Natural Cleaning Product Reviews | Green Keen

Welcome to Natural Cleaning Product Reviews

2010-11-22T19:06:00.020-05:00

I am glad you are here to visit and learn about natural cleaning and natural cosmetic products.
Scroll down or peruse my archive for information on a variety of green topics.Click Here! Add your comments or send me a question. I would love to hear from you.

I cover natural product reviews, green cleaning tips, and do-it-yourself natural cleaners in easy and simple steps.
Switching to natural cleaning products and natural cosmetics in my own life has radically changed my health and well-being. An added plus has been that cleaning without caustic chemicals has become a joy!
Happy Green Cleaning!
Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer

Unexpected Uses of the Flowering Herb: Lavender

2010-05-03T11:25:00.004-04:00

Used for centuries by numerous cultures: Ancient Greece and Rome, Medieval Arabs and Europeans, and throughout India; Lavender has been enjoyed for its distinctive and beautiful aroma and color.
Today, most consumers are aware of the uses of lavender as an ingredient to perfumes, lotions, and potpourri to promote relaxation. But the great historical uses of this gracious herb are much more medicinal and all-encompassing for health.

Lavender: Antiseptic and Antibacterial
Dioscordes, an Ancient Greek physician wrote in his De Materia Medica that externally, lavender [essential oil] could be used to clean wounds and burns or treat skin ailments, as an antiseptic and antibacterial ointment. Most herbalists would encourage you to get professional direction before applying any essential oil to the skin, however.

Lavender Heals Acne
Lavender can be used to treat Acne and to prevent Acne scarring. It both kills germs and enables new skin cells to grow, giving Acne a double punch. I occasionally use lavender essential oil as a spot treatment on blemishes, after I wash and apply moisturizer to my face.

Lavender: Healthy Alternative to Sleep Medicines
In a scientific study at the University of Leicester in England lavender essential oil was proven as effective in promoting sound sleep as traditional medication; without all the dangerous and addictive side-effects, I might add.

Before going to bed try dabbing lavender essential oil on your wrists and neck just as you would apply perfume, breath in and relax into a delightful sleep!

Enjoy! Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer

Earth Day Celebration Preview - Let Us Be Good Stewards of The Gift of Creation

2010-04-20T00:26:00.001-04:00

Blessed Earth from Blessed Earth on Vimeo.

Eucalyptus or Tea Tree Oil Remedy to Kill Dust Mites | Natural Cleaning Product Review

2010-04-12T10:18:00.072-04:00

Eucalyptus or Tea Tree Oil Remedy to Kill Dust Mites | Natural Cleaning Product Review

Thousands of Dust Mites living in your bedding and feeding off your dead skin sounds like the theme of a horror movie -- but it is actual reality! Dust mites, near microscopic spiders, live in and around our mattresses and pillows. Their waste matter is the source of allergic reactions for many people!

Puffy, itchy eyes or a sluggish start in the morning might not be just from your escapades the night before -- they could be the sign of a dust mite allergy.

What To Do?

Vacuuming mattresses helps remove dust, their habitat per se, and the dust mite fecal matter, but not them! Dust mites have "sticky feet" and can resist the suction power of the typical household vacuum. A great, natural cleaning option I have learned is to treat mattresses and bedding with tea tree or eucalyptus oil, which has been proven to kill dust mites.

Tea Tree and Eucalyptus Oils: Natural Antiseptic, Germicide, Antibacterial, Fungicide

Some people swear sunlight will rid your clothes, carpets and bedding of dust mites. But Dr Euan Tovey, an allergy researcher from Sydney University, says it's not a straightforward solution.
Tovey says leaving your rugs or carpets in the sun to 'bake' for three hours will kill all the dust mites, but it won't get rid of the allergen. Plus, it will quickly fade your fabrics!!

"Killing the mites alone doesn't stop any of the exposure to allergens – all it does is kill the mites, which will over a period of time just re-establish themselves anyway. So you do need to get rid of the allergen," he says. "What I do is wash my Persian carpets once or twice a year – I hose them down, scrub them with soap and water, put them on the trampoline and leave them in the sun for a day."

The best thing for bedding and clothes is regular washing in the machine. Tovey says dust mite allergen is highly soluble, and washing in warm water with normal laundry detergent removes close to 97 per cent of the allergen. "Most websites advocate washing bedding at 73 degrees – that's very hot water. Most systems don't have water that hot and I don't think it's worth the trouble – you're better to wash it more frequently," he said.

"Washing alone will only get rid of 2.4% of the dust mites. 99% of dust mites can be eliminated from your bedding by the simple addition of a long soak in Eucalyptus essential oil." The research work with this eucalyptus oil solution for dust mites was done at the University of Sydney in Australia.

The Eucalyptus Oil Natural Cleaning Recipe:

Soak blankets, sheets or bedding for one full hour in the following solution:

6 T ( Eucalyptus oil (0.4% concentration)

1.5 T liquid laundry detergent in

13 gallons of water

Mix the Eucalyptus oil and the detergent together to make an emulsion, add it to the water and then add the bedding. Soak for 1 hour. Then wash the bedding or blankets as normal.You can also substitute Tea Tree oil for the Eucalyptus oil. There will be no lingering Tea Tree oil aroma after the rinse cycle. The heat from the dryer should finish off the rest.

