Today, a quick detour from my normal cleaning-related posts. Have you ever wondered, when we came to clean for you, what keeps servicepeople like myself lean and energetic?
Well, credit where it's due, The Steaming Bean wakes me up in the morning (and sometimes in the afternoon!) But exercise and good nutrition play a big part in keeping me physically fit and mentally alert and focused.
Of course, we all get a pretty good workout every day while cleaning your carpet, upholstery, stone, tile and grout. But I lift weights regularly and run, as well. And the truth is, all the exercise in the world won't help much without proper nutrition. So I follow Bill Phillips' "Eating for Life" plan - I try to eat 5-6 smaller meals per day, with a balance of lean protein such as lean meat, chicken and fish or cottage cheese, and quality carbohydrates such as potatoes, yams, and whole grains, as well as several servings of green vegetables. I'm also fond of adding flaxseed to my oatmeal and the occasional weekend batch of cookies.
Did You Know...Lots of "vegetables" are actually carbs? Corn, peas, beans...all used to show up on my plate as the "vegetable" of the meal, until I read "Body for Life" and realized that they were actually carbohydrates (albeit good ones!) Now I make sure to eat more broccoli, brussels sprouts, spinach and other green leafy vegetables.
I find that a good multivitamin first thing in the morning works wonders on my day, too! After all, exercise is the "spark" and nutrition is the "fuel" for your body's peak performance...one of them does little good without the other!
If you're interested in learning more about Bill Phillips, log onto www.bodyforlife.com and check out the exercise and eating programs there. And if your house needs cleaning, log onto www.ethicalservices.com, or www.ultrasteamcleaning.com if you live in Durango, Colorado!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
VOCs and Carcinogens, Oh My! Green Your Home With New Cleaning Products
Housecleaning...it should make your home healthier, right? After all, you're taking away the dirt and allergens and germs from your indoor environment. But hold on, Cinderella! Read the ingredient labels on your household cleaners to make sure you're not doing as much harm to yourself as good!
If they contain 2-Butoxyethanol (as in some window and bathroom cleaners) or Glycol Ether, (ditto) or Nitriloacetates, you're getting a nose full of nasty when you clean! The first two are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which can cause nasal irritation, aggravate asthma or other breathing problems, and contribute to diseases like cancer. The last one is a suspected carcinogen (almost certainly causes cancer).
That's bad enough if you're the only one using them...but what if you're pregnant? Cleaning with Baby? Or teaching the ten-year-old some responsibility by having them clean the toilet? Their young systems are even more susceptible to damage by these strong chemicals.
There's good news though - more and more manufacturers are phasing out these types of ingredients, or at least giving you a choice. There are a number of new, "Green" cleaning products around today that work just as well (or better) than the old petrochemicals, and without the nasty smells and side effects. Look for these at your local store:
Seventh Generation has been making "Green" cleaning products for quite a while now. I personally use and like their dishwashing liquid and laundry detergent powder.
Ecover has a similiar line; their laundry prewash has worked well for me.
Clorox had a new line of products on the shelf when I stopped in at the store the other day, and our office now has GreenWorks bathroom and toilet cleaners on trial! (So far, so good...)
And last but not least, Target has a line of environmentally friendly cleaners getting rave reviews called Method. Bonus: the packaging looks really cool, too...kind of like if Apple designed cleaning products!
Don't forget, you have similiar options with other aspects of your cleaning now. Ultrasteam Professional Cleaning in Durango offers "Green" cleaning for carpets, upholstery, stone, tile and grout. (Website: ultrasteamcleaning.com ) Some local window washers and housecleaning services do, too. Do your research and hire accordingly - for the health of the earth and your family!
If they contain 2-Butoxyethanol (as in some window and bathroom cleaners) or Glycol Ether, (ditto) or Nitriloacetates, you're getting a nose full of nasty when you clean! The first two are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which can cause nasal irritation, aggravate asthma or other breathing problems, and contribute to diseases like cancer. The last one is a suspected carcinogen (almost certainly causes cancer).
