Maid Brigade

Over the past few years, because of the H1N1 virus, infection control has become more of a trending topic than it ever has before.  Since germs and bacteria are all around us, it is important to be proactive in preventing their spread.

While many illnesses and infections are prevented through proper hand washing, infection control also needs to be addressed in your cleaning.

Wiping products are used in all areas of cleaning and are often crucial in helping to stop the spread of germs.  There are several wiping options known to reduce the spread of infectious germs and bacteria, such as color-coded microfiber cloths, mops and rags.  Microfiber technology is extremely helpful in preventing cross-contamination. 

For example, using red tools for toilets, yellow for sinks and mirrors and blue for windows and dusting, can help you avoid cross-contamination and spreading germs from room to room.  Color coding is a way of simplyfying your cleaning.  It is also easier to recognize what product to use and where.

Microfiber cloths and mops also contain about 95 percent of bacteria on a surface, while traditional products may spread the bacteria around. Plus, microfiber cloths and pads are easier to swap out from room to room, so they are less likely to be used in multiple settings.

Even though the initial cost is more than a cotton mop, microfiber products are washable 400 to 700 times.  Microfiber cloths can be used and reused if you simply wash them in a gentle cycle with detergent.  


What are microfiber cloths and mops made of?

Microfiber cloths consist of an interlocking blend of two fibers: Polyester and polyamide, a nylon material.  Polyester is an effective scrubbing and cleaning fiber, while polyamide is an absorbent, quick-drying fiber.

Combining the two is what makes microfiber such a unique and effective material, as they do not harbor bacteria like their cotton counterparts.  In fact, microfiber is a naturally antibacterial material.

Each microscopic strand of microfiber has been split, creating millions of tiny hooks that attract, absorb and remove all kinds of dirt, dust and bacteria.

Unlike traditional cotton and paper wiping products or cotton mops that tend to push or smear dirt and grime, microfiber actually gets underneath the dirt and germs, scraping them from the surface and trapping them until the cloth or mop is laundered.

Microfiber has become a universally used cloth because of its cleaning capabilities and cost effectiveness.

Here are some small changes that you can do everyday to make your life a little healthier:

Leave shoes at the door.  Every time you go outdoors, toxic chemicals are brought inside on the soles of your shoes. Asphalt, pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals may be present where you walk. 

When you walk around your home with toxic chemicals on the soles of your shoes, they come off on the floor. When you walk barefoot around your home, they can be absorbed through the soles of your feet. These chemicals are also being inhaled. If you have children playing on the floor, toxic chemicals can get on their hands and into their mouths. Because of this, children (infants especially) are more susceptable to the dangers of toxic chemicals and carcinogens than adults.

Leave your shoes at the door. Have a rack set up next to the door you enter most frequently, where you can leave your shoes when you enter your home. Have slippers or socks ready to put on if you don't want to go barefoot.

Use natural cleaning products.  House cleaning products contain many toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. Air fresheners, all purpose cleaners, disinfectants, dry cleaned clothing, and mothballs are some of the worst.

Try making your own nontoxic house cleaning products at home.  You can find natural house cleaning recipes throughout our past blogs.  

Controlling pests.  Pesticides can cause cancer. Instead of spraying carcinogens around your home, there are natural means for controlling pests.  

Figure out how pests are getting into your home, and do something to keep them out. Fill holes and cracks, put screens on windows, put up chicken wire barriers or fences.

Make your home an unpleasant place for pests to be. Take away their food supply by keeping living areas clean.  Sweep up crumbs, wipe up spills immediately, wash dishes after eating, store food in tightly closed containers, empty garbage and compost scraps frequently. Dry up their water supply.  Repair leaky faucets, pipes, and clogged drains.  Get rid of any clutter they can hide in.  Clean out closets, attics, garages, basements, and anywhere else unused or infrequently used items pile up.

There are many simple things you can do to control pests, without buying any special products. You can shoo them away, vacuum them up, put a glass over an insect, slip a card under it and take it outdoors. Herbal repellents work well, too.  Most pests do not like the smell of bay leaves, cloves, pennyroyal, lavender, or cedar.  In the garden, use organic gardening methods.