Vacuum mattress surface with hose attachment, then wipe with a cloth dampened by Eucalyptus or Tea Tree oil, let dry completely. Replace cleaned sheets and other bedding.

Other Pointers

Vacuum pillows on both sides with vacuum hose attachment. Place in a new garbage bag or other recycled plastic bag. Set in Freezer for 8-12 hours. This will also kill all or almost all dust mites. This also works for stuffed animals!
For family members with severe dust mite allergy, which is 20% of the population, cover the mattress and pillows with hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers. Remove carpet and drapes from the bedroom. Minimize stuffed toys and pillows.
Washing bedding in hot water also helps to kill dust mites, but the eucalyptus or tea tree oil remedy is the most energy-efficient, needing only cold water to do the job.
Keep humidity in bedroom low, under 35% if possible. Dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments.
Running a HEPA filter during the night is also a big help in minimizing dust build-up.

My Take on Eucalyptus and Tea Tree Oil Natural Cleaning Remedies

Double Thumbs Up! This works GREAT! I am one of those people who is allergic to dust mites and is also weirded out by the thought of them! Washing bedding in a eucalptus or tea tree oil soak/wash really does work better than just a regular and hot wash. Try it, you will definitely sleep better with comfy, clean, fresh-washed bedding.

Sweet Dreams with Natural Cleaning Products! --Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer

Image Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

Spring Clean in Three Simple Steps | Natural Cleaning Product Reviews

2010-04-12T10:12:00.003-04:00

Let's take a moment and celebrate that Spring has finally sprung! After such a long, snowy Winter, the warm Sun, fresh air and graceful flowers welcome us to the outside again...

Spring Cleaning: Three Simple Steps

Open all your windows on the first warm day. Fresh air is a great cleanser of our environments. Of course, waiting until after the deluge of pollen would be helpful. Wait until there is a warm, sunny day shortly after a rain. The rain washes most of the pollen temporarily out of the air.
Utilize the sun for disinfecting. We tend to forget that the sun is a disinfecting agent. White or light colored linens, towels and clothing can be washed and hung in the sun for a good cleansening. Spring is a great time to disinfect all your bedding. Check out how here. Afraid of fading? Turn your clothing item inside-out and hang during the afternoon.
After airing the house out and washing the linens, do a deep dusting. In ancient Roman times, Spring Cleaning meant handwashing every wall, floor, and ceiling. A deep dusting today would include regular dusting and vaccuming, as well as, vaccuming the walls and/or ceiling corners with your upolstery attachment.

Spring in the temperate zones of the world has always been a time celebrating new life and nature as we venture back out into our backyards and patios to relish the warmth, breathe in the fragrance of flowers and watch fireflies with our families.

Enjoy Green Spring Cleaning from Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer

Where to Buy and How to Disinfect Eco Friendly Kitchen Sponges | Natural Cleaning Product Reviews

2010-04-08T17:54:00.003-04:00

TWIST a wonderful manufacturer of eco friendly kitchen sponges wrote the following about their passion, history and purpose: "....Not too long ago, TWIST took a closer look at the sponges in our kitchen and realized something profound. Almost every other product in the cleaning aisle has undergone some kind of evolution, while sponges have been the same for decades. TWIST set out to turn the world of cleaning products on its head combining design and environmental responsibility to create functional, beautiful, and responsible alternatives."

You can find a variety of TWIST's sponges and cleaning cloths for at BuyGreen.com on oursidebar:

Also, here's a great article on disinfecting your sponges from the 7th Gen Newsletter:

Sponging Up a Kitchen Hot Spot | Seventh Generation

Happy Green Cleaning with Natural, Eco friendly sponges! Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer

Green Cleaning in the Bathroom

2010-04-04T18:38:00.003-04:00

My Favorite Bathroom Cleaners and Disinfectants:

Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Liquid Soap -- Great, Refreshing, Clean Aroma. Mix it with a sprinkle of plain baking soda for a quick scrub. It will leave your sink and toilet bowl shining and smelling clean.

Ecover Pine Fresh Toilet Bowl Cleaner -- Smells Exquisite! Can you say that about a toilet bowl cleaner?

Seventh Generation's New Disinfecting Line of Cleaners -- I'll be doing a complete review on them soon!

Go Green in the Bathroom Check it out! Great article posted on the Organic Consumers Assoc. website.

DIY Lemon Disinfectant Spray -- See Recipe Here.

DIY White Vinegar Disinfectant Spray -- See Recipe Here.

Happy Green Cleaning! -- Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer

Green Cleaning for those who Hate Cleaning | Natural Cleaning Product Reviews

2010-03-22T14:49:00.003-04:00

Do you hate cleaning? I have a confession -- a big one for someone who is a Green Cleaning blogger -- I hate cleaning! Naturally speaking, I am not the most gifted homemaker! By personality and temperment I'd much rather be discussing politics or philosophy or poetry than cleaning my bathroom...AGAIN!

