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. 

This article may only be reprinted giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website at www.goclean.com. Copyright @2009 All rights reserved worldwide.

 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.

 

This article may only be reprinted giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website at www.goclean.com. Copyright @2009 All rights reserved worldwide.

  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.

This article may only be reprinted giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website at www.goclean.com. Copyright @2009 All rights reserved worldwide.

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?

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

 

 

 

 

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.

Copyright @2008 all rights reserved World Wide. The cleaning tips from Mary Findley may only be used giving her full credit and referencing her website at www.goclean.com.

     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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

 

 

 

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.

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.

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.

 

This article may only be reproduced giving credit to Mary Findley and her website www.goclean.com. All rights reserved @2008

 

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

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.

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. 

    

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.

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.

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

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.

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

SPRING CLEANING

 

This next series of cleaning tips is geared to help you do some deep cleaning for spring. Be sure to check back each day for a new tip for spring cleaning.

 

Cleaning Toilets to Remove Stains

     How many of you see those dreaded brownish or reddish streaks running down the inside of your toilet bowl? A quick look inside the tank provides an instant answer as to the source of the problem. Our Erase It for Bathrooms quickly removes those stains as well as iron and hard water rings without scratching. Let's tackle cleaning the tank to diffuse future problems. 

First you will need: A plastic bucket; several old towels and two extra to place on the floor around the toilet; an SOS pad; diluted CleanEz or your all purpose cleaner; a sponge and rubber gloves.

Next: Turn off the water at the back of the tank and flush removing the water from both the bowl and the tank. If there is water remaining in the bottom of the tank, it can be used to help clean the tank. Clean the toilet with the Erase It for Bathrooms to remove those ugly marks.

Next: scrub the tank with diluted Clean Ez or your all purpose cleaner to remove surface scum and mold. Then dampen the SOS pad giving the tank a good scrub.

Finally using a dampened old cloth, wipe down the tank and do a final rinse with the sponge. Finish by using the sponge to remove any water in the bottom of the tank.

Quick Cleaning Tip: If you want to make toilet bowl cleaning a breeze in the future, dry the inside of the toilet before you let the water back in. Grab your bottle of Advantage spraying the inside of the toilet. Wipe it around to spread evenly. Let that set 5 minutes and allow the water back in the tank. Advantage contains polymers, which make surfaces slick so nothing sticks. Oh is cleaning a toilet easy when it is waxed.

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

Six Ways to Conserve Water

 

 As you well know the Northwest and California are under severe weather seizures as is much of the Northeast. However years of drought have dried up reservoirs that will takes years of rain and snow to refill. Many other parts of our country like Georgia have been under a five year plus drought. Some of their main lakes that supply water, linger on the dangerously low side in spite of recent rains.

     This area of water conservation is stretching the cleaning realm of this newsletter a bit but it is so direly important, I feel compelled to share tips that could mean extending our water supply for years. If 5 million people would conserve just 1 gallon of water a day, it would save nearly 1.9 billion gallons of water a year. Just think of the savings if each person in the United States would conserve just a gallon of water a day. It would run into the trillion of gallons saved each year.

     Let's take a look at some of the water conservation RVers use to avoid using excess water.

1)       When they warm up the shower water in the morning, they let the cold water run into a bucket, which they use for washing dishes. Use that water for plants or trees if you live in an area that prohibits the use of sprinklers or outdoor watering. Take short five minute showers. If you are in a drought area, purchase a shower head that turns off at the head itself. Soak down, turn the water off, soap up then turn the water back on to rinse off. Turning the water off at the head keeps your water hot when you turn it back on to rinse.  Savings? Around 2 to 3 gallons of water a day per person.

2)       Don't run your dishwasher. Use it only as a drying rack for dishes you wash by hand. Dishwashers require enormous amounts of water. This measure alone will save you 10 to 15 gallons of water a week depending on the number of times you run your dishwasher. . As you cook, fill up one side of your sink with hot water. Use that water for washing pots or utensils as you cook.

3)       Sorry men but turning off the water while you shave you will save half a gallon of water. Fill the sink half full of water instead – yes using the water you caught in the shower.

4)       Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth or wash your face. Use a washcloth rather than running water over your face. Savings? A half gallon of water.

