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

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

 

 

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.   

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

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.      

 

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.

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.

 

     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.

     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.

 

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.

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.

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?  

 

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.

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?

 

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

 

 

 

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."

 

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 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!

 

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 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.

 

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 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 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.

 

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 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.

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 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. 

 

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.

 

 

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.

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!

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.