Natural Stain Removers
Melissa MakerSo, you have a stain. Now what? As panic sets in, you think about how you can get rid of the messy marking without breaking out the strong stuff. Here are some great ideas: Baking Soda Bake-tastik!Baking soda is a great product for stain removal because it offers gentle abrasion and can lightly erase stains. Something like scuff marks or crayon on walls can usually be taken off wit...
Read more...CategoriesNaturally Green | Environment | Cleaning GreenOxygen Bleach: The Effective and Safe Alternative
Melissa MakerWe know that chlorine bleach is a huge no-no. Not only is it bad for the environment, but it can burn your skin, it is very poisonous, dioxin and chloroform are by-products and it can create highly toxic chlorine gas if mixed with ammonia. We have known this for a long time, but we still dream of the good old days when bleach was an easy way to brighten clothing, disinfect just about anyth...
Read more...CategoriesNaturally Green | Cleaning GreenHow To Clean Grout Naturally
Melissa MakerGrout is always tough to clean. When tiles are newly installed, they look so crisp and clean, especially if you choose a light shade of grout. Grout is very similar to the pores in our skinit absorbs a lot of gunk. Rather than getting pimples like our skin, grout lines simply absorb the dirt and begin to darken. If you look at the tiled floors in your home, you will certainly see that ...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning Green | Naturally GreenGreen Carpet Cleaning
Melissa MakerChoosing your flooring can be a tough choice when weighing options such as function, price and taste. Whether it is broadloom, Berber, sisal or shag, those of us with carpet in the home need to properly maintain this flooring, both for its longevity and our health, which means going beyond vacuuming. It is hard to tell when a carpet is truly dirty because dirt can be microscopic and unsusp...
Read more...CategoriesNaturally Green | Cleaning GreenHow To Get Rid Of Bathroom Mold
Melissa MakerMold it comes in almost every color and it is pesky, to say the least. It is typically caused by bacteria (that we all have growing in our bathrooms) combined with the hot, humid environment that our bathrooms provide, especially post-shower or bath. However, there are a few quick, cheap and effective tips you can use to help get rid of mold in your bathroom. To properly care for your bathr...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenAmazing Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips
Melissa MakerI know I have written about eco-friendly laundry tips before, however I find this topic crucial since I try hard to prolong the life of my beloved clothing. I spend enough time hunting for the perfect outfit at the best price, so I had better take good care of my stuff. I get asked all the time about how to handle a variety of clothing care issues, so I am going to touch upon eco-friendly laund...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenLemon Aid: Nature's Stain Remover
Naturally SavvyTomato sauce, wine, olive oil, chocolate, coffeethey wreak havoc on our homes and clothes. A heavy-duty stain remover may seem like the only solution to a stained shirt or countertop, but most arent great for the environment, and nature has a great alternative: lemons. The acid in lemons makes the citrus a great cleaning agent, and it has a bleaching effect, particularly when exposed to sun...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenCleaning Faucets and Fixtures
Melissa MakerEverybody wants their kitchen and bathroom to sparkle. The eye often goes to the faucet as one of the key indicators of cleanliness in a home. If the faucet and fixtures sparkle, the rest of the kitchen or bathroom is typically good to go. Here are a few tricks on how to maximize the sparkle of your faucets using eco-friendly methods, as well as cleaning the various metal finishes and fixtures ...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenGo Green: Winterize Your Cottage
Naturally SavvyDays are getting shorter, nights are getting cooler, and back-to-school is creeping ever closer. In short, the end of summer is upon us, and its getting to be that time when we close up the cottages and beach houses until next summer. While no one really wants to say good-bye to their summer retreats, you can make the transition to autumn a bit more friendly with a few eco-friendly tips and tri...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenControl Ants and Other Pests Naturally
Melissa MakerSummertime is here, and boy is it a hot one! I am always being asked about pest control and how it can be done in a way that is eco-friendly and not harmful to the residents of a home. If you are facing pest problems in your home, there are several natural options for you. If you have a child at home with allergies, please keep in mind that you need to be careful about heeding these...
