Order Out Of Chaos

Green Cleaning

Part One:

Steam Cleaning =

Green Cleaning

Much of the country is looking for ways to improve the environment. Steam cleaning your home can be a great alternative to the traditional use of harsh chemicals and disposable paper products. It's also a great way to save money long-term, once you have moved past the initial investment.

Steam cleaners work much like teakettles. The user fills them with water, plugs them in, and they heat up, causing the water to boil. The water’s state is altered to steam, which escapes only through a small hole. The result is an extremely hot gas being released under very high pressure and force. Dirt simply melts away, allowing you to wipe it away with a dry cloth.

Perhaps one of the most beneficial reasons to invest in a steam cleaner is that it can free you from smelly, unhealthy chemicals that can be harmful to you and your family as well as the environment. Steam cleaning also leaves your home with a fresh smell you don’t get from chemical cleaning.

Cleaning with water is not only healthy, but it saves money over time. Can you imagine not having to purchase cleaning products anymore?

Cleaning with steam is more effective than other cleaning methods. Steam invades porous surfaces to get embedded dirt and reaches areas you cannot reach with a sponge. The temperature of the steam kills germs, bacteria, mold, mildew and dust mites. Hospitals have used steam to disinfect equipment for years. Why not bring the technique into your home?

One of the most effective rooms to use a hand-held steam cleaner in is the kitchen. The steam cuts away stuck-on food and grease in ovens, microwaves, sinks and refrigerators. It is also very powerful on cabinets, counters, backsplashes and floors.

Steam cleaning is also very effective in bathrooms. It reaches places you can’t or maybe don’t want to touch! Most cleaners come with attachments that shoot steam under the brim of the toilet or up faucets. Squeegee attachments are great for showers, shower doors, and windows. Steaming cuts through mildew and hard water stains and truly sanitizes your bathroom.

Some cleaners come with floor attachments. Go ahead and invest in one with this attachment. It is great for cleaning linoleum, ceramic tile and some wood floors. Just make sure you test it in an inconspicuous area first.

A hand-held steam cleaner has so many uses such as detailing the interior of a car and its engine, cleaning grime off of a bar-b-que grill, golf clubs or tire rims, or ironing clothing or curtains right on the hanger or curtain rod. The squeegee attachment is great for cleaning windows. Other attachments allow it to unclog drains, unglue wallpaper, remove pet stains, and clean fine jewelry.

As with most electrical equipment, there are also some major cautions that go along with steam cleaners. Steam is very powerful and can cause serious scalding. Wear gloves to protect your hands. Never add chemicals to the water in a steamer. Always test on inconspicuous areas first to protect your belongings. Wipe the areas you have cleaned with a dry cloth right away to prevent mold. Steamers are so bright and colorful these days, making them look like fun toys to children. Therefore, keep them out of reach of children, especially when they are plugged in.

A hand-held steam cleaner is an investment of $50-$100. Consider borrowing one from someone you know to see if steam cleaning is right for you. Cleaning with steam is a great way to create a safer environment for you and your family.

Kendra Husk is a Professional Organizer and the owner of Order Out Of Chaos. You can get a free Order Out Of Chaos Motivational-Pak filled with simple tips to help you get organized. Simply visit her Web site: http://www.theorderoutofchaos.com or e-mail her at kendra@theorderoutofchaos.com

Part Two:

Green Cleaning

Green cleaning is cleaning with products that are natural or unharmful to you, your family and the environment. Green cleaning also supports recycling by encouraging the use of reusable products such as rags or microfiber cloths rather than paper towels and other disposable cleaning products. Making your own cleaning products can also be a great way to save money.

Some common natural cleaning supplies are: baking soda, white vinegar, liquid castile soap (olive oil and sodium hydroxide), and rags. To be considered “Green,” products must be non-toxic, biodegradable, and made from renewable resources (not petroleum). What a relief it should be as a parent to get rid of all toxic chemicals a young child could get into!

Many retailers are offering green cleaning products. Just look for products with the Green Seal. It is a ball with a check mark over it and the words “Green Seal” above it.

Here are a few more tips:

Open the windows in your home as much as possible. Our homes are so well insulated now that they often trap toxins that can be harmful to your family.

Baking soda can soak up odors from places other than your fridge and freezer. Pour it in your trashcan, sink or garbage disposal. Sprinkle it on your carpet then vacuum it up later to get rid of carpet odors.

Clean windows and mirrors with a mixture of 1/4 white vinegar and 3/4 water. Use a wadded up newspaper for a streak-free shine.

When undershirts, old t-shirts or towels get raggedy, but you hate to throw them away, just throw them into your rag box and you won’t be wasting them. They are much better for the environment than paper towels.

Leave dirt at the door. Think about everywhere your shoes go in a day. Imagine what is on the bottom of them by the end of it. Consider a shoeless house policy. It will keep your floor cleaner for young children and pets and will hopefully cut down on cleaning time.

Consider replacing carpet with hardwood, ceramic tile, linoleum or other non-carpet flooring. Carpet stores dust and dirt and can trigger allergies.

Use natural air fresheners in your home. Boil cinnamon, cloves, or other herbs to freshen your house…or bake a cake or cookies!

kendra@theorderoutofchaos.com