Air Fresheners, Naturally

We all like a “clean” or “fresh” smell in our home. After all isn’t the impression if it doesn’t smell clean, it’s not clean? When in fact, most of the safest cleaners have no smell at all. However, the fact still remains, we like the aroma. The best air freshener of all is just plain, ol’ fresh air- open up the windows and let it in. As we all know that’s not always possible though. First let me say a few words about the air fresheners sooo readily available to us: most are aerosol- toxic to our indoor air quality, our health and our environment (even those plug ins aren’t healthy). And then not to mention what’s actually IN that air freshener…toxins like camphor, phenol, ethanol, formaldehyde, and artificial fragrances (see our website for more info). Now. Do you really want to compromise health for just a temporary fix of a wiff? Try these instead:
Bamboo reeds (diffuser) with a few drops of your favorite essential oil in the container (lavender, chamomile, peppermint are a few of our favorites)
Simmer a pot of water with cut up fruits and spices (adding more water as it steams away)
Simmer a pot of water with a few drops of essential oils (a few drops go a long way- AND choose the oil based on symptoms in the home at the time- thyme or eucalyptus is good for colds, lavender will soothe the moods..)
Make an air freshener spray from essential oil, water and alcohol (vodka is healthier to use than isopropyl alcohol), shake in a spray bottle and use around the house-avoid spray surfaces of wood though.

Holiday Gift Certificates

Holidays Gift Certificate

Holidays Gift Certificate

Making a Natural Perfume

Making a Natural Solid Perfume:
What You Need:

Sweet Almond Oil (good source of vitamin e), soy- or bees-wax, 5-15 drops essential oil or flower petals.

What to Do:

Mix equal parts of sweet almond oil and soy/bees-wax (amount depends on how much you want to make) in a saucepan over low heat until the mixture is just melted. If you are using essential oils, remove from heat and add the desired amount and type (see below) of essential oil; if you are using petals, stir in the petals until all petals are submerged and then remove from heat. Rose petals or lavender blooms are two of my favorites. To store the perfume, use a recycled body cream/butter container, altoids or other mint tin, or you can purchase containers made for perfume. Makes a great gift idea!

Essential Oils to Try:

Floral: Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Lavender

Fresh scent: Bergamot, grapefruit

Or try a combination of oils

Pure Essential Oil Tips for Your Home

There are quick and easy ways to use pure essential oils in your home.

1. Simmer a pot of water on the stove with a few drops of your favorite essential oil
2. Disinfect combs/brushes- 1 1/2 cups water and 20 drops of tea tree(melaleuca) oil in container, soak 20 minutes
3. Vacuum- apply a few drops of oil to cotton balls and place in vacuum bag
4. Drawer freshener- place a cotton balls with a few drops of lavender or geranium oil applied in the drawer
5. Light Bulbs- place 1-2 drops of your favorite oil to a cool light bulb (as it heats up, it will release the aroma)
6. Homemade cleaner- add a few drops of tea tree or peppermint (see blog for recipe)
7. Laundry- add a few drops of your favorite oil to your free and clear detergent for a hypo-allergenic scent
8. Laundry- add several drops of tea tree or eucalyptus to deter dust mists in linens
9. Air Freshener- add 3ml oil, 8 oz water, 4 oz alcohol (ie vodka) and shake then spray
10. Diffuse lemongrass oil on patio table to deter pests
11. Apply 2-3 drops of oil to cardboard roller of toilet paper to release aroma whenever roll is spun
12. Humidifer- add several drops of eucalyptus to water
13. Replace dryer sheets with a wash cloth dampened with several drops of oil
14. Apply a few drops of cedar oil to cotton places and place in closet and on clips of hangers to deter moths
15. Apply a few drops of peppermint to several cotton balls and place in corners and under sinks to deter pests and rodents
16. Add 1ml of your favorite oil to a small decorative oil burner
17. Flu/Cold Help- add eucalyptus oil to oil burner or simmer in pot of water
18. Spray inside of garbage cans with peppermint or tea tree (melaleuca)
19. Spray inside vents or baseboards to release aroma with heat
20. Spray/lotion can be made with your favorite carrier oil and lavender to make a natural inspect repellent.

We use a few of these tips in our own Long Island natural cleaning service. Its all about health...green cleaning isn't a fad, its the way of the future. See our blog Healthy Cleaning Tip of the Day for more ideas or visit our website to learn more about our all natural house cleaning services.

Winter’s Coming: How Is Your IAQ?

As the season is changing, we are putting on the heat at night and closing the windows. The air indoors is less circulated and more concealed; making it that much more important to pay attention to. We are what we breathe. Think about the environment you will be living in over the next several months. The indoor air quality (IAQ) can have an enormous impact on our health. Did you ever wonder why we always seem to get sick in the winter months? It may not just be that cold being passed around; it may be the air you are breathing. Besides the importance of changing the filter and cleaning the ducts of your heating system, there are other measures you can take to greatly improve your home environment. Here are a few tips:

• Replace those air fresheners. Most are aerosol- toxic to our indoor air quality, our health and our environment (even those plug ins aren’t healthy). And then not to mention what’s actually IN that air freshener…toxins like camphor, phenol, ethanol, formaldehyde, and artificial fragrances. Instead, try simmering water on the stove top with spices (cinnamon) or a few drops of essential oil (eucalyptus helps fend off germs)  
• HEPA vacuum. Vacuum regularly and use a HEPA vac. HEPA filtration is very important. The filters can trap dust, dirt, allergens, etc. They trap virtually all particles without a trace being sent back into your indoor environment. Many traditional style vacuums take dirt and dust in, and put out dirty air. You will know this because you can smell it. There should not be any odor from vacuuming. Using a HEPA vacuum is especially important for allergy and asthma suffers, needless to say healthier for all!
• Eliminate the use of harmful chemicals and toxins in your home. So many household use products can toxins that get released into the air we breathe. There are many natural replacements for these products that are much less expensive and you probably already have at home!
• Have a professional Seasonal Cleaning done. Hiring a professional to clean, sanitize, and disinfect your home is a great way to start off the season. It should only cost about the same as having an evening out to dinner and it is a true preventative action towards the health of the family.

For more healthy tips, visit our blog at http://taraspersonalcleaning.wordpress.com/healthy-living-tip-of-the-day/ or to see more information about us, visit our website athttp://www.taraspersonalcleaning.com

Are you obsessed with your hand sanitizer?

Hand sanitizers seemed to have made their way into every car, diaper bag, backpack..you name it and its probably there. The concept is great. How many times have you touched something germy and wished you could find a sink to no avail. So we came up with these gels. Some of them on the market are okay (mostly vitamin E and alcohol) but there are some containing toxins like triclosan. I even read the ingredients on one bottle that had a type of antifreeze in it! But who has the time to read labels like that? Most of the time, the gels are at the store counter as an impulse item. This put me on a mission and here's what I came up with. Its a quick and easy recipe and can be put in any small applicator:

Mix 10 drops bergamot (or lemon, orange, rosemary), 30 drops tea tree, and 10 drops Vitamin E pure oils into 3 tbsp. vodka (yes vodka!) and 1 cup pure aloe gel. Blend it well until smooth (or put in blender) and store in an applicator bottle. (you can double thisto fill  a soap dispenser)

At least you will know what you are rubbing into your skin so often! Its easy to live a little more naturally. 

A Safe Bleach Alternative, Naturally

When cleaning a client’s house, I was really wishing I could just use bleach because the job just needed that kind of strength. So I did some homework and this is what I came up with…try this for a natural, safe “bleach”- it works!!
- 1 ½ cup 3% hydrogen peroxide
- ½ cup lemon juice
- Pure water to fill gallon jug
- 10 drops tea tree or other essential oils
Pour hydrogen peroxide,lemon juice, and essential oils in gallon jug. Add water to fill. Cap and store.
Notes:
-This is a color-safe bleach alternative.
-Add a cup of homemade bleach alternative to the wash for brighter, softer clothing.
-May be used in bath, tub, and toilet cleaning.
-No need to dilute.
-For tough-on stains soak clothing in a bucket with this solution. You may also spray on stains prior to washing.

Cleaning Soap Scum from glass showers..Naturally

Combine 2 teaspoons borax,1 teaspoon castile soap,3/4 cup white vinegar, 1 1/2 cup hot water, and 10 drops tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Shake to blend. Spray mixture on glass and allow to penetrate. Follow with a sponge or brush. Rinse off. Dry.
When the job calls for a more heavy duty scrub here’s my favorite soft scrub alternative -It can also be used to scrub a toilet :
3/4 cup baking soda mixed with enough liquid castile soap to form a paste, add 5 drops tea tree oil and 5 drops of lemon oil (optional). Apply scrub to sponge for use on shower doors. Allow paste to stay on glass for 5-10 minutes. Spray with vinegar and wipe off with sponge. Rinse off and then dry.

Cleaning The After-Thanksgiving Oven, Naturally

Cleaning Your Oven, Safely and Naturally

After enjoying your wonderful feast with your guests, now its time for a little clean up. But think about this before reaching for that can of heavy duty oven cleaner or the self-clean button.

Did you know that most oven cleaners, whether its aerosol, powder or liquid, contain sodium hydroxide (lye)? Lye is extremely corrosive and can cause skin, eye and lung damage (in extreme cases can cause death). These cleaners can also contain 2-butoxethanol (causes reproductive problems and minor birth defects) and monoethanolamine (vapors can be irritating to the respiratory tract; may affect nervous and reproductive systems). These chemicals are also linked to asthma. The other danger of spraying these chemicals in the oven is that they can leach into food cooked in the oven too soon after cleaning.

Before thinking that you are safe using the self clean setting on the oven instead, read on. There are reports of serious human health reactions to the self clean process, most commonly irritation to the respiratory system but has caused more severe reactions and even deaths in some pets, such as birds. The self cleaning oven reaches more than 800 degrees and releases gases of acrylic aldehyde and formaldehyde, both being respiratory irritants and linked to cancer. If you really want to use this method, be sure to ventilate the house very well. The off-gassing can change your indoor air quality drastically!

For a more natural cleaning method, try this: just using a KitchenStone (pumice-like stone made from recycled materials) or a natural pumice stone will clean most stains in an oven. For more baked on messes, mix a paste of baking soda and lemon juice and then use the stone and wipe clean.

For more healthy cleaning tips, visit our Long Island Cleaning Service website.