Amazing Cleaning Tips101

2011-12-05T14:31:00.000-08:00

Prevent Holiday Disasters

Recently I was recently a guest on the Martha Stewart Living Radio Program, which is always a pleasure. As we discussed removing holiday stains, the listening audience decided to play “stump the expert.” Let’s discuss a few suggestions to prevent accidents and stains during the holidays.

1) Avoid serving salads and drinks that contain red, orange, purple or green food colorings. If temptation draws you like a warm winter fire, keep a fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide handy. Mix it 50/50 with water in spray bottle. Fill a second bottle with 1 part distilled white vinegar and 4 parts water. Spray red wine or food dye stains immediately with the peroxide/water mixture. Let it set 5 minutes then rinse with the vinegar/water solution to neutralize the effects of peroxide. Persian, silk or wool carpets or area rugs should be professionally cleaned.

2) Clean the chimneys and flues to prevent fires.

3) Don’t over look cleaning the furnace ducts as they have also been know to catch fire.

4) Always place a holder under candles. Never move a burning candle or one that has just been blown out. Hot wax leaves a nasty 3rd degree burn and stains that resist removal.

5) Keep a current fire extinguisher close at hand. Know how to use it! Any extinguisher more than 4 years old should be examined to make sure it’s in working condition.

6) Purchase a couple of white plastic table cloths if pets or young children are coming to dinner. Place them upside down on beds, furniture or the floor where they will be sleeping, playing or sitting. The fuzzy side helps catch spills or accidents and the plastic side prevents the liquid from absorbing into the surface. Purchase a bottle of Nature’s Miracle at the pet store to remove urine odor and stain from any surface – safely without toxic chemicals. Dilute my concentrated CleanEz to remove the rest of the stains like food, grease, oil and dirt.

7) Keep a lid on the counter to place over a pan should it catch fire. Tuck a bag of wet terry towels in a plastic bag under the kitchen sink. They put out kitchen fires faster than baking soda and quickly clean up spills.

8) You’ll find Mary Moppins mop to be one of the handiest gadgets not only for the holidays but year round. My mops use ordinary terry towels to mop floors or dust cobwebs or even dry off RVs or boats. They last for years to save hundreds of dollars buying mop head replacements. Why not give yourself or someone else the gift of time this year? They cut cleaning time up to 80%!

This article may only be copied giving credit to Mary Findley and her website http://www.goclean.com/. Copyright @2011 All rights reserved worldwide.

2011-09-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

New Virus

There is a new virus going around. I received an email from ICI Investments last night saying I was going to be sued for sending unwanted emails. There was an attachment so I felt it was a virus. To make sure I emailed ICI from their website. They responded this morning that it was a virus and are going to take action against the sender for using their company name illegally. No matter how threatening or inviting an email looks do not open these attachments or the email. Delete them immediately.

2011-09-08T10:20:00.000-07:00

Go Green for Fall Cleaning

Dust mites thrive in damp dusty areas especially humid climates. If you suffer from headaches, sinus or bronchial congestion then it’s time to send these little bugs packing. More time is spent in the bedroom than any other single room of the home.

     Yes it is important to declutter the bedroom, I’ll cover that in my next post, only right now the weather in most areas are ideal to haul the mattress outside for a good old fashioned cleaning. My prayers to those caught in the wildfires or in the path of the East Coast storm.

     Mattresses are the favorite hiding spot of dust mites. If possible take the mattress to the back patio, lean it against the house and pound it good with a broom like Grandma used to do on the farm. Wear a face mask as the dust does fly.

     Vacuuming helps, only it can’t reach the inner sanctions of a mattress. I often read to wrap mattresses in plastic only that means breathing in the toxic fumes all night from the dozens of chemicals that comprise plastic. Rather, enclose the mattress with a thick cotton spread then launder it frequently. Breathing chemicals eight hours a night can contributes to toxic bioaccumulation in the body especially the lungs, sinuses and nasal cavities.

     Air out your mattress while you pull out the frame of the bed, dust it, clean the baseboards and thoroughly vacuum. Then pull out dressers and clean behind them as well.

This article may only be copied giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website www.goclean.com. All rights reserved world wide copyright@2011

2011-08-29T16:35:00.000-07:00

Fall Green Cleaning

     This morning I spoke on Martha Steward living radio program about greening your fall cleaning. Since I’m way behind in my blog posts due to a hectic summer and early fall, I’m going to start by posting tips for fall green cleaning. Let’s start fall cleanup by airing out your home to rid it of toxins that build up inside the home.

     Open the back door or one window if you live in an apartment. Aim a fan so the breeze blows out the door or window. Open windows on the opposite side of your home. The fan pulls fresh air through the open windows and circulates it through the home to move stale musty air out either the door or window.

     Air fresheners should be removed and disposed of properly. They work by numbing your sinuses, which leads to sinus congestion, headaches and polyps. If you like a light scent in your home, place a cinnamon stick in a plant, many of which help remove toxins from the air. Pick up a copy of my book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Cleaning for more ideas to improve indoor air quality.

This article may be used by giving credit to Mary Findley and her website goclean.com. Copyright @2011

2011-07-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

Back to Cleaning

The past few months have been busy ones with successful trade show presentations as well as articles being submitted to magazines. My blog posts will pick up once again and yes I'll cover ways to pick up the clutter and organize your home, office, RV and the boat as well.

To start though there is a wonderful website called TheFamilyGroove.com. These ladies are so energetic and totally love what they are doing to help families especially those with young children. Check out their latest post about my company, Mary Moppins at http://www.thefamilygroove.com/blog/?p=3058. Stay tuned for more cleaning tips. I'm on another roll to clean up our Earth! Mary Findley

2011-05-24T10:42:00.001-07:00

Online Radio Interview

Want to learn more about Mary's book The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Cleaning? Listen to her radio broadcast with Don McCauley all day today May 24, 2011 at http://www.theauthorsshow.com:80/

2011-05-06T16:47:00.001-07:00

What Cookware is Best to Use

My inbox has seen a recent barrage of questions about what cookware is best and safest to use. Back when I peddled my mops at home shows, I often sold other products one of which was stainless steel cookware. One show was in Boise, Idaho where I sold a set of cookware to a man who worked for a chemical testing company. He had just finished testing various cookwares for the amount of toxins they emitted.

Toxic fumes from coated cookware: His tests were astonishing even as familiar as I was with the various cookwares. Common sense tells you that when heat is applied to a chemical, fumes are going to be emitted. His tests showed this to be true of the various coated cookware. Coated cookware emits higher levels of toxic fumes than any other cookware.

Caste iron was burdened with bacteria. It is porous so food particles, grease and oil bake into the pans making it a haven for bacteria. Although he is not a doctor he expressed concern about caste iron causing intestinal distress.

His said copper cookware emits more fumes than stainless steel and to make certain the interior of copper cookware is lined with stainless steel. Otherwise excess copper cooks into the food and can become over abundant in the body.

Glass cookware is fine for cooking and generally used to cook vegetables or bake but rarely advised for frying.

Anodized cookware should also be avoided. He told me that this cookware is aluminum or an alloy and is treated in a chemical bath of electrolytes like sulfuric acid. An electrical current is then run through the bath to bake it onto the aluminum. Although only minor amounts of sulfuric acid seep into food and thus into the body, but it does build up in the body and cause various health issues down the road. It also emits fumes.

His tests showed that stainless steel cookware emits the least amount of fumes into the air and food. Stainless steel of itself is not a good conductor of heat. Make certain your cookware has an aluminum or caste iron disc on the bottom for rapid heating and it is housed between layers of stainless steel. The sides likewise should have a layer of aluminum for even cooking.

Keep checking my blog over the next week for tips on how to clean your cookware.

2011-03-27T10:53:00.000-07:00

Four Tips to Increase Gas Mileage

Gas prices are soaring once again. Follow these few suggestions to gain an extra 2 miles per gallon of gas.

1) Keep tires properly inflated. Low tires decreases gas mileage. This is well known yet it's surprising the number of people who overlook their tire pressure. Tires pressure tends to change between seasons so check your tires at the change of seasons.

2) This is tuff but leave 10 minutes early and drive 5 mph under the speed limit adding 1 mpg to your mileage.

3) Keep vehicles clean and use a good protectant like Advantage. Dirt causes drag on a vehicle decreasing gas mileage. A protectant is made with polymers and makes a surface slick decreasing tension on the surface of a vehicle. Carnauba wax products do not make a surface slick and one of the reasons I had Advantage formulated with polymers.

4) Finally change the oil and keep air filters clean. These steps can add 2 plus miles per gallon or 20 to 24 more miles per tank of gas.

This article may only be copied giving full credit to Mary Findley and her company Mary Moppins at www.goclean.com

2011-03-22T16:47:00.001-07:00

TWEETCHAT

Have some fun and spring into cleaning by following my Tweet Chat this Thursday 11 AM Central Time and 9AM Pacific Time. Go to TweetChat.com then log into your account. Where you see the # sign type in AskCIG. It will take you to the Tweet sponsored by Alpha Books & WIlkes Communication. Alpha are the publishers for my book "The Complete Idiots Guide to Green Cleaning, which is available on my website or bookstores, Amazon etc. If you get your copy through me, you receive a signed copy plus one of my Swifter towels that are so handy for quick wipes.

Bring your cleaning questions and ask away. Just be sure to end each question with a space then #AskCIG so your question goes to the right Tweet. See you there!

Mary Findley owner of Mary Moppins www.goclean.com

2011-03-14T16:27:00.000-07:00

Spring Cleaning

Where do I Start?

My last newsletter encouraged you to pull the plug on clutter and gave short easy ways to get rid of it. Now you are ready to tackle the spring cleaning. Pick up a copy of my book “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Cleaning.” It takes you through my Precision Cleaning methods with room by room speed cleaning directions along with a multitude of helpful green cleaning tips. For those who buy my book through my website by mid-April and want a copy of my booklet for cleaning RVs “Whistle While You Work*Three," the cost for “Whistle” will be reduced another dollar making it $3 rather than $4 on sale. The price will be changed before your card is billed.

      Clean the closets. What a great feeling to start on spring cleaning by doing the small stuff like baseboards and dusting door frames. Only I tend to put off the more time consuming chores for next year. Five years has gone by and my door frames are clean while my closets hide dust bunnies.

      This year takcle the closets first and do one per weekend. Start by sorting through clothes hanging on the rod. Any ill-fitting or clothes that haven't been tried on for the past three years get the boot. If they are keepers then store them in plastic stackable containers with tight fitting lids so the moths can't get to them. The rest either go to Goodwill or a garage sale.

     Next clear the top shelf. A towel sprayed with diluted all purpose cleaner, CleanEz, makes short work of cleaning the shelves. If you suspect a mold problem anywhere in your closet, first clean the surface with CleanEz then straight food grade distilled white vinegar. Let that set an hour or two so the vinegar has time to kill the mold. Then wipe the shelves with hydrogen peroxide. Get a fresh bottle from the store. Peroxide more than six months old has lost its fizzle. Do not mix peroxide and vinegar together as they neutralize the effect of each other.

     Return the boxes and haul things out of the bottom of the closet. Use your terry towel sprayed with CleanEz and wipe the baseboards and carpet close to the baseboards. Separate any items you haven’t used in some time. Vacuum the floor and replace the keeper items.

     Should you smell mold or mildew on the floor, pull the carpet away from the wall and spray the floor boards and carpet backing as mentioned above. Janitorial supply companies also carry good mold and mildew retardants. Make sure it does not contain bleach and ask for the MSDS sheet. Read the MSDS (material safety data sheet) looking for any caustic chemicals or any number ratings over a “1.” That is why I stick to vinegar and peroxide. They are safe to use.

     If mold or mildew is problamatic, find the source of the problem. Mold and mildew only grow where moisture is present. You must find the source of the moisture. In areas of high humidity a whole house dehumidifier helps. Store items kept on the floor on open shelves so air can circulate to help keep the carpet dry.

This article may only be reprinted giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website at www.goclean.com. Copyright @2011 All rights reserved worldwide

2011-02-09T17:31:00.000-08:00

Clutter - An Easy Way to Banish It

Many areas of our country are still covered with snow and ice with people cuddled close to a warm fire. The dead of winter is the best time to tackle 'spring' cleaning chores when you aren't yearning to be outdoors. How far did you get on my 'to do' list from my early January post?

In that newsletter I suggested listing everything in your home that needs cleaning to help you organize your priorities and double as a checklist. I encouraged you to pick up the clutter but didn't go into detail as to how to accomplish that task.

So let's talk about ways to declutter your home. I have a feeling many of you, like me, have been pouring over spring seed and flower catalogs rather than tending to spring cleaning.

Separate and Conquer: Without a doubt you have read other articles that suggest making two piles. One pile of clutter goes either to Goodwill or as garage sale items and the other needs to find a proper place in your home. Only I've changed that to only one pile, which is the pile for either Goodwill or a garage sale. Why one pile? Because you will immediately put away those items you want to keep. Ah, now you know why I encouraged you to clean out the closets and cabinets first. It gives you room to store the things you want to keep.

The easiest way to de-clutter is to never leave a room empty handed. Yes picking up the entire room at one time is ideal, but time generally doesn't permit this luxury. Grab an armload of 'stuff' and decide immediately if it goes to you one pile or is to be saved. If the item is to be saved then put it away immediately, without stopping to answer the phone or attend to other distractions. It's amazing how quickly the clutter will vanish.

If the pile has been up against a wall, grab your Mary Moppins Mop and your diluted bottle of CleanEz. Spray a terry towel with CleanEz, clean the wall and dust the baseboards. Spray the carpet lightly with a 50/50 solution of distilled white vinegar to water. Allow the spray a few minutes to dry then vacuum. Vinegar freshens the carpet and is not toxic like most carpet fresheners. It's also far less expensive. If you want a scent in the carpet then add a few pieces of the pith from an orange or lemon.

