Posts Tagged ‘DC Metro Green Cleaning’

In October I posted a summary of all the recipes I had blogged about so far:  The Joy of Cleaning!

Lots of good recipes. Below is a list of all recipes since that last collection for easy reference. Happy Cleaning!

Tile Cleaner: Q&A Forum: I’m Not Mad at You, I’m Mad at the Dirt!

Fill a bucket with water, 1/4 vegetable oil-based soap, 1/4 baking soda. and 15 drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance.

Record Cleaner: Watch the Stained Glass Explode/Praise the Union/Praise God!

Cotton ball with equal parts water and vinegar. Lightly touch record as it spins and work towards the center.

Rust Remover: Turf Wars!

• 1 tbsp. of cream of tartar
• 1/4 c. of baking soda
• 1/4 c. of hydrogen peroxide

Laundry: Q&A: Theology and Geometry!

For the wash cycle add 1/8 cup of liquid vegetable soap and 1 tbsp. of washing soda. (Note: Washing soda – not baking soda. It is a little harder to find than baking soda but Arm & Hammer makes it also.) Add 1/4 cup of scented vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Swimming Pools: Q&A: Dirty White Boy!

switch from a chlorine based cleaning system to a salt based cleaning system

Ice Treatments: Q&A: Brother Sun and Sister Moon!

equal parts water and vinegar for windshield

birdseed for driveways and sidewalks

IceClear

Green Cat Toys: Today’s Trash is Tomorrow’s Fun!

Business cards, paper bags, junk mail

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This Saturday the Fairfax City Farmers’ Market opens! Be there! Buy a bottle of MultiPurpose Cleaner!

The Market is every Saturday from May 7th through October 29th from 8AM to 1PM.

Located at West & Main Streets behind the Wachovia Bank and adjacent to the Historic Fairfax County Courthouse

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Did you ever notice that babies smell funny? Or that they look weird? Or that they are always crying or doing something annoying? OK, maybe it’s just me, but, I still think I have found out what’s making those chubby, little bundles of joy so cranky all the time. We slather them down all day long with gasoline! That’s right. Baby oil – and all of the other lotions and potions we smear on their bottoms and faces before putting them in those silly ‘onezies’ (I’d be cranky too if every time I stretched my toes it choked me) – is a byproduct of the production of gasoline.

Baby oil is mineral oil and fragrance. Mineral oil is a liquid byproduct of distilled crude oil for the production of gasoline. There is a lot of it and it is very cheap. It has been approved by the FDA as safe for human skin. So, it is used in the production of most baby oils, lotions, conditioners and cosmetics.

Despite the FDA’s opinion, serious health problems exist with the use of mineral oil. First, it clogs the pores making it difficult for the skin to release toxins. Once the skin absorbs it, the oil absorbs any fat soluble vitamins it comes in contact with thereby robbing the body of essential nutrients.

The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for mineral oil warns that it is harmful if inhaled, swallowed or if it comes in contact with the eyes. It also warns – and this is my favorite part – that mineral oil causes irritation to the skin! So, with all the risks and no benefit, exactly what is the point of using it? It’s making that diaper rash worse!

My research into baby oil has nothing to do with irritated bottoms. I was looking for a stainless steel polish. So, I needed to know what people use as an alternative to baby oil. The only baby with whom I am personally acquainted is Joshua C. in Columbia, SC. He’s not very talkative, so I contacted his Mom, MaryBeth, for a solution. She recommends Trader Joe’s 100% Jojoba oil. I bought some and noticed for the first time (I usually only look at food), that Trader Joe’s has really good prices on personal care items. They are, in many cases, less expensive than their toxic competition – which is unusual.

And I can tell you, honestly, that Joshua is not cranky at all. He is all smiles, curiosity and playfullness. He is more like a small person than a baby. Perhaps his parents deserve some credit for that. But, we cannot dismiss the fact that his diaper is a dumping ground for Joshua only – not for the oil companies!

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Every minute I stay in this room, I get weaker, and every minute Charlie squats in the bush, he gets stronger.

Listening to soap commercials these days could lead you to believe that there are flesh-eating bacteria around every corner, on every child’s toy, on every doorknob, on every part of your body and in the very air that you breathe. This also seems to be the common consensus when you consider that around 75% of liquid soaps on the market have antibacterial agents in them. Antibacterial agents can also be found in large percentages of laundry soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, body washes, dish soaps, and many household cleaning products. And don’t forget all those little portable bottles of hand sanitizing gel all of the healthier-than-thou-eugenicists whip out every time they touch anything. These “cleaners” are actually making us dirtier and more susceptible to infection. That’s an example of real irony, Alanis!

Antibacterial soaps were created for use in Hospitals to prevent the spread of infections. Of course, a billion dollar industry was created by marketing them to the rest of us. Although soap industries would have us believe otherwise, the CDC has maintained through all the antibacterial hype that we all just need to wash with warm water and soap for twenty seconds to avoid harmful bacteria. (For more information on soap and how it works, see my previous Blog: Soaps vs. Detergents!) Interestingly, antibacterial agents need to be on a surface for at least two minutes to work completely. In fact, a study demonstrated that an antibacterial agent would have to be four times stronger than ones that are used in soaps and sit on a surface for four hours to kill 90% of an E-Coli bacteria.