A Cleaning Hater Speaks
Green Cleaning has greatly improved my housecleaning experience and interest. All the toxic fumes and strong smells of regular cleaners are a big detriment in regular housecleaning. I now use green and natural cleaning supplies 99% of the time, as thus, chemical fumes or dangerous substances aren't any concern.

Instead, I enjoy the pleasant effect of natural aromas. I prefer scoping out brands that use real essential oils in their products. I really notice the difference.

Essential Oils Enhance Mood
As a naturally-born cleaning-hater, I hated the gaging sensation of using bleach or ammonia-based products. Now I integrate essential oils into my household and have LOVED using them. I have discovered that citrus (lemon, grapefruit, and orange) boost my mood and are cheering.

Explore using essential oils as you clean from HerbTraders (see sidebar for ad-link).
Having two teens and their sundry friends running in and out of the house or crashing overnight can mess-up the cleanest of homes! If I don't feel like cleaning on a particular day, cleaning with a lemon-scented cleaner from real lemon essential oil REALLY does improve my motivation.

Homemaking Tips I Have Learn Over the Years
One of the top Homemaking tips I have benefited from in my house cleaning is to break-up chores into "bite-sized" jobs -- 10-15 minutes at tops. This can be a major motivator to me. I can do anything for just 10 minutes! Afterwards, seeing that particular job can motive me to do the next one.

Splitting up chores into small jobs is also great for busy seasons of life, such as the juggling-small-babies- and-toddlers season or the working-soccer-mom season. Often I only had 10 minutes to refreshen the bathroom. Doing mini-chores one or two a day will get your house clean eventually!

Professional Green Cleaning Lessons
My daughter who is in college has her own Green Cleaning business. I regularly "work" for her and have learned a lot from her. Cleaning professionally has changed my perspective on my own homemaking and housecleaning technique.

One main lesson I have learned is to clean quickly and methodically. Clean top to bottom, right to left. Another lesson is to use just a few favorite supplies. Choose ones that work for the job you are doing. Also, using products that have multiple uses, for instance (an all-purpose cleaner that also disinfects) can save time.

Growing up I was THE most-undomesticated person. Today, I'm still in the process of growing and learning, but I am now a "green" cleaner, who throroughly enjoys the aroma and the satisfaction of a naturally clean home. Plus, I know I am choosing the best for the health of my family.

Take Care and Enjoy Green Cleaning! Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer : )

Lemon Juice a Natural Disinfectant has Scientific Proof | Natural Cleaning Product Review

2010-03-19T11:47:00.012-04:00

Lemon juice, known for its acidity, is a natural disinfectant. Not well reported is the fact that in 1999 scientists in Japan, studying disinfectant methods for killing pathogens on dental stone casts, stumbled on the fact that lemon juice is really a disinfectant!

Scientific Study on Lemon as a Disinfectant

At the Tsyuma Central Hospital, scientists examined various methods of disinfection on a battery of 4 microbes, including strep. According to their study published in the Medical Journal of Tsuyma Central Hospital, they found that using a method of spraying lemon juice and then wiping with a paper towel after 1 minute achieved a "4-log reduction" of bacteria. A 4-log reduction is a scientific term meaning a 99.99% kill rate of microbes.

How to Clean and Disinfect with Lemon

This was a small scientific study, using only 4 strains of bacteria, but I think it is accurate to state that using a 50-50% dilution of lemon juice* and water as a disinfecting cleaner (spray it, wipe it, spray again and let dry) will kill all most all household germs on hard surfaces in your home.

*Concentrated Lemon Juice Cleaner and Disinfectant
To save time, I use a concentrated lemon juice diluted with water and add 10 drops of any citrus essential oil. Keep it in refrigerator between uses, to keep it fresh.

This smells good, but if you have the time one day, squeeze a few fresh lemons and add water for an amazing cleaning experience--so nice you may take the time regularly to do it--fresh!

I firmly believe that we need further scientific studies on the simple, natural, plant-derived substances in our world to verify their disinfecting properties. Wouldn't it be great if everyone just disinfected with something as pure as diluted lemon juice?

Try it! Green, natural cleaning with lemon--the aroma of lemon's essential oils will freshen you as you clean.

Happy Green Cleaning! Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer

Speed Cleaning in the Natural Cleaning Way

2010-03-09T08:43:00.006-05:00

Natural Cleaning is Simple and Pure

My mantra as a busy mom is to keep housecleaning simple, quick and easy. After an epiphany a few years ago, I now also keep it pure as possible! Hence why I am now "Green Keen". Natural cleaning should also be easy as possible, not a big burden on our shoulder's.

I wanted to share a few very important tips that have helped me immensely through the years to clean quickly and in the midst of the busyness of raising high-energy kids, homeschooling, working, gardening, driving kids to soccer, or piano practice...the list goes on and on!

Number One Tip: Declutter your rooms. Less knick-knacks, less you need to clean around. Keep enough to show your style and personality and no more.

Quick Cleaning Tips that Work

1. Keep a supply basket/bucket with a handle under your sink or in a closet. One for each bathroom/one in the kitchen.

Supplies Include:
No more than 2-3 bottles of natural cleaners that you like.
1 or a combination of 2 that disinfect.
1 that can function as a glass cleaner.
1 that can function as a mild abrasive.
A scrubby sponge and 2 wash cloths (1 dry/1wet)
rubber gloves
duster with handle

2. Keep a few recycled plastic bags in bottom of trashcans under the installed bag for easy replacing after emptying the trash.