2011-01-08T11:56:00.000-08:00

POST HOLIDAY CLEANING

     Remember how I encourage you to walk through your home with pen and paper in tow and list everything that needed to be cleaned? Then to list those chores into a time schedule with weekly must do, bimonthly cleanings, quarterly and yearly jobs? Oops it’s still not done huh? It takes about 30 minutes to complete a “tour de dust” and get your list typed out on your word processor.

     Right now is a quiet time for most households. Christmas or Hanukah and other spiritual celebrations have come to a close. Decorations have been tucked away and it’s time to grab the rag bag.

     To make things easier, I’ll skip cleaning a room in my home each week. When I have larger tasks to do like treating the cabinets I'll skip the guest bedroom or formal dining room to give me time to tackle these chores.

     First on your to do list is to condtions your woodwork including doors, window sills and cabinets. Winter air and wood stoves dry wood. Then comes the intense rays of the sun in summer all of which contribute to dry, cracked cabinets and wood furniture. Our Wood Care http://www.goclean.com/product-16.php does an excellent job conditioning all your wood furniture and cabinets. Painted cabinets or antique furniture with the original black lacquer finish are the exceptios.

     NOTE: If you have been using a product like End Dust, Pledge or Old English do not switch products. These products contain chemicals when combined with other products can leave a sticky residue on furniture. Other products like Guardsman, Orange Glo etc are just fine when used Wood Care.

     The next several posts will cover more winter time cleaning chores. Don't wait till spring when the weather is nice and you want to be outdoors to tackle spring cleaning. Switch to winter cleaning and I bet these jobs get finished.

This article may only be reprinted giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website http://www.goclean.com/. Copyright @2011 all rights reserved world wide.

2010-12-30T14:56:00.000-08:00

Freight Increases

My best wishes that the New Year bring you bounty and much happiness. Just a heads up that freight charges are being raised substantially by UPS starting Jan 1, 2011. I am going to wait until Jan 5th before I raise my rates to give you time to place your order. They will go up $1.50 this time. Also my product costs will increase mid January as well. Some will see a substantial increase. So you may want to place an order to beat the freight and price increases.

Happy New Year, Mary Findley

2010-12-16T16:38:00.000-08:00

How to Take Wax out of Carpet

In spite of my best efforts to warn people of the dangers of burning candles, I receive a dozen or more emails each year asking how to remove candle wax from carpet. With the holidays quickly approaching let's go over some important points to prevent accidental fires and candle wax from attacking the carpet.

First here are a few candle burning precautions:

NEVER burn a candle near flammable material. They do not belong on window sills, next to walls or near lamps or furniture. Here are a few tips for safe handling:

1) Place all candles, burning or not, on a glass plate. Wax sweats even if it is not being burned and will leave un-removable color stains on furniture.
2) Never move a lit candle or one that has been blown out. Heat sets a stain and the color from hot wax is permanent.
3) Look for candles without lead wicks and made from soy. Soy candles emit less smoke and therefore fewer toxins into the air.
4) People love scented candles. Only the scents could be causing lung and breathing issues as well as allergic reactions. Burn unscented candles and instead simmer a pot of cinnamon sticks, cloves or other fresh herbs on the stove. Or place cinnamon sticks in small bud vases around a room.
5) Avoid the scented air fresheners as well. They numb your sinuses so you can't smell odors, the fragrances are often toxic adding to indoor air pollution and the chemicals in them can cause polyps and sinus infections. Plug-ins and the fresheners that go off when you walk past them are even worse.

How to remove candle wax from carpet:
1) Scrape off what you can with a blunt knife.
2) Grab a hair dryer and several white paper towel - never use a printed paper towel
3) Turn the heat on the hair dryer to medium high and beging heating the wax.
4) As the wax softens, dab it with the paper towel.
5) Continue heating the wax and blotting until all the wax has been removed. If the candle was colored, the heat from the wax has set the color and is nearly impossible to remove.

This article may only be rewritten giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website at www.goclean.com. Copyright @ 2010 All rights reserved worldwide

2010-12-13T20:06:00.001-08:00

A List of Holiday Cleaning Tips

During the Holidays people love cleaning shortcuts, how- to tips and safety information. Since I've written past articles around holiday cleaning here is a list of my favorites going back to 2006 through 2008. Yes 2009 is not included. I was home transfering my father to a nursing home for Alzeheimers and caring for my mother who has cancer. The prior years contain dozens of excellent tips. Look to the right, click on the year then the month.

November 11, 2008 Prevent Winter House Fires. Very important to read.

December 03, 2008 Safety Cautions for the Holidays from Underwriters Laboratories. Please make certain you read this article.

December 07, 2008 through Dec 17^th. Ten Days of Christmas Cleaning. A simple cleaning schedule for the holidays.

November 11, 2008 Prevent winter house fires Another article that could save your home from fire.

December 21, 2007 Last Minute Holiday checklist handy review

December 14, 2007 Six Cautions for the Holiday Season more tips to protect your home from hazards

December 13, 2007 Five Easy Cleaning Stress Relief Tricks for the Holidays.

Nov 26, 2006 Holiday Cleaning Tips Handy tips for holiday disasters including how to remove red wine and punch stains.

May your Holidays be filled with great cheer, joy and blessings from Creator. Joy to you for the New Year.

Mary Findley

2010-12-01T13:55:00.001-08:00

Ten Tips for a Green Holiday

My stomach turns into knots every year as I take my nightly walk on trash day just after Christmas. Trash cans overflow with non-recyclable plastics from toys and games while piles of cardboard line the streets. A week later Christmas trees are dumped along roads or in parks by people who pay $40 for the tree and refuse to pay $5 to properly dispose of them.

Let's take a look at easy, affordable if not free ways to reduce carbon footprints and have a very merry and green holiday season.

1) Rather than buy name tags to put on packages, cut a small piece of wrapping paper instead. Close to a billion presents will be given this year. Eliminating that many tags reduces natural resources, energy to manufacture them and fuel consumed to get them to market.

2) Packages decorated with yards of ribbons and bows are pretty but they add to landfill waste and consume energy and fuel for manufacturing. This year go green and get playful instead. Children love being outdoors and feeding the birds. Decorate their package with a soot ball they can hang from a tree rather than a bow they yank off the box and toss in the trash. Is there a chocolate lover in the house? Tape a bar on the package and write the recipients name on the bar. Craft persons, wood workers, fishermen or hunters always need new supplies or the latest gadget and those items make a delightful and appreciated addition to a package. Small books are a thoughtful box topper. Children love finger puppets so add a few to their box. A recipe for your favorite dish is always enjoyed or perhaps an individual packet of hot chocolate or tea bag. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

3) Speaking of wrapping paper, young children love reading the funny pages and it doesn't matter to them if they have read them before. The funnies are colorful and the kids can read them as they sit under the tree. Even better, wrap their gift with art paper or coloring book pages and color their gift together. The Christmas my son turned 15, I wrapped his gifts with maps of various cities around our area. One requisite to his getting his driver's license the next year was he had to learn to read and follow a map.

4) When placing a phone order or an online order, tell the shipper to put your packing slip inside the box and not in the usual envelope they stick on the outside of the box. Those package envelopes are a huge waste of paper and resources and are not necessary. Remember to think large scope. If 300,000 boxes are shipped in the next two weeks, the reduction of paper is tremendous. Make this a year round habit.

5) Put together a list of things needed for dinners, entertaining etc. and combine trips rather than make last minute darts to the store. Those extra trips consume thousands of gallons of fuel. Then keep up the practice all year.

6) Just because tradition calls for putting up Christmas lights up during Thanksgiving does not mean they need to be turned on. Wait until the 15th of December to start turning on the lights. Then plug them into a timer that shuts off at 10 PM. The energy savings is tremendous.

7) Opt for an artificial tree this year rather than a real tree. Goodwill and other thrift stores carry them and I've seen really nice trees for excellent prices in these stores. Thousands of gallons of fuel are consumed transporting trees to their destinations. Yes artificial trees require natural resources for manufacturing but it is a one time proposition. If you prefer a regular tree cut your own at a local tree farm. Buying local is good for the local economy and good for Mother Earth.

8) This is not just for the holiday. Turn the heat down one or two degrees at night and 10 degrees if you are gone for even half the day. Then set the thermostate to turn up the heat a half hour before you arise or return home.

9) Buy gifts from local craftspeople or local companies. These gifts usually don't come encased in plastic bubble packaging with a ton of cardboard surrounding it. Did I mention the benefits to buying local?

10) This year give yourself a gift of a vegetable garden. It's the healthiest thing you can do for you and your family. If you don't have yard space, large hanging baskets make excellent containers for salad fixings. Water them daily and feed them once a week. Planter boxes are great for carrots, beets, onions, garlic, herbs and other small veggies. You will feel better and save a bundle of money at the grocery store. What better way to reduce carbon footprints than to grow your own food. Be careful - it's addictive!

2010-11-23T07:34:00.001-08:00

Reduce your Heating Bill

Each year heating bills generally increase as the temperatures decrease at the start of winter. Articles start appearing in magazines and newspapers giving tips on how to reduce your heating costs. Most suggest turning down the thermostate, which is a good idea albeit a chilly one. I faithfully did this only found even with layering my clothing, I froze. Last year during one very cold spell I covered my windows and sliding glass door with cardboard because cardboard is a good insulator. It prevented the cold air from drawing my nice warm air outside. The temperature immediately rose in the house and the furnace stopped running non-stop.

Only you can't see out the windows during the day and taking down and putting up the cardboard every day became a bit much. The hardware stores carry a box of thin plastic sheeting made for going over window frames. It comes with double faced tape that holds the plastic to the windows. The pocket of air created by the additional layer of insulation helps keep warm air inside. It costs around $10 to $12 a box, which insulates 2 large windows. We bought two boxes one for the largest windows and one for the sliding glass door, which had enough left over to do my cold north bedroom window. We turn our heat down 2 degrees, save around $35 a month on heating bills yet we stay warm.

If you need quick tips for cleaning this holiday season and year round learn to Precision Clean by picking up a copy of my book "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Cleaning." My book contains a thorough stain removal guide so keep it handy when entertaining. They are also available at bookstores or on my website www.goclean.com.

Keep toasty, Mary Findley

2010-10-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

Clean the Bathroom in 15 minutes

With the holiday season quickly approaching and time getting pinched, this is a great time to learn insider tricks to clean your bathroom in 15 minutes. Laura Eckstein, a writer for AOL's Shelter POP, called me last week for an exact time table to clean a bathroom in 15 minutes. Did we have a ball. She has it posted for you to not only enjoy but gleem the fast way to clean a bathroom. Read the article here http://www.shelterpop.com/2010/10/21/clean-a-bathroom/ then return to my website for more speed cleaning tips for each room of your home. http://www.goclean.com/go-clean.php.

2010-10-20T22:43:00.001-07:00

Cleaning Windows

Specific calander dates are helpful when setting up cleaning schedules. Around my home the day the clocks are turned forward an hour in the spring is my reminder to change the Co2 and smoke detector batteries and ceiling lightbulbs. The weekend before Halloween is set aside to clean windows. Everyone loves my speed cleaning tips but hard as I've tried, I just cannot find a fast way to clean windows. I do have a few handy tips to make the job easier using the most unsuspecting tools.

1) Head to a hardware store for a 1 1/2 inch paint brush, a new empty spray bottle, several sponge paint brushes in various sizes and a dividable tote tray if you don't already have one

2) Order a Dry Sponge; Benya, an earth friendly, streak free, concentrated window cleaner and Lint Free towels from Mary Moppins or gather your collection of these items

3) Put a new blade in your window squeegee

4) Grab several old terry cloth towels out of the rag bag and put them in a plastic bag along with the lint free towels, then grab a spare plastic bag to use as the dirty rag bag.

First mix the Benya with distilled water in the new spray bottle and put it and the dry sponge, paint brushes and window squeegee in the tote tray.

NOTE: Due to water quality varying from town to town, distilled water gives consistent results.

*Next use a terry cloth towel over your Mary Moppins mop head or broom and dust the cobwebs around the windows, skylights etc.

*The day before you you clean the outside of the windows clean the inside windows. Start by placing a terry towel on the window sill to catch drips.

*Lightly spritz the window with Benya starting at the bottom of the window and spray your way to the top. Begin at the left top of the window and wipe with your lint free towel straight across to the right then back to the left. I do not like using window squeegees inside the home because a window cleaner quickly drips down the window and onto the sill.

*Never clean outside windows while the sun is shining directly on the window. You can however clean the screens so remove those and clean the windows first.

*Open the window from the inside and remove the screen. Use the paintbrush to brush away any cobwebs in the window frame and along the bottom of the window. Then dip the sponge paint brush in sudsy water to clean the crevices of the frames. Spray any mold or mildew with hydrogen peroxide or food grade distilled white vinegar. Close the inside window.

*On the outside, first dust for cobwebs then place an old towel down on the bottom of the window frame.

*Spray the window in the same manner as you did the inside window. Only this time use a window squeegee starting at the upper left coming across the top to the right and back to the left continuing to the bottom of the window. Use a lint free towel to wipe any remaining Benya from the window.

*Finally clean the screens with the dry sponge and replace the screen. Sand the dry sponge with a fine grit sand paper as it soils. The sponge will save you hours of time and gallons of water washing screens. Now sit back, enjoy a cup of coffee and watch the display of colors as trees show off their fall beauty.

2010-10-09T20:25:00.001-07:00

Mold and Mildew Smells

A month has slipped past and I'm quite late posting about smells. Between trade shows, four articles and three projects, time got the upper hand on me just like mold and mildew sneaks in under your nose. So what about those moldy smells?

First up: find the cause of the mold. Unless you find the source of the mold, it will only return after treatment. Mold only grows when moisture is available. It may mean crawling under the house, pulling up carpet or even calling in a janitorial remediation team to find the source of the odor, but it must be found. It is just as important to try to determine whether the mold can be self-treated or whether you need the help of professionals.

Some molds are toxic and can cause grave illnesses. If you have been suffering unusual headaches, sinus infections, loss of energy or long term health issues that are out of character or the doctor cannot find a cause for your problems, you may be dealing with a toxic mold. Call your insurance company then a janitorial company who specializes in mold remediation. This is not a do-it-yourself project.

