Eco-Friendly Laundry - Who Needs a Big Chunky Bottle of Tide Anyhow?!

Eco-Friendly Laundry - Who Needs a Big Chunky Bottle of Tide Anyhow?!

Wouldn't it be great to be able to do laundry and not have to worry about how the detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets were affecting the environment? Well there alternatives to what's currently sold in local retail stores. You just have to be willing to spend some time, do some research, and wait for the products you order to come to your door.

It has been said that the laundry room is the one of the most toxic rooms in your entire home. This statement is based upon the fact that commercial laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets have high levels of toxic chemicals in them. These chemicals have been known to cause serious health issues including cancer and liver damage. Is it any wonder that people are looking for safe, eco-friendly alternatives to doing their laundry?

There are many products on the local supermarket's shelves that claim to be "environmentally safe." But one has to wonder if they live up to their claim, or if they're just jumping on the latest hot marketing bandwagon.

Products claim to be "non-toxic." Some claim to be either "biodegradable" or "organic." Unlike the labels on food products, laundry products are not regulated. A manufacturer does not have to prove their claim; they don't even have to list the ingredients that are in the products they sell.

When searching for eco-friendly laundry products, try to look for products that have a list of the ingredients, as well as words indicating what's NOT in the cleaner, i.e., "chlorine-free" or "no phosphates."

Here are some ways to have a more eco-friendly laundry room:

One of the easiest ways to make your laundry more "green" is to switch from liquid detergent to a powder. Since liquid detergents already contain large quantities of water, it costs extra for packaging. If you must buy a liquid, choose one that is concentrated.

Another way to lessen laundry's impact on the environment is by allowing it to air dry on a clothes line rather than using your dryer. Sunlight, which is free, is a natural bleaching agent; it also disinfects the clothes. If you must use a dryer, switch to a gas dryer. They are cheaper and have less impact on the environment.

Don't use dryer sheets because many of them contain the same chemicals found in liquid fabric softeners. Besides being hazardous to your health, aren't biodegradable. To help reduce static cling, dry natural fibers and synthetic fibers separately.

Here are some phases to familiarize yourself with when looking at the products on the shelf.

Stay away from any product that has "Danger," "Warning," or "Caution" on the label. Those with "Danger" or "Poison" are the most hazardous. Next avoid those that bear a "Warning." Products that merely have a "Caution" are least hazardous, but still should be used only when there are no other alternatives.

Look for products with specific claims, not generic ones. "No phosphates" or "plant-based" tells you more about a product than saying it is "biodegradable." Choose those products that list their ingredients, and choose those that are made with plant-based instead of petroleum-based ingredients.

While these tips are not exhaustive, they are a few steps that you can take to lessen the environmental impact. They will help lessen the chemicals in your home, and possibly save you money at the same time.

Store Bought Eco-Friendly Products: Are They Truly Eco-Friendly or Is It Just a Fancy Name?

Store Bought Eco-Friendly Products: Are They Truly Eco-Friendly or Is It Just a Fancy Name?

It seems that everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon of the newest craze to hit the country, especially if that craze is profitable. The eco-friendly market is no different. However, some manufacturers may be promoting their products as being good for the environment without their truly being eco-friendly. How can you tell if the products in the store are good for the environment, or if they're just using the phraseology to make you think they are?

There are no standards to verify a product as "green" or earth-friendly. Some products on the market are listed as eco-safe, environmentally friendly, environmentally safe, green, or non-toxic. Any manufacturer can choose to use those labels. But do these "labels" really mean that the products are safe for the environment?

If you can't tell if a product is environmentally safe just by reading the labels, how do you know if it is safe to use or not? Until there is some type of certification to very that a product is "green," the consumer is responsible for evaluating the products they use and whether the products claims are true.

You can use household products like white vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils to make home recipes that would be very effective in cleaning your home. Be sure to label the homemade cleaners clearly and store them where children cannot reach them. Also, NEVER mix ammonia and chlorine bleach; the results are extremely toxic.

One product that has been used widely to disinfect modern homes is chlorine bleach. However, chlorine bleach has chemical compounds in it that should not be used in the home, and are extremely toxic. If you need an alternative for chlorine bleach, try hydrogen peroxide bleach, leaving it on the surface to be cleaned for a minimum of ten minutes. Wiping it up any sooner will not kill the germs.

What if you need another cleaner? Throw your support behind companies that list each and every ingredient in their product. Two such companies are Ecover and Seventh Generation. Although they are not required by law to list all of their ingredients, they are proving that the product is safe by doing so.

Choose a product that specifies how long it takes for them to decompose in nature. Being labeled "biodegradable" doesn't necessarily mean that you should choose this product. Use a product that specifies that it will biodegrade completely in XX number of days. You will know that after that time, the product will no longer affect the environment.

Here are some labels that you should avoid: Corrosive, chlorine bleach, ammonia, phosphates, and petroleum products. You will also want to avoid products that have artificial fragrances and those made with animal by-products. All of these labels indicate that the product is harmful, not only to the environment but also to your family.

Finally, if you're not 100% sure about a product, you can always call the toll-free telephone number on the product. Ask them questions about the ingredients. Request as much specific information about it as you can. And, if the manufacturer refuses to answer your questions, you might consider finding another product.

Finding truly economic-friendly products that are safe and effective for cleaning your home is not impossible. It takes a little time reading labels but the time is worth it. The only other option would be to make your own.

