Whether we like it or not, most of us are exposed to cleaning products and their residues at low levels on a daily basis. When these chemicals are used, their fumes linger in the air and we breathe them in. Chemicals in cleaning products can also enter our bodies by absorption through the skin or through ingestion of household dust and chemical residues left on dishes and other “cleaned” surfaces. When used cleaning products are flushed down the drain, they…
The beginning of a new year usually triggers a person’s innate desire to start anew, and that often extends to the desire many have to clean their homes after the whirlwind of the holidays. It can feel so good to organize, clean, recycle and reconfigure your home into a fresh, streamlined environment. But cleaning your home is usually a huge undertaking, one that sometimes leaves you throwing your hands in the (dust-filled) air and resigning yourself to a job half-done. Common household cleaners are meant to help you clean, spiff and…
Maybe it’s your favorite dress. Or that button-down shirt you wear all the time. At some point, though, with regular laundering habits, those beloved articles of clothing are probably going to show signs of wear. Maybe the color fades, or maybe the fabric pills. Maybe stains refuse to budge. Or maybe there’s a residue and lifelessness to your clothing now. You have to launder your clothes, but does that automatically mean you have to watch their quality deteriorate, too? The…
Your weekly cleaning schedule probably includes making sure all the majors are covered: floors, countertops, sinks, tubs, surfaces. But dirt, grime and dust don’t discriminate – they can (and will) settle anywhere, even on places you might not think to clean on a regular basis. So despite your best efforts, you may find yourself or family members coming down with more colds, stomach bugs or allergy and asthma flare-ups. Here’s our list of the 6 items you should…
Everyone wants a clean home, but the myriad cleaning products on the market can give anyone pause once you stop to look at the ingredient list. Most commonly-available household cleaners are harsh, full of chemicals, and contain synthetic fragrances and dyes. Fumes from these cleaners can exacerbate breathing difficulties, and using several in combination can create a noxious build-up. And if your skin is sensitive to chemicals, you might notice a redness or rash on any part of your skin…