Normally mold can be self-treated. Are there bushes or shrubs next to the outside walls of the home? If so, cut them back as they are holding moisture against the house and causing mold problems. If the cause is from humidity or an over abundance of rain then dehumidifier in each room or a whole house dehumidifies is necessary to prevent the return of the mold once it has been irridicated.

Talk to your local janitorial supply company for organic, human and pet friendly remediation products to treat mold. It will be necessary to pull up affected carpet, treat the flooring, seal it and treat the carpet and the padding or possibly replace it or it may be necessary to crawl under the home. If at any time headaches or any reaction to the mold occurs, get treatment immediately and call a remediation team to finish the job.

If the mold is in a closet, launder all the clothing, remove all boxes, shoes etc and treat them then replace the carpet in the closet with a hard floor surface. It is rare for mold to be growing in the wallboard but it does happen. It is best to call a janitorial company and have them test the wallboard and do the necessary treatments.

2010-09-10T10:14:00.001-07:00

Smelly Drains - Get Rid of the Odors

Smelly Drains - what can be worse than fixing dinner with the odor of last night's fried onions hanging out in the kitchen drain? There are worse odors but drains can definately be offensive whether it be mold in the tub drain or food clinging on the side of your kitchen drains. Let's get a grip on these drain issues.

Get rid of Disposal odors: I always keep my used sink brushes for cleaning the disposal. Grab that, a box of baking soda and Mary Moppins CleanEZ.

1) Run the water and disposal to remove any food that might be lingering.

2) Warning: do not use a lot of baking soda or it could clog the disposal.

3) Dampen the sink brush then pour on just enough baking soda to scrub. Reach down in the disposal with the brush and scrub the inside thoroughly.

4) Pour some diluted CleanEz on the brush and scrub a second time.

5) Run the water to rinse the baking soda then run the disposal a final time.

Odors in standard kitchen and bathroom sink drains:

1) Turn off the water at the back of the sink and place an empty bucket below the sink under the counter.

2) Remove the pipe allowing the water to drain into the bucket. While waiting for the water to drain, use a scrub pad to clean the interior of the pipe with baking soda and Mary Moppins CleanEz. CleanEz kills any mold and thoroughly cleans the drains.

3) Use a thin nylon bottle brush and pour a bit of baking soda on it and scrub the pipes as far as the brush will reach.

4) Reattach the pipe fitting and run the water checking for leaks under the sink.

5) Every month before going to bed pour a cup of Nature's Miracle or for my RV or boating friends - use Happy Camper - down the drain. These two products are enzymes that "eat" bacteria and get rid of the rest of the odors.

Unclogging tub and shower drains:

I've covered this topic in my blog but a repeat is always handy. To prevent drains from clogging, switch soap. Use a a glycern or organic soap. Stay away from antibacterial soaps. They do nothing to destroy germs on your hands and are made from chemicals that have been linked to cancer. Anti-bacterial products are marketing hype geared to make money for the manufacturers. Good ole soap does a fine job of getting rid of germs. Besides if you are going to take ill from a virus on your hands, it has attacked long before you get to any bathroom to wash your hands.

Bar soaps are made from animal fat and lye. Animal fat clogs the drains, leaves soap scum on your shower walls and clogs the pores on your skin. The pores are there to help move air into your body and germs out. When you clog them with soap and lotion you keep your skin from breathing and letting go of the germs antibacterial soaps are supposed to kill. Switch soap and you solve a lot of problems!

Baking soda and food grade distilled white vinegar helps unclog these drains. Call a plumber if you suspect tree roots. Otherwise pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a cup of vinegar. Let that set a good hour or so and rinse with hot water. Pour one cup of Nature's Miracle or a scoop of Happy Camper down all the drains once a month to end your clogged drain issues and the odor problems. These two enzyme products also continue to "eat" debris in the city drains as well so you do the environment a huge favor as well as keep your drains running free.

There are articles pointing to the fact that when we urinate in a toilet, any vitamins or medicine that is unused by our bodies gets flushed into the water ways and is making it's way back to us in our water supply. The municipal water systems are not able to flush it out. The enzymes in Nature's Miracle and Happy Camper help eat these products as it finds it's way to the municipal water system. They won't totally solve the problem but they help.

Raw veggies and fruit also have enzymes that will help get rid of these excess medicines and vitamins in your body before it hits the toilet. Eat lots of raw foods then stay away from processed foods and you will stay healthy this flu season and the rest of your life. It's far safer and healthier to eat organic fresh fruit and veggies than to take a flu shot or down cold medicine.

2010-09-02T15:56:00.001-07:00

The Cure for Smelly Socks and Shoes

Sorry guys, but nothing smells worse than the odors of socks or shoes of teenage boys. Okay in all fairness the underarms section of teenage girl's gym shirts comes close. I'm not sure if stinky sneakers and socks pose health issues but finding a cure for smelly household issues will improve air quality and should reduce a few germs. So for the next few blogs, let's cover these smells and ways to eliminate odors.

Let's start with the sock, shoe and clothing problems. Train your children early on to hang their socks or gym or uniform shirts on the side of the clothes basket after removing them so they can dry. Even easier buy a few of the plastic hooks that go over doors to hang clothes. They fit shower rods and glass shower doors as well and are quick and easy way for the kids to hang their clothes to dry.

Next buy a spray enzyme product like Nature's Miracle and spray the clothes before hanging them. Enzymes love to "eat" bacteria and will help irradiate these unpleasant atrocities. Launder all sports clothing including socks together. Never launder odorous clothes with other laundry or your other clothes could end up smelling as well.

Begin filling the washer and add your organic laundry detergent - Bio-Kleen is my favorite - and a cup of food grade distilled white vinegar. Swish that around a bit then add the clothes. Remember never fill a washer past 2/3 full. Clothing must have room to move otherwise the odors will remain and so will the stains. When the tub is filled turn off the machine and let the clothes soak for 5 minutes, then finish laundering. Never dry clothes if you suspect the odor still lingers. Heat permanently sets stains and odors.

Shoes: Never stuff socks inside shoes. Shoes must dry out or the trapped moisture increases nail fungus and skin disease. Spray the inside of shoes once a week before bed with Nature's Miracle to help control odor. It's always wise to avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row. They must dry thoroughly to prevent problems nail fungus and skin issues.

If you have specific odor problems you wish covered, please post a note in the comment section and I'll answer in my next blog.

2010-08-27T11:39:00.001-07:00

Washing your car:

Automotive stores contain shelf after shelf of cleaning agents. A variety of cleaners, wax, sealants, wax and wash products all beg for your billfold. Yet there isn't an owner's manual that gives advice on how to properly care for your vehicle. What Frank next door has used for years on his car may not work for your brand new vehicle since finishes are frequently changed by the manufacturer. Besides if it foams, it's toxic to our environment.

Let's take a look at some easy solutions and toss in a few quick tips.

· Paint manufacturers recommend washing with soft 100% Lambswool Mitts. Lambswool will not scratch like some brushes and sponges.

· Use mild soaps like Mary Moppins EPA certified Clean Ez. Most people use liquid dish soaps or harsh cleaners which deteriorate the shine and ruin the finish.

· Wash early in the morning or evening to avoid water spots. Add one-half cup of food grade distilled white vinegar to your wash bucket. Vinegar neutralizes the alkali in water to prevent water spots.

· Start with the roof and wash by section drying each section as you clean to avoid water spots. Once water spots form on a car or truck you have but one or two days to remove them. Water spots etch into the surface becoming difficult to remove.

· Use a concentrated organic cleaner like Clean Ez to remove oil and grease. Remember give your product time to work. Rinse immediately.

Windshields and tires present an entirely different set of problems when you clean. Glass is porous so water spots etch in quicker than they do on the body of a vehicle. If you see those nasty spots before your eyes, wipe on boiling vinegar in the evening. Keep applying every 5 to 6 minutes for about 30 minutes. For windows or windshields, scrub with a white scrub pad. Use a soft cotton cloth when working on the body of a vehicle.

Below are a few handy tips for working with windshields to make your view a bit clearer:

Clean windshield wiper blades frequently to remove the oil buildup, which causes them to smear the windshield.
Scrub window gaskets twice a year with a stiff bristle brush to remove the oxidation.

For streak free windows try Mary Moppin's Benya, which even removes the film from the inside windows.

Tire Care: Scrub tires four times a year with an organic cleaner or CleanEz and a tire cleaning brush to avoid problems. Rubber naturally oxidizes and can leave the tires looking cracked. Scrubbing removes this oxidation. Sos pads work quite well removing dirt and grime on whitewall tires. Scrub and wipe with a shop towel then rinse. This prevents the SOS suds from going down the drain and into your streams and rivers.

Think twice before using a tire treatment. If your tire should blow out and the tire manufacturer determines a tire treatment caused the blowout they will not honor the warranty. Warranties only cover manufacturing defects and tire treatments are not a defect. Most tire treatments contain petroleum distillates, which deteriorate rubber and over time can cause a blowout. Although one treatment may not affect the tires, a blowout on a major highway is not the place to find out.

Wax, protect or seal

There is a large selection of products made for protecting the finish of your car or truck. Let's first look at the difference between wax, protectants and sealants. All three usually contain petroleum distillates, which binds other chemicals together in a product.

There are different kinds of distillates. High quality distillates may not damage the clear coat finish. Low grade distillates deteriorate the sealant leaving you with an oxidized vehicle.

There is a fail proof method to determine whether or not your vehicle is oxidizing. If you are applying a protectant three to four times per year and the paint is still coming off on your buffing rag then your wax contains the wrong kind of petroleum distillates. Changing products should correct this problem. If you are applying a protectant only once or twice a year then a more frequent application is needed.

Here are guidelines to follow when purchasing a wax or protectant:

Wax is made from Carnuba, which seals the pores of fiberglass and yellows most white or off white paint.
Protectants like Mary Moppin's Advantage are made from polymers, which do not seal but sit on the surface to protect against UV damage.
Products containing silicone are certain death for your car. Over time, silicone slowly deteriorates the finish causing it to oxidize. Unfortunately silicone cannot be completely removed. Paint will not adhere to silicone so it peels leaving the car in a disastrous state.
Sealants remove damaging oxidation, scratches and water spots. The bottle will read for heavy duty waxing or oxidation removal.

2010-02-25T16:31:00.001-08:00

Spring Cleaning Your Car

Spring may be a month away yet for many Midwest or Eastern states. When the next warm day comes your way be ready to do that all important spring cleaning and inspection of your car. Dirt, salt, sand, ice and snow all take their toll on the exterior of your vehicle. Here are a few tips to keep in mind so your car doesn't melt away with the last spring thaw. For more detailed information visit my website at www.goclean.com/go-clean.php. Click on the car, RV or boat for further discussions.

Check weather-stripping: Inspect weatherstripping around windows for any mold, cracks or brittleness and replace them if needed. Silicone will help water bead away rather than seeping into the window. However do not use a silicone spray. Look for a libricant and wipe on with a cotton swab. A silicone spray will drift onto the windshield and the car itself. Silicone is very difficult to remove and leaves a film. That film can cause visual problems.

Check the underside for rust. Use a high intensity trebel light to check the underneath of your car. Sand, salt and ice do cause damage. Unless you work on cars, take your vehicle to a mechanic for repair. Look for rust issues on brakes, clamps, tailpipes or holes forming on mufflers. It is wise to have the steering and suspension systems insepected for winter damage. The last place you want to find out about winter car damage is driving 65 mpg down the highway.

Cleaning the locks: If you have issues with keys sticking or being difficult to work, spray a bit of graphite lubricant on the key then insert it into the lock. Be sure to clean the key with an old cloth. Spray door and trunk hinges with a small amount of petroleum-based lubricant to deter rust and squeeks. Be sure to hold an old cloth around the hinge to prevent the lubricant from overspraying onto carpet or other surfaces that will discolor from the lubricant.

Be careful out there and come back to learn how to properly clean your vehicle.

2010-02-14T19:13:00.001-08:00

TIRE WARNING!

This post is not about cleaning but contains important information I felt very strongly that everyone should know. On this news clip from ABC news there may be a short commerical at first so please don't turn it off. This video talks about people who have been killed or in serious accidents because their tires are old even though they may be brand new tires. Please watch the entire video and don't turn it off until you get to the end where you are taught how to read the codes to check for the date of your tires. This is the most important part of the video and literally could save your life or someone elses if your vehicles goes out of control from a tire blowing. Then please pass it on. This is information everyone should know about.

Click on this link :
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897

2010-02-11T16:03:00.000-08:00

Earth Friendly vs Human Friendly

Let's continue our last discussion concerning the benefits for you and Mother Earth when we make a few life style changes. Earth Friendly, Eco Friendly, Green Cleaner what is the difference and why should you care? Let me start by saying that a cleaner like my CleanEz is both Earth Friendly - because it is concentrated, and a Green Cleaner - it's EPA certified. A cleaner may be Human Friendly because it's certified. But if it comes with a sprayer then it's ready to use and not Earth Friendly.

One quart of CleanEz dilutes to make 32 quarts of cleaner. When you purchase any ready to use cleaner you must purchase 32 bottles to obtain the same amount of cleaner that one bottle of concentrated cleaner offers. Let's bump this up a notch. Say one million people buy a ready to use cleaner and one million people buy my CleanEz. The folks buying ready to use cleaners must purchase 32 million bottles to one million of my CleanEz. When you keep in mind that plastic is made from our precious oil, you begin to get the scope of the problem with ready to use products.

Now consider cleaners are packaged 12 bottles per case. If you do a little math it means that one million bottles of Clean Ez require 83,333 case boxes to ship. It takes a staggering 2,666,666 cases of cardboard boxes to ship 32 million bottles of ready to use. You have just cut down an entire forest just to ship ready to use cleaners. Not very earth friendly.

Next consider the tremendous amount of oil and fuel needed to ship 2,666,666 cases of ready to use product versus 83,333 cases of concentrated. Understand that two trucks are required to get products to the store. One semi-truck takes the shipment to a distribution center then a second truck to the store.

