Category Archives: House Cleaning

Is Modern Life Hurting Your Health?

Is Modern Life Hurting Your Health?

How often have you said to yourself, “I wish things would slow down”? “I wish life was simpler!”
Modern life can be taxing. Today we live faster, work more, and have less free time than ever before. In addition, our ‘conveniences’ often come at the expense of the purity of our environment.
It’s no wonder we are the ‘stress generation’. Did you know that you hear more news in one DAY that your great-grandparents heard in an entire year? One day!
Combine the stress caused by too much information with the changes in our environment and the food we eat and you end up with a losing combination.
What can we do to fight back against the unseen environmental factors that rob us of our health and peace of mind?
Plenty!
Here are the top three environmental factors that have a negative impact on your life and what you can do about each.
1. Air pollution
This problem can sneak into your home or office without you even noticing. And the problem is very real. From airborne pollutants to toxic mold, our breathing is under attack.
Many cities now routinely warn citizens to stay indoors during certain parts of the day, particularly in the summer, due to elevated ozone levels. Of course, summer is the time when our children and we often want to be outdoors.
The good news is that this is a problem with several solutions. Today we have a wide variety of air filters from which to choose. Ranging from those that simply filter our air to more expensive models that ‘treat’ the air, be sure you get a filter that traps super-small particles and defends against ozone as well. And change your filter often. Experts now recommend changing filters up to once a week.
You may not be able to change the air outside but you can make a difference in the air your family breaths when they are in your home.
2. Water pollution.
If you remember high-school science, you will remember that there is no new water. That’s right, the water you drank today is completely re-circulated from the clouds above. Makes air pollution take on a completely new meaning, doesn’t it?
Water is essential to life. When NASA speaks about the possibility of life existing on Mars or any other planet, what they look for is whether that planet has or has ever had water. The majority of the human body is made of water. We cannot live without it.
Like our air, our water is polluted with chemicals and toxins from various sources in the environment.
Thankfully, water filtration is sophisticated. Having an effective home water filtration system is within the reach of virtually everyone.
Whether you choose a ‘whole house’ filter or one that runs from the faucet, be sure that the particle size that it filters is sufficiently small. Look specifically to see that your filter will remove contaminants like lead, mercury, and asbestos.
3. Chemical Residue
If our air and water are both polluted, where does that leave our homes? By cleaning up the air we breath and the water we drink, we are on the road to providing a safer environment for our families. However, we’re not there yet.
Every surface in our home collects dust, dirt, germs, and grease that need cleaning regularly. That’s no problem, you say! You can just pick up your handy dandy bottle of all-purpose chemical cleaner and begin, wait, did you say chemical cleaner?
We filter chemicals out of our air and water and then put them right back into our home environment by cleaning every surface in our home with chemical cleaners, exposing our families to their vapors in the process.
Modern advancements come to the rescue in the area of cleaning as well. For the first time, we have easy access to methods of cleaning that will do a great job without bringing us the chemicals and toxins that we don’t want.
In each area of household cleaning you undertake, be sure to choose products that won’t leave a chemical residue or strong chemical odors in the air. Your health and your lungs will thank you.
By making a few simple changes, you can have a permanent impact on your life and the lives of your family members. Why not start today? Take back your peace of mind and begin the journey to happier and healthier lives.

Dangers of Chlorine in Showers

Dangers of Chlorine in Showers

Today’s world is filled with problems and worries. A lot of people are already health conscious but somehow they are still overlooking some things. Are you already aware that tap water and cleaning products contain a certain element that can be very dangerous to an individual’s health? That element is chlorine. If you want to find out more about the possible dangers of chlorine in showers, pools, and cleaning products, read on and get the important facts.

• Skin Irritant – you can easily tell when there’s chemical in the water, whether you’re taking a shower or when you’re swimming in the pool. You will suddenly feel the stinging and you have a blurry vision. And of course, how can you ignore the smell? Water with chlorine is not that good, especially to people. Studies have proven that chlorinated water can cause skin irritations, specifically eczema.

Aside from eczema, individuals with seborrhea, psoriasis, and acne can experience worsening of their conditions. Chlorinated water destroys the vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids found in the body. It generates toxins which create free radicals. There is a remedy to these skim irritations. Doctors usually recommend patients to take supplements which contain vitamin E, flaxseed oil, and fatty acids.

• When chlorine combines with other water compounds, trihalomethanes is produced. These are carcinogens which don’t degrade and so the body’s fatty tissues store them. This may not sound alarming but what if the carcinogens were stored in the fatty tissues of your breast? The chemicals are also called as organochlorides. These can also be stored in semen and blood which can cause DNA mutations that suppress the function of the immune system. Hence, cell growth can be interfered.

