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October marks the start of the entertaining season. Nothing makes entertaining easier than having all your tablecloths, table runners and cloth napkins cleaned and ready for use. Knowing how to clean table linens and store them correctly is the key.
Washing
Start by knowing exactly what material your table linens are. Fifty years ago you could assume your tablecloth was either linen or cotton but today a variety of other materials are used. Check to see if there is a care label anywhere on the tablecloth and follow it exactly. If there are no care instructions, then just place it in cool water and hand wash it with a gentle old fashioned laundry soap. Rinse it thoroughly and do not use a fabric softener, as it will discolor the fabric in storage. Let it hang dry and press with a cool iron.
Stain removal
Knowledge is power when trying to remove a stain. There are three major stains that occur on a tablecloth or cloth napkins. The first is red wine. Wine tends to drip down the edge of the bottle or glass and leave a ring on the tablecloth. This stain can easily be removed with hydrogen peroxide. Treat the stain as soon as possible. You can even dab the area with the hydrogen peroxide while it’s still on your table. The hydrogen peroxide will start to work and fade the stain. Place the tablecloth in a cool soaking bucket and add more hydrogen peroxide onto the stained area. Leave it overnight. Spot wash the area with a gentle laundry soap and keep working at the stain until it disappears. Place the tablecloth in the washer with a gentle laundry soap on a cool water setting. Use a permanent press setting if it’s available. After the rinse cycle, remove the tablecloth and let it air dry. If the stain persists, repeat the entire process. Patience will win when tackling a red wine stain.
Another typical stain on a tablecloth is greasy oil. The stain is tricky and needs to be addressed before you put the tablecloth in the wash. Pre-treat the oily spot with rubbing alcohol. Let it sit for 15 minutes then go over the spot with a pure bar soap. Do not use a colored deodorant soap for this job. The rubbing alcohol will break down the oil and the soap will surround it and pull it out when you rinse the fabric. Place the treated tablecloth into the washer and wash on a cool water setting. Let the tablecloth air dry and check the spots. As long as the tablecloth does not go in the dryer you can continue to treat the spots until they have disappeared.
The third spot that occurs on cloth napkins is lipstick. Lipstick should be treated like the oil stains above but before and during your treatment you want to dab the area with a clean white cloth so as not to spread the lipstick into the surrounding area. Start by dabbing the stain with the cloth treated with rubbing alcohol. Continue to dab it until you don’t see any of the color coming out of the fabric. Then pour the alcohol on the spot and let it sit for 15 minutes. The alcohol will break down the oil. Before rubbing the bar of soap over the stain, dab the area again to see if there’s any more color coming from the fabric. If you get more lipstick on the clean white cloth, repeat treating the area with the rubbing alcohol. Once the white cloth is no longer pulling color from the cloth you can proceed by rubbing the bar soap of the area and putting the napkin into the washer. Make sure to check that the stain is totally gone before putting the napkin in the dryer.
Overall yellowing
If you have an heirloom tablecloth that is starting to yellow or fade, add some oxygen bleach to the wash cycle to brighten the colors and remove the dingy look. Remember to avoid fabric softeners in the rinse cycle as they can affect the coloring of the tablecloth.
Ironing
It’s much easier to iron a damp tablecloth is much easier than a dry one. Plus, it gives your tablecloth a nice crisp look. Remove the tablecloth from the rinse cycle and let it air dry until it’s just damp. If any areas get too dry, spritz them with plain tap water in a spray bottle. If you’re feeling nostalgic, they still make the laundry sprinkler head you can place in a glass bottle.
Check your iron’s plate and make sure it’s clean and free from burn marks. There are commercial cleaning products you can use or try toothpaste. Wipe it completely clean before you start your ironing. Check the steam mechanism as well. You can avoid mineral spots by using distilled water. Test the steam system on an old t-shirt or rag before starting to iron your tablecloth. Start ironing on the wrong side of the tablecloth first. Once that side is completely finished, turn the tablecloth over and iron the front side. Avoid starches if possible as they can leave a film on the iron and the fabric. If you must use them, spray the area you are ironing with a light mist. More is not better in this case. The iron should be on a medium setting to start. If the wrinkles aren’t being totally ironed out, you can slowly turn up the heat of the iron. Do this in small steps so that you don’t damage the tablecloth with too much heat. Leave the ironed tablecloth out until it’s completely cooled down. You want to fold it so that it will fit on a padded hanger. Then cover it with a dark garbage bag that is open on the bottom and hang it in a cool, dry closet. The dark bag will protect it from light damage.Storage
Hang your tablecloths on a padded hanger and store them in a clean, dry closet. Avoid hanging them in a basement or attic as they will tend to absorb the smells from those areas. It’s easiest if you store them in the room where they will be used. Then you don’t have to search the entire house when you need them.
Cloth napkins and placemats should be stored in a drawer and wrapped in a light paper. This will keep them clean, fresh and free from dust.