Still not convinced to make the switch? This next fact might get you moving. Say you order a ready to use cleaner online and millions of folks do. Ready to use products average $5 a bottle. One bottle of CleanEz is $25. Because you must continue to buy ready to use cleaners it means for every bottle of Clean Ez you buy for $25 you must spend $160 for a ready to use cleaner. You pay $10 in shipping for either product but 32 bottles later and you have spent $320 to ship a ready to use product and only $10 for CleanEz. Total cost for ready to use? A whopping $480 rather than $35 for one bottle of CleanEz.

When you purchase products, look for products that are not only human friendly but Earth Friendly as well. Purchase bulk whenever you can to eliminate packaging. Take your own reuseable bags to the stores. Become a Mary Moppins Greener Cleaner by visiting my website www.goclean.com for more earth saving tips and walk gently on Mother Earth.

2010-02-04T09:52:00.001-08:00

Longer Lasting Razor Blades

My son told me several months ago that water is the reason razor blades dull so quickly because the alkali in water wears the blade down. He said he has been using the same blade for a year now where before he was buying a pack of ten of them every few months. Jason has a heavy beard so he is a good test and he is right. One blade has lasted me 3 months so far and it's still quite sharp. Rather than rinsing off my blade I just pound it against the sink then wipe the blade dry with my towel. I also leave the cap off to make sure the blade doesn't build up moisture from shower steam. If you have small children be sure to tuck your blade in a drawer and not leave it on the counter where they can cut themselves. I purchase the more expensive blades as I found cheap ones nicked me and lasted about 2 shavings if that much.

Now just think of the savings to Mother Earth. One person does make a difference. With the number of mops I've sold so far, I've kept over 125,000 mops out of the landfill so far. When you multiple a pack of razor blades every six months by the say 100 million people who probably use them, it's easy to see the savings to Mother Earth. Just this one small step reduces power wastage for manufacturing; packaging material including trees being cut down for shipping boxes; toxic ink used to print the packages and finally fuel for shipping to the distribution centers then again to the stores. Let me put it this way. If each person is buying a pack of blades every six months multiplied by 100 million people that is 2 billion - yes 2 billion razor blades a year that are not being thrown into the landfills. And that is just one very small way each of us can have a huge impact on Mother Earth plus save a bundle of money. I'll give you more sustainable living tips in future blogs.

For more green cleaning tips be sure to visit my website www.goclean.com. Mary Findley copyright @ 2010.

2010-02-03T09:35:00.001-08:00

First Step to a Clean Home

I started out the New Year determined to post daily memos on a step by step process to clean your home from top to bottom this year. I am now finding my tips posted on other websites without giving me proper credit. My content is copied word for word so I'm forced to stop this series. Instead I'll write a downloadable ebook. It will take time to complete but I promise I'll get it done. In the meantime read my book "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Cleaning." It will give you a good start.

The very first step before you start any cleaning job is to refresh your cleaning supplies. Do you have a tote tray or are you trying to use an apron? Please stop using aprons. Triggers on bottles do get bumped and the spray damages furniture. Besides the additional weight around your neck slows you down and is literally a pain in the neck. Don't use them.

If you don't know where or how to start putting a kit together this is the time to consider my Precision Cleaning Kit. This kit comes complete with various towels for dusting, cleaning windows, bathrooms, kitchen and floors. It includes my CleanEz concentrated all purpose cleaner, Benya, my streak free window cleaner and a signed copy of my book. Come Feb 5th, the kit prices go up. My free shipping will also go from a $100 purchase to $125.

Plus on my site you will find a list of the rest of the items you need for your kit, which are cheaper at the grocery store. Click on my website the click "my system" at the top. Clicking on the Precision Cleaning Kit above will also get you there.

Now that your kit is ready to go, start by reading my blog from January 1^st forward to learn the beginning steps to cleaning your home. Don't put this off any longer as the weather will be warming up and the call of the sun will beckon you outside.

2010-01-27T22:01:00.001-08:00

A Proper Finish for Closets

I hope you have been doing your push ups and pumping iron because it takes a bit more muscle to haul those heavier boxes out of the bottom of closets.

Pull the boxes or whatever out of your closet, one box at a time. Start with whatever is closest to the door. Okay so your closet has sliding doors so which door am I talking about right? With sliding doors clean the closet like you do a room and that is from left to right. Whatever has been hiding in those dark corners get it out and go through it. Go through boxes and things with the GTS - not GPS but GTS. That is my acronym for Give, Toss or Sell idea. Anything that hasn't been used for 5 years goes - unless like I said earlier, it is high quality and could become tomorrow's antique.

As you pull out boxes, wipe down the carpet next to the baseboards with a damp cloth. If you live in a humid or rainy area get nose to nose with your carpet and sniff for any signs of mold or mildew. If you do smell mold or mildew you must find the source of the moisture and resolve the problem before you have major mold infestation. You might need to clear everything out of the closet and pull the carpet back to treat the carpet backing as well as the floor and carpet. Usually a good dousing with undiluted food grade distilled white vinegar will kill mold and mildew. Never use bleach.

For those of you fortunate enough to live in a drier area, after you have pulled out the first box or grouping of "things" then pull out the next batch. Remember the GTS as you work your way around the closet. Once you have everything out of the bottom of the closet and have wiped the baseboards and carpet next to the boards, vacuum and return what you are going to keep. Step back and give yourself a pat on the back. Better yet, give yourself a bigger boost and get down on the floor to stretch. Those boxes were heavy and your muscles need the stretch.

Your "home"work for the next 3 days is to finish the other closets. I'm still pretty swamped with getting information together for these magazine articls but I'll try to drop back in for a boost of encouragement.

2010-01-24T21:41:00.001-08:00

More on Closet Cleaning

It's already time to tuck my tail and make a confession. I promised I would post a blog everyday to keep you encouraged on your house cleaning adventures. As you can see it's easy to get behind. Even being tired and having 2 author signings in the past 3 days and information to get ready for a couple of articles is no excuse to sluff off this project and ignore you.

After you finish cleaning the top shelf, it's time to tackle the bottom shelf or shelves. Continue pulling everything off those shelves and discard, give away or put in a garage sale anything you no longer need. If you have the top shelves done and don't have any other shelves in your closet to do then take this time to tackle your linen closet. Yes that has to be done too.

2010-01-21T22:24:00.001-08:00

Third Day of Closet Cleaning

Be prepared with the dust masks because today you pull down what is on the shelves of closet number one and the dust is going to fly. Have an old rag handy sprayed with my diluted CleanEz or your all purpose cleaner. Start with the top most shelf then the next shelf down. As you remove boxes, clean the lids, sides and wipe down the shelf. People tend to wipe down shelves after they have been completely cleared. Stop that. All you achieve is to scatter the dust on that shelf to your clothing or the floor. Who wants dust mites on their clothes? Hopefully not you. Wipe off the shelves.

Go through these boxes and take to Goodwill what is no longer useful and toss anything that can't be taken to Goodwill. If any of your closets contain used computer equipment take that equipment to a company in your area who recycles computers. Many communities have them now. Just make sure your computer has been totally erased. Replace the boxes and move to the next shelf if you have two shelves in the closet.

2010-01-19T22:01:00.001-08:00

CLOSETS CLEANING CONTINUED

Today your goal is to go through the second closet and remove little used clothing. Yes it seems like I'm bouncing around but if you have picked up the clutter on the floor chances are a good part of that clutter is clothing. Thanks to New York City Mold removal for pointing out in their post that clearing out unusedcloset items makes room for the clutter you just picked up.

It may seem a bit strange that I'm not having you go through one closet at a time to thoroughly clean it. There is nothing that motivates me more than to walk into any room of a home and see progress. It's easy to visualize the overall picture of how your home will sparkle when we complete our year of duty if you see progress in every room. Besides if you focus on just your bedroom closet, the kids are going to whine when you get them started on theirs if they have to work on them every day. This way they have a few days break between their bedroom chores making cooperation a bit easier to gain. Yes I know the kid's rooms should be their private space. So give them the choice of them doing it all by themselves or having your help. The excess goes and the clutter gets picked up. Period.

2010-01-18T21:18:00.001-08:00

Clean the Closet

A clean home doesn't happen haphazardly. There is a method to cleaning and that means starting at the back of rooms and cleaning your way out the door. What good does it do to clean a bedroom then tackling the closet later. You end up pulling the dirt from the closet onto your clean bedroom floor and scattering dust and dirt everywhere.

So today you get to go through all those old boxes and clothes you haven't worn for the last 5 years and give them to Goodwill or hand them down. Remember if you have fine clothing they could be tomorrow's antique. Eye what you give away carefully. It's going to take a couple of hours per closet to get them thoroughly cleaned out so we'll do this a step at a time. After we do the first closet I'll post small notes like I did on clutter cleanup days to give you time to plow through all your bedroom closets. We'll do hall and pantry closets later. So for today, rummage through your clothes that are hanging up and pull out the discards.

Remember to pick up a copy of my book "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Cleaning" to learn my Precision Cleaning tips and to have access to the best stain removal guide ever. My book is your guide to becomming a Mary Moppins greener cleaner.

2010-01-17T20:07:00.001-08:00

Air Freshener Warnings

Do you have the clutter under control? I have a confession to make. Although the rest of my home is tidy, my home office looks like - well you really don't want to know do you? The guilt started setting in as I typed my first three messages of our year long love affair for a totally clean home. After only a couple hours sweating, papers are filed, old books taken to Goodwill and my desk saw daylight for the first time in two years. Hey, I even fixed part of my bookcase that had broken.

As I was tossing things out I ran across an air freshener I used once for a seminar presentation. Folks kick the air freshener habit and get rid of those toxic things. Most of them work in one of two ways. They either numb your sinuses so you can no longer smell odors or they cover odors with toxic fragrances. Either way they are not healthy and probably causing a multitude of health issues. Switch to an enzyme based air freshener like Pure Ayre. Better yet sprinkle just a little cinnamon in your carpet and open the window.

Tomorrow we start tackling projects like closets so if your clothes are strung around the bedroom - get moving!

2010-01-15T18:04:00.001-08:00

Pillows and Sinus Problems

Time for confessions. How many of you have cleared the clutter out of at least 2 rooms and hopefully 3 to 4? Not even started yet? Even after I talked about the health issues including sinus problems caused by dust mites, mold and mildew? You have today and tomorrow to get that clutter out of your home. After that we start other heavy duty cleaning jobs. This is a full year of a boot camp cleaning regime and at the end you will have one clean home.

Speaking of sinus congestions - are you suffering from a stuffy nose or headaches? Try switching pillows. It wasn't until I went to the Midwest to care for my parents for a month and a half this past fall that I realized my pillow was causing severe sinus congestion. I was gone long enough that my sinuses cleared up. After I was intentionally hit head on 7 years ago, I bought one of those latex foam pillows with the high bumps that supposedly supports your neck. Either the latex foam caused the sinus problems or the height of the pillow was pushing my neck into such a contorted position that my sinuses could not properly drain at night. It was probably a combination of the two. I switched pillows and my sinus problems vanished. Before you consume any more sinus medication, take a serious look at your pillow. If it's older, then dust mites might be the culprit. People are allergic to latex so that might be your problem or it could be that the pillow has your neck out of whack. Switch pillows for a month and see what happens.

See you tomorrow!

2010-01-14T17:25:00.001-08:00

Why Clutter Control?

When was the last time you were around a two year old? Mommy why does a cat meow? Why do we have toes on our feet? After my first post yesterday you may want to ask why you have to clean up the clutter.

My purpose in spending the next 5 or 6 days pumping you full of information like this is to give you time to get the rest of the clutter picked up in each room of your home. If I continue to give you cleaning projects each day, you won't have time to pick up the rest of your home so you'll end up quitting my 365 day regime to become a Mary Moppins greener cleaner. I like success stories and you are going to be one of them. So here's the down and dirty of clutter.

Clutter is not just unsightly but it's a breeding ground for dust mites. Ever wonder why you get headaches or a stuffy nose at home? Clutter could be your culprit. Mold and mildew also love growing in dark damp places like under clutter. And you wonder why your carpet smells. Sniff no further for the answer. Now why are you sitting at your computer instead of clearing out a room? Get moving!

2010-01-13T16:48:00.001-08:00

Greener Cleaner Home

My first post of the year promised daily short tips on turning you into one mean, green, speed cleaning machine. Okay so that was 13 days ago and I'm just getting started on my New Years resolution. I ended up Jan 2nd on a long road trip to do a trade show and typically got behind in my postings. Does that sound familiar? You meant to get the kitchen cleaned up and you ended up sidetracked by other matters? So am I forgiven? No? Well hang on because you are in for 365 days of pure cleaning mania.

Day one: So we all get sidetracked - get over it and I mean that literally. Learn to stay focused. For the next 20 minutes your goal is to stay focused on just this one task. Grab a large box or three if the boxes are small. Trash bags will do but boxes are faster to stuff so you can pick up clutter faster. Set the timer for 20 minutes and go pick up the clutter in the most cluttered room in your home.

Keep a fast pace. Working quickly is good for your heart and doubles the amount of clutter you pick up. Fudging, whining and stopping to read a magazine or watch TV is not allowed. Cram all the clutter you can into that box during the first 15 minutes. The last 5 minutes you will put away, give away or toss everything in that box. You must use the full 20 minutes.The idea is to establish the habit of tackling one chore for a set period of time. If one room only takes you 8 minutes then go to the next room. The important step here is to stay focused for the full 20 minutes.

See you tomorrow - I need to go pick up the clutter I left in the garage after getting home from this trade show.

If you are just beginning to read this series please see my post of Feb 3rd.

2010-01-01T19:08:00.001-08:00

SIX STEPS FOR AFTER HOLIDAY CLEANUP

This year I have vowed to post a short blog each day to help you organize and do little daily tasks to keep you ahead of harder cleaning jobs. And you'll learn easy ways to gently on Mother Earth. Toss in a few tidbits about improving your health and you have your New Years resolutions written for you. Not only am I going to post every day on my blog but I've resolved to get the rest of my articles posted on my website by the end of Feb. So stay tuned.

