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.

Start over. Run again. Leave the old behind and embrace the new. Ignite a new spark that will light a new life filled with more meaning, experience, and fulfillment.

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.
Forget “I can” and embrace “I do.” I can may be empowering, but I do is life changing. The only way to start fresh is to take action.

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.
Vinegar has a very distinctive smell that most of us do not like, but when it comes to cleaning with vinegar, it works.

Add some vinegar to a spray bottle filled with water to clean counters, mirrors, the tub, and around the toilet.

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.

We all want our homes to be clean and our families to be healthy, but what if there were potential health hazards lurking around our homes that we don’t know about?

Here are some of the most common household hazards that may be lingering in your home and inexpensive ways to correct them:

Unless you sanitize them often, kitchen sponges can carry more germs than toilet seats. Sponges can harbor more than 100,000 bacteria, including food-borne diseases that were wiped off the counter. Toss them in the dishwasher regularly, replace them, or put them in the microwave for two minutes.

Dirty air ducts contain dust, pollen, bacteria, and even mold, and the contaminated air is recycled and circulated throughout your home, day after day.

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell, or taste. It is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Purchase a do-it-yourself radon test at a home improvement store and get the results in a couple of days.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), scientific experts warned of adverse health effects from bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical found in water bottles, cups, baby bottles, tin cans, and other household products. BPA is a hormone-mimicking chemical used in polycarbonate plastics. They often have a #7 recycling code (www.rodale.com).

Lead is another invisible threat in your home. It is a potent neurotoxin that can affect the brain and can result in a lower IQ, memory problems, or increased aggression. Lead can be found in old paint, pipes, and even soil. Have your home tested for lead by a professional, or purchase a lead test kit and swab surfaces for evidence of the chemical (www.epa.gov/lead).

Basements are often the culprits of mold spores, which can produce allergens, irritants, and sometimes, potentially harmful toxins. Black mold is an especially dangerous type of mold. If you discover mold in your house, clean it up and fix the water problem that is causing the mold.

Aluminum, found in pots and pans, can leach into your food, and when ingested, can damage your kidneys and liver and weaken your bones. A growing number of researchers say the metal could cause Alzheimer’s disease. Glass, cast iron, stainless steel, and porcelain cookware are good alternatives to aluminum.

Bed sheets that have permanent press finishes which are commonly used by manufacturers in order to minimize wrinkling usually contain formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen. Formaldehyde becomes a gas at room temperature and new or unwashed sheets can release formaldehyde fumes, causing flu-like symptoms. Avoid permanent press fabrics, and opt for organic cotton or bamboo sheets instead (www.ghchealth.com).

Cockroaches carry bacteria, including salmonella, staphylococcus, and streptococcus. Make sure the kitchen trash can is emptied regularly. Do not keep newspapers, cardboard boxes, or magazines stacked inside the house. Try not to leave pet food out, and repair any holes in the walls.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about our environment and the 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.

For more information on cleaning products and breast cancer, please watch our video at maidbrigade.com. To find out ways to protect your family’s health against breast cancer, please log on to greencleancertified.com.

Believe it or not, you may have harmful toxins living in your home.

According to Ross Ann Soloway, Administrator of the American Association of Poison Control Centers, “toxins in U.S. homes account for 90 percent of all reported poisonings each year. Although these figures include everything from non-fatal aspirin overdoses to the deadly consumption of drain cleaners, they fail to include long-term exposure to toxins like lead and asbestos.”

To address the household toxin issue, the Centers for Disease Control focuses on the health dangers of consumer goods and modern home living. The EPA also looks at home indoor air quality, lead exposure and ubiquitous low-level toxicity.

Here are a few toxins that may be lurking in your home:

Formaldehyde evaporates from cushions, particleboard and adhesives from wood-based products. Carpets and carpet cushions may also offgas formaldehyde, causing eye and upper respiratory irritation. According to the EPA, formaldehyde may even cause cancer.

According to the Surgeon General, Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon is a natural radioactive gas that seeps into homes through cracks in the basement, the surrounding foundation and in well water. It enters the body through the airways.

Lead levels that were once acceptable are now known contributors to learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Lead is found in paint in older houses and old plumbing.

The biggest culprit of Carbon monoxide is the unserviced furnace burning propane, butane or oil.

Arsenic is still found in many household pesticides, and is also used as a wood preservative. According to the CDC, arsenic can cause lung cancer.

