YOUR HOME`S 10 GERMIEST PLACES

Germs, bacteria and viruses are everywhere. Most are harmless, some cause runny noses, and 1 to 2 percent could lead to life-threatening infections. But- worry less- learn more. Once you know the 10 most common places germs linger in your home, you can take simple steps to eliminate them.

1. Sponges and rags - when you wipe down a dish or counter, you are simply transferring bacteria from one place to another. Wash sponges and rags with soap and hot water between uses or replace these items often, also wash your hands after touching them. Or put sponges into microwave for 4 minutes to kill most disease-causing germs. Be careful, sponge will be hot.

2. Cutting boards - salmonella, staph and E.coli are commonly transmitted from cutting board to food, don`t chop vegetables or other ready to eat foods on a cutting board used to trim meat, poultry or fish. Wash boards very well after each use. to wash them, use vinegar, or hot water and dish detergent and replace boards that become deeply scratched. And even better, don`t eat meat and be safe.

3. Kitchen surfaces - just because it looks clean, doesn`t mean it is, bacteria and viruses are invisible to human eye, so, spray sown countertops with a solution of equal parts of warm water and vinegar and wipe dry using a soft cloth. Also clean the faucets, sinks, knobs too.

4. Doorknobs - when you touch a doorknob, you touch the hand of everyone who was there before you. Wash your hands after touching a public doorknob, and regularly clean your own doorknobs with a non-toxic cleaner diluted in hot water.

5. Toothbrushes - brushing transfers plaque, bacteria and more to your toothbrush. After each use, rinse the toothbrush with tap water and shake several times. Store upright to allow the toothbrush to air dry. Replace it every three months.

6. Shared phones - many cleaners are safe to use on electronic devices, unplug or turn off the phone, then spray a cloth with all-purpose cleaner and wipe down the phone. Thoroughly clean the mouthpiece, the germiest part. Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to clean the number buttons and the spaces between them.

7. Washers and dryers - because clothes are often laundered in cold or warm water without bleach, germs can multiply in the washer. These germs are also transferred when clothes are moved into dryer. To thoroughly clean the washer, start a warm wash cycle(with no clothes) and add 5 cups of white vinegar. Run the cycle as normal. Repeat every si months.

8. The remote - often used, but rearly cleaned. This object can be full of germs, especially if you have kids. Dilute all-purpose cleaner or white vinegar in warm water, then wet a cloth with the solution. Wipe the remote, then dry with aother soft cloth.

9. Shower curtains - bacteria and germs breed on vinyl, cloth and other curtains, and the constant influx of hot water doesn`t help. Spray down vinyl curtains regularly with solution of equal parts white vinegar and warm water; wash cloth curtains according to label instructions at least once a month.

10. The vacuum - vacuum brushes, bags and filters make great hiding places for germs like E. coli. Because food is sucked into the vacuum, bacteria can survive for a long time inside. Change the bags often, remove brushes and filters for a quick cleaning monthly. Clean the cavity of a bagless vacuum with all-purpose cleaner and let it air dry.

and remember KEEP WASHING YOUR HANDS WITH WARM WATER AND SOAP OFTEN AND TELL YOUR KIDS ALSO!!!

VACUUM-it can be disaster or the best device you ever spent your hard earned money on.

Are you having hard time deciding on new vacuum? Or thinking when should you throw away your present one and get different? Which one to get? Where to go and how to decide?

Do I need vacuum?

Throughout my years in cleaning business, I came to know that good vacuum is a must, it safes time, safes us from struggles with one that is not working properly, and with a good vacuum, you safe time on washing floors also.

Everyone probably has at least one vacuum or more that is not working which sit in the corner of a dark closet. The safe way of disposing of your vacuum is to bring it or them to your recycle centrum, not just throw them to the trash.

To decide which vacuum is the right one for you and your home, is to know what floors you have, carpet, hard wood floors, tiles...one kind of vacuum never works for all homes, each is specific and each has its pros for each house. Also it`s good to know if you would like to have one that uses vacuum bags, upright, canister or the bin ones. Do you want to clean the bin each time you vacuum or remember to get new bags, so you dont throw the last one out and then realize there are no more bags left. It is very personal preference. The bin type doesn`t store all your vacuumed dust and bits and pieces in the closet, but there are also very high quality HEPA filter vacuums.
My personal favorite is the Dyson type. It is strong vacuum, very good on carpets, with easy to use hose, which has a good lenght, it allows you to get in each corner, high places, in between and behind furniture, its great when you have cats and dogs in the house, great in getting all the hair that is collecting in various places. It has many different attachments for different tasks, it has a bin, which needs to be emptied each time, but this vacuum is so strong, that it becomes somewhat a satisfaction, to see how much this vacuum got and it all goes out of the house.
There are many types of Dyson vacuum, and they vary in prices also.
Here is a web, you can find more info on this brand
http://www.dyson.com/

