Your Ultimate GREEN Spring Cleaning Tips

Spring is here! Here come the flowers, bunnies and sunshine! It's also the time to open the windows and treating your home to deep spring cleaning.

Why do we emphasize the "GREEN?" It’s not because of the green grass we're going to start seeing as the snow melts and the grass grows. We're emphasizing "green" in because we encourage the use safe and natural cleaning products. Going green will clean your home naturally, while at the same time keeping you and your family safe without the use of chemicals. 

15 Green Spring Cleaning Tips

..But First: Open up the windows and let the fresh air come in!

1. Replace old pillows: Pillows that are over 2 years old can be composed of up to 10 percent dust mite feces and carcasses. 

2. Sprinkle baking soda on musty carpets: Instead of using chemical cleaners, baking soda will help get rid of odors. Let it sit for an hour or so and then vacuum it up.

3. Clean your windows with vinegar: Combine 2 teaspoons of vinegar with 1 quart of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe with a microfiber cloth. 

4. Flip your mattress and sprinkle with baking soda: Just like carpet, you can sprinkle baking soda to absorb oils and odors. After absorbed, vacuum it up. 

5. Install a clothes line: Dry your clothes naturally when the weather permits!

6. Eliminate chemical fabric softeners: Instead, add 1/4 cup of vinegar to your washing machine's rinse cycle.

7. Leave coffee grounds in the fridge: Coffee grounds absorb funky odors that may linger in your refrigerator.

8. Polish wood with olive oil: Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to 1/4 cup of lemon juice for a non-toxic furniture polish that remove dust and make the wood shine.

9. Clean the dishwasher: Fill your dishwasher with 2 cups of vinegar. Run through on a hot cycle to clean and remove musty odors.

10. Clean the toilet: Pour 1 cup of baking soda in the toilet and let it sit for 1 hour. Pour in 1 cup of white vinegar, leave for 5 minutes and flush.

11. Natural Bleach: A mix of hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice creates a natural bleach. Use it in your bathroom, or even your laundry.

12. Help the refrigerator stay cool: Vacuum the coils about twice a year to remove any dust or dirt.

13. Bathtub and shower: Warm up white vinegar and spray it on shower walls once a week and let it sit for 5 minutes. Let the shower rinse it away, or wipe down.

14. Baseboards, door frames and walls: Scrub them down with a squirt of dishwashing liquid soap mixed with warm water (magic erasers work well).
15. Dust light fixtures: Use a microfiber cloth and lightly dampen your cloth with vinegar before wiping down.

GO GREEN! 

Check out this link to learn more about the harms of chemical household cleaning products.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/allergy-and-asthma/articles/2008/07/25/health-hazards-in-household-cleaners-exposed

Cleaned to Perfection will have your home spring and summer ready in no time!

Give us a call today and tell us about your spring cleaning needs. 631-941-4607

National Safety Month

       June has begun and Cleaned To Perfection is welcoming the summer month with open arms.  Along with the official start of summer, it is also National Safety Month, and we've compiled a list to keep you and your family safe not only while you clean, but also throughout the summer months. While this list does give many helpful hints, it is just a starting point, be sure to add a comment down below with some of your own helpful safety hints you use within your family!


CLEANING 

• Keep all products in their original containers
• Never sniff, touch, or taste to determine the product
• Keep all the products locked up, and out of reach of children
• Reach your labels, and never mix chemicals, they can release a harmful gas
• Open windows and turn on fans while cleaning and for an hour or two afterwards
• Wear protective clothing - long sleeves, long pants, socks, shoes, and gloves - it spraying pesticides 
• Even "all-natural" or "environmentally friendly " labeled products can be serious if ingested 
• Make sure mop buckets are carefully guarded; even a very small bucket of water or fluids can be hazardous, causing drownings or serious health issues if ingested. 
• The slippery surface of a freshly mopped floor is dangerous as well. It may cause a slip leading to a dangerous fall
• Never turn your back on a ladder
• If possible, use cleaning tools with telescoping handles 
• It is recommended to changed the batteries of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year (helpful idea is to change them with the clock)

OUTSIDE 

• Teach your children to never play on or around a lawn mower, even when it is off
• Children under 6 should be kept inside when the lawn is be mowed 
• Frequent playgrounds that have shock absorbent surfaces
• Teach children to use equipment properly 
• Enforcing no pushing, shoving, rough housing 
• Use appropriate and well fitted equipment in sports (helmets, goggles, etc) 
• Don't leave unattended kids near open flames (grills, campfires, fire-pits, bonfires, etc)
• Always have a bucket of way and fire extinguisher on hand
• Only let professionals handle fireworks 

POOL CLEANING 

• Keep water in constant moving; it prevents bacteria from forming 
• Check the pools filter and backwash frequently
• Brush and vacuum at least once a week
• Test your pools water, the pH balance and sanitizer levels needs to be checked 
• Have a water treatment going 
• If going on vacation:  brush and vacuum, test the levels, set the timer/ask a good friend to make sure pump runs eight hours a day 

POOL SAFETY 

• ALWAYS MANDATE A LIFEGUARD ON HAND
• Be CPR certified 
• Keep the water clean
• Have the children take swimming lessons
• Know the weather, realize if there is a storm coming in
• Wear your life jackets, remember toys are not a replacement for life jackets
• Always aha a phone on hand for emergencies 
• Don't clutter pool and the surrounding area 
• Have a 4foot or taller fence surrounding pool area 

To keep everyone properly protected from the sun use the proper SPF Sunblock for your skin type, wear a hat, and keep in proper shade.  

These are just a few helpful hints for your family, as always we love to hear any that you have to offer!  Any emergency immediately seek medical assistant or call 911.