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....
Friday, August 6, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
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.
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.
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