Table runners should also be hung on a padded hanger. You can wrap them in a plastic dry cleaning bag or a trash bag to keep it free from dust. Don’t seal the bag at the bottom. You want air to be able to flow around it.
A great way to store heirloom linens, as well as napkins and place mats, is to use a cardboard wrapping paper tube. Wrap the linens around the tube and store them in an airtight plastic container. Wrapping them around the tube will prevent wrinkles and fold marks. You can use a soft piece of ribbon or a rubber band to hold them in place.
It’s so nice to be able to share a holiday meal with family and friends. And with beautifully clean, fresh table linens, the meal will seem even more special.
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So many of the exercise, diet, and weight loss programs out there focus on the exterior, or the visible: how many pounds you've shed or how many inches you've lost.
But they fail to address the invisible.
First of all, they don't address what's going on inside your body: the changes in your hormone levels, metabolism, muscle mass, and bone density as you age—all of which affect your appearance.
Secondly, they don't address this critical topic: your relationship with yourself. This relationship is one of the inner causes of weight gain—the emotional or spiritual issues that cause you to struggle with your weight and health.
You're not a bank account—you're a chemistry lab. That's why it's time to start over.
It's time to give yourself a clean slate.
Listen to JJ share three of the five secrets she lists in her book, Invisible Fitness Formula - The 5 secrets to release weight and end body shame. Once you listen to this interview you'll definitely want to go out and purchase the book.
You can take JJ's 10 question quiz, to learn what's blocking you. Click here to take the quiz.
Want to skip the quiz and go directly to the book? You can purchase it on Amazon here.
You can work with JJ Flizanes personally as well. Contact her at this link. Or you may want to join her and other experts at her Invisible Fitness Formula Transformation event. Learn more here.
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Have you heard of Limelight, by the Alcone Company? It's one of the oldest cosmetic companies in the country. Alcone started in 1952 as a pharmacy that also sold cosmetics and false eyelashes to Broadway showgirls and starlets.
"Our philosophy then is still the same today... find the best makeup products from around the world and offer them at affordable prices so everyone (not just the rich and fabulous) will benefit. Just one look at our consumer data lets you know we still follow that philosophy today... everyday housewives listed alongside famous actresses, models, tv personalities, and socialites!"
They are serious about customer satisfaction and offer exceptional, hard-to-find products at great prices! They decided to let their customers become their sales reps. Professional makeup artists now can make a career out of not only doing makeup but selling the products they love.
Tarah has a unique niche. She has a medical background and as a consultant can help people learn about the ingredient She's a PA (physician's assistant) and very passionate about educating her clients. I love watching her on her weekly Facebook live where she picks an ingredient and teaches her students about why we should be looking out for it. You can join her here: https://www.facebook.com/tarahhirscheyloveslimelight
Listen to this interview and learn how Tarah is helping others by researching ingredients and recommending alternatives. Her "go to" research tool is none other than the database on EWG.org. You can do your own research there as well, by going to this link and plugging in your makeup or skincare product. You may be amazed at the grade they give it.
Listen and learn more.
This podcast is sponsored by
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Meliora Cleaning Products is on a mission to provide families with the information and products they need to have a clean, comfortable home without exposure to toxic and environmentally damaging chemicals.
“What do you mean, Proctor & Gamble agrees to reduce the amount of cancer-causing chemicals?"
That was founder Kate’s reaction when reading about the 2012 reformulation of Tide Free and Clear, a product marketed to parents as "free of harmful chemicals."
She quickly learned that a chemical titled “1,4 dioxane,” previously found in Tide Free and Clear, is also a classified as a cancer-causing contaminant. This was disturbing in itself, but as Kate dug deeper, she was shocked to find out the 1,4 dioxane is present in many conventional laundry detergents - even those without dyes and fragrances.
Aided with a background in materials and environmental engineering, Kate navigated complicated cleaning product disclosure laws and massive ingredient lists to simply find out what people are using in their everyday lives. Her conclusion? You should be able to know what's in the products you're using... and not need an advanced degree to understand them.
Propelled into action, Kate began formulating her own laundry detergent and cleaning products based on simpler ingredients, ones that anybody would recognize as familiar, like… vegetable soap or baking soda. Knowing that socially-focused businesses can create huge change in the market, she founded Meliora K, LLC in 2013 to illustrate that a cleaning company doesn’t need to rely on secret formulas and mysterious chemicals. In 2016 the name was updated to Meliora Cleaning Products.
Sharing full ingredient lists in the cleaning products industry places Meliora Cleaning Products among the top responsible companies. Sharing the full recipes means the business goes beyond best practice to prioritize human and environmental health over the traditional profit model in the cleaning product industry, a distinction that has earned the company accolades including first place in the 2013 Quinlan Social Enterprise Competition. in 2015 the company formalized these practices and had them audited by a third party, becoming a Certified B Corporation.
These are some of the questions we asked Kate:
Melly-orrah? Mell-yourah? How do you say that name?Meliora is a Latin word that means "better" that's pronounced "meh-lee-OR-ah." You might recognize it as part of the English word "ameliorate", which means "to make better."