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Washing Dishes & Dishwasher Tricks
Melissa MakerWondering how to get the best out of your dishwashing efforts? Lets cover how to wash dishes effectively whether by hand or automatic dishwasher while using ...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenBanish Toxic Dust from Your Home
Naturally SavvyTheres nothing like a thick layer of dust hidden behind a bookshelf or a computer to make most people cringe. Household dust may seem relatively harmles...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenCleaning Tips: Removing Cat Hair from the Air
Melissa MakerSpring is in the air. The grass is turning green, the sun is shining and lo and behold, I have cat hair all over me! Many people are experiencing the same se...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenPlan an Annual Purge of Things You Don't Use
Naturally SavvyGet out your mop, plug in the vacuum, pull down the drapesits time for some good old-fashioned spring cleaning. Green cleaners choose eco-friendly and natura...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenGreen Laundry Tips
Melissa MakerEveryone asks for good laundry tips—and with good reason. One person alone can create 3 loads of laundry every week or two, so imagine what a family of 4 can pr...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenNatural Cleaning Improves Indoor Air Quality
Naturally SavvyFrom bleach to grease-busters to deodorizers, there are plenty of chemical cleaners out there to tackle your dirtiest, grimiest, bacteria-laden situations. B...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenGreen Floor Cleaning
Melissa MakerCleaning your floors can be a mystery wrapped in an enigma. There are so many kinds of flooring options availableand of course, expensive manufacturers clean...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenClean Green this Holiday Season
Melissa MakerDuring the holidays, guests drop in, meals are prepared and eaten, and leftovers are storedand the need to clean never stops! Here are some great kitchen...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenCleaning Green: UV-C Light Technology
Dr. Linda MundorffWalk down the cleaning aisle of any store and you will find dozens of items designed to disinfect the home. However, one item not found on these shelves is UV-...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenGo Green with these Fall Cleaning Projects
Melissa MakerWho knew cleaning could be so seasonal? With chilly weather fast approaching for many of us, it is important to get some cleaning and yard work done to keep our...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenGreen Outdoor Cleaning Tips
Melissa MakerThere is no greater time of year than summertime. If you're anything like me, you try to experience summer to the fullest by spending as much of your time...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenHungry to Learn About Natural Enzyme Cleaners
Melissa MakerTime for some carnivorous cleaning. Maybe you’ve heard the buzz surrounding natural enzyme cleaners and are wondering if they’re right for you. These hungry, h...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenClean Naturally with Castile Soap
Melissa MakerMy clients want me to clean their houses, not fill their homes with chemicals. Ever since I started my business more than two years ago, I have been on the loo...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenSafe Carpet Cleaning Helps Green Your Home
Melissa MakerEven though your toes touch it every day, flooring isn't one of those things people spend a lot of time thinking about. Choosing the right flooring can be ...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenEco-Friendly Summer Cleaning
Melissa MakerKeeping the inside of our homes clean of the dirt and detritus of the outdoors is tough enough sometimes, so when it comes to keeping the cars, boats, bikes, an...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenDetoxifying and Disinfecting Your Home
Melissa MakerWe all know how critical it is to detoxify and cleanse ourselves from chemicals, waste and other harmful unwelcome visitors living in our bodies, but a great co...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenIndoor Air Quality: A Breath of Fresh Air
Deborah ShubThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists indoor air pollution among the top environmental hazards to human health. During the winter season, it is e...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenNew Year, New Green Cleaning Routine
Melissa MakerIt’s a new year, which means it’s time for a new routine. As the New Year kicks off, many of us try to prepare ourselves for a more successful year by creating...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenAvoid Toxins: Use Natural Cleaning Products
Naturally SavvyAvoiding unsafe cleaning products is just as important as identifying safe ones. One hundred thousand chemicals are used commercially, and the production of che...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenClean Your Oven Without Toxic Chemicals
Melissa MakerOn most people’s list of favorite domestic activities, oven cleaning probably ranks somewhere between scrubbing toilets and cleaning the gutters.Before the adve...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenDishwasher Trick: Vinegar Banishes Water Spots
Melissa MakerWashing dishes can be a hassle. For those of you fortunate to own a dishwasher, you'll know water spots can be easily avoided with various rinse aids. But ...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenHow to Clean a Self-Cleaning Oven
Melissa MakerMany of my clients simply despise cleaning the oven—and who can blame them? It often seems like a daunting task of endless scrubbing, and for the untrained supe...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenAir Fresheners: A Breath of Fresh Chemicals
Melissa MakerWe all want a fresh-smelling home because that means it’s clean and under control. Some people resort to air fresheners in aerosols, plug-in pods, and a host of...
Read more...CategoriesCleaning GreenWhat's The Buzz About Microfiber?
Melissa MakerSometimes an invention comes along that changes our world so profoundly that we ask ourselves, “How did I ever live life without this?” Microfiber cloths are on...
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