Sleep in natural bedding.  Most bedsheets are saturated with a non-iron finish that releases carcinogenic formaldehyde as you sleep. Synthetic mattresses are treated with cancer-causing brominated fire retardants. The PBDEs in polyurethane foam may be as toxic as PCSs and DDT, both banned for their toxicity.

The solution is a bed where every layer is made from untreated natural materials. Today you can buy natural beds of every firmness and style, from budget to luxurious.

Drinking pure water.  Drinking water can lower the risk of cancer by flushing carcinogens out of the body, but it is important to drink pure water. Arsenic, heavy metals, fluoride, and chlorination by-products are all toxic chemicals that can be found in most municipal tap water.  Using a water filter is affordable and can help screen out these chemicals.

Organic food.  Foods contain many different kinds of carcinogens. In fact, 25-30 percent of all cancer deaths are linked to diet.

Many food additives are linked to causing cancer or are suspected carcinogens.  Artificial sweeteners, aluminum compounds, artificial colors and flavors, preservatives, nitrite and nitrates are all known to cause cancer. And then there are the pesticides in produce and in the fat of animal meats and dairy products. Alcohol depresses immune function, making it more difficult to fight cancer cells.  

Eat whole, fresh, organically grown foods as much as possible, and especially raw vegetables and fruits. It has been found that people who eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily have only half the risk of developing cancer as people who eat only one to two servings each day.

Drink green tea.  Green tea inhibits cancer-causing chemicals because of its high levels of antioxidants.


Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about our environment and health of you and your family.  For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com and maidbrigade.com.  Watch our video on achieving work/life balance at greencleancertified.com/greentv.  To learn more about the hidden allergy and asthma triggers in your home, log on to greencleancertified.com/greentv.

The groups, citing state groundwater studies in a letter to the state Department of environmental Conservation, took note of the "alarming" prominence of the three pesticides in drinking water. They want the DEC to enact a zero-tolerance policy for all pesticides in drinking water as the agency adopts a pesticide-use management plan for the region.

The three chemicals, atrazine, metalaxyl and imidacloprid, are used on farms, golf courses and, in some cases, home gardens and lawns to kill bugs, weeds and fungus. State drinking water tests show they have turned up thousands of times in tests of public and private drinking water wells in the past decade, most on the East End, where agriculture is more common.

The environmental groups said the pesticides have been tied to health problems, including kidney and neurological effects, and can leach into waterways and kill wildlife. They are among the more than 120 pesticides that showed up in recent drinking water tests.

"This is not about restricting choices, it's about protecting drinking water," said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, a Farmingdale group. Dick Amper, executive director of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society, said the prominence of the chemicals was unacceptable and vowed to get results.

Joe Gergela, executive director of the Long Island Farm Bureau, called zero tolerance "an extreme point of view and not achievable." He said chemicals from nearly all industries, from dry cleaners to gasoline stations, show up in some trace amounts in groundwater.

Gergela said local farmers are working with the DEC on the pesticide standards. Farmers are also working to limit or end the use of pesticides deemed unhealthy.

The issue stems from manufacturing problems at a Lincoln, Nebraska facility that triggered a voluntary recall Sunday of 1,645 lots of Novartis over-the-counter drugs, including Excedrin, Bufferin, NoDoz and Gas-X.

The company has received hundreds of complaints of broken and chipped pills and inconsistent bottle packaging that could cause pills to be mixed up. Consumers are advised to stop using the products and contact the company for a refund.

FDA officials warned yesterday that some of Novartis' over-the-counter pills may have accidentally been packaged with powerful prescription painkillers made at the facility. The opioid drugs are sold by Endo Pharmaceuticals as Percocet, Endocet, Opana and Zydone.

FDA officials say they are not recalling the painkillers because they are essential medications for many patients and the risks of stray pills are low.

According to FDA's Dr. Edward Cox, "The likelihood of finding a wrong tablet in an opiate pain medication dispensed to patients is low and patients should not be unduly alarmed.

Cox said FDA inspectors uncovered a manufacturing problem that could allow pills to become stuck in the machinery and carry over to the packaging of other products.