Picking Meliora Cleaning Products as our name shows that we want to do things better, both compared to the status quo and also striving to make ourselves better each day.
Are your products vegan?Yes! We don’t use any animal-derived ingredients. If you follow our recipes on your own, be sure to use our Soap Flakes or vegetable-based soap to make your own flakes. Many soaps contain tallow (often listed as sodium tallowate).
Do you use animal testing?Goodness, no. We stick to ingredients we understand and we test our products ourselves. As of April 17, 2017, our products are Certified Cruelty-Free by the Leaping Bunny Program. Yay!
Are your products Organic?All the oils in our All-Purpose Home Cleaner, Soap Sticks, and Bath & Body Bars are USDA Certified Organic oil. However, we have not gone through the process of getting the USDA Organic seal on our products. If you'd like to see the certifications from our suppliers, please reach out and we'll share them with you.
Technically, our Laundry Powder CANNOT be USDA Organic. The mineral content (washing soda and baking soda) is too high for the Laundry Powder to qualify as an "agricultural product." You can read all about the details on labeling here.
We do, however, select only ingredients that work and are people- and planet-friendly. That's why we're so proud of our MADE SAFE Certification, as well as our 4.0 from the Environmental Working Group where all our ingredients got an A on their Guide to Healthy Cleaning.
Can I use this in my HE washer?Yes! The laundry soap is low-sudsing, so it works well in HE machines. You only need 1/2 scoop - or 1/2 Tablespoon - per load in a HE machine. Less water means letter Laundry Powder.
Toss the Laundry Powder directly in with the clothes. Skip the dispensing drawer - trust us, it'll dissolve just fine.
Do your products contain preservatives?Short answer: Nope.
Long answer: Still no. A preservative is "a substance added to a product to destroy or inhibit multiplication of microorganisms." These microorganisms commonly pop up in products which have water as a primary ingredient (liquids, gels, etc.). As all of our products are solids or powders, we do not need to add a preservative to keep them shelf-stable. Yay! While you may notice occasional clumping of our Laundry Powder in really humid environments, this does not affect the effectiveness one bit. Simply break the clump apart and keep washing your clothes.
Really long, overly-detailed answer: While preservatives do a great job of preventing nasty stuff from growing in your liquid soaps and shampoos, some of them have unfortunate side effects. The Isothiazolinone family of preservatives - common in cosmetics and other things you'll find around your home - have been increasingly found to trigger contact dermatitis all around the world.
Agencies in various countries and regions (i.e. the EU) have started to ban the use of isothiazolinones (MI/MCI) in leave-on cosmetics, but they haven't tackled the cleaning and home products...yet. While this allergic reaction doesn't affect everyone, it can become a major problem for those with sensitivities to MI and similar preservatives.
If we ever expand into liquid-based products, rest assured we will not use any preservatives with a known negative-health impact in our products.
I have a septic tank. Can I use your products?Yes! There are no ingredients in any of our products that would interfere with the normal operation of your septic tank. We use all biodegradable ingredients, and no disinfectant or antimicrobials that could kill off the bacteria in the tank.
I've got hard water. What do I do?
Click here for one short and good resource from our really smart friends at Cornell that we used when doing this research, in case you would like to reference it yourself.
We don’t recommend pouring large amounts of our powder, or any cleaner, down your drain. Normal use amounts, per the instructions on the packaging, should be fine.Hard water is "hard" because of higher levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium (here's an awesome map of water harness levels across the US).
The reason we have Washing Soda (sodium bicarbonate) in our Laundry Powder is to fight against hard water. Washing Soda acts as a "booster" because of its water softening effects: by softening the water, fewer Calcium and Magnesium ions interact with the soap in the detergent and therefore the soap can do its job to clean, rather than get caught up in soap scum and hard water deposits.
How much the Washing Soda "softens" the water depends on how hard your water is. We've seen some people with *really* hard water need to add even more washing soda to their laundry, directly into the washer, to cut through the minerals in their water.
Why doesn’t it foam up like regular detergent?Conventional detergent contains chemicals that are added especially to create these sudsy bubbles. They may look nice, but suds don’t do anything to get your clothes clean, so we skip them. As a bonus, this low-sudsing property makes this recipe great for using in High Efficiency (HE) washers!
What are these fancy labels on your site and packaging?Certification labels are one way to make sure the products you are using actually are what they say. Our current certifications are:
1% For the Planet: We pledge to give at least 1% of our annual sales revenue to non-profit organizations and causes aligned to a planet-friendly world. Our primary partner of choice is Women's Voices for the Earth. Certified B Corporation: A third-party certification that validates our commitment to using business as a force for good. MADE SAFE: MADE SAFE has screened the ingredients in our products to ensure they are safe for human health against their comprehensive database of over 10,000 ingredients found in all types of products in your home. Leaping Bunny - Cruelty-Free: As of April 17, 2017, all of the ingredients in our products are confirmed to be manufactured without continued testing on animals.These certifications demonstrate their commitment to responsibly running a business with a people- and planet-friendly focus.