3. Do "quick cleans" in the midst of life. Then one comprehensive clean once a week or every other week. For example: Often after I go to the bathroom, I will wipe down the sink, faucets and scrub the toilet--and then, wash my hands.

4. Wash part of the kitchen each day after the dinner dishes. For example: One night wipe section of cabinets, the next night do the counters, behind and under everything, etc.

5. Wash a 1/2 shelf a day in the refrigerator.

6. Every few days scrub the shower/tub before you take a shower--then let all your worries wash down the drain!

7. Keep a broom (and if possible a vacuum) on each level of your home. Fast and easy to grab!

8. Clean top to bottom, right to left--around a room. It will become automatic and faster.

Have a great day--green cleaning in a quick and easy way! --Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer
P.S. Train your kids and spouse to do chores! I'll write about that soon...

Cheap Green Cleaning Tips -- Natural Cleaning Product Reviews

2010-03-04T16:33:00.005-05:00

Cheap Green Cleaning Tips -- Natural Cleaning Product Reviews

Cheap and Green
Recycle ANY plastic bottles from the natural cleaners that you buy. Use until the spray valves don't work. Then toss into your recycle bin. Note: DON'T reuse ANY container from toxic cleaners! They can react to other substances (such as vinegar) even when rinsed out.

Buy Cheap spray bottles (Walmart has ones for under a $1.00). Use these with diluted liquid soap like Dr. Bronner's for dishwashing. (1-2 sprays/dish or pot) For kitchen clean up keep a spray bottle of diluted vinegar (1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water) next to the sink.

**I have a spray bottle of liquid soap and one with diluted vinegar at my kitchen sink.

Cut up towels for wash rags. Dollar stores and discount stores have bath towels for under $2.00 The thinner the better. Cut up into wash cloth size and hem all four edges. Recycle one of your old towels.

(Use only bamboo or hemp fiber cloth? Invest in one and divide it up and hem.)

Wash with sponges? Cut all your sponges in half and use a smaller size. Disinfect regularly (see this post scroll to Homemaking Tips) Scotch-Brite has a very good, very cheap green sponge at Walmart and other retailers.

Reuse plastic containers (I try to not buy plastic stuff at all) but they keep "showing up"! Keep baking soda or sugar or borax in recycled Parmesan cheese containers under the sink for scrubbing power. Great for in the bathroom too.

Buy plastic containers from a Salvation Army or Goodwill or yard sales. Antique Tupperware still works great!! And the lime greens and oranges are finally back "in"! LOL
(We keep our organic popping corn in an Ancient Tupperware container with a pop pour lid.)

Recycle any all-natural soap pieces into a scrubby bag or muslin bag and use by the kitchen sink. You will be amazed how long these will last. Plus this can be great for washing babies and toddlers.

Keep natural cleaning supplies in tub/shower (you can do this with all-natural cleaners because they're NON-TOXIC!! Of course, monitor young children around them) With natural cleaning products on hand, you can clean up just before you shower and use the hot water from your shower to rinse it all away.

**Green Cleaning makes cleaning fun for me! I love the aromas of essential oils and non-toxic cleaners. Citrus and pine and lavender, in particular.

Enjoy Green Cleaning! --GreenKeen aka Pamela Palmer

I will be launching a new green cleaning magazine soon!!! I'll let you know soon....

Green Cleaning: the Smarter, Healthier Way to Fight Germs

2010-03-03T14:03:00.004-05:00

Green Cleaning: The Smarter, Healthier Way to Fight Germs
Author: Laura Carey

The biggest problem with germs is that you can’t see them! Even if your home looks spotless, large numbers of viruses, bacteria and fungal spores are almost certainly living and breeding there. Thankfully, not all of these microscopic interlopers cause disease, but to protect yourself and your family from harmful germs you need to get rid of as many as possible.

Green Cleaning is just as effective as using traditional cleaning methods but is much kinder to the person doing the cleaning, other people and pets, and the wider environment. Once you adopt some simple Green Cleaning strategies you will also find that they often enable you to clean quicker and easier. Here is a Green Cleaning plan to help you win the battle against germs:

1) Choose Your Weapons Look for environmentally friendly cleaning products that contain only natural, biodegradable ingredients. They kill germs as well as detergents and disinfectants containing toxic chemicals but are much less likely to trigger allergic reactions or cause other health problems. Does your vacuum cleaner suck up germs at one end only to blow them out at the other? If so, consider replacing it with a more hygienic model. Use microfiber cloths, dusters and mops that pick up and hold bacteria with a single wipe. Conventional cleaning accessories often only move germs across surfaces before releasing them into the air.

2) Know Your Enemy Some of the facts and figures about germs are truly alarming. Did you know that a single bacterium can multiply to six million in just eight hours? Understanding how they move around, and what conditions suit them best, gives you the advantage of being able to stop them before they make themselves at home. For example, knowing that germs can survive for limited periods on dry surfaces, but need moisture to thrive and multiply, will remind you why you shouldn't leave damp towels lying about.