5)       Do your flower beds a favor and save a corner of your yard for table scraps – no not meat or bones. Any kind of vegetable or fruit peel, including rinds, break down quickly in the soil. Use your shovel to chop them into small pieces, dig them under and you have the richest garden soil you could ever want. Egg shells don't break down very quickly. Savings? 3 or 4 gallons of water running the disposal. You also save those scraps from going into the sewer system when you put them down your disposal, which is a huge plus for Mother Earth.

Deep Clean 

 

    Happy New Year!  The holiday season is over and time to get decorations put back. There is no better time to deep clean than now when that space is already empty. Vacuum or sweep, clean and then treat the area if needed for any bugs like ants or spiders.

     Any area where things are stored for long periods are breeding grounds for mold and mildew especially in humid or rainy climates. Our CleanEz does an excellent job not only removing dirt build up especially along the edges of carpet but it kills most mold and mildew. Our Pure Ayre is the best odor remover around. It will not mask odors but destroys them. Treat carpet or flooring early on if you suspect mold or mildew. Left unchecked it will spread.

      Storing Leftovers

     Take care storing your holiday leftovers. Anything that set out for more than 4 or 5hours should be tossed. This is especially true of dips, salad dressings, meats or anything cooked. At the very least make sure to turn your refrigerator down just a bit if it is quite full. Freeze leftovers that won't be eaten immediately.

     Don't forget to download copy of my stain removal guide from my website. It is handy to have when cleaning up after a party or anytime.

Last Minute Holiday Checklist

 

NOW IS THE TIME to check for any last minute items you may have overlooked for your holiday entertaining.

 

1) Is your bottle of hydrogen peroxide fresh? If peroxide is more than four or five months old it will not work to remove red dye or red wine stains. Please don't pour white wine in your carpet to get rid of red wine stains unless you want an army of ants parading across your carpet. See my stain removal guide for instructions. Print it out and keep it handy.

2) Have you planned to have punch that contains something other than red, purple or orange colors? The dye from those colors is quite difficult to remove.

3) Do you have a trash can for each room of the house where guests will linger?

4) What about candles? Are there coasters that will go under each of them?

5) Is your bottle of all purpose cleaner filled and handy under the kitchen sink along with a few towels for quick clean ups?

6) Have you cleaned out your chimney or wood stove pipes?

7) Are there plenty of extra coasters for glasses, plates and anything that might be hot?

8) Have you taken time for a long hot bath?

 

This article may only be rewritten with reference to Mary Findley, owner of Mary Moppins and her website www.goclean.com

KEEP IN SHAPE THIS WINTER

 

     Winter and the holiday season is upon us as well as the loosening of our belt buckles when we overindulged with that last cookie or helping of mashed potatoes and gravey. Diets get blown away this time of year faster than the kids can figure out your new electronic gadgets.

 

     Then comes the traditional breaking of the New Years resolutions made after eating that piece of pecan pie. Oh I've heard the words all too often "I'll never induldge like that again. I promise to take brisk walks every day." So what is stopping you besides that sleet and 12 inches of fresh snow on the ground?  

 

   Just how do you drop that weight and get back in shape when the weather is nasty and the warm fire convinces you to stay indoors? Grab your coat, jump in the car and and head for your sporting goods or video store for workout tapes. Buy four or five tapes not only to prevent boredom from having to repeat the same one over and over but also to give your body a thorough overall workout. The ones I enjoy the most are a Salsa workout tape by Crunch. I have two pilate tapes by The Method and another by The Firm called Tough Tape 2. To really get your heart rate going try the Boot Camp - jumping jacks and skipping rope included. Then also pick up a beginners tape of Yoga for the stetching and flexibility to help prevent arthritis and stiff joints.  

 

   Next set your alarm 30 mintues earlier in the morning and stop whining. Your joints ache, your back hurts and your pants won't zip.  After a week of dedicated effort trust me you won't miss a day. Your new found energy will amaze you. You will  breeze through your work and still have enough energy at night to walk that new puppy. It opens your breathing, gets your blood circulating and puts a glow in your complexion. No amount of prescription medicine or face cream can put the kind of glow on your face as that of a good diet and hearty workout. 

 

     Beat the rush and start you New Years resolution now!

