How I became interested in a cleaner and reduced-chemical future in my home environment
After years of suffering from migraines and breathing problems on cleaning day, I took a leap and went chemical free. It wasn't as hard as I imagined and having less migraines was a prize in itself. After a year and half of doing the 'vinegar & baking soda thing' I discovered some amazing eco-friendly and chemical-free products with a company that shared in my passion for reducing the amount of chemicals used in the home (or any indoor environment). While skeptical at first of the amazing claims being made I could recognize the high quality of the products. I decided to try a few and put them through their paces...then my hubby also tested them. We were excited that they not only lived up to their claims but were time saving, cost-effective, simple to use and a healthy yet very effective way to clean our home. We acquired more products and had the same excellent results and I decided to become a consultant.
So, what's this company all about?
Their mission is to improve human life by radically reducing the use of chemcials in personal care and cleaning.
HOW CAN I CLEAN MY HOME WITHOUT TOXIC CHEMICALS
This European cleaning concept, which has recently been introduced to North America, sells the highest quality of microfiber on the market today. Swedish laboratory tests have concluded that the cloths with just clean water (no chemicals) can remove more bacteria than household bleach and a regular cotton cleaning cloth.
I feel I'm doing my part to ensure that my family, myself, and our environment are all healthy and toxin free.
Interestingly, microfiber was created by researchers and scientists to combat the serious and dangerous Superbugs that were resistant to disinfectants in hospital settings. Chemicals (chlorine and bleach) were unable to kill these dangerous forms of bacteria but when they turned to textiles they discovered that high quality tightly knit microfiber could effectively remove 99% of the bacteria from surfaces.
Microfiber cloths can be used DRY, to dust all smooth surfaces, picking up more dust and leaving the surface dust free for a longer period of time, than with a spray polisher and dusting cloth. The dust is all collected in the weave of the cloth and not spread around like a regular cloth and furniture polish. You only need the cloth. How does it work? The cloths are made from ultra microfiber. Each strand of fiber is one, one hundredth the width of a human hair. Due to the material of the cloth, the tight weave and the pattern in which it's woven, it creates a static charge, which draws in all dust particles. To test the quality of other microfiber products give the fabric a tug in all directions%u2026.there should be very little to no give%u2026.if the material stretches it is cheap microfiber of poor quality.
When used WET, the microfiber cloths have a whole different reaction. When microfiber is damp/wet something called "capillary action" is created. This scientific term refers to the drawing in of even the finest particles of dirt and bacteria. Microscopic bacteria are all removed from the surface, and locked into the cloth. Not even bleach sitting on a surface for minutes, and wiped with a cloth, will remove as much bacteria. The company is so confident in the line that they offer our customers a 60-day trial period.
Something new that sets this microfiber apart, besides its high quality, is the addition of an antibacterial agent that is embedded within the microfiber. The microfiber continues to remove bacteria from a surface but now inside the microfiber cloths this antibacterial agent actually destroys bacteria. A wet cloth will self-sanitize in a few hours, you will not cross contaminate your hands or surfaces of your home with bacteria and the cloth will not develop that 'stinky rag' smell.
But how long will they last? The life span of our cloths is 8-10 years, and each cloth comes with a 2-year warranty. You can't beat that! They are extremely easy to care for. You can wash all our microfiber in your washing machine and then put through your dryer. We ask that fabric softener not be used as besides containing harmful chemicals for humans it also clogs the microfiber making less effective. Bleach could also lessen the lifespan of the fabric so we encourage people not to use bleach. Because microfiber is so wonderful at attracting particles to itself it is best to wash with laundry that produces little lint such as denim, shirts, sheets, but not with towels or blankets. Another option is to have a little container that will hold the cloth on your kitchen counter, add 1/8 of a tsp laundry detergent or a few drops dishwashing liquid, pour boiling water from your kettle over it and swish around. Leave for a few minutes to overnight. Rinse well to remove all soap (you'll be amazed at how much dirt comes out of these cloths) and hang to dry.
We also carry other alternatives for your cleaning needs such as: a one handed toilet cleaning system; laundry detergent; dryer balls to remove static cling and reduce drying time; dishwasher detergent; liquid dish soap; a natural room deodorizer; a mattress cleaner that will safely & effectively eliminate dust mites, their feces and other organic matter that sleep with you each night; a cleaning paste; a great lime removing descaler; the most innovative toothbrush on the market; a magnet ball to remove minerals that make water hard from your dishwasher and washing machine and in turn you use half the amount of soap; a produce spray to wash your fruits and veggies, protect them in storage and extend their life; and a whole host of personal care products for the hair, skin, face, hands and nails. The use of our line will save you up to 90% annually on your cleaning costs, but most importantly it will save your health and the environment.
Books to get you started on Green Cleaning...
The Super-green Clean
The Super-Green Clean: Using Microfiber Towels to Clean Almost anything with Plain Water!
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 11/22/2008) 
SO, YOU THINK YOU'RE SLEEPING ALONE!
Did you know you have 2 million univited guests keeping you company each night?
Dust mites are microscopic.About 50 of them can fit on the head of a pin.
There are millions of Dust Mites in your home, which live in your upholstered furniture, carpet, bed, bedding, curtains, mattresses and even your children's stuffed toys! Bedrooms are often where the largest population of Dust Mites reside!
10% of the average pillows weight is Dust Mite Feces!
Dust Mites feast on the Fungus that grows on dead skin cells, and animal dander
The average adult sheds about 15 lbs of skin per year
In a day each dust mite produces up to 50 faecal pellets.