To learn about Meliora or to purchase their product, visit: www.meliorameansbetter.com
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Heating and cooling your home is the most costly energy in your entire home.
A comfortable home is a happy home. But it also has to be energy efficient. That's why thousands of families are choosing Fujitsu Ductless Mini-Split Systems for whisper-quiet, energy-efficient heating and cooling for their homes. These sleek units require no ductwork and allow for flexible, room-by-room temperature control. And with available utility rebates, the savings start on day one.
How does it work?Mini-splits are heating and cooling systems that allow you to control the temperatures in individual rooms or spaces.
Mini-split systems have two main components -- an outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air-handling unit(s) (evaporator). They are easy to install usually requiring only a three-inch hole through a wall for the conduit; which houses the power and communication cables, copper tubing, and a condensation drain line, linking the outdoor and indoor units.
Mini-split heat pumps are not only great solutions for whole home or new constructions but make good retrofit add-ons to houses with “non-ducted” heating systems, such as hydronic (hot water heat), radiant panels, and space heaters (wood, kerosene, propane). They can also be a good choice for room additions where extending or installing distribution ductwork is not feasible, and energy efficient new homes that require only a small space conditioning system.
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If you are a mom with a child starting school for the first time, you want to get things right. Jaska Damato's son is starting school and her son's new teacher sent home the list of items he will need before he starts school. One of the items on the list is Clorox bleach wipes. Jaska said these weren't something she ever used in her own home and didn't feel comfortable about buying them for her son to use at school. Instead, Jaska reached out to Leslie Reichert, the cleaning coach, for some ideas on what she should do. In this conversation you will hear how to approach your child's teacher, offer alternatives and even how to change the policies in your entire school.
Some of the things we mention in this show:
Environmental Working Group's Cleaning Product Data base which can be found at this link.
Recipes for making a DIY disinfectant that was seen on the Dr. Oz Show. Link
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It's amazing to think that in the past two years we have gone from a few listeners to 400,000! So to celebrate this milestone, I picked snippets of the four top shows to share with you. These are not my favorites, but yours. These four shows have the most listens of all of my shows. Sit back, listen and enjoy! And thanks so much for listening.
Whole 30 with Melissa Hartwig Show #117
Environmental Illnesses with David Frome Show #56
Real Food with Nina Plack Show #65
Trash Is For Tossers with Lauren Singer Show #11
This show is sponsored by Maid Brigade.
www.maidbrigde.com
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How to Keep Your Light Fixtures Shining Bright Things we talked about in this episode that you may want to learn more about. Green Clean Starter Kit Blue microfiber cloth Feather duster Extendable feather duster Link to Houzz.com article Link to my private Facebook Community www.cleangreenlivingcommunity.com
This episode is sponsored by Maid Brigade
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Cleaning the stovetop, oven and microwave
This article can be seen at www.maidbrigade.com/blog
Your oven has been called the “heart” of the kitchen. You prepare every meal on the stovetop or inside the oven itself. Your stove and oven get lot of use AND abuse. Spills dry, harden and burn onto their surfaces. Let’s look at a few ways we can clean them as well as prevent spills and messes on your stovetop, microwave and oven.
Tips for your stove top
Spills should be wiped up as soon as they happen, but the burners have to cool down before you can wipe the stovetop. Because you need to wait for it to cool, the spills to continue to burn onto the cooktop. Start by letting the stovetop cool completely before trying to clean it. Use a wet microfiber cloth and wipe off large debris. Fill a spray bottle with distilled white vinegar and spray the entire stovetop with straight vinegar. Let the vinegar sit on the stovetop for a few minutes. Vinegar is a natural acid and the longer you let it sit on the surface, the better the acid work on the buildup. Wipe the area again with the microfiber cloth that’s been rinsed with very hot water. If there are still some stubborn spots, respray the area with vinegar and then sprinkle the area with baking soda. Use a scrubby sponge that is designed to be used on non-stick surfaces and scrub the areas in a circular motion. I recommend using a Skoy Scrub and also an Xtreme Sponge. The sponge will start to turn brown as the buildup is removed. Rinse and repeat the process until the entire stovetop is completely clean. Finish with a gentle glass cleaner and a fine woven microfiber cloth to leave the stove top with a nice shine.
If you have a glass topped stove, there is a great little tool that will help keep the cook top looking great. It’s a flat-edged razor. The razor will remove burnt on spots with a quick pass. You can also use the razor with a combination of baking soda and vinegar to remove buildup. Make sure the razor is very sharp and is always used at a 45-degree angle to the stovetop.
If you have a gas stove, be very careful when cleaning around the area over the pilot light. This area is extremely warm and if you spray a cleaner directly on the area, it can damage the finish. Also, if you are using harsh chemicals the heat will turn it to steam and off gas fumes into the air.