Customers can call Endo Pharmaceuticals at 800-462-3636 and Novartis at 888-477-2403.


Avoid:

Bufferin.  All lots with expiration dates of December 20, 2013, or earlier.
Excedrin.  All lots with expiration dates of December 20, 2014.
NoDoz.  All lots with expiration dates of December 20, 2104, or earlier.
Gas-X.  All lots with expiration dates of December 20, 2013.



Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about our environment and health of you and your family.  For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com and maidbrigade.com.  Watch our video on achieving work/life balance at greencleancertified.com/greentv.  To learn more about the hidden allergy and asthma triggers in your home, log on to greencleancertified.com/greentv.

Here are some ways to help you start over and make this year better than last:


Accepting change.  Sometimes starting over means accepting that you are no longer the person you used to be. You might not even feel driven by the same goals, but that is ok.  Start over. As hard as it may seem in the beginning. You will be amazed at how fast things will fall into place.

Make peace with the past.  Accept all your past defeats, victories, mistakes, and decisions. Live for now.

Make a plan and stick to it.

Declutter.  Throw away clothes and devices and declutter!  The more you let go, the lighter you will feel. Change will look like a natural path, not an effort.

Break a habit.  Sometimes all you need in order to ignite a bigger change is to shift a small, unconscious behavior, like a habit.  Small steps are easier to do and to monitor.  Praise yourself for each small victory.  You will soon be there.  

Laugh more often.  Be a warrior, but don’t forget to laugh. Too much commitment, too much strain, too much seriousness can drag you down.

Achieving good health is best accomplished by incorporating small positive changes into your lifestyle—ones that become habits you can build upon over time. It’s all about making more good choices than bad choices.  Here are some tips to get you started:

Think Outside the Box – Avoid eating processed or packaged foods, refined sugars, white flour, chemical additives, excess salt and trans fats. Be an avid label reader at the grocery so you know what you’re putting into your body. And find a healthy local eatery for when you want to eat out.

Make Breakfast Count – Do not skip breakfast­ — the first meal of the day is important to kick start your metabolism. Make sure you’re eating protein as well as high fiber items such as whole grains or berries.

Plan Accordingly – Prepare yourself to eat healthy. Stock up on easy to grab snacks such as nuts, pre-cut fruits and vegetables. Keep a supply of dinner items such as whole wheat pasta, brown rice, canned organic sauces, whole wheat pitas, albacore tuna and canned beans, and brown bag your lunch.

Keep it Fresh – Eat five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables per day, and purchase pre-cut and washed for a quick and easy snack. Avoid pesticides by buying organic.

Scale Down – Eat on a smaller plate, so it’s harder to overeat. Avoid high starch side items such as potatoes, rice and bread, and try ordering an appetizer with a side salad instead of an entrée.

Eat Slowly – Chew slowly and completely and wait at least fifteen minutes to digest your first portion. That way, you’ll give your body time to feel full and satisfied.

Drink Plenty of Water – Drink eight 8 oz. glasses of water every day. Water removes impurities, increases energy, enhances fat loss, reduces hunger and hydrates skin. But avoid the carbonated, caffeinated or sugary drinks — they can actually further a dehydrated state.

Keep Moving – Maintain at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day, and mix it up. Take a brisk walk, mow the lawn, try a new exercise video, play Wii or hit the gym—anything to keep you active.

Keep it Simple – Take the time to de-stress. Stress is directly related to high blood pressure, fatigue, a lowered immune system and increased free radical damage. Add some relaxing daily activities — like reading or gardening — to free your mind. Make changes in your life to free up time and bring balance back to your life.

Save electricity by using organic beeswax candles instead of turning on extra lights. Although they won't be powerful enough to light an entire room, use them to create atmosphere on the patio or illuminate the powder room, for example.

Serve snacks created with organic foods like locally grown vegetables. Instead of imported cheese, opt for domestic artisan cheeses. If you're using convenience foods, organic frozen quiches and dips are also available in regular grocery stores. You can even find organic wines and other drinks to toast after the ball drops in Times Square.