3) Plan Your Campaign Start by giving your whole home a thorough, deep clean, paying special attention to all those cracks and crevices where germs are normally left undisturbed. Deal with one room at a time and clean systematically so you don’t make extra work for yourself by re-contaminating clean areas.

4) Keep Them Out Once your home is as clean as you can make it, aim to keep it that way by guarding against further germ invasions. Germs come into your home on the air, on people, pets and practically everything you bring inside. It’s impossible to stop them all, but you can slow them down. A good dirt-trapping doormat, and taking off outdoor shoes when you come in, will stop germs picked up in the street from spreading throughout your home. Close the toilet lid before flushing to prevent germs escaping from the toilet bowl.

5) Strike Fast The battle against germs is never-ending, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend hours rubbing and scrubbing. Target your everyday cleaning at places that are especially attractive to germs. Wipe up food spills and visible dirt without delay. In most homes, the greatest concentration of germs is found in the kitchen sink. Develop the habit of quickly cleaning the sink after each use and you will drastically cut the number of germs available to spread to the rest of the kitchen.

Green Cleaning is all about making the modern home cleaner and healthier using simple, natural products and efficient techniques. The only losers are germs!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/green-cleaning-the-smarter-healthier-way-to-fight-germs-1618534.html

About the Author: Laura Carey is the director of First Class Cleaning & Maintenance Limited, a Romford-based green cleaning company offering domestic and commercial cleaning services throughout Essex and London. For more information visit http://www.essexcleaningservice.co.uk/

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap -- Natural Cleaning Product Review

2010-03-02T11:19:00.015-05:00

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap -- Natural Cleaning Product Review

I use Dr. Bronner's for literally everything! I love it! Pure castile soap rich in all its natural glycerin and no drying detergents or chemicals. Folks, this is what soap is always suppose to be!
That is why Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap is the #1-Selling Natural Brand of Soaps in North America .

Available in Peppermint, Lavender, Almond, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Unscented Baby-Mild, Rose and Citrus Orange, this natural cleaning product wins my green cleaning Olympian-gold medal in every arena.

Pros of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap

Certified Fair Trade Ingredients -- All Natural Ingredients -- No Harsh Detergents -- Organic Oils -- Pure Castile Soap -- 100% Biodegradable -- 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Bottles -- 100% Vegan -- Made in U.S.A. -- Great Aromas -- Works great! -- Concentrated (so you can dilute as needed) -- 18 Plus Uses -- Wow!

Cons of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap

Bottle a little too wordy with philosophical tangents.... -- I would like to see more aroma choices
As you can see the Pros heavily outweigh the Cons!

How I use Dr. Bronner's Liquid All Natural Soaps

Personal Care:

Shampoo and Body Wash
Shaving Cream (My husband loves it!)
Facial Soap (Gentle, Rich, and Creamy)
Hand Soap at the Sink

Household Cleaning:

Dishwashing (Use in place of Liquid Dish Detergents/Dilute it in a squirt bottle)I use the Lavender Dr. Bronner's for dishes. It relaxes me while I do the dishes. No harsh chemicals on my hands. If I need to scrub, I scrub with baking soda.
Counters and Cabinets Dr. Bronner's soap is a castile soap, strong and gentle at the same time. Add baking soda/borax/or white vinegar to clean counters and sinks. And use it diluted for wood cabinets and baseboards.
Toilets Bowls I add a squirt to the toilet bowl from my hand soap dispenser and a generous sprinkle of white sugar from under my sink, scrub and flush. The Peppermint Dr. Bronner's is the best for this job. It leaves a nice fresh peppermint scent in the bathroom after cleaning!

Where To Purchase and What's the Price? Available for best prices $10-11.50/32 oz. bottle online through Amazon and HerbTraders (See sidebar to the right). Also, at any Health Food store, Target, Walgreen's and many other fine retailers.

Pointers: I keep all my Dr. Bronner's bottles to use for diluting. Keep the same aroma in each bottle. : ) Also, I use a spray bottle at my kitchen sink for hand washing dishes. This works great! And minimizes how much soap my kids use when cleaning up. Add your favorite essential oil (just a few drops) to a bottle of the Unscented Dr. Bronner's to create your own special soap.

Happy Green Cleaning with the Dr. Bronner's Natural Soap! --GreenKeen aka Pamela Palmer

Sugar Soap or Sugar as Soap?

2010-03-01T11:58:00.003-05:00

Sugar to Clean? I recently kicked the white sugar habit! Actually, my husband and I, desiring to lose weight and eat a more whole foods diet cut out almost all refined sugars.

Regular fresh fruit and raw honey never tasted so good! Try it! It takes about a month to go through the "withdrawals", but once you're over it you'll feel great! Last night I caught myself saying to my hubby, "Oh, I'll just have a pink grapefruit for dessert..." (Thought I'd never hear myself say something like THAT!)

So...what do I do with the huge bag of white sugar in my pantry? Well, I've experimented with using it as a body scrub in the shower. It works great--exfoliates well and dissolves naturally in the shower and washes down the drain leaving your skin to feel baby soft!