Okay so what does all this have to do with a bad case of post holiday cleanup blues? Well I never was a great fan of blues music give me Salsa and make mine hot. So put on some spicy music and let's get the decorations down and the dust bunnies tamed.

When you take down your Christmas tree surround it with plenty of plastic or old sheets. Most trees are cut so early they have to be spray painted to keep the color green. Unless you are Irish or like green, cover your flooring or the dye from these trees could stain.

Here are six quick tips for post holiday clean-up:

1) Stay focused distractions double your work time. You have my permission to let the phone ring. And leave the cup of coffee as a treat for finishing the job.

2) Set a goal. If you know it takes an hour to dismantle the decorations in the living room, set your timer for 50 minutes and go.

3) Keep your cleaning tote tray with a diluted bottle of all purpose cleaner - you'll find a good one on my website at www.goclean.com and a terry towel near you. Don't forget the trash bag. Then when you come across a missed stain or an unexpected mess you are ready, without wasting time running to the garage for your cleaner or to dispose of trash. Eliminate trips.

4) Work a room left to right and top to bottom. Tackling a room haphazard wastes time. Any accumulated dust from wall decorations or pictures tumbles downward. So remove decorations and dust top to bottom. The one exception is the tree. It has first place on your to do list.

5) Yes dust and vacuum at the same time you take down decorations. Tuck a 100% cotton towel like a baby diaper dusting cloth into your back pocket. Spray it with a wood care product and you have a fast easy way to dust your furniture. Got glass? Then spray a lint free towel with our Benya and tuck it into your other back pocket to quickly clean any glass you come across.

6) Get the entire family involved. I'm a huge stickler for insisting the kids help. Even 2 and 3 year olds can put away decorations and help pick up trash. As a grandparent I don't hesitate to hand my 5 year old granddaughter a dusting cloth and ask her to dust the living room or put the broom handle in the grasp of my 3 year old grandson and show him how to do the kitchen floor. He turns it into a galloping horse but the floor still gets swept.

2009-12-31T07:34:00.001-08:00

Cool Tools Post

Many thanks to Katie Bretsch for her post about my mop on the wonderful website Cool Tools. You can read her review here. http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/004132.php

2009-12-09T12:35:00.000-08:00

Cut Heating Bills

The cold weather found me picking up the phone to get an idea of prices for the newer energy saving windows. The furnace was running continuously even set at 67. The temperature dropped to 9 degrees and I was shivering against the cold draft coming through the windows. The cost of new windows is just not affordable right now and besides they can't be installed in the Artic climate that hit our area.

Super insulator: Knowing cardboard is a a super insulator and having an abundance of it in my attic for shipping purpose, it took about 30 mintues at no cost to cover the windows. The temperature in the rooms immediately rose 5 degrees ane the funace quieted it's motor for the first time in a month.

It looks like I'm living in an igloo in the far northern stretches of Alaska and the cardboard is not my favorite cjhoice for window covering, but it's working. I'm warmer, my wallet will thank me and Mother Earth is smiling with the additional energy savings. If you live in a cold area and need some extra winter warmth, head out to find large sheets of the heavier weight cardboard and tuck those behind your blinds in the windows. Large shipping boxes from stores like U-Haul are ideal. They are heavier and one box, cut in half length-wise covers most of a window or sliding glass door.

Do the kids need something to keep their fingers busy since they house bound from this recent snow storm? Grab the crayons and let them have a ball coloring or making up their own board games on the large sheets of cardboard.

This article may only be copied giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website Mary Moppins at www.goclean.com. Copyright @2009

2009-12-04T11:04:00.000-08:00

BEAT THE FLU

Beat the flu season this year by using some of the wisdom from our grandmothers. Here are a few ideas to help you avoid and prevent colds and flu. First need I remind you to wash your hands and face as soon as you return home? It's the #1 way to prevent illness. If you are out with people who are ill, wash your hands before you leave the building or carry hand sanitizer in your car. Do not touch your face and keep your fingers out of your nose. Your nose contains staff germs that are easily spread to other parts of your body.

Here are some handy tips from my acupuncturist:

*Head to the health food store for a container of sea salt. Sea salt contains valuable earth minerals often lacking from our diets. Those minerals promote wellness in your body year round. Warm some water and stir in a fourth teaspoon of sea salt. Gargle three times a week swallowing some of the water. Warm salt water washes virus down to your stomach where the virus cannot live. Gargle 3 to 4 times a day at the beginning of the onset of the flu or cold.

*Use a Q-Tip dipped in the warm salt water and swab your nostrils. This removes any virus that may be waiting to attack.

*Blow your nose heartily once a day to remove virus and mucus that harbor germs.

*Do not drink cold orange juice to get rid of colds and flu. In fact don't drink cold anything when you feel a cold or flu attacking. Drink warm liquids only to flush the virus out of your throat.

*A question was asked at one of our Chamber of Commerce meetings as to why flu was more prevelant during the winter months and not in the summer. A naturopath said it is because we are not in the sun everyday absorbing Vitamin D. He recommended taking additional Vitamin D every day to continue nature's natural resistence. Do be careful not to overdoes with Vit. D. It can have negative health issues. Check with your doctor of course.

Diet: *This is from Mary: Raise the alkaline level of your body. Sorry but give up the sugar, wheat, non-organic dairy, beef and processed foods. They are all acidic foods and are linked to various cancers and other serious ailments including celaic sprue if you eat wheat bread. Feeling sluggish or you just don't feel good most of the time? Give up wheat products for a month. I have a feeling you will notice a big difference.

Virus, including most cancer viruses, cannot live in an alkaline body. Eat lots of fresh fruit and veggies including a salad every day with dark greens. Stick with apples, prunes, and purple, orange and red fruits and veggies. Fresh fruits and veggies contain enzymes, which help with digestion and the natural elimination of bad bacteria.

This article may only be reprinted giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website www.goclean.com copyright @2009 worldwide

2009-12-02T12:49:00.001-08:00

FRESH LOOK ON MARY MOPPINS

I'm finally back from caring for my folks so please forgive the long absence of blogs. My father took quite ill and I needed to care for my parents. Of course the leaves were falling, the house needed a thorough "Mary Cleaning" and my company business was put aside to care for my parents. I totally treasured the time I spent with them and now it's time to get back to business.

Yea my new website is finally up and running. Have you been there yet? No? Then go take a look at www.goclean.com. I have several new additions to my cleaning tips many of which I'm still writing and yes behind in getting them written as well. There is a community room where you can view my new videos, connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and Plaxo. I have a search page up at the top for an easy way to find your favorite product. My "site" page is up and will direct you immediately to the information you need to find.

Holiday Cleaning Tips: Last year I posted several holiday cleaning guides on this blog so I won't repeat an otherwise excellent cleaning reference for the holidays. From the archives selections at the right side, click on 2008 and scroll down to Tuesday November 11. That is an article on preventing house fires. Then keep going upwards for my holiday cleaning tips guides. This is the 10 days of cleaning I did last year. People constantly ask me for a cleaning guide this time of year. Or sometimes they just need a Mary Findley refresher course.

Be sure to pick up my book "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Cleaning" from either me or a bookstore for the complete lowdown on Green Cleaning and a complete stain removal guide that will get you through the holidays with ease and speed. These books make wonderful gifts for your kids and grandkids who are just getting out on their own or for those who just want the latest lowdown on efficient green cleaning.

Most important don't forget to email me from my website if you have any questions. I'm here to help.

2009-10-02T06:07:00.001-07:00

CLEANING BABY'S NURSERY

Toxic Chemicals: Always remember that the toxic effects of chemicals hit a baby or young child harder than they do adults because they are so small. Keeping a baby safe from the effects of toxic cleaners yet their room clean requires a bit of diligence and know how.

Disinfect: Babies put things in their mouths. Please make certain your baby's pacifiers, sippy cups, teething rings etc are not made in China as many of these products contain lead. Never disinfect baby items with bleach or standard disinfectants. Disinfectants other than food grade distilled white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are laden with toxic chemicals that cause far more serious ailments than the germs they supposedly kill.

Make sure your vinegar is food grade otherwise it is made from petroleum. Vinegar has been proven to kill more germs than bleach. To sanitize your baby's pacifiers, teething rings and sippy cup lids, soak them in a 50/50 solution of water to vinegar. Then wipe them down with hydrogen peroxide and rinse with water. Don't even think of outsmarting my system and mix the vinegar and peroxide together. The two mixed together neutralize the germ killing ability of the other.

Disinfect:Vinegar and peroxide are the best way to clean and disinfect baby's room and things like diaper pails. Wipe down surfaces with the vinegar solution followed by the peroxide. Always date your peroxide when you purchase it. Any peroxide more than six months old has deteriorated past its prime. Use old peroxide to remove spit up off baby's clothes or instead of bleach in your washer.

Essential Oil: When cleaning baby's room with the vinegar solution add a drop of Pine or Rosemary essential oil. They are excellent cleaners as well as deodorizers, disinfectants and antiseptics. When you purchase essential oils buy only organic, Therapeutic, cold-pressed oils. Make certain they don't contain filler oils and store the remaining bottle in the refrigerator in a closed container. For more information on essential oils and cleaning tips, grab a copy of my book "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Cleaning."

When washing baby's cloths and blankets, do not use fabric softeners or dryer sheets as the chemicals soak into their skin and cause irritations. Instead pour 2/3 of a cup of food grade distilled white vinegar into the cup dispenser for fabric softener. It's cheaper, works better and won't soak into the skin where it can build up and cause health issues later in life.

2009-08-05T17:34:00.001-07:00

Tough Kitchen Cleaning Jobs

My high hopes of having my website ready in July got dashed with the onset of a few glitches. Hopefully these will be resolved within the next 2 to 3 weeks. So stay tuned for specials.

Smelly Drains: Most of us ignore discussions of smelly drains like we avoid discussions of hemorrhoids. Hum that is a rather good analogy of smelly drains. You do need a bit of "Preparation" (leave off the H) so head thee to the grocery store for a cotton toilet bowl brush, a sink brush and bottle brush then to a pet store for a bottle of Nature's Miracle and my website for a bottle of CleanEz.

Clean the drain pipes: First empty the cabinet under the sink. I heard those groans, do it anyway. Get a bucket, one that doesn't leak, and stick it under the drain. Remove the pipe and clean it and the trap. Use the thinner bottle brush dipped in a quart of water adding a cap of CleanEz (CleanEz now carries the EPA seal and can't be beat for cleaning showers, toilets, counter tops and stains) and one-forth cup of food grade distilled white vinegar. Scrub the pipes as far as you can reach with the bottle brush. Replace the pipe and contents of the cabinet minus anything that has not been used for the last year. I thought you might like that new found storage space.

Odors in the disposal: Next take the sink brush and dip it in the CleanEz solution and sprinkle the brush with baking soda. Scrub the disposal. Dip the cotton toilet bowl brush in the Nature's Miracle and swab the sides of the disposal and let that set an hour or so. The enzymes in the Nature's Miracle will "eat" away the rest of the debris on the sides of the drain.

Pour half a cup of Nature's Miracle down each drain at night before you go to bed. The enzymes will "eat" any food debris that might clog your drains without adding to toxins that all too often are dumped down the drains. Then at the 1^st of every month clean the disposal as above (minus the under cabinet cleaning) and pour Nature's Miracle down the drain to prevent clogs. No it doesn't work for tree roots.

2009-06-22T18:01:00.001-07:00

Green Clean your Bathroom

Toilet bowl rings: Rid your toilet bowls of rings, rust and iron with our non-scratching Erase-It for Bathrooms. It's fast and will not scratch like pumice stones. Once your toilet is clean, treat it with Advantage, our waterless wash and protectant for vehicles. Advantage contains polymers, which make a surface slick. Nothing sticks to a slick surface. You will zip through bathroom toilets from now on.

Next turn the water off at the back of the toilet and flush to remove the water from your tank. Scrub the toilet good with straight distilled vinegar and a stiff bristle brush. This will kill and remove mold or mildew as well as clean the tank to discourage stains from attacking your toilet. Sponge the vinegar on the tank and let it set, wipe a second time 5 minutes later and start scrubbing.

Water Spots on Glass Shower Doors: There are two choices you have for removing water spots on glass shower doors and soap buildup on shower stalls. One is to boil some straight food grade distilled white vinegar and wipe it on every 5 minutes 20 to 30 minutes. Then scrub with baking soda and a non-abrasive scrub pad. The other is to use our TerraPlus that is on sale. Wipe it on, wait 5 to 8 minutes and scrub with the non-abrasive pad to remove. Neither can be used on marble, granite or Corian surfaces.

People ask me how to clean mold and mildew from the flexible grout around shower doors. You can't. It must be replaced. After removing the grout, clean the surface first then wipe on straight distilled white vinegar. Wait until it has dried then wipe on hydrogen peroxide make sure your bottle is fresh or it won't kill the mold and mildew. Do not combine these products to short cut this step. The two won't cause harmful fumes they just negate the effect each has to kill mold.

You can remove soap residue and mold and mildew from shower tile grout by using a Stain Eraser. It works like a pencil eraser to remove stains, mold and soap residue from grout in bathrooms, floors or counters.

Wax your shower doors: When you finish, treat your showers and glass shower doors with Advantage to make them slick. The water will sheet down rather than forming spots.

To remove ring around faucets you can gently rub them with the Stain Eraser or use a paper towel dampened with straight distilled vinegar. Place the towel around the faucet for an hour then scrub with a stiff bristled toothbrush. This cannot be done with gold, brass or gold or brass plated faucets or the vinegar will tarnish the plating. Use Brazzo found in the grocery store to clean these faucets. Always wipe them dry to prevent discoloration.

2009-05-07T14:43:00.001-07:00

GREEN CLEAN YOUR LAWN

Let's take a look at green, healthy alternatives to cleaning up around the outside of your home. This next series of posts focuses on earth friendly alternatives to caring for your lawn and around the outside of your home.