 

This article may only be reprinted giving full credit to Mary Findley, her company Mary Moppins and her website www.goclean.com       

 

 

 

IDENTITY THEFT

 

My precious daughter-in-law recently sent me her connection to a popular social website, My Face. When I began entering information to join, I was shocked to see along with your name they ask for your date of birth. With identity theft in full throttle around the world please always remember to keep your personal information personal.

 

Here are a few general guidelines:

 

1)  NEVER give you birthdate to any website etc on the internet. Write them and insist they remove that requirment. Do not have anything to do with any site that asks for this information. When the money stops flowing because people stop using them they will change their ways and quickly.

 

2)  Take this a step further. Do NOT disclose your mother's maiden name or the city where you were born. No one needs this information for any reason. 

 

3) NEVER let anyone write down the expiration date on your driver's license. Most of them are the day and month of your birthday. This practice must stop so write your congress persons to change this law.

 

4) NEVER allow a clerk to write down your driver's license, birth date or any other personal information including your address when you pay with a credit card. I am a Visa Master Card merchant. Anyone asking for such information should be turned into the bank processing companies.

 

5) Follow your table host or hostess when you give them your credit card to pay for a meal. Make certain they do not place your card in their pocket. Some tuck small recorders in their pockets that scan your card number and 3 digit number on the back of your card.

 

6) I recently read where debit cards are dangerous to use. Stop using them. If someone lifts your debit card number, they can wipe out your bank account within minutes and you have no recourse for reimbursement with a Debit Card. Credit cards are safer and carry a small limit should someone steal your card to make fraudulent charges.  

 

7) Stop using ATM machines. It is easy to hide a very small camara just above the card swipe that records your card number. Take the extra care to get to the bank before it closes for extra money if you think you will need it.

 

With a little care and planning you can keep your identity safe and save months of anquish.

 

 

SIX CAUTIONS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

 

The Holiday Season brings good cheer and gathering of friends and family. It also can be the most dangerous season for fires. With a few precautions you can enjoy a worry free holiday.  

 

1) CHECK THAT LIST TWICE! Make sure your chimney has been cleaned and the soot scraped off the walls of your fireplace and doors.

 

2) NEVER LEAVE a room unless you extinguish all candles. Do not place candles near flammable material such as on window sills, near lamps or walls. Burn only lead free candles  preferably made with soy. Soy produces minimal smoke and burns longer without leaving black soot residue on surfaces like a wall or the side of a candle holder.

 

3) NEVER MOVE a lit candle. Extinguish it. Always place a candle on a decorative plate or coaster. Candle wax permanently stains furniture including wood, counters, table tops etc.

 

4) CLEAN your clothes dryer vents after each load to prevent dryer fires especially this time of year when the dryer sees more activity than any other time of year.

 

5) CHECK YOUR FIRE EXTINQUISHER. Make sure you have a fire extinquisher on each level of your home. Show each capable member of your home how to use it. Make certain it is current and in working condition.

 

6) When you deep fry with oil, keep a large pan lid next to the stove in case of fire. Also keep a shaker container of  baking soda next to the stove to extinguish any flame that might arise from cooking fried foods.

 

ONE FINAL NOTE: Purchase an excape ladder for each floor of your home if you have more than one floor in your home. Do not store it in the box, remove it. Each second is valuable in a fire and taking the time to remove it from the box can mean the difference of life and death. Test run the ladder making certain you and every member of your family knows how to use it.  MOST IMPORTANT, establish a meeting place outside of your home for family members if your home does catch on fire.You know instantly if anyone is missing and where to find them. Go over escape routes and make a practice run using the ladders if required.

 

This article may only be reproduced giving full credit to Mary Findley, owner of Mary Moppins and her website www.goclean.com

 

FIVE EASY STRESS RELIEF TRICKS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

 

Here are a few easy tips to help you stress less for the upcoming Holiday Season.

 

1) Double Up!  If you fix a stew, meatloaf or any meal that freezes easily, double what you normally cook freezing the other half. Chili and soups are fast and easy to toss together yet you can make enough for usually three to four meals. One leftover meal for the current week then freeze another for later. 

 

2) ALWAYS double check your shopping list to prevent making two trips. Have your menu for each meal written down and check it to make sure everything you need is on your grocery list. In fact take your menu with you! Most people only take their grocery list. It has saved many a second trip out just by having the menus handy while I'm shopping.  