Tips for your oven
One great tip to prevent spills from getting to the floor of your oven is to use something to catch and keep spills off of the oven floor. You can use aluminum foil and place it under the pan you are using. Don’t place the foil directly on the oven floor as it may actually stick to the surface. Instead, use foil on the rack underneath the one you are using or around the pan that is cooking on the rack. This will let the air continue to circulate in the oven and bake evenly. You can also use a cookie sheet as long as it’s larger that the pan you are baking. An oven liner is designed specifically for preventing spills. The oven liner is not affected by the heat, but some manufactures recommend not using around birds – which means they are off-gassing. You need to check with the manufacturer of your oven before using an oven liner so you don’t damage the oven floor or restrict the air flow in the oven its self.
Self-cleaning ovens should never be cleaned with a chemical cleaner. The finish is designed specifically to have the debris fall off once the oven is heated to 500 degrees. If you use a chemical on the finish, it will damage those properties. You can wipe the finish with a damp microfiber cloth after the oven has run through the self-cleaning cycle and has cooled completely. You can also spot wash spills with a damp microfiber cloth.
Ovens without a self-cleaning option can be cleaned by mixing up a paste of baking soda and water and “painted” on the walls and floor of the over. Fill a spray bottle with distilled white vinegar and spray all the surfaces. You will see the baking soda start to foam up. Continue to spray the oven every 15 minutes for an hour. Then let this mixture sit on the oven surfaces overnight. The next morning all you will need to do is wipe the entire oven down with a wet microfiber cloth. The reaction between the baking soda and the vinegar will lift everything off the oven walls and base. It also will leave the oven clean without any residue that could be dangerous to your family. Regular oven cleaners are very toxic and if they aren’t completely rinsed from the oven can penetrate your food and seep into your air. By using vinegar and baking soda you are using the science of natural cleaners that won’t hurt anyone.
Tips for your microwave
Microwaves should wiped thoroughly after each use. But not everyone that uses the microwave wipes it out after they use it. Instead, leftover spills and spatters get microwaved onto its surface. A quick tip for cleaning the inside of the microwave is to place a cup of water and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in a microwaveable container in the microwave. Microwave this mixture for 1 to 2 minutes until it boils and steams up the inside of the microwave. The lemon juice is a natural acid and it will adhere to the spills on the walls of the microwave and work to loosen them while the microwave is cooling. Once it’s completely cool, use a damp microfiber cloth and wipe the inside surfaces. All of the debris will wipe off and the microwave will be sparkling clean with no residual chemicals to have to rinse off.
Mentioned in the podcast:
Green Clean Starter kit
Barnes & Noble NE Tour
Charlie's Soap
This episode is sponsored by Maid Brigade
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I recently wrote a blog article for Maid Brigade on how to clean your gas grill. Since I had so many questions about this simple task, I decided to do a podcast on it as well. You can read the complete blog post at MaidBrigade.com/blog
The first warm evening of spring makes me want to crack open the grill and put on some steaks. But you don’t want to use the grill unless you’ve taken the time to clean it first – squirrels and mice often use grills as a place to hibernate in the winter. And then there’s all that burnt-on yuck that over-wintered there for months. So make sure it’s been cleaned and prepped before the first use of the season. All you need is 30 minutes to clean the gas grill.
Items you will need:
Grill brush Dish soap Large utility bucket Foil Leaf blower Disposable rags Spray bottle of distilled white vinegar Scrubby sponge Apron Old T shirtRead more at https://www.maidbrigade.com/blog/how-to-clean-the-gas-grill/
This podcast is sponsored by MaidBrigade.com
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Finally, it’s the official start of summer which means that our pools are starting to warm up enough for us to enjoy splashing around in the water. It also means that we need to pull out our swimming suits to see how they fared through the winter. It never fails that when you go to try on your favorite suit you hear that crunching noise from the elastic and the fabric doesn’t seem to be as stretchy as it was the year before. Without the right care, even a high quality swimsuit may not make it through one swimming season. Here are some do’s and don’ts for caring for your swimwear.
You can download the do's and don'ts at this link.
https://greencleaningcoach.lpages.co/show-notes-148-bathing-suit-care/
or
You can read the article on www.maidbrigade.com/blog
This show is sponsored by Maid Brigade
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Join Jill Sullivan and I as we talk about how I got started becoming a Green Cleaning expert and ways that you can make your home less toxic. Jill is a great interviewer and I'm sure she's asking me the same questions you'd like answered so you can learn more about living a toxic free life. We talked about the science of microfiber and how simple products in your pantry can clean and why. I also shared some tips for keeping yourself and your pets free from ticks. You can get the recipe for my tick repellent at this link. https://greencleaningcoach.lpages.co/diy-tick-repellent/
This show is sponsored by
Maid Brigade
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I was recently asked to look at Martha Stewart’s Summertime cleaning list of things that need to be cleaned. I had to say that I don't even clean these things in the summer. So I went through her list and made some “suggestions” so you don’t have to spend as much time cleaning this summer. Some would call these hacks - other are suggestions. When the weather is nice, I recommend just cleaning what’s dirty and saving those big projects for the fall. Unless you have a cold rainy day with nothing better to do. Summer is not a time to clean – It’s a time to get outside and enjoy!
