Maid Brigade is Green Clean Certified because green maid services are better for your health, better for our maids and better for our environment. We are the first and only cleaning service to implement a certification program for house cleaning so you know you are getting cleaning services that are safe and still truly clean.
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Indoor allergies impact the lives of millions each year and have the potential to cause chronic health problems ranging from allergies, upper respiratory issues and asthma. However, these allergies can easily be managed by reducing the level of airborne allergens in the home.
Dust consists of microscopic particles found in both indoor and outdoor environments. Typically, house dust allergies are triggered by common allergens such as pollen, dust mites, cockroach waste, pet dander and mold. Symptoms of a house dust allergy include sneezing, runny, itchy or watery eyes, nasal congestion and a runny nose.
Vacuum Cleaners. Cleaning the surfaces in the home may not be enough to remove allergens and prevent their recirculation back into the indoor air. An essential tool for household cleaning is a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) vacuum. HEPA filters are designed to trap small particles such as allergens and prevent their recirculation – while traditional vacuums put allergens back into the indoor air triggering house dust allergies.
House Dust and Dust Mite. Bedding, comforters, curtains, towels and other soft surfaces trap dust mites. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, dust mites are the most common trigger of allergies and asthma. Several steps can be taken to reduce the level of dust mites as an allergen trigger in the home.
Helpful Household Tips. Use HEPA filtration air purifiers and systems to remove airborne allergens and reduce symptoms caused by house dust allergies.
Indoor Allergy Relief is Possible. Even for severe allergy sufferers, finding relief from indoor allergens is possible. Scheduling an appointment with a physician to diagnose allergy symptoms and determining proper allergy treatment is only the first step. Homeowners need to take proactive steps to reduce home dust allergies and improve indoor air quality.
Today is Earth Day!
Why not take time out to reflect about the beauty of this planet we call home during this day. Ask yourself this question, “Am I making a difference to enhance, protect and invest in the quality of life for future generations of this planet we named Earth?” If not, then begin this week by applying actions to a few green ideas and investments to this Planet.
Here are some helpful tips to get you started:
Save water by decreasing your shower time , or take a bath, which uses less water than a shower.
Get in the habit of brushing your teeth with the water off, and encourage your children to do so, as well.
Recycle junk mail, cell phones, paper products, plastic bags, and more.
Switch from paper and plastic bags to reusable bags and totes.
Forget the electric or gas dryer, and hang dry your clothing.
Opt for direct deposit, online banking, and paperless statements to reduce your paper usage.
Try your hand at composting (planting scraps from fruits, veggies, and coffee grounds outside), which will help create better soil and less landfill waste.
Don’t purchase disposable water bottles, but rather use recyclable (and refillable) beverage containers that you can fill with filtered water.
Unplug all of your appliances when you leave the house to save energy (and prevent a fire hazard).
If possible, take public transportation or walk.
Don’t use plastic storage containers, and try not to heat food within a plastic container in the microwave.
Keep one set of dishes at the office, (a cup, utensils, bowl, and plate). This will prevent you from reaching for disposable utensils, cups, and plates.
Save stained or ill-fitting clothing to use for dusting and cleaning.
Use rechargeable batteries.
Donate used items.
Purchase used items from thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, and more.
Rent movies and borrow books, instead of purchasing.
If you are in the market for a new car, purchase a hybrid model.
Select products made of recyclable materials.
Buy groceries in bulk, as it reduces packaging and the number of trips you take to the grocer.
If possible, buy items that use less packaging.
Purchase locally produced food at farmer’s markets and even road-side stands.
Purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, instead of jarred, canned, or frozen.
Purchase organic foods, as they don’t contain pesticides and harmful chemicals, in addition to organic cotton.
Follow the celebrity trend and use cloth diapers, as opposed to disposable diapers, which cause landfill waste.
Select soy or beeswax candles, instead of paraffin candles.
Use healthy and environmentally friendly cosmetics, such as mineral-based cosmetics and natural bath products.
Did you know it is possible to have a “clean and green” kitchen?
One of the things I disliked about cleaning the kitchen and the bathroom is having to use strong, toxic chemicals and cleaners to get the job done. But no more harsh chemicals for me! Green cleaning is the way to go! It not only healthier for my family, but for also for the environment. Chhosing to make my own natural cleaning products from ingredients I have at home also saves me money.
Try these green cleaning tips:
Club Soda is a great cleaner for stainless steel sinks. Pour some on a cloth and wipe. The club soda will remove stains created by food and soap scum.
Vinegar is mildly acidic so it works very well to clean grease, soap scum, mineral deposits, mildew and coffee stains. Vinegar is also a great glass cleaner. Use with old newspaper to get that spotless clean on glass doors and windows.
Toothpaste is a great cleaner for chrome because it removes rust and mineral build up. Use only plain toothpaste with no added whiteners or tarter control agents. Old toothbrushes with toothpaste on them work great when trying to get around shower heads and drains.