Does Your Cleaning Service Use Natural Cleaning?

My husband Ron has been cleaning Saint Louis Homes since the early 1990's. Something that I think makes him so good at this profession is that he's an artist so he pays attention to detail because it has to look like art when he's finished.

Lately Ron has more concerned for the planet, his health and the health of his clients. Today's House Cleaning Service uses earth friendly non-toxic cleaners.

I especially like it when he cleans our home it is such a pleasure to come home after Ron cleaned it. I get a taste of what his clients must experience. I'm super happy to come home to a fresh smelling clean home after a hard day at the office.
It makes my day. The home is really clean. It smells great. Ron used green cleaning products which protect our health, our children health, our pets health and the health of our Earth, what could be better.

My mom started using these great natural cleaners over 30 years ago.

Here is my plug for our Saint Louis Cleaning Service.

Today's Cleaning service was started here in the Saint Louis, MO area on a part time basis in 1994 and full time since 1999. We've had an amazing 10 years so far and we love every minute of it. My husband Ron is really good and cleaning & making his clients happy. I do the marketing and business cards the office stuff while Ron goes to our clients homes and works his magic. I do mean magic because he is really good at what he does. Ron has a great personality to boot and he's easy to work with. Best of all Ron has high ratings on Angie's List and he got an award for service as well.

Our mission involves not only providing exceptional & reasonably priced residential cleaning services to the Saint Louis, MO area, but our clients have a voice! Our clients are heard by us, and this makes us unique in the cleaning service business. We also provided al a carte cleaning for those who cannot afford to have their whole house cleaned. We've been in the full time cleaning business since 1999 & part time since 1994. Are ratings on Angie's List are at the TOP!

Call Today for a Free Estimate 314-229-7353

Click Here to Learn More About Today's Cleaning Service

Hire a Cleaning Service

Okay, so you are ready for a service to clean your home. Good for you! But, in addition to wanting top-notch service at a fair price, you may ask: "How can I trust someone in my home, or better yet, with a key to my house?"

The demand for professional home cleaning services continues to grow. More and more people are realizing that outsourcing these, sometimes less than desirable tasks, can have a great return on investment. Often, the biggest pay off for hiring a home cleaning service is not just the time you are not cleaning, but the total time - and energy- you reclaim formerly spent dreading or avoiding cleaning.

Hiring a service to clean your home is a big decision, with many considerations. Trust is vital since it is, after all, your personal space. All too often customers are not asking the right questions or doing their homework.

Okay, so you are ready for a service to clean your home. Good for you! But, in addition to wanting top-notch service at a fair price, you may ask: "How can I trust someone in my home, or better yet, with a key to my house?"

The demand for professional home cleaning services continues to grow. More and more people are realizing that outsourcing these, sometimes less than desirable tasks, can have a great return on investment. Often, the biggest pay off for hiring a home cleaning service is not just the time you are not cleaning, but the total time - and energy- you reclaim formerly spent dreading or avoiding cleaning.

Hiring a service to clean your home is a big decision, with many considerations. Trust is vital since it is, after all, your personal space. All too often customers are not asking the right questions or doing their homework.

Tips To Cut Your Cleaning Time

According to a recent survey by home cleaning experts, over half of Americans admit that they feel a sense of accomplishment after cleaning their homes-even though they don't necessarily like having to houseclean. The good news is cleaning doesn't have to be laborious or take loads of time.

"My advice to people is 'clean smarter, not harder,'" says Laura Dellutri, author of "Speed Cleaning 101." "By following a few simple tips, you can properly clean your home in less time, thereby freeing you up to do the things you'd rather be doing."

Here are a few speed-cleaning tips from Dellutri:

Keep dirt and grime from accumulating. Did you know that 85 percent of all dirt that comes into the home is on the bottom of shoes? By placing mats at the entrance of your home so people can wipe their shoes, you'll reduce the amount of dirt coming in-and the amount you'll have to clean later.

Have all of your cleaning supplies nearby while cleaning. This will shave time off your cleaning routine, because you won't have to stop to retrieve missing tools or products. A cleaning caddy, five-gallon pail, cleaning apron or laundry basket can all be used to transport cleaning supplies from room to room (and they make great storage containers). Carry a few damp cloths (which can be used to clean 90 percent of the surfaces in your home) over your shoulder to save time running back and forth to the sink. Hang smaller cleaning supplies from your belt or the vacuum, or put them in your pockets.

Look for products with "two-in-one" benefits. For example, glass cleaner with disinfectant can be used on a variety of surfaces, thereby eliminating the need for multiple spray cans (and the time to fumble for them). The O-Cedar Power Corner Plus with Scuff Eraser is a great two-in-one cleaning tool, because its 25,000 bristle tips pick up dust and debris quickly, while the built-in scuff eraser eliminates the need to bend down and remove unsightly marks.

Clean from top to bottom. Dust and dirt fall to the floor while you clean, so start at the top to avoid having to re-clean lower areas twice. For the same reason, always dust first and vacuum last.

Don't clean what's already clean. You can shave hours off your routine by cleaning only the dirty areas of furniture, fixtures or appliances, and shining the rest of it with a slightly damp cloth.

Get the whole family involved. Assign everyone in the family a particular cleaning chore (for example, vacuuming, dusting, trash removal, sweeping) and have each person complete his or her task in each room of the home. When everyone helps in an organized fashion, the house can be cleaned in practically no time.



Two-in-one cleaning products save you time when cleaning.