Martha's list in the bathrooms: □ Discard expired cosmetics, beauty products, and medications.
Leslie - A quick way to realize what you use is to use a travel makeup bag and pack it as if you were traveling. Use what is in the bag every day and see if you feel like you are missing something. At the end of the summer, go through the rest of your makeup and purge those items you never touched all summer.
Martha's list in the Bedrooms: □ Launder or dry-clean blankets. □ Replace cool-weather bedding with warm-weather bedding.
Leslie - Place blankets in a vacuum sealed bag and put them away until fall. You can launder them when you take them out.
Martha's list in the closets: □ Reorganize closets, giving away unwanted items. □ Replace cool-weather clothing with warm-weather clothing.
Leslie - Place a plastic tub in your closet and place warm weather items in there as you have time. Do the reverse with a container holding your summer clothes. Anything that doesn’t come out of the summer container by the end of the summer gets given away.
Martha's list in the home office: □ Clean out files. □ Review and update insurance policies, contracts, and household inventories.
Leslie - These items are great things to do on a snow day. Don’t waste a beautiful summer day worrying about them.
Martha's list in the kitchen: □ Vacuum refrigerator grill and coil. □ Wipe the inside of the freezer.
Leslie - Spot wash your frig as it needs it. Use plasticware and paper plates for outside dining. You’ll won’t have to spend as much time cleaning up.
Martha's list in the living room: □ Rotate heavy curtains, rugs, and throws for lightweight ones.
Leslie - Instead just pop the curtains into the dryer and leave on a light toss for 10-15 minutes. That will knock the dust off and you won’t have to go through washing, drying and ironing.
Martha's list in the outdoor spaces: □ Clean gutters. □ Scrub outdoor furniture, umbrellas, and awnings. □ Scrub porch ceilings and walls. □ Scrubs porch floors, decks, patios, the driveway, and walkways. □ Wash light-fixture covers.
Leslie - Get yourself an electric blower and a power washer. These two things can help you clean your outdoor space easily without scrubbing or brushing. Use the blower to remove dirt and debris from your patio, deck and even the sides of your house. The power washer will clean off your outdoor furniture, fences and light fixtures.
Martha's list in the utility spaces: □ Clean the attic and basement, giving away or discarding unwanted items. □ Remove lint from the hose attached to the back of the clothes dryer. □ Vacuum and mop attic and basement floors.
Leslie - Focus on the dryer vent and the garage. These two things can’t be cleaned in cold weather correctly so focus on them in the summer. The dryer vent can be cleaned with a special dryer vent tool that goes inside the piping and pulls out the buildup. Clean the garage by putting everything out in the driveway and using a blower to clean out all the buildup from the winter months. Forget the broom – just blow it out.
Martha's list throughout the house: □ Dry-clean non-machine-washable window treatments. □ Dust radiators. □ Launder machine-washable window treatments. □ Oil window and door hinges. □ Polish metal door and window hardware. □ Remove, wash, and store storm windows. □ Reseal stone surfaces. □ Reseal grout. □ Send area rugs without backings out for professional cleaning. □ Shampoo wall-to-wall carpets and area rugs with backings. □ Steam-clean upholstery.□ Strip and rewax vinyl and linoleum floors. □ Take books off shelves; dust shelves and books. □ Vacuum and wipe walls and ceilings. □ Wash windows and window screens. □ Wax wood furniture. □ Wax wood, stone, concrete, brick, and unglazed tile floors.
Leslie - This entire list can be done in the fall except for cleaning your windows and screens. Instead of removing and washing screens, just wipe them with a large looped microfiber cloth. The microfiber will capture the dust on the screen and make it look as clean as if you washed it.
For more tips, tricks and techniques join Leslie's email list at www.greencleaningcoach.com
This episode is sponsored by
Maid Brigade
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Welcome to "Ask Leslie". I've been getting bombarded with questions (which I love) and I thought I'd share the questions and the answers with you on this show. Question 1 How do you get burnt on food off a non-stick pan?
These are two tools you will need:
Xtreme Sponge— Green Clean Starter Kit I start with baking soda and work my way up to more aggressive products. You can also try my green cleaning scrub recipe: Green Cleaning Scrub 1 cup baking soda 1 cup oxygen bleach or borax 1 cup table salt 10 drops essential oils Mix the dry ingredients together and then add the essential oils. Mix thoroughly and place in an airtight container.Question 2 What are some ways to keep my home cooler this summer? I want to "summer-ize" my home in a green way.