So, if antibacterial soaps aren’t killing the really scary stuff, what are they doing? The component that makes them work is triclosan which inhibits the production of a fatty acid vital to life within bacteria cells. One problem with this is that useful bacteria is removed. Our bodies are full (inside and out) of a variety of bacteria that protects us from harmful bacteria. Most often we get sick from a virus rather than a bacteria anyway.

Risking your own immune system is one thing, but what about the rest of us? The primary problem with antibacterial agents is that the bacteria that survives will usually mutate into a new strain that resists the antimicrobial chemical effect. Let me make sure you got that: more resistant, stronger, more virulent bacteria are created through natural selection. That means that when we get sick, we get really sick. And here’s the kicker – most antibacterial agents go after the same bacteria as antibiotics. This means that you won’t get better when you take your meds if the bacteria that got you sick is one of these new super-bugs that slithered up out of the mushy, soapy wasteland of your shower and learned to walk. That is until, of course, a stronger antibiotic is made and then –  well, the cycle could go on and on. (This is the way the world ends / This is the way the world ends…)

Clean yourself, your children, and your pets on a regular basis with soap. Take your vitamins and get regular exercise. Eat a healthy diet and choose organic foods when possible. If you still feel you must disinfect something use 3% hydrogen peroxide or salt and warm water – only after you have removed any soil from the surface. You will be okay. Afterall, the big, scary man at the center of the heart of darkness is just a short, fat, bald guy.

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A google of green cleaning in Northern Virginia or green cleaning in any NOVA city will bring up several company names. I checked them all out for two reasons. First, as a business I need to “know the competition”. Secondly, because of the nature of my business, I (Teresa – not just GreenItUp!) am pleased to see signs that our culture is moving in directions I support. What I found, though, is that “green” can be a meaningless marketing tool in the hands of some cleaning companies. Of course, we are already aware that “natural” and “green” are overused, unregulated terms. (See my Blog from last summer on popular green cleaning products:  The Dirt on Commercial “Natural” Cleaners!) The Executives at Clorox are one thing, but I expected a little more legitimacy from local businesses!

Other than one DC-based company, none listed the names of the products they would use in your home. Some claim, though, that their products have a green certification. While green certification programs usually have minimum required standards for product certification, typically this means only that the product in question has less impact on the environment and human health than other products that deliver similar results. But it does NOT mean that the product is non-toxic or harmless to the environment, as many of these labels seem to imply. Giving up heroin for Methadone does not make you any less of an addict, either.

To find out whether a cleaning product really is non-toxic or truly friendly to the environment, one usually has to do some hunting and questioning. When I inquired with one company, they provided the name of another company’s product they use. After some research and a call to the cleaning product’s manufacturer, I was able to find the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) on the product. It wasn’t Clorox, but it wasn’t what I would call “green” either.

All I am saying is know what you are purchasing. It is so easy with food – just look at the label and you know exactly what you are getting. Food has labels because people demanded to know. If a company does not disclose to you what they are using, ask them. Ask them what is in their cleaning products. Look up the MSDS sheets. Ask them if they use paper towels. Ask them if they use disposable mops and sponges. And if they won’t tell you, ask yourself why not. Then find a company that WILL be honest with you about exactly what they use and exactly how they use it.

As for GreenItUp!, my ingredients are already on my website: http://www.greenitupllc.com/products.html. I do not use paper towels. I use clean, recycled cotton towels and t-shirts that have outlived their usefulness as towels and t-shirts, as well as microfiber mops and sponges that are cleaned and disinfected for each reuse until they have no more life in them. I breathe easily and I do not lose any sleep at night.

“Green” and “Natural” are extremely fashionable marketing terms. To be a smart consumer you need to know exactly what you are getting. So, are you REALLY Green, or are you just wearing a ridiculously ugly dress?

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GreenItUp! will not be at the Loudoun Valley Market this Saturday. Look for us next Saturday though. Also, Sweetz bakery will be there with their award winning cup cakes! Check out the lemon basil! Also, lots of great vegetables, meats, Virginia wines and alpaca yarns.

https://sweetzbakery.com/

Have a good weekend!

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Brought to you by Proctor & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive and Lever Brothers…

To understand why certain cleaning products are better or worse for your health or the environment, it is important to understand how soaps and detergents differ. To understand how they are different, it is important to understand first what they have in common.

Soaps and detergents clean surfaces. The molecules of a soap or a detergent will attach to the dirt, odor, grease, food, or other culprit, loosen it from a surface, and pull it into water, where the other part of the soap or detergent molecule is firmly attached. The offending substance is then washed away from the surface with the water.

The “attaching” process is where our troubles begin. In an effort to make more money, soap manufacturers invented detergents designed to create a quicker and stronger attachment to dirt and other substances. To do this, cleaning companies added petroleum products, preservatives, antibacterial agents, and artificial fragrances (the latter to cover the unpleasant chemical smells).