• There are still other health concerns that you need to look into. Children who are always exposed to chlorine in pools will experience aggravated asthma. As mentioned earlier, carcinogens can be stored in the body and so you will be more prone to cancer. Breast and bladder cancer are just some of the possible illnesses that you can get. Some individuals were also noted to get malignant melanoma.

At present, studies are being conducted to establish the connection of chlorinated water and certain household products to congenital cardiac abnormalities.

• Competitive swimmers are able to absorb a large amount of chlorine which go directly to the bloodstream, even on their training sessions.

• Children are able to inhale more toxins as compared to adults. If you don’t want your kids to suffer from the dangers of chlorine, make sure that you use water filters.

• Try to check the chlorine content of pools. If there is a very high content of chlorine, the dental enamel can be eroded because of the high acid levels.

• Toxin is greatly absorbed though your skin as compared to breathing. So whenever you take a bath or swim in the pool, or when you’re cleaning the house using household cleaners, your body can absorb chlorine.

Ensure that your pool is not over chlorinated and try to limit your bath time. While you’re shopping for chlorine alternatives for household cleansers, pool or shower filters, make sure that you get the best quality products. That way, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of chlorine in showers, pools, and cleaning products. It helps to know some facts so that you will know what to do, right?

Making Your House Stand Out in a Tough Market

Making Your House Stand Out in a Tough Market

Making Your House Stand Out in a Tough Market

As the real estate industry continues its downward trend, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to sell your home. Prices have dropped, there are more listings than ever to choose from and sellers are giving incredible deals to buyers. Here are a few tips to make your home stand out.

Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is the first way to draw attention to your home. Since it is the first thing that anyone sees, you want the “WOW” factor. I know people that have bought houses just because of the spectacular landscaping. I also know people who have not even bothered looking inside of a house because of the condition of the exterior. Make sure the exterior of the house is in tip-top shape so the potential buyer immediately wants to see the inside.

The following is your list of items to maintain curb appeal:

• Cut grass

• Trim all hedges and bushes

• Add mulch to beds

• Have flowering plants or potted flowers on the porch

• Keep toys out of sight and place in the backyard or in a shed

• Clean all cluttering debris such as sticks, garbage, old newspapers, etc.

• Replace all the light bulbs surrounding the house
You want the inside of your house to wow potential buyers just as much as the outside.

The following checklist gives ultimate interior appeal. Make sure all items are completed before the first showing of your house is scheduled.

• Clean! Every floor, window, closet and cupboard!

• Remove excess clutter, toys, paperwork and knick-knacks. Clutter makes counter tops and rooms appear smaller than they really are.

• Paint the walls in dirty rooms or where a room needs brightening. Bright rooms give the appearance that they are more spacious.

• Make repairs to anything needed – hinges, doorknobs, plaster, steps, plumbing, etc.

• Replace all burned out light bulbs.

• Wash all window coverings. Open all of the curtains and blinds before a showing. Natural light makes a room appear bigger.

• Open the doors and windows before a showing to fill the home with fresh air.

When the inside and outside are clean and neat, you may need to provide a bigger incentive to your potential buyers. If the house has repairs that you didn’t have the time or cash to fix, you can offer credit towards the purchase price. That way, you acknowledge the repairs and give the buyer a discount for accepting the home as is.

Another option is to offer an allotment if your house needs new carpeting or flooring. Buyers like allotments because they get the item new, plus they get to pick out their colors. A win-win situation for everyone.

The time spent cleaning, making minor repairs, and providing incentives for major repairs, will make your home stand out above the competition. Although these little fixes may require some time and effort, selling quickly in a tough market will be worth the effort in the end!

Vacuum Cleaner, from history to technology

Vacuum Cleaner, from history to technology

For many housewives, the vacuum cleaner reduced the fraction of time cleaning the house. From the beginning,vacuum cleaners were only able to suck up dust and dirt, but with modern technology these days, inventors are able to design wet cleanes that can steam carpets and kill germs at the same time for more hygenic purpose.

Carpet are used to cover the floor of a house, flat, or bungalow and keeping feet warm during winter. Years ago, people needed to sweep their floors or carpets, but with the invention of the vacuum cleaner, people could easily detract the dust and dirt from their carpets with less effort. It was also determined that businesses, corporations, and apartments would need someone to clean their carpets as well, so the invention of the commercial carpet cleaner wasn’t far away.

There are seven widely known main types of vacuum cleaners – the upright, canister, back pack style, built in, robotic, hand held, and the wet/dry vacuum cleaners. These different types of vacuum cleaners are available in a variety of different styles, sizes, and offer various voltage and power.