Broadleaf weeds Dandelion leaves are yummy so cut them off and toss them in your salad. Then mix a solution of 50/50 water and food grade distilled white vinegar. Dig the root down about an inch from the top of the soil and pour about a tablespoon or two of the mixture top of the root. Don't water it in. Within a week the root will be dead then flush thoroughly. Add a bit of soil and grass seed if necessary.

Conserve water and use a push broom (health allowing) to clean your driveway and sidewalks. Pushing a broom is a great upper body workout and takes less time than hosing. If your health doesn't allow this kind of work, hire a neighhood child.

2009-04-14T20:04:00.000-07:00

Earth Day Cleaning Tips

Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22. My last post on the 10th of April showed you some neat tricks with vinegar. Let's keep going and see what we can do to reduce the toxins in your life and improve the health of Mother Earth. I told a friend today that I felt Mother Earth was not going to be able to handle much more of the toxic habits of we two leggeds. She said "Oh no Mary, the Earth will live through this. She has been revolting against this attack for several years. The massive destruction from tornadoes, hurricanes and flooding has wiped out town after town. We are the ones who will not survive. She will remain forever." Thank you Barbara for wise words.

First of all be sure to read my last post on Sodium Laurel Sulfate. It's very important.

So let's celebrate Earth Day in ways that will benefit both you and Mother Earth. Here are a few ways you can help:

1) Stop using anything disposable. These use them once and toss them leave tons of carbon footprints. A tree looses a limb to make the box in which it comes. Toxic ink is applied to the box. It takes fossil fuel to cart the box from the box manufacturer and the ink from the ink manufacturer. It requires considerable resources to manufacture the machinery to makes the ink and the box. Then it takes more fossil fuel to cart the box from the factory to the distribution center and again from the distribution center to the store. The stoage at each facility requires electricty and gas to power the fork lifts to haul them around the warehouse and load them onto trucks. All for what? One wipe and you toss it?

Use hand towels that aren't being used in the bathroom anymore to clean. Old white cotton t-shirts make great dusting cloths. If you don't have any of these items head to Goodwill for very inexpensive and recycled towels. If you do any sewing cut bath towels that aren't being used anymore into thirds, hem them and use those for rags.

2) Don't use air fresheners and that includes sprays, plug ins and the air freshener candles that are burned. Most of them are highly toxic and actually numb your nose so you can't smell the offending odor. If you like the fresh scent, purchase your favorite scent as an organic essential oil and a carrier oil like almond oil. Follow mixing directions - essentials oils should never be used full strength so mix the two and put just a drop on the leaf of a plant or boil it in water on the stove. Tuck a cinnamon stick into the dirt of a plant or place some sage leaves or lavender leaves in the base of the plant.

3) Kick your shoes off when you first come into your home. The dirt you leave at the door will extend the life of your carpet and hard floor surfaces by a decade or more. Flooring is the most toxic product in our landfills today due to the glues, stain retardents, fire retardents and sealants used to make them.

4) Cut your driving speed by 5 mph and save half a gallon of gas per tankfull. If you are filling up each week as most people do that is saving 26 gallons of gas a year. Now let's do a bit of math shall we? There are nearly 251 million registered vehicles in the United States. With each one saving 26 gallons of gas a year that is 6 trillion 526 million gallons of gas a year that is saved. Now can you imagine the savings when you start carpooling the kids or combining trips to the store?

2009-04-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

USES for VINEGAR

I see lists for "101 ways to use vinegar" and even complete books dedicated to the remarkable abilities of such a simple earth friendly product.

WARNING: Always buy food grade distilled white vinegar otherwise the vinegar might be made from petroleum, which is not healthy to use. I have even seen vinegar listed as being safe for pickling. Folks that does not mean it is food grade distilled vinegar. Vinegar is not expensive. You can get a gallon of it for around $3.50 so get the good stuff and stick with Heintz. No I don't own stock but I as much as I promote the company I may buy shares.

1) I love vinegar for killing broad leaf weeds in the yard. Pour it directly on top of the center of the weed and don't worry about watering it in. The plant will die within a few days. Pull it up then water the spot thoroughly so you can replant grass seed without the vinegar killing the grass seed. Use fish meal for fertilizer in your yard and garden. I compost my veggie scraps and mix some of that into the soil around my plants every spring along with fish bone meal. Boy do they love the TLC.

2) Pour a cup of vinegar into your toilets once a month before bed to prevent ring around the toilet.

3) if you have a hard water ring around the sink drain, pull the plug and pour in 1/4 cup vinegar and let it set several hours then scrub with baking soda. The vinegar is a mild acid and when it comes into contact with the alakline of hard water the two bring each other back to a neutral PH balance so the stains are easy to remove.

4) Use vinegar in your washing machine. I add 1/2 cup to the wash water, which boost the cleaning ability of my organic laundry powder so I use about half the amount of powder. Then I soak an old dish cloth with 1/3 cup of vinegar and toss it into the dryer. Wow talk about an effect earth friendly dryer sheet. Throw away the toxic dryer sheets and liuqid fabric softeners. You don't need them.

5) Vinegar is also a good cleaner. Add just a bit to your concentrated all purpose cleaner like my CleanEz when you dilute it for use. You only need half as much cleaner.

6) Oh is it wonderful as a toilet bowl cleaner. Spray it in the toilet, sprinkle in a bit of baking soda and you clean the toilet the earth friendly way on about 2 cents. Geez does this mean I finally got my 2 cents in after all these years?

2009-04-09T06:39:00.001-07:00

DANGERS OF SODIUM LAUREL SULPHATE

Now that you are in the middle of spring cleaning don't stop decluttering until you have switched out your personal care products and dispose of anything containing soduim laurel sulphate (SLS for short). It's an agent that makes product foam. Products like hair shampoo, liquid dish soap, cleaners, bar soap, hand lotion and even soft swirl ice cream. SLS pulls the petrochemicals out of the plastic bottle it's stored in and can the combination chemical change can turn into sodium dioxin, one of the most toxic chemicals known to man. Sodium dioxin has been linked to a long list of health issues including cancer. To check the toxicity of your personal care products go to www.cosmeticsdatabase.com and click on "What's in your products." You'll be shocked the toxic levels of the products that absorb into your body everyday.

For a greener tomorrow read my new book "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Cleaning."

2009-03-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

A Look at Carbon Footprints

What are Carbon Footprints? No doubt you are hearing more about this thing called carbon footprints. What is it and what part can you take to reduce your footprints?

Carbon footprints have been defined as "the total set of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product" (UK Carbon Trust 2008). It is the effect human activity has on the climate. It includes things like fumes emitted from your vehicle, emissions from factories, or the application of fertilizers and pesticides.

Here are ways you can reduce your footprints and walk gently on Mother Earth. The steps you take to reduce and reuse will affect global greenhouse gas. You will also reap the cost savings and improved health.

1) Stop spraying anything in the air. Even inside your home, fumes from sprays seep outside adding to greenhouse gasses. Sprays linger inside your home for two to three days. You breathe those fumes adding to the bio-accumulation of toxins in your body. Don't use sprays.

2) Buy used items. Your recycling center can teach you how to make tables from solid doors; repaint cabinets rather than buy new and refinish sinks and tubs. I find great bargains at second hand stores for furniture, clothing and such. Used furnishings have off gassed the fumes from adhesives, paints and finishes so they are no longer toxic to your body. When you paint or refinish, use only eco friendly products.

3) Car pool the kids, combine errands, bike or take the bus to reduce emissions and save gas. Reduce driving speed 5 MPH to boost your gas mileage by one-half mile per gallon. Accelerate slowly and use my FiltaKleen for another 2 to 3 MPG for a total of 3 to 4 additional miles per gallon. All of these save you $400 to $500 a year. FiltsKleen is only $44 a bottle and treats 1200 gallons of fuel. My mops save you another $400 during their life span. Both combine for a savings of nearly $1000 for only $74 cost.

4) Always wait 30 days before buying anything that isn't immediately necessary. Resist impulse purchases at the stores and don't grocery shop hungry. You will be pleased with the amount of money you save. Mother Earth will love you as well. Take reusable bags with you when you shop.

5) Before you buy anything new always do an online search for an eco-friendly alternative. Type something like "eco-friendly bedding" into your browser.

Join other like-minded folks in your community to spread the word on sustainable living. The green spirit is growing!

2009-02-24T16:03:00.001-08:00

SPRING CLEANING TIPS CONTINUED

If you have read this blog or taken my newsletter for very long, you know I ignore the subject of cleaning glass chandeliers on tall ceilings. Those darn things stumped me the entire 12 years I professionally cleaned homes. The best I found was to pull a clean, white tube sock over an extendable handle lambswool duster. Spray the sock with our Benya or your streak free window cleaner. Work carefully over the top and inside of the glass.

2009-02-19T15:51:00.001-08:00

Spring Cleaning Continued

Here is a continuing spring cleaning to-do list to put a spakle back in your home after a long winter. I'll post a new one each day for 3 or 4 days. Please read my posts below this one for more.

While you have the ladder out to change the batteries in your Co2 and fire alarms take time to clean ceiling fans and light fixtures. Most people use a bendable duster to remove the surface dust from ceiling fan blades. Twice a year give them a thorough cleaning with a good wood cleaner and conditioner. Be sure to use a wood treatment like our Wood Care that does not contain harmful petroleum distillates. Wood Care even covers scratches, most water marks and cabinets that have dulled from the steam in bathrooms. Keeping fan blades clean means the motor doesn't work as hard and lasts longer.

2009-01-30T10:57:00.001-08:00

The FAST WAY TO CLEAN BLINDS

If you have read any of my blogs or take my newsletter you know how I promote preventive cleaning. Preventive cleaning is even more important today with the economy in such turmoil. If dirt is allowed to build, it means replaceing an item sooner, which is costly to you and our Mother Earth. Walk gently and clean proficiently.

When I was professionally cleaning homes, some blinds had dirt buildup so bad you could write your name in bold letters. Yet 5 minutes a month per blind and the problem is prevented.

Wood, metal and vinyl blinds can be safely cleaned with 2 tablespoons of food based distilled white vinegar per quart of water. Lightly dampen a lint free cloth like an old cotten t-shirt or one of our baby diaper cleaning cloths.

Turn the slats downward so the main part of the blind faces you. Start at the top and wipe them down. Reverse the slats, pull the blind out and walk around behind the blind. Repeat from the backside. If your blinds have heavy dirt buildup then use an all purpose cleaner like our CleanEz. Take the blinds outside and hang them from two nails pounded into the back side of your home. Make sure they are up high enough so the blinds clear the ground and wide enough apart to keep the blinds balanced.

Turn the slats so they face downward. Begin at the bottom and spray the cleaner on your blinds working your way to the top. Rinse them with a sponge then dry and reverse the slats. Repeat from the back. Then rinse, dry and rehang the blinds. Do not use this method with wood blinds. Contact the manufacturer for proper cleaning procedures.

2009-01-28T10:01:00.001-08:00

SPRING CLEANING AT ITS EASIEST

Green, spring cleaning. If you have been a regular reader of my blog, you have freed your home of toxic chemicals and beauty products right? RIGHT? If not scroll down and find where I give you suggestions on what rooms to scavange for toxins and how to spot them. Please for your sake, take this small step to improve your health, that of your family and our Mother Earth. Together our small actions speak volumes.

This next series starts tackling the smaller spring cleaning jobs. No you may not ignore cleaning the tough stuff I talked about in my last several blogs.

First step) While you have the ladder out to change the batteries in your Co2 and fire alarm take that time to thoroughly clean ceiling fans and light fixtures. Most people use some kind of bendable duster to remove the surface dust from ceiling fan blades. That works well but once or twice a year you must wipe them down with a good wood cleaner and conditioner. If you are looking for a completely natural yet effective wood cleaing and conditioning product then take a look at our Wood Care. It even covers scratches, most water marks and cabinets that have dulled from the steam in bathrooms.

How long has it been since you removed the base of the fan and thoroughly cleaned the motor housing? This one measure -It only takes minutes - adds years of life to your fan.

2009-01-26T08:28:00.001-08:00

SPRING CLEAN ALL YEAR ROUND

As you begin your spring cleaning keep in mind your goals of ridding your home of toxic chemicals. See my prior posts on how create an eco-friendly green home. Spring cleaning is not restricted to just the spring time. Creating good habits for a naturally clean home is a year round project. Remember the very first step to cleaning any room is to get rid of the clutter. You will read this on every website and every article about cleaning.

My rule of thumb on clutter removal is "Never leave a room empty handed." Pick up something and take it with you then put it away. Next rule - never enter a room without putting something away. If the item belongs in the room - put it away even the small stuff. The small stuff quickly adds up when it comes to clutter.

2009-01-25T08:54:00.001-08:00

SPRING CLEANUP FINALE

Vacuum Your Drapes. There is nothing I dislike more than vacuuming drapery to remove the dust. To me, it is the worst waste of time invented, well almost. Grab a partner and remove the drapes. Put some plastic on the ground either out in the garage or outside if it is warm enough to be out there for 10 to 15 minutes. Please use common sense and don't do this with snow on the ground. Take the drapes outside or to the garage and shake them good. Wear a face mask because the dust does fly. Covering the ground with plastic protectes the drapes in case they take on a life of their own and go flying out of your hands.

2009-01-24T19:00:00.001-08:00

Project #5 for Spring Cleaning

When was the last time you vacuumed your mattresses? Don't remember? Guess what? It's time to tackle this yearly job. Repeat after me "I won't stop until I have the mattresses and all fabric furniture vacuumed." Dust mites in mattresses and pillows reigns as the #1 cause of morning sinus headaches. Take your pillows outside and shake them good, wash the mattress cover pad and vacuum the mattress.

Speaking of vacuuming your mattress - how often to you turn or flip it? You should do that every time you wash the sheets. Turn it one time and flip it the next. This way the mattress wears evenly and it will last you years longer.