Sugar Body Scrub Recipe
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
2-3 tablespoons lemon juice

Keep in a container with a lid in your refrigerator and take out when you shower. It will be cool on your skin and feel delicious in a hot shower. Try it!

Sweeten Your Toilet
I found white sugar works as great natural cleanser in the bathroom. Keep a container under your sink, sprinkle in the toilet bowl with a squirt of natural liquid soap (like Dr. Bronner's) and scrub. It does the scrubbing work and dissolves, flushing away leaving no residue.

Sugar doesn't disinfect, but added to the soap it will easily remove scum and yuk as you clean, adding a nice shine. This is great for a quickie clean, in between disinfecting cleans.

Sugar Soap?
So not to confuse anyone, "sugar soap" usually refers to an abrasive cleaner technically called TSP, composed of sodium carbonate, sodium phosphate, and sodium silicate, which looks like table sugar but is a caustic cleaner. So folks, I don't mean use TSP!!!

Not Green!
Sugar or sucrose, known commonly as table sugar, is a highly-refined product of sugar cane or sugar beets, manufactured utilizing approximately 7 steps until the final product--so a lot of energy is wasted "making" sugar.

White, brown and granulated sugar all take a variety of steps until finally "refined", so although they are biodegradable (which is good) they are "energy hogs", and so not the greenest choice--but if you have a bag already in your cupboard as most people do, using it up as a cleaner/body scrub is a much better choice than eating it all!

Sugar In Homemade Cold-processed Soap
Many soap makers add a bit of sugar to their soap at trace to help increase the lather. Sugar added to the soap mixture produces a light, bubbly lather in the final product. This is another great use for your white sugar!

My Take on Sugar in Cleaning?
Thumbs up! It is cheap and biodegradable, but not "green" since all the energy used to refine it. It exfoliates well as a body scrub; be careful with delicate facial skin.

And sugar also can be used in toilet bowls, sinks and tubs easily dissolving and washing away. Combine with soaps and other natural cleaners easily and safely. Sugar can be used as a natural cleaning product--who knew??

Happy Green Cleaning! from GreenKeen aka Pamela Palmer

Vodka Natural Disinfectant -- Natural Cleaning Product Review

2010-02-28T14:20:00.009-05:00

Vodka, age-old Russian distilled spirits, which will burn your throat and warm your insides was first cultivated as medicine, and was used as one of the earliest disinfectants and antiseptics. Currently, crafted from a variety of grains and often aged in oaken barrels, centuries ago it was nicknamed "aquae vitae" or the water of life.

A Russian Treasure
Vodka, usually 37% alcohol, a longstanding, revered tradition in Russian culture and history, is more expensive than common chemical disinfectants, such as bleach, but it is completely biodegradable and quickly evaporates; and of course, it is edible/drinkable! Although I don't recommend drinking too much of it while you are cleaning or you may never finish your chores!

Cutting Boards, Counters and Cook-tops
For small jobs (such as a cutting board or counter) first wash with an all natural soap, rinse, then wipe down with vodka. This powerful combination acts as a totally natural disinfectant.

I first became aware of the handiness of having a large bottle of vodka around after enjoying a night at a Hibachi bar, where the chefs clean the grill-tops in between customers with a douse of vodka and a squeeze of fresh lemon .

This combo works great for range cook-tops, in particular. It really cuts through the grease! And I love the uplifting aroma of lemon!

It certainly makes for an enjoyable clean-up from a meal!

:) Take Care, GreenKeen aka Pamela Palmer

Hand Wash Dishes with Eco-friendly Efficiency

2010-02-27T13:33:00.006-05:00

Manual Dish Washing Using Less Energy, Chemicals, and Water
Dish washing by hand is green and economical. Using biodegradable detergents adds benefits. Disinfecting your dishes protects you and your family in the 'flu Season.

Recently, there has been some confusion over the “greenness” and economy of manual handwashing of dishes vs. using a dishwasher. A study from the University of Bonn cites that the new high-efficiency dishwashers use less water than hand washing.

High-efficiency Dishwashers vs. Hand dish washing
The new high-efficiency dishwashers are certainly more green than older dishwashers, using on average only 4-8 gallons of water vs. the average 15 gallons of older dishwashers. High-efficiency dishwashers use 13-41% less energy, than dishwashers manufactured prior to 1990.

According to the University of Bonn study, high-efficiency dishwashers also use less water than hand washing dishes. The big caveat is though, how consumers in the study washed their dishes. Many of the consumers washed their dishes in a constant stream of water!

Hand washing using the method below uses less than ½ the water of even the “greenest” of dishwashers and saves almost all of the non-renewable energy:

Recipe for Hand Washing Dishes:
Add Hot Water 1/3 full in 2 plastic dishpans, approximately 2 quarts each.
In one, add 2 teaspoons of Dr. Bronner's Lavender Soap, (or other all natural liquid soap) for the wash water.

Note: Dr. Bronner's soaps, one of the oldest, most respected brands of all natural, organic soaps, are very versatile and can be used for face, body, hair care and cleaning. Lavender has long been known to be relaxing and has antibacterial qualities.