My second favorite is brand Kenmore and specificaly the type that you pull behind-canister one, I like those with HEPA filter system, great for getting under beds and furniture, also very simple use of hose and also great for hard wood floors, tiles or linoleum floors, it comes with many attachements also, for different tasks. Upper and lower quick release makes the use of the attachments so much easier.
Some of the types have an indicator, that changes from red to green, depending on how clean the place where you vacuum is.
For detailed info look
http://www.kenmore.com/

or for comparison of different brands, dependability, prices....
www.consumersearch.com/vacuum-cleaners

Vacuuming can become fun cleaning task to do, if we invest little time into finding the right vacuum for our home and our specific needs. Happy&succesful findings....

THE MOST DANGEROUS INGREDIENT in Household Cleaners

The Triclosan Myth

One of the most important facets of cleaning for home makers is getting rid of germs that hard working scrubbers believe lurk everywhere: sinks, bath tubs, toilets, cutting boards, counters. Well, we do need to be a bit concerned these days.

Salmonella on poultry and E. coli from ground beef can spread onto your kitchen counter tops or cutting boards causing food-born illnesses. And germs can build up in colonies of bad guys known as biofilms under caulking and in crevices of cutting boards. Black mold just might be around the corner, too.

We have to fight germs. But how do we do it is open to new debate.

Lets take triclosan and its dangers-it is a compound used in variety of products - from cleaning supplies to deodorants-to reduce and control bacterial contamination.

Triclosan contains benzene, that is a concern, because benzene is known to cause human cancer at the lowest doses measured. Triclosan also acts like estrogen in the environment and possibly in the human body, we also can see some antibiotic resistance with salmonella, one of the causes of food-borne illness.

This is a revelation, we don't really have or take the time to learn about the toxic effects of all chemicals.

Some of the effects of Triclosan have been well established. It definitely affects thyroid, stimulates breast cancer cells to multiply through an estrogen effect. And triclosan lowers natural killer cell activity, much like the pesticide DDT, to which it is related(both are chlorinated hydrocarbons). Much of that is know is experimental, but as we learn about the evidence and it grows there may well be additional reason for concerns.

Research at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University shows that under normal household conditions, products containing triclosan react with chlorinated water to produce chloroform, a probable carcinogen and Washington D.C. is among cities with historic high levels of chlorinated water. The research found that all tested household goods - lotions, soaps, body wash containing triclosan produces either chloroform or other chlorinated byproducts.

Triclosan has received little attention to date from U.S. agencies charged with public health protection.

An FDA panel evaluated research on household use of antibacterial products, such as those containing triclosan, , they found no evidence that those using antibacterial products in their homes were healthier than those using soap and water and other typical cleansing products lacking specific antibacterial agents. The American Medical Association is concerned that increased use of antibacterial products in the homes will lead to the development of microbial resistance to antibiotic agents.

For most cleaning around the kitchen and home, studies show soap, vinegar or simply organic alcohol work as well or better.

The current system of chemical regulation in the U.S. is not designed to identify and act against chemicals of concerns that can harm the hormone systems of people, fish and wildlife. New legislation is an essential tool to safeguard Americans and our environment from hormone-disrupting chemicals.

In the meantime, it is up to us to read labels and look at the company behind the product. Triclosan is always disclosed on labels. The safer ingredients really do appear to be organic alcohol and vinegar and essential oils.

Look for truly green products by also insisting on full label disclosure. One true green company is Earth Friendly Products-their product line include dish soaps, home cleaners, all-purpose formulas, laundry detergents and they are all free of triclosan and all other dangerous chemicals, and they always provide full list of ingredients.

Spring is here-clean green your life

With Spring approaching, it is just natural to have a feeling for cleaner and more organized home. Why not open all the windows on a nice sunny morning and let the sun and fresh air in. And with all the fresh energy it is easy to get started.

Here is a list of my favorite cleaners and eco-friendly cleaning methods to keep you and your family safe from dangerous and unnecessary toxins and chemicals:



Baking Soda-my old time favorite, sprinkle in wet sinks, bath tubs and showers and scrub with wet sponge.



White Vinegar-great antibacterial cleaner and good on glass and windows too. Just spray and wipe off with rug or recycled paper towel.



Decloging drains-regular drain cleaners are generally the most dangerous chemicals we keep in our homes. As an alternative, use washing soda or baking soda, pour a cup down the drain, followed by cup of white vinegar, followed by boiling water. Do this once a month to keep the drains nice and clean.