Detergents “attach” too well, which causes two problems. First, detergent molecules often stay on the surface rather than pulling away with the water. You know these remnants as soap scum or residue left on your clothes, sheets, or skin. Second, detergent molecules can also pull away surface molecules as they wash away with water. This causes deterioration of home surfaces or clothes and dry, irritated skin.

Soaps, on the other hand, are the byproduct of a fat (usually a natural oil) and lye interacting. They have a ph of 9 or 10 generally, so they are not as harsh. Soaps retain glycerin that is usually removed during the detergent making process. The effect with soap is a less harsh interaction with a surface.

Another big difference between soaps and detergents is their effects on the environment. Many toxins and synthetic substances are used in the manufacture of detergents. This means that a lot of energy is used to produce them, and they leave their mark on the world everytime we wash them down a drain. Soaps use very little energy in production and are made from natural substances. The ingredients will also biodegrade after they run down your drain and out into the world.

Hopefully, you will make an effort to choose a soap over a detergent the next time you shop. You may need to visit a health food store to find one.

I also wanted to explain the differences before I introduce any further blogs on why “green” cleaning is so much more effective than what we have become used to. I will keep you posted in future blogs on how we have all been duped into believing we need cleaners and antibacterial substances that we not only do not need, but that are actually making our world less safe and dirtier!

Help make a difference – time is running out!

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Initial consultations are free of charge!

3 Month Paid in Advance Commitment 10% Off

6 Month Paid in Advance Commitment 20% Off

Move In/Out Unfurnished Cleanings

Up to 2000 square feet $75 to $250

2000+ square feet $200 to $400

Pricing ranges account for clutter, pet hair, amounts of furniture, location and additional space.

Not all homes or cleaning plans will fit the above structures. GreenItUp! will work with you to determine the best price for your needs.

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Soon after we moved to NOVA, our friend Lisa C. introduced us to the best restaurant I have been to in recent memory. Founding Farmers (I love the name!) is located in downtown DC at 1924 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. The restaurant is owned by a co-op of small, organic farmers. All of the produce, meats, cheeses and breads are chosen based on the following principle: the most important food choice you can make is to buy organic, local if and when it makes sense for you, and when possible, family-farm–sourced food.

Another great thing about the restaurant is that as a LEED building , it is 100% carbon neutral  - no carbon footprint at all!  Please visit their website for more information on the farmers, the building and the menu!!!

I would recommend something but EVERYTHING I have had there is soooo delicious – fried green tomatoes (cut an inch thick and served with green goddess dip and herb goat cheese) , chicken and waffles (they know to serve it with white gravy and syrup!) , bacon lollies (yes, as in lollipops!) , cornbread, deviled eggs (Columbia – way better than even the Gourmet Shop ones!)….. Everyone who comes to visit us has to eat here with us – it is a rule! Eric’s friend Idaho Laura (not sure why he calls her that – there are no other Lauras…) went with us last night – Erin C. you are up next! Frankie (the GreenItUp! logo cat) had bacon, hamburger, eggs, goat cheese and meatloaf leftovers last night.

And the bar!!! The bar serves Prohibition Era drinks with all mixers made from scratch! The Bees Knees is just that – Bombay Gin, honey and lemon juice – so delicious!

http://www.wearefoundingfarmers.com/

For my birthday, we decided to try their sister restaurant in Georgetown – Farmers and Fishers. Same great bar. The food was just as delicious – they of course, have a lot more seafood than the original restaurant. One notable difference is that the bacon lollipops are chocolate covered! The atmosphere was a little more crowded feeling. I am not sure if that was because it was Valentine’s weekend or because of the layout itself. At any rate, it was also impressive but we do prefer the original. Seafood lovers will want to make the Georgetown trip. See their website and menu below.

http://www.farmersandfishers.com/

If you plan on going – even on a weeknight – make reservations! They are always packed. Hopefully, that means that more restaurants that promote sustainable living will start popping up. It would be nice to have something useful become trendy for a change!

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(from a comment to a previous blog)

In a Green way, how can I keep my kitchen sponge fresh and germ-free as possible? I read your blog regularly and pass along your advice. Thanks for teaching an old dog new tricks. : )

Andrea M.

Oklahoma

Dear Andrea,

Thank you for your question! It just so happens that I have a previous blog that will answer your question. Spongeworthy! . (boil your sponges for a few minutes in water, ½ cup of vinegar, and a few drops of tea tree oil to disinfect. You can also soak them in the same mixture and microwave for a minute – I would add kosher salt to this mixture too) At that time you commented  that you wanted to be spongeworthy. It has been quite a while since it was written so I understand that you have forgotten. A lot has happened since last summer for all of us. And, I understand, that while many incredible traits run in your family, a strong memory is not one of them! Besides, it is not you that needs to be Spongeworthy but Mike! Thankfully, you all have not been too concerned with spongeworthiness because I know for a fact that you have very handsome, creative, wise, and kind children. While that may be rare, I do not think it has anything to do with chance!

Love and Happy Cleaning!

Teresa

P.S. More on this later in a personal communication – just received your care package – LOVE two owls and a friend!!! Thank you!!!

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