That's bad enough if you're the only one using them...but what if you're pregnant? Cleaning with Baby? Or teaching the ten-year-old some responsibility by having them clean the toilet? Their young systems are even more susceptible to damage by these strong chemicals.
There's good news though - more and more manufacturers are phasing out these types of ingredients, or at least giving you a choice. There are a number of new, "Green" cleaning products around today that work just as well (or better) than the old petrochemicals, and without the nasty smells and side effects. Look for these at your local store:
Seventh Generation has been making "Green" cleaning products for quite a while now. I personally use and like their dishwashing liquid and laundry detergent powder.
Ecover has a similiar line; their laundry prewash has worked well for me.
Clorox had a new line of products on the shelf when I stopped in at the store the other day, and our office now has GreenWorks bathroom and toilet cleaners on trial! (So far, so good...)
And last but not least, Target has a line of environmentally friendly cleaners getting rave reviews called Method. Bonus: the packaging looks really cool, too...kind of like if Apple designed cleaning products!
Don't forget, you have similiar options with other aspects of your cleaning now. Ultrasteam Professional Cleaning in Durango offers "Green" cleaning for carpets, upholstery, stone, tile and grout. (Website: ultrasteamcleaning.com ) Some local window washers and housecleaning services do, too. Do your research and hire accordingly - for the health of the earth and your family!
Friday, March 14, 2008
How to get more dirt out of your carpet...every day!
By now you realize that excess dirt in your rugs and carpet is unhealthy as well as unsightly, but did you know that it also slowly destroys your carpet and rugs?
It's true. Dirt is an abrasive - like sandpaper - and "cuts" into the fibers of your carpet and rugs as you walk on them. This results in premature wear, leading to the need for replacement long before it should have been necessary with proper maintenance.
Not to mention the "uglied-out" areas in the traffic lanes where the pile just doesn't ever look right, even after being cleaned.
The good news - it doesn't have to be this way!
Vacuuming is the best remedy. Tell the kids to stop watching TV and put the Hoover in their hands. Schedules will vary, but if you have, say, two kids and a pet or two, you should vacuum high traffic rooms like the living and dining areas and halls once daily, every 2nd day at most. Then do a good whole-house job once a week.
Now the secret of how to get more dirt out of your rugs and carpet...every time you vacuum!
It's very simple, really...a time-tested trick of professional carpet cleaners and housecleaning services. Vacuum in opposite directions, at right angles to how you just did it. This way the brush can agitate the nap more fully, and dirt is removed from a couple of different directions, instead of just one. In really heavy traffic areas, like right in front of the entry doors, do three directions or even four.
Keep your home clean longer...
Vacuuming is the best defense against dirt and allergens (provided you have a good unit with HEPA filtration) as well as increasing the life of the carpet. Contrary to popular belief, you can't "overvacuum". Carpet and rugs were made to be vacuumed...and then professionally cleaned when need be! If you live in Durango and need in-plant rug cleaning, call RugMasters of Durango at 385-5777 for cloud-soft, fluffy-clean rugs. And if your carpet is finally in need of a professional cleaning, call Ultrasteam at 385-8444. Or visit our website, www.UltraSteamCleaning.com
It's true. Dirt is an abrasive - like sandpaper - and "cuts" into the fibers of your carpet and rugs as you walk on them. This results in premature wear, leading to the need for replacement long before it should have been necessary with proper maintenance.
Not to mention the "uglied-out" areas in the traffic lanes where the pile just doesn't ever look right, even after being cleaned.
The good news - it doesn't have to be this way!
Vacuuming is the best remedy. Tell the kids to stop watching TV and put the Hoover in their hands. Schedules will vary, but if you have, say, two kids and a pet or two, you should vacuum high traffic rooms like the living and dining areas and halls once daily, every 2nd day at most. Then do a good whole-house job once a week.