These droppings are the most common cause of dust related allergies. The allergen that causes asthma attacks, allergies and eczema is actually a protein found in their droppings and their carcasses.
Approximately 80% of asthmatics are allergic to Dust Mites. Many children cough during the night from breathing in organic matter waste. Some snorers are reacting to these droppings. Many people wake up 'stuffy' from this waste in their nasal passages. Other problems these critters are known to cause: headaches, runny nose, itchy skin, puffy eyes, eczema as well as asthma, rhinitis and related respiratory problems.
The life cycle of the dust mite is as follows: The development of the house dust mite from an egg to an adult takes just three to four weeks. Adults live for about 2-4 months, but during its life the dust mite produces about 200 times its weight in waste product and lays 40-100 eggs! This is why mattress cleaning is important. Dust mites thrive in warm, humid conditions where their populations can explode! Our beds are some of the warmer and more humid places year round. Dust mites, bacteria, viruses, fungal spores, harmful organisms and other sediments accumulate in your mattress.
Some ways to try to reduce dust mites:
- Wash bedding (such as sheets, bedcovers, pillow casings, comforters and blankets) once a week in HOT water. Cold water washing will not kill or remove all the dust mites.
- Vacuuming mattresses, pillows and the base of the bed.
- Maintain low indoor humidity ideally between 30-50% relative humidity. Always dry the water pan before adding fresh water to the humidifier.
- Have your carpets cleaned often and keep up with weekly vacuuming.
- Do not let pets sleep in the bedroom.
- Remove bedroom carpets and heavy drapes that can trap dander (dust mite food).
- Pillows functionally last 3-5 years.
- Vacuum &/or put stuffed animals in hot dryer at least once a week, or put in freezer for at least 24 hours every 3 weeks.
- Keep stuffed toys off of beds.
- Make sure all areas of the house have good air circulation and keep areas clean.
- Dust furniture weekly to keep surface dust from remaining long.
SOLUTION: I've found a great MATTRESS CLEANER (Designed for dust mite removal)
The Mattress Cleaner can be used on anything that can not be placed in a hot load washing machine or dryer, (or items that do not dry within the first 60 minutes). Examples are mattresses, pillows, blankets, duvets, comforters, upholstered furniture, carpet, curtains, stuffed animals, vehicle seats, and similar fabrics with depth that harbor dust mites.
I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
I welcome you to sign my guest book.
I'd appreciate receiving your feedback on my lens and would love to hear about your personal journey regarding using or reducing chemicals?
cleanmommy wrote
This is a very informative lens! Thanks. I enjoyed my visit.
Posted February 24, 2008
Bert wrote
Great info. Thanks for the dust mite explation...yuck! I'll keep checking back!
Posted February 17, 2008
The Mom Song by Anita Renfroe
The Mom Song Sung to William Tell Overture with Lyrics
"The Mom" song, sung to the William Tell Overture, by Anita Renfroe. What a mom says in 24 hours, condensed into 2 minutes and 55 seconds! Hilarious and talented! Lyrics for "The Mom Song" is given below. (Thank you BelleFlower15!) "The Mom Song" Get up now Get up now Get up out of bed Wash your face Brush your teeth Comb your sleepyhead Here's your clothes and your shoes Hear the words I said Get up now! Get up and make your bed Are you hot? Are you cold? Are you wearing that? Where's your books and your lunch and your homework at? Grab your coat and gloves and your scarf and hat Don't forget! You gotta feed the cat Eat your breakfast, the experts tell us it's the most important meal of all Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at 3 today Don't forget your piano lesson is this afternoon so you must play Don't shovel Chew slowly But hurry The bus is here Be careful Come back here Did you wash behind your ears? Play outside, don't play rough, will you just play fair? Be polite, make a friend, don't forget to share Work it out, wait your turn, never take a dare Get along! Don't make me come down there Clean your room, fold your clothes, put your stuff away Make your bed, do it now, do we have all day? Were you born in a barn? Would you like some hay? Can you even hear a word I say? Answer the phone! Get off the phone! Don't sit so close, turn it down, no texting at the table No more computer time tonight! Your iPod's my iPod if you don't listen up Where are you going and with whom and what time do you think you're coming home? Saying thank you, please, excuse me makes you welcome everywhere you roam You'll appreciate my wisdom someday when you're older and you're grown Can't wait till you have a couple little children of your own You'll thank me for the counsel I gave you so willingly But right now I thank you not to roll your eyes at me Close your mouth when you chew, would appreciate Take a bite maybe two of the stuff you hate Use your fork, do not burp or I'll set you straight Eat the food I put upon your plate Get an A, get the door, don't get smart with me Get a grip, get in here, I'll count to three Get a job, get a life, get a PHD Get a dose of, "I don't care who started it! You're grounded until you're 36" Get your story straight and tell the truth for once, for heaven's sake And if all your friends jumped off a cliff would you jump, too? If I've said it once, I've said at least a thousand times before That you're too old to act this way It must be your father's DNA Look at me when I am talking Stand up straighter when you walk A place for everything and everything must be in place Stop crying or I'll give you something real to cry about Oh! Brush your teeth, wash your face, put your PJs on Get in bed, get a hug, say a prayer with mom Don't forget, I love you And tomorrow we will do this all again because a mom's work never ends You don't need the reason why Because, because, because, because I said so, I said so, I said so, I said so I'm the mom, the mom, the mom, the mom, the mom!! Ta da!!!
Runtime: 3:15
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