Vinyl chloride, the plastic interior of a new car (better known as the “new car smell”), is a known carcinogen. Very large exposures can lead to “vinyl chloride disease,” which causes severe liver damage and ballooning of the fingertips.

According to Soloway, Hydrofluoric acid (found in rust removers), “can cause intense pain and damage to tissues and bone if the recommended gloves happen to have holes in them.”

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are composed of a variety of natural and man-made, carbon-based agents. They react quickly with other carbon-based compounds, and evaporate easily, making them ideal solvents.

Replace your household cleaners with non-toxic ones, and teach your family about the dangers of toxic chemicals.

Cleanliness. By thoroughly cleaning the house (cupboards, drawers, all bedrooms, bathrooms, drains, etc.) you will be far more likely to find and dispose of fly breeding grounds. Start by cleaning the kitchen and the dishes. Get rid of any and all bits of food and wipe up any spills. Take the garbage out at least a couple times a week. Dust the bottom of your garbage bin with boric acid, it is a great natural fly killer. Be sure not to leave any fruits or vegetables out, and store all dry goods in containers with tight-fitting lids.

Close off entry. The second thing you should do is to make sure there is no way for flies to get into your house. If your window screens have holes in them, cover the the holes with duct tape. This is a decent temporary fix until you can get a screen patch. Seal your doors and windows with some weather stripping. Flies can fit through tiny little cracks. Look at cables, wires, and plumbing that enter the house, too. If there is enough space for a fly to crawl through, it will. Fill the space with some caulk even if it doesn’t look quite big enough. You should also invest in door sweeps.
Outdoor sanitation. By keeping your yard clear of things that attract flies, you will be far less likely to have flies in the vicinity of your home. If there are fewer flies around your home, your chances of getting them in the house will be diminished. If you have dogs, be diligent about picking up their droppings on a regular basis. Keep a close eye out for dead animals like birds, lizards, rodents. If you compost, do it as far from the house as possible and bury food waste underneath yard waste. If you have a large trash bin, move it away from the house and keep it clean. Avoid build up in the bottom of your garbage pails – flies will lay eggs there.
Yard maintenance. Flies are not big fans of windy or breezy areas, so try and increase air flow through your yard. Start by keeping the grass cut short. You will also want to trim back trees and bushes. Clear away any low-lying brush and vegetation. This will help with moisture control, which flies also like. Lmit water for the insects. Get rid of any standing water in old tires, planters, artificial ponds, drooping gutters, etc. If there are low-lying areas in the yard where water pools after a rain, fill them with some soil so water can disperse and get soaked up more quickly.

Natural fly control. Marigolds, mint, and basil are all natural fly deterrents that can be planted outside. Inside, you can hang pine boughs, scatter orange peel, or scatter cloves. Citronella oil and pyrethrin based products also help. Pyrethrin is a natural insecticide, derived from the Chrysanthemum flower (Pyrethrum).
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. To learn more about the hidden allergy and asthma triggers in your home, log on to greencleancertified.com/greentv.

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Using ceiling or portable fans are one of the cheapest, most practical ways to cool a home on less energy. They can make rooms feel up to seven degrees cooler, and cost $10 or less to run each month, even if you leave them on for 12 hours a day.

If your home is not insulated properly, you could be spending a lot more money cooling it than you should. Air conditioners have to work extra hard when there is not proper insulation around ducts, or when cool air escapes through cracks in the seals of doors and windows. An energy audit with a professional can help to determine where your home is leaking, as well as identify other ways you can save energy.

Sometimes it’s not just about keeping the heat outside, but eliminating the heat generated inside. All appliances, lighting and electronic devices generate heat while running, so be sure to turn them off when you don’t need them. Try switching your incandescence to compact fluorescence, which use 1/5 the energy and heat.

Become familiar with which sides of the house the sun hits at certain times of the day. Before you go to sleep at night, close the blinds or curtains of the windows that the sun will hit in the morning. Use light-colored window treatments that will reflect light and heat away from your house. Energy-efficient double-glazed windows can help in some cases, but you can also apply heat-reflecting film to the interior surface of windows which can reflect up to 70% of solar heat.

Don’t forget the area surrounding your house! Trees and other plants are nature’s own way of keeping us cool. Planting shade-providing plants around windows and air-conditioning units (without blocking airflow) can reduce utility bills by over $100 per year.
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. To learn more about the hidden allergy and asthma triggers in your home, log on to greencleancertified.com/greentv.