For an extra boost of cleaning power, add and mix until dissolved, 1 t. of borax and 1 t. of baking soda.

Note: Don't expect tons of suds. Suds do not need to be present for cleaning action! Most detergents have added chemical surfactants to create more suds for the visual effect not the cleaning power.

In the other dishpan, add 1/4 c. white vinegar for the rinse water.
Hand wash dishes using a scrubbie, replacing water only when it gets too dirty or cools. For dirtier yuk, scrub with more baking soda and borax. A good order is silverware, then cups, bowls/plates, then pots-n-pans.

Rinse all items in the "vinegar" rinse water, air dry in dish drainer. Do not rinse the vinegar off. It will evaporate, killing more germs as it does.

To make it a complete disinfectant, that has been proven to work equal to bleach, you can spray the dishes with 3% hydrogen-peroxide solution after the vinegar rinse. This is particularly helpful if you are cleaning up after raw meat or poultry.

Never directly mix vinegar and hydrogen-peroxide, as it cause a toxic poison, but spraying one after the other is fine, because they both evaporate quickly.

What is So Great About This System?
This system of manual dish washing uses a minimal amount of water, which is great for conservation. The cleaning detergent is totally biodegradable and won't hurt the environment, like the toxic chemicals in most detergents and cleaners.

The combination of all-natural soap, lavender, borax, baking soda, and vinegar with hot water works like a disinfectant and will kill almost all germs. Spraying hydrogen peroxide on the dish surfaces creates a complete non-toxic disinfectant, that will evaporate safely.

Keep hydrogen peroxide in an opaque spray bottle because it will lose its potency in prolonged light exposure.

This dishwashing system uses hand power and not electricity, which conserves non-renewable resources and money.

Other Tips and Tricks
Keep all the "nubs" from your all natural bar soaps and put in a scrubbie bag to use as a substitute to liquid dish detergent.

Use a recycled container for the baking soda/borax mix. Label the outside to avoid misuse.
After washing the dishes, add soap to the vinegar rinse water to reuse it for washing the sink, faucets, and counters. Finish the disinfection by spraying with hydrogen peroxide and let it evaporate.

Happy Greencleaning! --GreenKeen aka Pamela Palmer

Natural Biodegradable Disinfectants

2010-02-26T21:10:00.005-05:00

The Environmental Protection Agency or EPA defines the legal, regulated term of disinfectant as a substance tested in an approved, scientific-method laboratory showing an effective kill within 10 minutes of household-representative microbes.

More Green Disinfectants Needed

All-natural and even homemade cleaners work great, smell great, and are healthy alternatives to the often toxic chemical cleaners, but most green cleaners are not rated as disinfectants by the EPA.

The biggest drawback for alternative natural disinfectants is the lack of evidence-based testing to prove their power compared to EPA-rated disinfectants. In 2000, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did a study which states that vinegar and baking soda each killed 90% of germs versus the 99.99% of EPA-approved disinfectants.

This study measured the kill-rate of baking soda and vinegar as separate substances after 30 seconds and 5 minutes. It did not test the combined kill rate of a 2-step disinfection process of cleaning with baking soda and then vinegar.

Also, this study did not test baking soda or vinegar after 10 minutes. In other studies some natural disinfectants have taken up to 10 minutes to kill organisms. Natural substances may work as disinfectants, but may work slower to equal the kill-rate of chemical disinfectants.

Even bleach, or sodium hypochlorite, in certain concentrations, kills 99.9% of microorganisms in 30 seconds, but still takes up to 10 minutes to kill resistant types of bacteria like MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant strain of staph.

EPA-Approved Natural Disinfectants

Benefect, the first completely botanical-derived, EPA-approved disinfectant, needs a kill time of 10 minutes for some of the organisms that Bleach kills almost on contact. Yet, on the up side, Benefect, derived from Thyme and citrus, is so non-toxic that you could drink it and not be harmed!

Staphacide, a recently-marketed disinfectant, with the lowest toxicity level for humans, formulated from ionized silver in a citric acid solution, has been rated to kill a broad spectrum of microbes, including MRSA. Staphacide kills most organisms faster than Benefect, but has not been proven to kill the variety of organisms that Bleach kills.

Bleach in Household Disinfection

For now, bleach is the least expensive, most widely available disinfectant with a fast and broad spectrum kill-rate. Benefect and Staphacide each cost approximately $40.00/gallon, compared to the bleach $2.00 or less per gallon cost.

Bleach for household disinfection should not be discounted completely by eco-conscious consumers. It is considered by the EPA as non-carcinogenic and non-toxic to the environment from household cleaning. It is the manufacturing of and industrial use of bleach that have come under fire as causes of environmental pollution.

Conclusion:

There is a growing concern over the development of bacteria resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants. Bacteria may be less likely to build up resistance to natural disinfectants. The best bet in the war on harmful microorganisms will be the power of a combination of several natural substances versus the use of a one-dimensional disinfectant. There should further science-based research to confirm non-toxic combinations of known, natural, disinfecting substances to be developed as EPA-rated disinfectants derived from the abundant flora of our plentiful planet.