 

Purchase double of any item you use frequently like butter or margarine. Those can be frozen if they are not used. Also buy double of any liquid item like Whipping cream to save a disaster if the original spills or you have more guests than you planned to have. Make sure your condiments like baking soda, corn starch and white vinegar are fresh to prevent recipes from not turning out correctly if the product is old. Check your cabinets.  

 

3) Save your menus, shopping lists etc to an Excel worksheet program if you have one, to prevent having to make grocery lists year after year. They are easy to change and can save hours of time.

 

4) Double up on your trips. We are all creatures of habits and one is making separate trips for everything. You will save not only your time but at the gas pump as well. This also works well around the house. Going to the mail box? Take the garbage with you. Headed to the garage to do laundry? Get meat out for tonight's dinner if your freezer is out there. 

 

5) Get in a good 30 to 45 minute workout each day. You will be amazed how much faster you zip through your work when you are in shape. This will also help you from putting on those unwanted pounds. Yes it means getting up 30 minutes earlier in the morning but your body will love you for the effort. There are several excellent workout videos out including a Boot Camp workout, a Salsa workout, Pilate tapes and some by "The Firm." A variety keeps you from getting bored with just one or two and the variations of exercise provide the best complete body workouts. You will stretch, work and invigorate every bone and muscle.

 

This article may only be used with proper credit given to Mary Findley and her website www.goclean.com

The SWSWSWWNs of Cleaning part 1

  HOLIDAY CLEANING TIPS

   Please see prior blogs like 11/26/06 and 12/5/06 for my Holiday Cleaning Tips.  If you go back to most articles dated in November or December of any year, you are likely to find still more holiday cleaning tips. 

Are You Cleaning too Often? Not Enough? What is Just Right?

     This is a 2 part series called SWSWSWWN. It's a saying I learned with sales work. Some Will, Some Won't, So What, Who's Next. In sales it means some will buy, some won't buy, so what can you do to convert the "some who won't buy" then determine what's next? Stop to think about this catchy little phrase. Much of life revolves around this same principal including cleaning.

     Some will overkill on the cleanliness issue, some won't clean but the basics. Others say "so what, it's only going to get dirty again so why clean." So what's next?  Let's take a look at what might be over kill and what is under kill and how to find that even pace. 

 

Are You Not Cleaning Often Enough?

   

  Face it, If you spray paint your cobwebs orange and black at Halloween, then perhaps you might want to take a closer look at your cleaning schedule. Another good test is to run your fingernail along the bottom of the shower wall. If your fingernail turns white, that is soap residue buildup. It indicates one of two things: either your product isn't working or you aren't working.  

 

    The final check point is whether or not you turn on your ceiling fan. If you leave it off to avoid scattering the accumulated dust then your cleaning outlook needs some dusting. This type of buildup happens only because you are not cleaning effectively. These areas are avoided because time just doesn't permit the attention they need.

 

    Hang in there I am writing a short booklet that puts speed cleaning into the horse and buggy era. 

 

      You can keep your home clean with minimal effort and without over doing on the clean scene. Here is a general rule of thumb to follow to help determine a cleaning schedule suitable for you.

 

1. Singles or couples with no pets, children or hobbies that create dust like woodworking can squeak by with an every other week cleaning.  I do recommend vacuuming carpets every week to prevent the buildup of damaging dust and dirt. The frequency of vacuuming depends on your individual circumstance.
2. If children or pets are present in the home, then a weekly cleaning schedule including vacuuming, kitchen and damp mopping floors is necessary to keep the home clean. Dusting can be alternated with bathroom cleaning every other week to help with busy schedules.  
3. Busy homes with several children or pets inside the home or those who live on farms, ranches or dusty roads need weekly maintenance and possibly twice a week.   

     People can become excessive with cleanliness and disinfect every surface each time it is used. I have known people who spray down their toilet seats every time they use it. That is excessive. If you have a spill or accident which produces bacteria like feces, urine, milk, raw meat, eggs etc then that surface must be disinfected every time. Otherwise regularly scheduled cleaning will keep your home in top shape, your sanity in check and keep the clutter away.

 

     Next issue we will talk about hidden dirt in the home and how to apply the SWSWSWWN to cleaning.      

 

This article may only be reprinted giving full credit to Mary Findley and her website at http://www.goclean.com. Copyright @2007 All rights reserved worldwide