Don't let stains get you down this holiday season!  Treat them naturally.  Here are some ways:


Red wine stains.  As soon as you notice the stain, pour club soda on the stain to dilute it.  Blot with a paper towel.  Coat the stain with table salt to absorb it and prevent it from setting.  Rinse in cold water, gently rubbing out the stain.


Salad dressing stains.  Sprinkle on baking soda or cornstarch to absorb as much oil as possible.  Launder in the hottest water that is safe for the fabric (check the care label).


Chocolate.  Scrape off as much as you can with a dull knife or spoon, and immediately treat with 3% hydrogen peroxide.  Rinse with cold water.



Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about our environment and health of you and your family.  For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com and maidbrigade.com.  Watch our video on achieving work/life balance at greencleancedrtified.com/greentv.  To learn more about the hidden allergy and asthma triggers in your home, log on to greencleancertified.com/greentv.

You've worked hard all year long.  Reward yourself by having someone else do the housecleaning.

With all of the extra free time you will have, you can catch up on hobbies, sleep, exercise, and even spend quality time with your loved ones.


For more information on gift certificates, or to find a Maid Brigade near you, please log on to maidbrigade.com or greencleancertified.com. 

Take care of yourself!




                          

Baking soda is a  wonderful, all-natural cleaning product. It solves a myriad of household cleaning woes.

Sprinkle some on your counter-tops or stove for scouring. Use it to scrub pots and pans. The slightly abrasive quality will remove any baked-on food.

If you have problems with mold or mildew in fabric, books or furniture, sprinkle baking soda over the surface and let sit overnight. Brush it off in the morning.  Repeat the process until the mildew smell is gone.

Cover the inside of a litter box with a thin layer of baking soda before pouring in the litter. This will help deodorize her box and keep your house smelling fresh.

Pour a thin layer of baking soda into the base of your trash can to keep odor under control.

To clean pet stains, lightly dampen the surface and apply baking soda, creating a paste. Let dry and then brush off.  Repeat process until smell is gone.  

Use baking soda in your laundry to disinfect and brighten whites.  

Sprinkle baking soda around the inside rim of the toilet to remove any water stains. Scrub with a toilet brush.  

Sprinkle a layer of baking soda into any coolers that might be going into storage to keep mildew away.

You can also use your vinegar spray bottle to wash fruits and vegetables.

To clean and disinfect hardwood floors, add about 3/4 cup of white vinegar to a bucket of water.


Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about our environment and health of you and your family.  For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com and maidbrigade.com.  Watch our video on achieving work/life balance at greencleancedrtified.com/greentv.  To learn more about the hidden allergy and asthma triggers in your home, log on to greencleancertified.com/greentv.

This holiday season, why not go green?  Here are some tips to help you get started:

Give back.  One major problem with global impact is waste.  We buy things with the best intentions that sometimes end up going unused or unnecessary.  Why not donate these items?  The Salvation Army Christmas Drive is a perfect example of how we can all give back to other families in our communities during the holiday season.  Charities and local shelters can always use extra clothes or gifts for needy families. 

Tree Farms.  When choosing a Christmas tree, farms are the way to go for the sake of the planet.  Fake trees use nonrenewable resources to create, and wild trees take longer to replenish. With a tree farm, every tree cut down will be replanted.  

Decorations.  Reuse as many decorations as possible.  Families can save Christmas stockings, hangers, garlands, wreaths, and ornaments, Reusing decorations helps eliminate waste.

Homemade Decor. Create your own Christmas décor at home.  There are many options to choose from, including materials, shapes and holiday themes for decorations and ornaments. Make an advent calendar from recycled paper, use recycled papers and raffia for garland, use edible ornaments for the tree, or create a heirloom tree skirt from fabric and embellish

Decorating the house, setting up the tree, writing out cards, holiday shopping, holiday parties, school activities, and out-of-town guests can all add up to one thing:  Tension Headaches!

Tension headaches can occur when you tighten shoulder and neck muscles.  This can happen while driving, wrapping presents, carrying heavy packages, or sitting at a computer for online shopping.  This causes the muscles that go into the skull to tighten and squeeze your head.  

