Friday, April 23, 2010

GREENER CLEANERS
 
      There isn't a better time to make a pledge to go green. Now it's easy by signing up from the front page of my website www.goclean.com. Not only will you be signed up to receive my monthly newsletter full of helpful green cleaning tips, but you will also receive an easy to implement room by room guide to remove toxic chemicals from your home. My front page has wonderful suggestions on how you can make a difference to your health and that of Mother Earth. My goal is to reach one million people to make the switch. Read the article and you'll quickly see the difference one million people can make. It's huge. Don't miss this easy program that won't stress your budget or your time.
 
This article may only be reprinted giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website at www.goclean.com.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Truth about Olive Oil
 
    Okay so what do olive oil and cleaning have in common? Outside of the health concerns surrounding most brands of olive oil, several mis-guided people and their websides, recommend olive oil to treat hardwood furniture. First of all, olive oil turns rancid rapidly when exposed to air for even a short period of time. Unless you enjoy the smell of rancid olive floating through your home, don't use it on your furniture or cabinets. For a wonderful alternative check out Mary's Wood Care.
 
     The real issue with olive oil arose during a discussion of what temperature was safe for cooking olive oil. I am drifing away from my normal cleaning tips but feel this information is important enough to share. When purchased, used and stored properly, olive oil is a tremendous boost to your health. If not, it can cause a host of issues. I was ignorant of the proper use of olive oil and want to pass along what I've learned. I'll give you a website for the rest of the shocking news.
 
     Cooking Olive Oil: Never cook olive oil over 350 degrees and even that is pushing the high end of temperatures. Do not use olive oil or any oil when you BBQ, never allow it to smoke or use it when broiling food. When frying keep the heat turned down to medium-low. Rancid olive oil, which is caused by improper storage, purchasing and cooking destroy's the body's antioxidants and promotes free radicals.
 
    Storing Olive Oil: Store olive oil in a cool dark place. The refrigerator is best if you don't have another dark place that stays cool year round. Keep it out of the light and in a dark glass container with a tight lid or a high grade stainless steel container. Never store it in plastic as it will absorb the PVCs from the plastic. It will turn thick in the refrigerator so keep just out just enough to use for the week. Keep this is in a dark glass container and inside a cabinet. NEVER buy olive oil in a clear glass bottle or plastic container and choose a bottle from the back of the grocery shelf where it has been exposed to less light. 
 
     Buying Olive Oil: This is where we part company and I'm sending you to  http://www.living-foods.com/articles/oliveoil.html to read the nasty truth about the processing of olive oil. When it comes to cleaning chemicals, manufacturers can say what they want on a bottle label. That is true for the food we eat as well. It's no wonder we have a nation of unhealthy people.
 
This article may only be reproduced giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website www.goclean.com
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

   Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances

Stainless Steel cleaning issues:   This seems to be the season for stainless steel problems. My glass cleaner Benya removes stubborn finger prints from stainless steel refrigerators. It will shine stainless stoves but does not remove burnt on food. Alternately mix a 50/50 solution of food grade distilled white vinegar and water. Some folks use straight vinegar but a 50/50 solution should work. Make certain your vinegar says "food grade" or it's made from petroleum.

Look for the Grain:  Stainless steel has a grain just like wood. Get up close and personal with your sink and appliances to find out the directions those grains run. Grease is going to stay right where it is unless you clean or scrub with the grain and not against it.

     Then get a grip on your cleaning cloths. Stainless steel and black faced appliances smear if your cloth is dirty. And you wonder why your counter tops look greasy after wiping them down with a used dish cloth. Use a clean cloth and make sure you don't use fabric softener, bleach or dryer sheets in the laundry. For an inexpensive and eco friendly alternative to these products, pour a cup of food grade distilled white vinegar in your rinse cycle.

     At least once a week, clean stainless steel sinks with a slightly abrasive cleaner to keep them shining. Use baking soda as other powdered cleaners have high health risk ratings. Besides, cleaning the sink with baking soda helps with odor issues in the drains.

     Mix a thin paste of baking soda and water to give the stove or fridge a good scrub. Be leery about using standard metal polishes on residential stainless steel. Most are made for industrial stainless steel and can damage residential appliances.       

    Stay tuned as I'm testing a new Benya formula. Its concentrated, which is far more earth friendly plus it saves you money buying my current ready to use product. Now be sure to pick up the May issue of Real Simple for more of my cleaning tips!

This article may only be copied giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website at www.goclean.com. All rights reserved world wide.