Now the secret of how to get more dirt out of your rugs and carpet...every time you vacuum!
It's very simple, really...a time-tested trick of professional carpet cleaners and housecleaning services. Vacuum in opposite directions, at right angles to how you just did it. This way the brush can agitate the nap more fully, and dirt is removed from a couple of different directions, instead of just one. In really heavy traffic areas, like right in front of the entry doors, do three directions or even four.
Keep your home clean longer...
Vacuuming is the best defense against dirt and allergens (provided you have a good unit with HEPA filtration) as well as increasing the life of the carpet. Contrary to popular belief, you can't "overvacuum". Carpet and rugs were made to be vacuumed...and then professionally cleaned when need be! If you live in Durango and need in-plant rug cleaning, call RugMasters of Durango at 385-5777 for cloud-soft, fluffy-clean rugs. And if your carpet is finally in need of a professional cleaning, call Ultrasteam at 385-8444. Or visit our website, www.UltraSteamCleaning.com
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Natural Air Cleaners for Your Home!
How would you like a "Green" air purifier for your home?
...and I do mean that literally!
This post is all about indoor air pollution! After all, this is the time of year most of us spend most of our time indoors. Closed up in our energy efficient, airtight homes breathing all the molds, pet dander, viruses, and other pollutants found in today’s indoor air.
Remember too that simply cleaning your carpet and upholstery will drastically reduce the allergen and pollutant load in your home, so vacuum frequently and clean every 6-12 months. (Most carpet cleaners will offer a discount or maintenance program for clients who want to keep their house cleaned regularly, so ask your local cleaner about that option.) And if you need carpet cleaning in Durango, just call 385-8444 for the Most Thorough Cleaning Ever! Or check out our website at ultrasteamcleaning.com for special offers and previews of our work.
...and I do mean that literally!
This post is all about indoor air pollution! After all, this is the time of year most of us spend most of our time indoors. Closed up in our energy efficient, airtight homes breathing all the molds, pet dander, viruses, and other pollutants found in today’s indoor air.
- According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) indoor air is 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. And nowadays we spend about 90% of our time in our tightly sealed homes! (Maybe a little less here in Durango!)
- Pollutants indoors are 1000 times more likely to reach your lungs than pollutants outdoors.
- Many homes have 25 to 100 times more pollutants in them than polluted outdoor air.
- Both biological pollutants (molds, bacteria, viruses, pet dander etc.) and chemical pollutants like VOC's are fouling our indoor air.
- The bad effects on our health can range from mild irritations to our eyes and throat…to lifelong allergies, asthma, even cancers.
Just reading that makes me want to run out and buy an expensive air filtration system for my home! But did you know there is a natural, inexpensive way for you to have clean indoor air?
These plants not only absorb carbon dioxide and release clean oxygen, but they can eliminate harmful carcinogens found in polluted indoor air like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. Here are some of the plants listed in the study...
1. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comsosum)
3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum “
4. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
5. Bamboo Palm or Reed Palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)
6. Snake Plant or “Mother-In-Law’s Tongue” (Sansevieria trifasciata “Laurentii”)
7. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium)
8. Elephant Ear Philodendron (Philodendton domesticum)
9. Gerbera Daisy or Barberton Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
10. Pot Mum or Florist’s Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium)
Most of these plants can thrive on low sunlight and NASA’s recommendation for clean air was 15-18 good-sized houseplants in 6-8 inch diameter containers for an 1800 square foot home.
Remember too that simply cleaning your carpet and upholstery will drastically reduce the allergen and pollutant load in your home, so vacuum frequently and clean every 6-12 months. (Most carpet cleaners will offer a discount or maintenance program for clients who want to keep their house cleaned regularly, so ask your local cleaner about that option.) And if you need carpet cleaning in Durango, just call 385-8444 for the Most Thorough Cleaning Ever! Or check out our website at ultrasteamcleaning.com for special offers and previews of our work.
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