Open you windows at night to let the cool air in. Close them in the morning before the temperature starts to rise Keep curtains closed so the sunlight does not warm up the temperature inside. You can use reflective curtains to help keep the heat out, just like we use in the winter to keep the heat in. If you are using an air conditioner, keep the temperature set at a comfortable temperature and leave it there. You spend more energy turning it off and on as the air conditioner has to work harder to cool the room down once it's heated up. Try keeping doors closed to rooms that don't need to be air conditioned. Use room fans to keep the cool air circulating. Some rooms stay cooler than others, but by placing a fan in the doorway you can move the cool air to another room. Use a dehumidifier in rooms other than the basement. An air conditioner is partly a dehumidifier, so by using one in the upstairs rooms, the air will feel cooler. Install ceiling fans in all your rooms if you can. Wear cool clothing made from cotton or other light fabrics. Don't use the stove or oven during the day. Plan meals so that you can cook them when it's cool. Use your grill outside when you want to make some thing hot. The stove and oven will heat up the kitchen and make it hard to get cool again. Switch out your light bulbs so that they are not producing heat when they are on. Switch your bedding to a nice fabric like cotton to absorb sweat and keep your body cool at night. Use a pillow that does not contain foam, but instead is make of buckwheat or bamboo. There are also some new "cool-gel" pillows designed to keep you cool at night. Some people even spray their sheet with a light mist of iced water scented with lavender to keep them cool while sleeping. Drink lots of ice water during the day. The ice will work to keep your body temperature lower and keep you cooler.Find Leslie and her tips at www.greencleaningcoach.com
Join the conversation at www.cleangreenlivingcommunity.com
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If you are looking to start "greening" up your home, one the best places to start is in your laundry room. That's right, with just a few ideas we can remove thousands of chemicals that your family is being exposed to.
Do you have skin issues in your family? Start by switching out your laundry detergent with an old fashioned laundry SOAP. The science of laundry detergent is the deter-gent is a chemical that is something that is put into the fabric of your clothing during the wash cycle and is left there to "deter" dirt and oils from getting to the fabric. It acts like a shield to protect your clothing from the dirt and grime. Detergent acts like a shield against dirt, but also lays on your skin for 24 hours and after awhile your body starts to react with rashes and irritations. Most allergists don't even understand the science of detergent and how it works. That's why they never even ask you to try switching to a soap. Laundry soap works differently. It goes into your clothing and wraps itself around the dirt and oils and pulls them out of the clothing. It works differently, but the best part is that it totally rinses out of your clothing, leaving them clean and free from chemicals. In this episode I'm sharing my Great-grandmothers laundry soap recipe with you along with a DIY fabric softener and even some DIY dryer sheets. You can download a free PDF of the recipes here.
This show is sponsored by
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Going natural with your weed killer
In this podcast we are going to talk about some tips that block the weed seeds as well as make up a DIY weed killer.
Here are some tips on preventing weeds in your yard:
Let your grass grow longer – prevents the seeds from getting to the dirt and germinating. Use landscaping fabric or newspaper to block the seeds Try pine bark mulch to stop those seeds. Use a good two inches of mulch to prevent the weeds.Here are some tips on weed removal:
PULL THEM – It’s old fashioned but it does work! Buy a nice weed puller to help with the chore. Boiling water – Use a pot of boiling water on the weeds. DIY Weed Killer If you'd like a copy of my DIY weed killer, just click here and I'll give you a downloadable PDF with some tips and the recipe!Other things you can try
Lemon juice – Lemon Juice is also a natural acid, just like vinegar and will work to kill weeds if sprayed on them. I don’t use lemon juice in my recipe as it’s much more expensive and vinegar is cheaper and you get much more for the same price.
Rubbing alcohol – Alcohol will work to burn the weeds too. You could add a ½ to the recipe if you like.
Corn Meal – Corn Meal works like the salt to pull the water out of the weed. It also works to suffocate it from the sun and the air. I’m not going to recommend it as it will leave your garden covered in a white powder and will need to be mulched into the soil.
Torching – This is a convenient way to remove weeds from a patio or drive way with cracks or seams. It doesn’t kill the root system. You could start with a torch to kill the weed and add the vinegar mixture afterward to kill the root system.
This podcast is sponsored by:
Maid Brigade
Consistent, Caring, Committed.
Expect more than clean.
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Today, I'm interviewing Alison Grimes from the Mesothelioma Asbestos Awareness Center.
What is Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen. Caused primarily by the inhalation of asbestos fibers, mesothelioma is most commonly diagnosed in older individuals who worked with asbestos in an industrial setting. Prognosis for mesothelioma is poor, but early detection and newer treatment methods have given many patients hope for survival.
Causes of MesotheliomaAsbestos is the only confirmed cause of mesothelioma. When inhaled or ingested, asbestos fibers lodge in pleural tissue of the lungs, heart, or abdomen, causing inflammation and scar tissue that can eventually lead to tumors.
Key Points about Causes of Mesothelioma The only proven cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Work history, duration of exposure, and type of asbestos increase the risk of developing mesothelioma Men over the age of 65 who worked in the military are most at risk.When asbestos is disturbed, the fibers become airborne and may be swallowed or inhaled, eventually becoming lodged in the delicate lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. The fibers cause irritation and scarring, which can mutate, inhibiting the body’s natural cancer defenses. Eventually this scar tissue may develop into tumorous growths.