2009-01-23T08:05:00.001-08:00

STEP FOUR FOR A GREEN SPRING CLEAN HOME

This next step to deep cleaning is actually superficial but must be done to keep dust mites at bay. All the magazines, books, CDs and DVDs hanging around the nooks and crannies of your home need your clean thumb as well. The dust that lingers on them deteriorates the covers and provides a wonderful hiding spot for dust mites. Dust mites are known for their allergy causing irritations as well as skin rashes and asthma attacks. Get out the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner then pull out all these books etc. Give them a good vacuuming. And yes clean the shelves while you have them pulled out. Yes this lightens the weight of the bookshelf or stereo cabinet so pull it out and clean behind and under it and you have two jobs accomplished!

2009-01-22T10:13:00.000-08:00

On The Third Day of Spring Cleaning my House Said to Me...

Please clean my baseboards. Okay so sometimes it takes a bit of humor to encourage us to tackle these unpopular chores. Hopefully you make humor a vital part of your everyday life. It is healing to the spirit and physically as well. Next up on the spring cleaning list is to pull all furniture away from the walls. Wipe down the walls and work your way along the baseboards cleaning them and the carpet as well. Use a barely damp towel or a "dry sponges" found at the pet stores and sometimes places like Bed Bath and Beyond. Remember any musty odor or visable mold or mildew in these hidden spots has an originating cause. Find it and take care of the moisture problem.

This is why I'm so adamant about deep cleaning. You spot potential trouble areas like water spots on walls, before the problem becomes severe. One of my customers wrote to ask me about gray splotches on her linoleum kitchen floor. I told her it was mold and to immediately find the source and repair the source of the water. By the time she finally followed my advice their floor had rotted so badly it was close to collapsing. Their main living area was on the second floor so the consequences of ignoring my advice nearly cost them their home. Their insurance would not have covered the damage since it was due to flooding. The dish washer was leaking and they were unaware of the problem.

2009-01-21T16:27:00.001-08:00

SPRING CLEANING #2

Here is the second of your spring cleaning chores to tackle. I find scheduling a certain day to tackle these deep cleaning chores works best for me. All other activities are planned so they don't interfere with "my" day. I stay focused, which means the chores are finished faster. Fast is good right?

If you agree then let's get started. When was the last time you pulled everything out of your closet to clean the floor and walls? This job is even more important if you live in an area with high humidity. Mold and mildew must be kept under control or you risk a whole home contamination. Green clean any mold by first using a 50/50 solution of food grade distilled white vinegar to water. Wait 30 minutes then follow with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Place a fan near the door of the closet, or room if you are treating your room for mold, and allow the fan to run for several hours to dry the carpet. Do not use a heater in these areas as heat encourages mold growth.

I used to be a fan of giving away anything in your closet that you haven't worn in the past 3 to 4 years. With the economy the way it is, I'm finding new combinations for my older clothes. A few are funky but fun. In Eugene funky fun is the norm so I'm having a ball mixing things up a bit. Any clothing you aren't going to way, definately give to Goodwill. Dust mites love to gather at the local unused clothing hut.

2009-01-20T11:58:00.001-08:00

A STEP AHEAD OF SPRING CLEANING

The next few posts are geared to get you ahead of regular spring cleaning jobs. These are the deep cleaning areas that need yearly attention. Yes the ones we all tend to ignore. Remember to do all your cleaning with organic green cleaners and tools. Be sure to read my website for my warnings about the use of microfiber. It is on the floor care section. http://www.goclean.com/floorcareguide.htm. This "environmentally" friendly cleaning cloth and mop has a nasty side.

Here is the first spring cleaning chore to tackle:

Trust me after cleaning homes for 12 years, I've figured out every possible trick to put off deep cleaning my home. Unless you like dust mites and the ailments that accompany them, get thyself geared up for the tough stuff.

First up - tackle the kitchen cabinets. Sorry I'm the President of the Procrastinator's Club and it's time to tackle this job. Don't try getting by with cleaning a few cabinets now with the promise you will finish them next weekend. When was the last time you finished one of these jobs after doing only half of it? Well, I didn't finish it either. Set aside the time and clean them all at once. Kids love to pull things out of cabinets so let them help. Older children can wipe down shelves.

Pull everything off one shelf then wipe it down. Toss anything if it's so old you don't remember when you bought it or it's past the expiration date. Discard cans with visible signs of rust, or bulging ends. Open your spice bottles. If you can't smell the spice, it's not going to flavor a thing. Keep the bottle, dump the contents then head to an organic store and buy bulk spices to refill the bottles. Bulk is far cheaper and organic herbs have a hefty flavor so you use less. I grow and dry all my own herbs. Their aroma and flavor is unsurpassed. Plant one sweet basil plant this spring and I promise you'll find space for a dozen herb plants next year.

When you finish the shelves, wipe down the doors with our Wood Care. It gives wood a luster and conditions it to prevent cracking. It even revives bathroom cabinets that have grayed from steamy showers plus it covers over scratches and water marks on furniture.

2008-12-17T15:11:00.001-08:00

Christmas Cleaning Days 8, 9 and 10

Here are days 8, 9 and 10 of your Holiday Cleaning schedule. Please remember to email me with any cleaning questions. Happy Holidays!

Day 8: Don't forget to clean the blinds.

Day 9: Clean and condition leather or vinyl furniture using our Leather Care. Our Wood Care puts life back into wood furniture or cabinets and removes water stains or light scratches.

Day 10. Remove soot from glass fireplace fronts, clean the bricks and the fireplace. Do you have enough kindling to get a fire started?

2008-12-14T16:59:00.001-08:00

Holiday Cleaning Days Five, Six and Seven

Here are your next 3 days of cleaning. Be sure to email me if you have any specific questions. My contact information is at the top of each of my websites. Don't forget to print out my stain removal guide. It comes in handy when those unexpected spills happen.

Day 5: If you have any kitchen appliances like a blender that are infrequently used now is the time to make sure they work properly. Clean them if needed. Check you stock of food storage bowls and freezer bags as well as your supply of candles if you use them. At the same time change your flashlight batteries, fire detectors and CO2 batteries and make sure you have soy free candles with lead free wicks close by in case the electricity goes out.

Day 6: Touch up guest rooms and freshen bedding by drying them on air dry for 10 minutes.

Day 7: Wash your holiday dinnerware and begin making extra ice if you have a large freezer.

2008-12-09T13:37:00.001-08:00

The Thrid and Fourth Days of Christmas Cleaning

Here are your assignments for days three and four of the Holiday season. Dig in, put on your favorite music and don't stop until the jobs are done. Remember if you stop in the middle of a project, even to answer the phone, it takes considerable time to work back up to speed - if you even finish the chore. Keep going then have that cup of hot tea - forgo the cocoa to avoid the extra pounds this year. Speaking of pounds, make a cherry crisp with Agave syrup rather than cherry pie and you save the artery clogging fat and the calories from the pie crust. Or just do a pumpin custard with lowfat condensed milk. Warm, homemade applesauce with no more than a teaspoon of sugar free whipping cream is another favorite. Substitute baked rice crackers for crackers or chips and give your heart a break.

Day 3: Deep clean the bathrooms. Use our EraseIt for Bathrooms to remove "ring around the toilet." Then treat the showers and toilets with Advantage. Advantage is my car protectant that protects with polymers. Polymers make a surface slick so water slides right off shower walls and glass shower doors. And it makes toilets slick so nothing sticks. Cleaning toilets after guests leave is so easy when nothing sticks. Advantage will lessen the damage water spots cause to showers as well.

P.S. This is the perfect time to use Advantage on your cars. It will make the surface slick and help protect your vehicle against the harsh winter that is quickly coming. Okay you folks snow birding down South can laugh at those of us stuck up north.

Day 4: Clean the refrigerator using our CleanEz and toss anything that has not been used in the last 3 months.

2008-12-07T19:27:00.001-08:00

The Ten Days of Christmas Cleaning

The Twelve Days of Christmas has been one of my all time favorite Christmas songs. Well I promise not to sing the Ten Days of Holiday Cleaning since my vocal cords need more polishing than my silver serving spoons. But here is a list of cleaning chores to help you get through the holidays with a bit more expediency. As always adapt this list to your own circumstance but it's a guideline. Today I'm featuring the first two days. I'll post one each day for the next eight days so come back every day for help with your cleaning schedule.

Remember before you put a tree or other plants like poinsettias on a floor, put clear plastic down first then a terry cloth towel, then the plant or tree and finish with a decorative skirt. I found a piece of discarded Corian that I now place on the floor first. Clear plastic goes on top of that followed by the white terry cloth towel, tree then the tree skirt. Don't use plywood as water soaks into the wood and it can still damage the floor.

Day 1: Polish your silver and wash any bowls or plates that must be done by hand.

Day 2: Launder table cloths and napkins. If you have lace cloths that have yellowed place them in the bathtub adding a forth cup of Borax and a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let them soak 30 minutes and rinse thoroughly in white distilled vinegar and water. See my website for a stain removal guide http://www.goclean.com/cleaning.htm. Click on Stain removal at the top.

2008-12-03T14:05:00.001-08:00

Safety Cautions for the Holidays from Underwriters Laboratories

Underwriters Laboratories sent me some holiday tips to safeguard your home not just during the holidays but year round.

1) "Make suree at least one smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm are instilled on each level of your home near sleeping areas."

2) "Turn off any electrical lights, decorations and space heaters before leaving home or going to bed."

3) "Keep flammable materials like bedding, wallpaper and curtains at least three feet from space heaters and other heat sources."

4) "Practive a fire escape plan with your loved ones. Every family member should know at least two ways to exit each room in the home."

5) "Place your tree in a sturdy stand and keep it filled with water."

6) "Inspect decorations for cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires or loose connections. These all pose fire or shock hazards."

7) "Position your tree 3 feet away from fireplaces or other heat sources and it doesn't block an exit."

8) "Connect no more than 3 miniature light strings together. Strings with large bulbs should have no more than 50 bulbs per string."

9) "Remember to 'Just Look For' the UL symbol when purchasing electrical products."

This is a suggestion from Mary Findley: Never leave your home or go to bed with the dryer running. Remove dryer lint after every load to prevent fires. Use a lambswool duster once a month to remove lint beneath the lint filter and clean out the corners of dryer doors where lint is trapped.

For more safety tips visit www.safetyathome.com

2008-11-25T17:47:00.001-08:00

Green Energy Savings Tips

for the Holidays

The Holidays are here along with cold weather and higher heating bills. Here are seven tips to help keep you fuel bills down.

1) Spend the extra $20 to $30 to buy a thermostat that can be set for various times. Going out shopping for the day or headed to work? Set the temperature to 60 degrees until a half-hour before you return. You save 7 to 9 hours of heating bills yet your home is toasty warm when you walk in the door.

2) Next set the thermostat for no higher than 67 during the day and 63 at night. Depending on where you live, it will save you between 15 and 17% on your heating bill.

3) Clean your light bulbs. Yes the dirtier they are the more energy they use.

4) If you have tall ceilings then a ceiling fan is a must. Turn it so the blades run clockwise during the summer and counterclockwise during the winter. Why have all that warm air hanging around your ceiling? Set it on low speed to conserve electricity.

5) When you need to replace your water heater, switch to the "on demand" water heaters. They consume far less space and only heat the water that is being used. That can be a whopping 10 to 20% fuel savings.

6) Leaving for the day? Keep shades pulled in bedrooms and windows at the back of your home to prevent heat loss. Leaving your shades closed on front windows is an open invitation for theives so open them when you leave for the day Close them from dusk to dawn however to keep the heat inside your home.

7) People love outdoor decorations for the holiday season. Consider cutting back this year to help conserve valuable energy. Put a timer on the lights so they turn off at 10 each night. Never leave lights on all night.

2008-11-11T20:26:00.001-08:00

Prevent Winter House Fires

Before the holiday season gets underway let's review and prevent the major ways house fires get started.

*Dryer lint: Now is the time to pull your dryer out from the wall and run a duster into the hose. Wash your lint screen and clean around the inside of the door as well. Always turn a dryer off when you leave home. More homes catch fire from this practice than by any other method. Lint catches on fire and if you are gone you will never hear the fire alarm. Do you have a fire alarm in your garage? Rarely do you find them in the garage or the attic. By the time the fire reaches an alarm inside your home it might be too late.

*Candles: There is not a holiday issue that goes by without my warning of candles. Please burn soy candles which emit very little smoke. Make sure your wicks do not contain lead as they let off poison when they burn. Keep all candles on a holder even if they are not lit. Never move a lit candle and keep them away from any flammable materials including walls, window sills and lamps. For your safety sake avoid the candles that burn by floating in oil and avoid gel candles as they have been known to explode. Never burn a candle where a cat, dog, pet or small child can bump into them.

*Fireplaces: Have you had your chimney or wood stove vents cleaned yet?

*Extension cords: Please check your extension cords. Look them over carefully for any frayed areas. Plug a hair dryer into the cord and let it run 5 or 6 minutes on the hottest setting. If the dryer plug is hot then replace your hair dryer. If the extension cord plug is hot replace the cord. It is usually wise to replace extension cords every 10 years or so just to keep on the safe side. Never use a cord that is kinked or frayed.

*Water heaters and furnaces never store flammable material near these areas. Be sure young children don't drop their plastic toys, pens, markers or crayons down into the furnace grate. Furnace heat can melt and catch these items on fire.

*Never set a portable heater on top of carpeting. Always set them on a large one inch thick piece of wood. Take extra caution if using a propane or oil heater inside the home. If an oil heater is faulty the carbon monoxide poisoning will silently kill you. Have them checked before using them for the winter.

*We all tend to over load circuits during the holidays. Always check the amount of voltage you plug into one circuit and that means checking the entire circuit. There are usual clusters of rooms on one circuit so don't be fooled into thinking that the voltage of the tree lights in the living room won't affect the floor heater voltage in the den. Never use more than one extension cord per circuit and unplug your cords at night.

Please conserve energy and turn off your outdoor lights after 11 PM. Timers are inexpensive and ideal for holiday lights.