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Sanitizing your kitchen is one of the best ways to help prevent H1N1 at home. Kitchen counters have always been a breeding ground for germs. With frequent snacking and hand-to-mouth activities in the kitchen, the risk of spreading bacteria increases.

Wipe down counters, kitchen tables, refrigerator and dishwasher handles, and any other commonly touched areas with a non-toxic, natural, homemade disinfectant cleaner.

Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar, and 3 cups hot water. For stronger cleaning power, add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Wipe on with a damp cloth or use a non-aerosol spray bottle.

Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the 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.

Check out Maid Brigade’s video on “Cleaning Products and Breast Cancer” at www.youtube.com/watch.
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Want to have a healthier, green life? Start in the kitchen!

While cooking, if you don’t have a stove hood, open a window to let gas, smoke, and humidity out. Opening a window for a few minutes a day helps improve your air quality.

Microwave safely by venting food to avoid steam burns. Undamaged microwave ovens pose no radiation risks, but chemicals can leach into food from plastic dishes. Try using ceramic and glass dishes instead. Use a glass lid or a paper towel instead of plastic wrap.

Let your water run for a couple of minutes each morning, especially if you live in an old building with lead pipes. Never use hot tap water for food or drinks. Use cold water and heat it on the stove or in the microwave. Bottled water is less regulated than tap, so you may want to buy a filter and bottle your own in a reusable stainless steel bottle.

Nonstick coatings on pots and pans can release toxic fumes at high temperatures. Stick to low or medium heat, and never preheat on high. Use ceramic ovenware, cast iron, or stainless steel cookware.

Plastics can leach chemicals into food, especially if they are heated or worn. If you do use plastic, look for those numbered #1 PETE, #2 HDPE, #4LDPE, and #5 PP, which may be less toxic. Use glass or stainless steel.

Organic foods are likely best for you and the planet. Make food from scratch to avoid synthetic preservatives and coloring. Opt for fresh, frozen, or dried foods instead of canned. Bisphenol-A, a chemical linked to a variety of health issues and diseases, can leach into food from the lining in cans.

Conventional cleaners can contain toxic chemicals that are not listed on the label. Natural ingredients work just as well to get rid of germs and bacteria. Use baking soda for scouring and vinegar for antibacterial action. Look for natural and non-toxic cleaning products that don’t contain harsh solvents, fragrances, chlorine, or ammonia, and which are biodegradable.

If your dishwasher carries the Energy Star label, it uses less water than hand washing. Phosphates in some detergents can contribute to water pollution when they go down the drain, so choose phosphate and chlorine-free, biodegradable detergents. Make sure the dishwasher is full and run it on energy-saver mode.

Maid Brigade of Fort Worth cares about the health of you and your family. For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.

Check out Maid Brigade’s “Household Cleaning Products and Breast Cancer” video at www.youtube.com/watch.

A groundbreaking research study recently published by the American Cancer Society found that synthetic chemicals have likely played a large role in the rising breast cancer rates around the world over the last half-century.

The study identified 216 man-made chemicals, including those found in everyday products like pesticides, cosmetics, dyes, drugs and gasoline, which have been shown to cause breast cancer in animals. These substances, many of which “mimic” naturally occurring hormones once inside the body, are also to blame for the increasing prevalence of breast cancer.

Devra Lee Davis, epidemiologist at the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health, says, “the more hormones cycling through a women’s body during her lifetime, the more likely she is to develop breast cancer.”

Synthetic chemicals that mimic hormones increase that risk because the body doesn’t know the difference between its own real hormones and other introduced chemicals.

Only 1 in 10 women who develop breast cancer inherits a defective gene from their parents, which means that in 90 percent of breast cancer cases studied, external agents, like synthetic chemicals, contributed to the development of cancer.

The U.S. government has not instituted restrictions on the production of synthetic chemicals, but European regulators are taking the issue very seriously by making chemical manufacturers selling anywhere in Europe to re-register and re-evaluate the potential health hazards, including cancer risks, of their products. I am hoping that American chemical companies will follow that lead with chemicals sold here.

To reduce your risk of chemical exposure:

Buy and eat organic foods.
Avoid using pesticides and other synthetic chemicals whenever possible.
Use non-plastic containers to reheat and store foods.
Support government regulation and more research on synthetic chemicals and their effects.

Maid Brigade House of Fort Worth supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month by educating and empowering you so that you can make the best lifestyle choices for you and your family. For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.