Symptoms of mesothelioma may appear anywhere from 10 – 50 years after exposure. While the connection between asbestos and deadly lung diseases was known prior to the 1900s in asbestos mine workers, it wasn’t until the 1960s that an official study linked asbestos exposure with incidents of mesothelioma and other related diseases.
You can get a free reference guide at this link.
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It's tick season here in New England and I've heard it's going to be one of the worse ones ever. Everyone is asking about ways to repel them without using chemicals. In this episode we talk about ways to repel and remove ticks from your home and your body.
Did you know?
Ticks feed on mice while they are small. So removing mice from your home will get rid of the ticks too.
Ticks are arachnids and are smaller than a period on this page. Make sure you can identify a tick.
Ticks carry more than just Lyme's Disease. They are carriers of numerous different diseases and bacteria.
Nymphs are baby ticks that usually can't get any higher than your ankles. Make sure to wear white socks that are tucked in. Once they get on you they can crawl anywhere.
Ticks don't latch on immediately. They look for thinner skin that they can penetrate such as behind your ears or on your scalp.
If you've been outside, take a shower right away and check and scrub everywhere!
Ticks like humid areas so if you keep your lawn manicured they will likely move to a woodsy area. You can edge your yard with mulch or gravel to create a buffer between the lawn and wooded areas.
Make up a DIY Tick Repellant. You can download the recipe here.
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The Project Pawsitive Foundation is a team of excited (maybe even hyper!), enthusiastic, and caring friends in the construction and business industries who love to surprise deserving animal rescues in need of great repair with amazing facility renovations.
Renovations are filmed to take viewers on the team’s quest and get a first-hand look at why so many rescues are in desperate need of help, the importance of animal adoption, and how to prevent animal cruelty.
Whether you are a volunteer at a local shelter, or someone who has rescued many animals, you know how important a rescue shelter is in saving the lives of innocent animals. There are literally thousands of animal shelters around the country working tirelessly to save and rescue millions of animals each year. The financial burden it leaves on many facilities is devastating. Crumbling foundations, leaking roofs, frozen waterlines, and rusted kennels lead to increased stress on the animals and lowered adoption rates because people think it’s simply too sad to visit a place in ruins. Together, we can rebuild these terrible tragedies.
Through the eight years Project Pawsitive has been in service to the animal community, they have significantly increased adoption rates by over 50% in some cases and reduced euthanasia rates by over 60% in others. They’ve created an atmosphere that fosters reduced stress on the rescues and increases morale around the entire facility. These renovations are not about making a beautiful transformation, they are about changing the stigma about shelters and creating an environment that makes the rescue animals more adoptable.
Their mission goes nowhere without your support. You can become a member of The Pawsitive Club by donating $10 a month. They have a goal to renovate four amazing shelters in 2017 and get thousands more beautifully-innocent animals adopted!
You can visit their web site at www.projectpawsitive.org
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This podcast is sponsored by Maid Brigade
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After years of prosecuting hard-core criminals, rising legal star Alan Bell took a private sector job in South Florida’s newest skyscraper. Suddenly, he suffered such bizarre medical symptoms, doctors suspected he’d been poisoned by the Mafia. Bell’s rapidly declining health forced him to flee his glamorous Miami life to a sterile “bubble” in the remote Arizona desert.
As his career and marriage dissolved, Bell pursued medical treatments in a race against time, hoping to stay alive and raise his young daughter, his one desperate reason to keep going. He eventually discovered he wasn’t poisoned by a criminal, but by his office building. His search for a cure led him to discover the horrifying truth: his tragedy was just the tip of the iceberg. Millions of people fall ill and die each year because of toxic chemical exposures―without knowing they’re at risk.
Stunned by what he discovered, Bell chose to fight back, turning his plight into an opportunity. Despite his precarious health, he began collaborating with scientists dedicated to raising awareness about this issue. Soon, he also found himself drawn back into the legal field, teaming up with top lawyers fighting for those who had already fallen ill.
Both a riveting medical mystery and a cautionary tale, this book puts a human face on the hidden truths behind toxic dangers assaulting us in our everyday environments―and offers practical ways to protect ourselves and our children.Allan is offering all of my listeners his 21 tips on keeping your home free from toxins - without a huge investment of money. Just like he stated in my interview, people are suffering from chemical sensitivities but don't have the budgets for some of the solutions. Download his 21 tips today and learn how you can detox your home.
You can follow Allan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alanbellauthor/
Twitter: @alan_poisoned
Instagram: alanbell_poisoned
Or on his website at www.alanbell.me where you can download a free chapter of his book, Poisoned
Today's podcast is sponsored by Maid Brigade. Having a shorter to-do list means getting more important stuff done and enjoying more quality time. But our lives are so busy these days that our to-do lists are only getting longer. This is the reason people choose Maid Brigade cleaning services!
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