Lemon juice has antibacterial qualities as well as a fresh and invigorating smell. Lemons can be used to clean soap scum and hard water deposits and are also great to clean and shine copper and brass. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, sinks and stains on counters. Mixing 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice makes a great furniture polish for your hardwood furniture.
Don’t forget to recycle your lemon peels and orange peels by putting them down your garbage disposal. It freshens the drain much better than the very expensive gel tablets sold for the same purpose.
Baking soda can be used in place of abrasive cleansers. It also works as a great deodorizer and not just in the refrigerator and freezer - Try a box in the bathroom and the closets!
Spring has sprung and so have your allergies. For allergy sufferers, spring can be the worst season to clean the home. If your allergies are causing sneezing, sniffling, itchy and watery eyes, the last thing you want to expose yourself to are more allergy triggers like particles and pests.
What can you do to reduce these allergies? A thorough green spring cleaning! It can actually reduce symptoms, especially if you are allergic to things that thrive in an unclean house, like dust mites, mold and animal dander.
To rid your home of allergens for good, first know what you are allergic to so you are better prepared to tackle cleaning tasks that stir them up.
To get rid of dust mites that might be lurking in your bed sheets, wash your bed linens in 130 degree water weekly. The hot water will kill the mites. Remember to wash the decorative pillows and stuffed animals in hot water every 1-2 weeks.
Try not to dust with cotton cloths because they can spread particles around on surfaces which sends them back into the air. Use microfiber cloths instead. They trap dust and remove dust mite allergen that accumulates on hard surfaces.
Buy a vacuum cleaner with a hard-shell container or a bag vacuum with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters prevent smaller particles from blowing back out.
To remove bathroom mold, use a solution of borax and water.
Spring cleaning a house from top to bottom is a big job. If you are not up to the task of cleaning because of your allergies, hire someone to do your spring cleaning. Maid Brigade house cleaning services can clean your house in a couple of hours!
Everybody wants a clean smelling home, which is why air fresheners are such hot selling items. But commercial air fresheners are filled with VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that put toxins into the air.
There are plenty of natural, healthy ways to keep the air circulating in your home as fresh and sweet smelling as possible:
Open the windows. Open the windows every once in a while to optimize ventilation.
Sprinkle baking soda. Baking soda absorbs odors. Sprinkle a small amount on stale carpets and vacuum. Put a box of baking soda in your fridge to eliminate food smells.
Decorate your home with plants. Potted houseplants help take VOCs and carbon dioxide out of the air. Boston ferns are especially good for removing formaldehyde, and the Peace Lily is ideal for reducing acetone.
Use aromatherapy. Burning a few drops of essential oils such as lavender, lemon and verbena, in a diffuser with hot water will do wonders for cleansing the air and imparting a wonderfully natural fragrance. Make your own aromatherapy room spray by mixing 8-10 drops of essential oils with 2 ounces of water filled in a spray bottle.
Avoid smoking indoors. The number one way to combat indoor air pollution is to never let anyone smoke in your home. Cigarettes are full of toxic chemicals, and secondhand smoke exposure can cause cancer.
Grow plants indoors. Live plants around your home act as natural air filters. Some plants are effective absorbers of harmful pollutants emitted from carpets, furniture, and electronic equipment. Clean your indoor air by filling your home with spider plants, Boston ferns, rubber plants, and palm trees.
Install a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas and exposure to it can be deadly. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, buy a detector at your local hardware store.
Check for radon. Radon is a radioactive gas that is naturally present in soil and it can enter your home through cracks in your foundation. Radon is also the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon test kits are sold at hardware stores.
Making your home healthier and greener doesn’t have to be expensive, or overwhelming. Here are two changes that can improve the health of your home and our planet.
Use non-toxic cleaning products. Most coventional cleaning supplies under your sink have warning and poisonlabels on them, which means those products contain a potent mix of chemicals. These chemicals, like ammonia, have a very powerful effect on kids with asthma and they pollute indoor air. When washed down the drain, they also pollute rivers and lakes.
Look for green cleaners that don’t contain chlorine or ammonia. Choose ones that say petroleum-free, biodegradable, or phosphate-free.
Or, make a cleaner yourself.
Keep house dust under control. House dust aggravates allergies. It also contains more hazardous chemicals than you might think, including lead, fire retardants, pesticides, and other chemicals.
Vacuum frequently, getting into corners, along the floorboards, and moving furniture to get those dust bunnies.
Make sure your vacuum has strong suction and a HEPA filter so that dust and dirt go into the bag.
Turn off the lights and electronics when you leave a room.
Unplug chargers when portable electronics are fully charged.
Keep doors to unused rooms closed.
Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
Take 5 – 10 minute showers instead of baths.
Don’t hold the refrigerator door open.
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