Tea Tree Oil for mold-I have not tried this one yet, I usually clean mold with straight white vinegar, but will try it soon. A teaspoon of essential oil to a cup of water and apply the solution with a scub brush or with cleaning rug.



Our homes are not the only places that require regular cleaning. Spring is the perfect time to clean our body, mind and spirit. Have you considered a cleanse? I have a link to Petra Mercier, who is an excelent Nutritional Consultant and offers nice cleanse and many other food related, life couching options.



I also mentioned our minds. There is a proven connection between our minds and clutters in our homes. We usually feel anxiety, guilt and depression about the clutter in our homes.

One simple solution to declutter is to make three piles of:



things to DONATE



things for RECYCLING



and things to DISCARD





Why not start right away before the really nice weather is here, so you can get out and enjoy it with taking nice walks in your favorite park or forrests.

Hydrogen peroxide

It seams like it is the new bleach in everyday cleaning and around our homes. Of course without the effect of dangerous chemicals, because chlorine bleach is highly toxic.
Children and pets end up in emergency room every day.
So 3% hydrogen peroxide(H2O2) can be a less toxic and safer alternative to chlorine bleach.

Here are some tips and instructions for it`s use:

- fill a spray bottle with peroxide mixed with equal parts water to use to disinfect your bathroom. Be sure that spray bottle is dark colored to prevent peroxide from breaking down in sunlight.

- if surface mold develops in your home, apply full strength 3% peroxide onto surface to kill the mold and bleach the discoloration. Remember than peroxide works like a bleach use only on color safe surfaces

- to use in the laundry to whiten clothes use one cup of peroxide instead of bleach

- the Environmental Protection Agency states that you can rinse your cutting board with peroxide to kill germs including e-coli and salmonella

-wet your dishcloth with peroxide to disinfect counter tops and table tops

-soak your toothbrushes in 3% hydrogen peroxide for an hour every day after brushing teeth. To do it longer than that length of time is counter productive because peroxide breaks down when exposed to light. After the 1 hour remove toothbrushes and rinse with water and allow to air dry in toothbrush holder

-spoon at least 2 oz. of 3% hydrogen peroxide into the detergent compartment of your dishwasher along with your regular detergent. Run your dishwasher as usual to clean and disinfect your dishes

-replace bleach with 8 oz. of hydrogen peroxide to launder and whiten your clothes

-dampen a cotton ball with 3-percent hydrogen peroxide and run along the keyboard of your computer to disinfect and clean keys.

So is there an alternative?

Yes, there is always a hope. Instead of filling our cabinets with dangerous chemicals and spending too much money for them, there are different ways and solutions for less chemical base cleaning.
Before you start to use healthier cleaners, make sure not to just throw your chemical based cleaners to the trash can. Go online and find recycle center in your area and ask about the way you can dispose off these cleaners, you can go to

http://www.earth911.com/ for more information on recycling.

So where and how to begin?

Here is a list of basic ingredients for a start:

- baking soda

- white vinegar
- lemons
- salt
- hydrogen peroxide
- water

Also, what I like to do, is use less paper towel, to protect our trees and use old towels and rags instead, I am sure we all have plenty of these at home under the sink in laundry rooms or in linen closet. I like to cut the towels to smaller sizes so they are easier to use. Of course there are places where paper towels come in handy, but every time we use a towel instead of paper, we are doing good to our nature.
Wash towels and rags after each use and then when they have been used a lot, dispose off them and think of them that they been put in a good use.

Getting To Know The Chemical Cleaners

All of the chemical cleaners are hazardous to our health and our environment and yet, we are still willing to compromised that for comfort of using these cleaners. We expect our cleaners to do miracle, we demand a huge deal from them, lift the dirt with minimum scrubbing, cut the grease without scratching the precious stainless-steel door fridge and kill the germs without smelling strongly of chemicals.

But they do not affect only our homes, already during manufacture workers are being exposed to them, and waste product is being released into the air, land or water. When we use these products we expose our self's to them without knowing what they might do to us, we breath them and our skin soaks them in our bodies and our bloodstream.

And every time we throw either empty or unused bottle away, chemicals end up in our environment one way or another...waste water, garbage or storm drains.

Here are some common chemicals which would be best if avoid completely for they health and environmental risks:


alkyphenol ethoxylates (AEPs)

antibacterials

ammonia

butyl cellosolve also know as ethanol

butyl glycol

monobutyl

chlorine bleach

d-limonene

diethanolamine (DEA)

and triethanolamine (TEA)

disinfectants

fragrances

hydrochlorid acids

naphtha

petroleum-based ingredients and surfactants

phosphates

lye also known as sodium hydroxide

and sulfuric acid