean skin and leave on for 5 minutes as a mask. It will help unclog your pores and your face will feel just the right amount of soft and supple. It is also a great shaving oil for men and women.

4. Great For Cats

Adding a few drops to your cat’s food daily will help keep their coats soft and shiny, and will also cut down on those pesky hairballs.

5. It Makes A Great Furniture Polish

Forget commercial wood and leather cleaners, simply add a few drops to a soft, clean cloth and wipe your furniture as normal. It will pick up dust, remove fingerprints, help fill in scratches, and add a subtle sheen to your furniture to keep it looking brand new

For more great and completely random uses you will find helpful, Go To The Daily Green’s Blog Here.

10 Ways To Improve The Air Quality In Your Home

by Jennifer | No Comments Monday, February 13, 2012

It is a common fact that the air inside your home is more likely dirtier than the air outside. This is true no matter where you live, even if it’s a big crowded city. We spend a great deal of our time indoors, and if the air quality is left unattended, it can lead to health problems involving the heart, lungs, and allergies. Follow all of these guidelines, and you will be doing yourself and everyone in your home a big favor.

1. Keep Your Air Filters Clean

We have talked about this several times, keeping your air filters up to date is one of the best things you can do for your home. It helps keep your energy bill down, and a clean filter will keep many allergens from floating around in the air you breathe. You should replace your filters at least every 3 months.

2. Limit Burning Candles

Candles are a beautiful addition to any home, and it is perfectly acceptable to light one every once in a while for the great smell and relaxing ambiance, but you don’t want to burn them regularly. They release toxins in the air, some of which have been linked to cancer. Click Here For More Detailed Information.  Having said that, beeswax and soy candles are an exception in that they release no harmful chemicals, and are safe for regular use.

3. Minimizing Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew are two very nasty culprits, and should be erradicated as much as possible. The EPA has a great deal of material about the dangers, Listed Here. If you have mold in your home, find the source of moisture (whether it be a leak in the roof, plumbing, or elsewhere) and fix the problem, then clean the mold with a strong disinfectant. On a smaller scale, it is most commonly found in the shower along the grout. Regular cleaning and proper ventillation of the bathroom should keep it away.

4. Air Purifiers

An air purifier is a great way to help keep the air in your home allergen-free. Be sure and read the directions carefully, so you know proper care of the purifier to keep it in top condition.

5. Avoid Manufactured Air Fresheners

Aerosol air freshners do give the home an instant pick me up, but aerosol is bad for the environment, and the chemicals that are used to create that great smell can be harmful, especially if used regularly. Instead, try keeping small bowls throughout your home with water in them, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. You will need to add more oil every couple of days to maintain the smell, and clean the bowls out once a week.

6. Open The Windows On A Nice Day

If the weather permits, open your windows. Even if you live in a city, that added air flow will add an instant freshness to your home. And as a bonus, saves you money on your energy bill!

7. Use Green Cleaning Products

There are so many alternatives to harmful chemical cleaning products nowadays, it is so easy to avoid them altogether. Refer to any of our blogs listed under Cleaning Products for a great way to get your green cleaning started!

8. Do Not Smoke Indoors

We cannot stress enough that smoking indoors is very harmful to yourself and others. Second hand smoke affects everyone who is around it long enough. Not to mention, it gives your home a distinct odor that many find unpleasant.

9. Don’t Give Dust Mites A Great Place To Live

Dust mites and their waste are a potentially very harmful allergen. We have talked about the dangers before, In Our Blog About Dust Mites And Their Link To Asthma we have everything you need to know to keep those little buggers out of your home, and what to do if you have them.

10). Use Houseplants To Clean The Air Indoors

Houseplants are great for improving the quality of air in your home. The absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, and they also absorb other chemicals such as formaldehyde. They add a liveliness to your home, and most common plants are very easy to care for. Here Is A List Of The 25 Best Indoor Plants.

For more great tips on improving the quality of air in your home, check out this article on thedailygreen.com on How To Purify The Air In Your Home.