During this season of giving, we tend to neglect ourselves while doing for others.  Preparing meals, shopping, forgetting to eat regularly, or having too many engagements while being sleep-deprived can all cause headaches. 

By taking care of yourself, you can enjoy all that the holidays have to offer, minus the pain:


Keep your task list manageable.  

Stress and anxiety can trigger headaches for some people, especially those who tend to be headache-prone.  Learn how to pace yourself and say "no."  There are times you just cannot fulfill every obligation and responsibility over the holiday season.  Be sure to include "me" time on your list, like a night out at the movies with friends.


Exercise and sleep.
 
Keep a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends. Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, also help manage stress. 

Exercising sends oxygen to the brain and gets the "feel-good" chemicals (endorphins) flowing. Tai chi, yoga and qi gong can calm your mind while stretching your muscles.  Or, go for a small walk every day just to keep the body moving.  

To relieve tight muscles that cause tension headaches, try taking a warm shower to relax.  Gently massage your head, neck and shoulders with your fingertips.

Stay hydrated! 

Alcohol is a diuretic, which can cause dehydration, so drinking on an empty stomach, mixing cocktails or having too much can trigger headaches.  Drink a glass of water in between alcoholic beverages to dilute the effect.  

 
Watch what you eat.  

Pay attention to your diet.  Know which foods, if any, trigger headaches for you, and limit how much you eat those foods.  

Processed meats with a high nitrite concentration (such as salami), or foods usually found on a deli platter or appetizer plate, can trigger a headache.  Aged cheeses (blue, cheddar, Parmesan and Swiss) are full of a tyramine, a substance that can also trigger headaches.  Other foods that also contain tyramine are nuts, foods processed with MSG, and even red wine.

Holiday travel.  

Traveling by plane during the holidays can be a giant headache!  Dry air, time zone changes, and lack of sleep can causes major tension headaches and dehydration.  Make sure you stay hydrated.  According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking eight or nine (8 ounce) glasses of water a day is a good general guideline.  Avoid caffeinated drinks on the plane because they will accelerate dehydration.


Winter colds and sinus headaches.

Stress, meals on the run and lack of sleep give your immune system a beating, and colds and congested sinuses can trigger a major sinus headache.  Sinus headaches usually happen during or just after a bad cold. 

Sudden temperature changes, dry indoor air, and cold, damp air worsen sinus headaches.  Stay inside, keep warm, and use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.  Inhaling steam during a hot shower can help relieve sinus pressure.  

This year, why not give your family the gift of health?  Keeping your home free from toxins is a great place to start!

Here are some ideas for keeping your home and your family healthier:

Avoid chemical house cleaning products by choosing natural ones. Baking soda, vinegar or orange oil can replace almost any chemical cleaner.

Avoid chemical pesticides at home. Use baking soda with sugar or peppermint oil instead.

Avoid synthetic chemicals in personal care products and cosmetics. Read labels and avoid those ingredients with which you’re unfamiliar.  Avoid products that contain parabens, diethanolamine (DEA), or phthalates.

Try not to use mothballs. Mothballs contain paradichlorobenzene, which is very toxic. Instead choose sachets made with natural herbs and essential oils like rosemary, lavender, thyme and mint, which are natural moth repellants.

Avoid heating food or storing it in plastic. Most plastic contains bisphenol-A (BPA) that migrates into the food stored in these containers. BPA has been linked to thyroid and other hormonal problems.

Reduce your fragrances. Most perfumes and colognes, scented candles, plug-in air “fresheners,” pot pourri, laundry soap, fabric softeners, dryer sheets and house cleaning products are loaded with toxic ingredients that have been linked to hormonal imbalances, mood swings, fatigue, brain damage and many other symptoms.

Switch from sponges to natural cloths for cleaning. Most sponges have been treated with a chemical called triclosan, which is toxic to the skin and immune system.

Eliminate mold with tea tree oil.  A few drops of tea tree oil can be used on a cloth to wipe down walls, floors and other surfaces to help kill mold.

Choose "VOC-free" paints for your home. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are linked to cancer.

Toss the non-stick pans. Teflon, Silverstone and other coatings emit harmful perflourochemicals (PFCs). The EPA classifies them as carcinogens.