One of the most significant developments in vacuums is the invention of the cyclone carpet cleaner. Unlike the previous vacuum cleaners, the cyclone collects dirt and dust in a large cylinder. The cyclone operates using a central air force and number of filters. The filter will filter the dust and dirt into stages, so that the air being sucked up into the cylinder can be cleaned then released back into the air through a central outlet.

Warm Mist Home Humidifier Review

Warm Mist Home Humidifier Review

A home humidifier review is the best place to look for information before purchasing an appliance for your home. You have the choice between a whole house humidifier or a portable unit for use in the bedroom. Unless you live in a very dry climate, a single room humidifier should be sufficient.
A review of humidifiers is the best source of information before you start shopping for a unit for your home. Most reviews are separated by type of humidifier. The most common are cool mist or warm mist types. There are benefits to each type. Read about both before you shop.

Once you have decided on the type you want, read reviews of specific models. Reviews have a variety of sources from professional reviews, to consumer reviews. There are even some slick advertisers that are able to disguise their advertising to look like a review.

Consumer sources are great for information about how a particular unit has worked for others. However, they generally don’t give a comparison to other products. A professional review should be unbiased and often will give comparisons between different models. Read from a variety of sources to give you a good picture of a particular model.

Cool Mist Home Humidifier

A cool mist humidifier uses cold water and vibration in creating the mist. Because these machines use only cold water, they are a great choice for the nursery or a younger child’s bedroom. There is no risk of scalding with hot water, like there is with warm mist humidifiers or a steam vaporizer.

Because the water is not heated, these machines have a greater risk of releasing bacteria and mold spores into the air. The stagnant water inside the machine is a perfect breeding ground for microorganisms. Proper cleaning and disinfecting the machine can help prevent this problem. Empty the water after every use. Clean out the machine and use a disinfectant cleaner regularly. Make sure to dry the tank completely. Add fresh water before each use.

A warm mist humidifier uses hot water to create steam in the room. Because the water is heated, there is less risk of bacteria and mold spores in the air. Proper cleaning and maintenance of the machine will eliminate the risk altogether. This includes cleaning and disinfecting the machine regularly and changing filters as needed.

Warm mist machines are great for treating colds and congestion that are so common in the winter. Many allow you to add liquid medications to the water to help relieve symptoms. Because they use hot water, they are often not the best choice for use in a child’s bedroom. There is always the risk of burns if your child pulls the unit down. This is particularly dangerous with infants or young children.

Inseparable Car and Vacuum

Inseparable Car and Vacuum

In 2001, the vacuum cleaner celebrated its 100th birthday. It was in the year 1901 when British engineer H. Cecil Booth patented a cleaning machine that incorporated a vacuum to remove dirt. His machine was a huge one. Named “Puffing Billy”, this vacuum machine was horse-drawn and used a gasoline engine to provide the power needed generate suction. Booth’s idea was great, but because of the sheer size and inconvenience his machine brings, he never gained a great amount of success with it.

But, since Booth’s time, the face, shape, size, design and engineering of the vacuum cleaning machine have changed tremendously. The basic idea is still there but due to the changing fashions, the development of science and advances in technology, vacuum cleaners have evolved to be a revolutionary invention that altered forever the way people clean. Today “Puffing Billy” would be put to shame by vacuum cleaners that are ten times smaller yet many times more powerful. From houses to cars, vacuum cleaners have become very practical pieces of tools in the battle against dirt.

Just like your house, your car needs and deserves the same level of attention and care. Leaving your car dirty would totally ruin your vehicle. Dust and other particles can cause scratches on the paint and can damage your car’s upholstery. Also, especially with newer car models, heavy dust can cause damage to the computer and electronic devices usually found behind the dashboard. Garbage also piles up fast. Before you even realize, your back seat’s floor resembles a dumpster.

In cleaning your car, your first step would be to vacuum the interior. From the start you will need a strong, reliable vacuum cleaner to do the job right. “Puffing Billy” would hardly be adequate for even this type of job. You’ll need the power of modern day vacuum cleaners.

Present day car vacuum cleaners are equipped with powerful machines that can easily remove dust from your car interior. With various attachments, you will also be able to reach those tight cracks and corners like the areas around the car seats, behind the dashboard, and near the sides of the trunk.

For cars, both the portable vacuum cleaners and the upright units are at your disposal. The portable ones can be very convenient. These are good for both dry and wet operations. The rechargeable battery is also a plus especially with some portable models that can be charged using the cigarette lighter of your car. Upright cleaners, on the other hand, have at their disposal hoses and on-board tools that will allow a thorough clean up in a matter of minutes. These add-ons would extend and flex into gaps that ordinary nozzles or tools can’t go.

Support us!

If you like this site please subscribe