*NEVER leave a room without turning off and unplugging appliances like hair dryers, electric shavers, curling irons, electric blankets or heating pads and tree lights.

2008-10-22T14:33:00.001-07:00

Anti-bacterial Soaps and Cleaners

Stop before you leap onto the antibacterial soap band wagon. First of all, most germs only live an hour or so on most surfaces. Definitely wash your hands after using the restroom or wash frequently if someone in your home is ill. Just don't use antibacterial soaps. Why? Because the chemicals used to kill the germs are more toxic to your body than the germs. Many of them have been linked to cancer.

Remember a dime size patch of skin contains millions of cells. Those cells absorb everything you put on your body where it hitches a ride throughout your body courtesy of your blood cells. Thus antibacterial soaps likewise absorb into your body through those cells. Once inside they continue to do their job of killing bacteria both good and bad. Our bodies need the balance of good and bad bacteria to stay healthy. Killing them throws your body off balance and could lead to serious illness.

The same holds true for using antibacterial cleaners on surfaces. If a surface has come into contact with raw food like egg, meat, or milk then it should be disinfected. Disinfect it first with 3% hydrogen peroxide then a 50/50 solution of water to vinegar. This combo is far more effective than bleach and it certainly won't destroy your health like chlorine. Other than that disinfecting a surface on a regular basis actually introduces more harmful toxins into your home than the germs. Stop to think a minute - how did the germs get onto your floor? Probably from you walking on them - right? Do you disinfect your feet? No? Then why do you need disinfectants on your floors?

This article may only be reprinted giving credit to Mary Findley and her website at www.goclean.com. Copyright @2008 worldwide.

2008-10-14T10:47:00.000-07:00

Remove Soda Can Mars

Soda cans that bump into the walls or doors of a refrigerator leave ugly grey mars. Remove them by using a dab of toothpaste or by making a paste of *organic liquid dish soap and baking soda. Scrub gently and rinse with warm water. Next clean the entire shelf and dry thoroughly. Cut a strip of clear, self-adhesive plastic shelf paper wide enough to cover the bottom of the shelf and put it on the shelf. Then cut another strip 2 inches wide and the length of the door or wall of your refrigerator depending on where you store the cans. Press it into place at the same height as the can to prevent wall mars.

*Regular dish soap works just fine. I cannot encourage you enough to toss your toxic chemicals and switch to soaps that are approved by the EPA or carry the Green Seal of Approval. They are safer for our environment and your health.

This article may only be reprinted by giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website at www.goclean.com. Rights reserved worldwide. copyright @2008.

2008-10-10T16:38:00.001-07:00

Ten Steps to Take Now to Winterize Your Home

Now is the time to prepare for the cold months ahead. Here is a short "to do" reminder list.

1. Clean your fireplace. Soot-filled chimneys are a fire that will happen. A professional cleaning is recommended.

2. Wash and wax your vehicles especailly if you live in snowy areas.

3. Clean and winterize lawn mowers, chain saws or any other equipment that uses gasoline. Never store gas near heat.

4. Wash all bedding including blankets. Vacuum mattresses and spray for dust mites if you live in humid areas. See the prior post on how to use geranium oil as a natural bug deterent.

5. Remove drapes with the help of your partner or a friend and take them outside and shake the dust out of them.

6. Clean your dryer vents and hoses. Have your air ducts professionally cleaned as well.

7. Kill any mold yet growing on sidewalks and driveways. These areas get extra slick with frost and snow.

8. Stock up on healthy snacks, candles and emergency supplies in case of an electrical outage from a snow or ice storm.

9. Trim any dead branches from trees and sweep your roof especially if you have a fireplace and

10. Go out for a final hike in the woods to enjoy the autumn colors.

2008-10-09T09:58:00.001-07:00

GO GREEN - REMOVE THE CLUTTER

"Declutter your home." "Get rid of anything you aren't using." Every article you read on cleaning your homes shouts "Declutter." Why? Clutter is another main element that elevates the toxicity of your home. Clutter encourages moisture, upon which mold, mildew, and dust mites grow. What an ideal time right now to declutter your home, before the hectic holiday season starts. After you declutter your home, spray your carpeting and upholstered furniture with 1/3 cup distilled white vinegar in a quart of distilled water. Vinegar helps kill mold and mildew and has been known to discourage dust mites. Add 2 to 3 drops of geranium essential oil to the mixture. Geranium oil kills fleas and bugs like dust mites. Make sure your essential oils are organic and processed by a reputable company. Inexpensive oils may contain petroleum distillates or other toxic additives.

This article may only be reprinted by giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website at www.goclean.com. Rights reserved worldwide. copyright @2008.

2008-08-29T14:31:00.001-07:00

Tackle the Bathroom

Next up on my Go Green list of rooms to tackle is the bathroom. Flip over your bottle of hair shampoo, rinse, soap, toothpaste, lotions and anything else you have tucked in the cabinet that cleans or conditions. Did you read "sodium laurel sulfate" on most of the bottles? SLS, for short, turns into dioxide after leaching out the chemicals used to make plastic bottles. Dioxide is now classified as one of the most toxic products known to man. You should recognize its more well known name "Agent Orange." Yes you are shampooing your hair, washing your body, brushing your teeth and lathering on lotions with Agent Orange.

Next out the door is your deordorant, most of which contain aluminum. Women, you apply aluminum right on top of your breasts and it does soak through your skin. Aluminum is a known carcinogen and contributes to breast cancer in both men and women. To check the ratings on the personal care products you use, go to Skin Deep at http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1. Type in the name of your product for a rating from 1 - 10. If your product is above a 2 it's time to switch to a healthy alternative. Beware though, even cosmetics labeled as "Organic" may contain toxic chemicals. Research before you purchase organic products to make sure your personal care products are safe.

This article may only be duplicated by giving full credit to Mary Findley, owner of Mary Moppins www.goclean.com copyright @ 2008.

2008-08-25T16:58:00.000-07:00

Your Lean, Green Home

Going green means making changes in the products you buy and how you clean your home. Some folks freeze when it comes to making any changes in their life. Afterall change can be scary to some people. Whether you decide to go green and rid your home of toxic chemicals and save your health and our Mother Earth, is your choice. I'm here only as a guide along "The Green Brick Road." What I can tell you is that "Oz" awaits at the end of your journey.

Tackle one room at a time.

It is far easier to tackle one room at a time but don't dwaddle between rooms. The sooner you rid your life of toxins, the sooner your health will improve. Start in the kitchen by switching automatic dish washing detergents to an organic product. Look for the Green Seal of Approval or other affirmations that the contents have been validated as being eco-friendly. Rinse dishes thoroughly before loading the dish washer. Then even if your detergent is a bit on the weak side, your dishes will come wonderfully clean.

Next switch out your liquid dish soap. Rid your life of all products containing sodium laurel sulfate as you read in the last post. If you keep an all purpose cleaner under your sink for those quick cleaning jobs, then head thee to the health food store for a bottle of organic all purpose cleaner or try Mary Moppins CleanEz.

Baking soda and baking powder both work as healthy alternative scrubbing compounds. Boil a bit of distilled white vinegar, add a drop of CleanEz or liquid dish soap and enough baking soda to make a paste and you will be amazed at the scrubbing power when those products join forces.

Then start replacing your plastic storage containers and bowls with ceramic or glass containers. Plastic leaches nitrates and dioxin into hot food. Dioxin is bio-accumulating in your body. In other words it never goes away and carries serious health issues. Check the dates on your spices, flour etc. Do you have any cans of food that have rusted or the bottoms are "pouching" out? If so, it's time to replace them.

2008-08-20T06:37:00.000-07:00

Green Your Home

Let's start taking small steps to rid your home of toxins that could be causing health issues. Remember most health problems caused by the products you use and the food you eat may not surface for years. Like dirt and grease ill health is a build up problem and prevention is the only cure. A green home is a healthy home and usually free of serious diseases I discussed in my last post.

First a bit of prep work. Chemical companies are not required to list the ingredients used in their products. Supposed organic green products may contain toxic chemicals. Always stay clear of any product containing sodium laurel sulfate. It is found in anything that foams: dish washing detergent, shampoo, toothpaste, laudry soap, most body care products and even soft swirl ice cream. It leaches the chemicals out of plastic bottles and gasses off dioxin or nitrates.

Aubrey body care products are excellent as are Bi-O-Kleen, Mary Moppins and the Clean Team line of cleaners. Bi-O-Kleen carries excellent dish soaps, laundry soaps and dish washer soaps. When I tossed my Cascade dish washer soap and started using Bi-O-Kleen my sinuses cleared up. The "clean" smell that hits your nostrils during the wash cycle of a dish washer is not so "clean." It is off gassing some highly toxic gasses. Until you can make the switch, open a window and turn on the fan to rid your home of those toxic fumes.

This article may only be reprinted giving credit to Mary Findley and Mary Moppins www.goclean.com. Mary Findley @ 2008

2008-08-14T21:50:00.001-07:00

Green Cleaning

About the time you think you have mastered a subject like green cleaning, along comes a 4x4 plank that knocks you across the head turning your world into humble pie. I've been preaching the glories of using eco friendly products like white vinegar and baking soda for over a decade and thought I knew the world of toxins.

I quickly found out that my "PhD" in green cleaning was barely an elementary education. I knew nothing about the nasty world of things like sodium laurel sulfate, ethylene dichloride, phthalates, dioxin, 2-butoxyethanol, chlorides, diethanolamine, ethylene glycolhydroxides, d-Limonene, Morpholine, Naphtha or Phenols.

That is just the beginning of a long list of products that cause brain and neurological damage, liver and kidney dysfunctions, asthma, a multitude of cancers and lung problems. Did you know that the sodium laurel sulfate in hand soaps, shampoos, liquid dish soaps and bar soaps etc reacts to the plastic from the bottles? That reaction emits toxins like nitrates and dioxins into the product which leach into your body every time you use it. Dioxin is otherwise known as Agent Orange and recognized by the EPA as the most toxic chemical known to man. Dioxin is stored in your fat cells and never goes away.

Dioxin is also formed whenever chlorine comes into contact with other chemicals and it doesn't have to be ammonia. Please discard your bleach and turn to borax or hydrogen peroxide instead.

Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to be aware of the toxins you have invited into your home and your body. You read articles declaring that there is nothing you can do about preventing cancer that one out of two or three people will succumb to it.

Well I'm here to tell you that there is plenty you can do to prevent these serious illnesses. All of that will be covered in another book I'm starting this weekend. It will talk about my life with Hepatitis C and celiac sprue and cover the wholeness approach for a healthy life. Going green and staying disease free encompasses every part of your life.

Getting the toxic chemicals and personal body care products out of your life is a great first step. Remember when you replace your personal care products and cleaners with healthy green products, read the labels. Not all green products are green.

2008-03-20T17:27:00.001-07:00

More Hidden Dirt

When was the last time you cleaned your air ducts? Dust mites, mold, dust bunnies and a host of rather unpleasant "things" hang around in your air ducts. If it has been over 5 years since you last had them cleaned then tackle this job along with the rest of your spring cleaning. If you or any family member has allergies, asthma, sinus or bronchial conjestion cleaning your air ducts is especially important. If you are a do-it-yourselfer who likes to save money call some rental companies. A few of them stock air duct cleaning equipment.

2008-03-16T08:21:00.001-07:00

Cleaning Window Screens

Cleaning Windows can be a bit troubling especially when it comes to screens. Rather than washing them, which wastes water and time clean them with a dry sponge found at pet stores, Mary Moppins and Bed Bath and Beyond. They are great for removing pet hair from furniture. When they soil, simply sand them with a light grit sandpaper and continue cleaning.

2008-03-15T19:26:00.001-07:00

More on Hidden Dirt

Cleaning Refrigerator Coils: I was not a happy camper when I found out my refrigerator coils could not be cleaned with a brush or vacuum. What were the designers thinking? Oh right. They are depending on my laziness to not clean those coils which means the refrigerator breaks down sooner which means I replace it more frequently.

Those coils must be cleaned a minimum of once a year preferable twice. If your coils cannot be reached with a vacuum cleaner or with a bottle brush then renting an air compressor is your only option. Please be kind to Mother Earth and clean the coils to extend the life of your refrigerator. Remove the back and blow the dust and dirt from the coils using a lower pressure setting.

While you have the compressor rented, it doesn't hurt to clean dryer hoses and vents. Move the washer and dryer out and give the floor a good cleaning as well. Use the same bottle brush to clean the drain pipes to prevent them from clogging. Yes pour a cup of Nature's Miracle down those drains after they have been cleaned.

Still have an hour of time left for the rental of your air compressor? Then blow the winter debris out of your gutters. Yes it is fast. I've also used it to blow dust and dirt out from window enclosures and my sliding glass door. Call me lazy if you want, but if there is shortcut that makes life a bit easier yet still does a great job, I'm going to take advantage of it.

2008-03-13T10:06:00.001-07:00

Kitchen disposal drains

The thought of kitchen disposals emiting even a mild odor while I'm preparing dinner will run me out of the kitchen in no time. Toxic chemicals of any kind are high on my list of things to leave on the grocery store shelf. Most of them clog disposals.

So how do you keep your drain clear and not smelling like last night's fish? Easy - head to a pet store to buy Nature's Miracle. It is an enzyme product used for removing fecal and urine matter from carpet and furniture and it works. Those enzymes "eat" away at bacteria, any bacteria whether it's in the carpet or your drain. Pour a cup of it into all your drains once a month at night before bed to keep them running clear and get rid of those toxic drain openers.

Now back to the kitchen disposal. Purchase a brush made for cleaning bottles or use a small sink brush. Dampen it with CleanEz or your all purpose cleaner and scrub away. A nylon scrub pad like the blue ones you find at grocery stores also do a fairly good job and will clean the blades a bit better than the tip of a bottle brush. You can sprinkle just a bit of baking soda onto the brush but PLEASE make sure you use less than half a teaspoon. Anything more than that can clog your drain. Run plenty of water before turning on the disposal.