Soap Nuts: Biodegradable and Hypo-Allergenic: Independent Review of the Only Tree-Grown, Sustainable Soap

2010-02-25T11:37:00.006-05:00

Soap Nuts are one of the Earth's truly sustainable natural soaps. Actually, a fruit containing saponins, a natural soap, that is harvested from trees in India and Nepal.

Sustainable and Biodegradable

Not only sustainable, but biodegradable, chemical-free, gentle, natural detergent—for your laundry detergent choice look no further than the humble Soap Nut. They can be purchased on-line from buysoapnuts.com and other websites.

How to Use

They are very easy to use in your washing machine. Pop 3-4 soap nuts into one of the small cotton bags, also available at buysoapnuts.com . Tie and toss into the washer; add clothes and water. Each of these bags of soap nuts can be reused for 4-5 loads, then can be disposed of in your compost pile. A second option, according to Erin Johnson, who co-owns buysoapnuts.com with her husband, an online business that they run from their Melfort, Saskatchewan home in Canada, is to make liquid soap nuts laundry detergent outlined on her site.

You can also choose to add a 1/2 cup of borax or baking soda to the wash cycle to boost cleansing power or white vinegar to the rinse cycle, if you want greater germ-killing power. The soap nuts do not need to be used with any fabric softener, as they are naturally softening. Soap nuts are also exceptionally gentle, even on the most delicate of fabrics. And they are non-irritating, a wonderful perk for those with sensitive skin.

Do Soap Nuts Have a Fragrance?

The clean, fresh scent of Nature is the only "fragrance" that soap nuts have, which is often a plus for those with allergies. If you want to add fragrance, look for an all-natural, essential oil; a few drops into the wash or onto a clean rag tossed in your dryer will do the trick.

Soap Nuts and Dirty Jobs

When asked if soap nuts work with heavily-soiled items like dirty cloth diapers or a teenager's athletic socks, Erin, an experienced, young mom of one toddler in diapers, states that soap nuts work great to remove bad and musty smells. To disinfect and whiten though, you will need to add your choice of ½ cup of borax or hydrogen peroxide. She was amazed after starting to launder her daughter's dirty diapers with soap nuts at the natural clean smell (i.e. the lingering urine smell was gone). Another bonus was that the natural saponins in soap nuts worked to strip the old detergent residue from the cloth diapers, making them more absorbent again.

Soap Nuts and Your Conscience

Although some consumers are concerned with the energy costs of shipping products from the far corners of the world, harvesting and exporting Soap Nuts creates jobs for villagers in India and Nepal. These local co-ops provide sustainable, economic prosperity for local people. Often, the alternative is trees are cut down for a one-time use as fire wood.

The Nepalese supplier for buysoapnuts.com has recently applied for a Fair Trade certification, a certification whereby local business co-ops in impoverished areas link with importers in developed countries to market their products at a fair price to enable their communities to prosper.

Soap Nuts might look a little funny, but let's not judge the "package from the outside" – they pack a powerful, all-natural option to the chemical, manufactured detergents polluting our bodies and water. Try some; you might just keep on "buying soap nuts"

--Pamela Palmer

Natural Cleaning Product Reviews:
http://www.greenkeen.blogspot.com/

Suite 101 Magazine Contributing Writer:
http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/pamelapalmer

Women's Online Magazine Columnist
"Living Green Each Day"
http://www.womensonlinemagazine.com/category/family/living-green-each-day/

The copyright of the article Soap Nuts: Biodegradable and Hypo-Allergenic in Green/Simple Living is owned by Pamela Palmer. Permission to republish Soap Nuts: Biodegradable and Hypo-Allergenic in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Salt | Natural Cleaning Product Review

2010-02-24T07:36:00.006-05:00

Common Table Salt: A Cheap Clean!

I recently changed over to using only Sea Salt in my food prep. What do I do with all my old table salt? Use it to clean!!

Cleaning Uses

Salt has been used for thousands of years for cleaning and sanitizing. Although not a complete disinfectant, salt used in conjunction with soap or vinegar or lemon will kill most germs.

Salt is a safe, natural cleaning product easily combinable with other soaps and cleaners to sanitize. Sprinkle salt in your toilet bowl, squirt some Dr. Bronner's Lavender soap, scrub and flush--for a quick clean method.

I still remember helping my mom scour copper-bottom pots with a sprinkling of salt and vinegar to make them shine like new.

Safe for Environment

Common Table Salt is a naturally-occurring crystallized mineral (sodium chloride or NaC1) that scours surfaces when used dry or semi-dry as a scrub. It quickly dissolves in water and is safe for the environment when used in typical household amounts.

Cheap!

Refined Table salt costs around a dollar for a small container. Pure Sea Salt is almost twice as much. Still for a quick, natural cleaner/scrub it is a great choice.

My Take on Salt as a Household Cleaner? Thumbs Up!

Have a Great Natural Cleaning Day! --Pamela Palmer aka "Green Keen"

Steam Cleaners - The Purest Way To Clean

2009-05-19T12:15:00.001-04:00

Note from Pam:

Still enjoying the beauty of Arizona landscape! Toured Monument Valley in the Navajo Nation yesterday -- amazing grandeur! The following article highlights one way of green cleaning and disinfecting.

Steam Cleaning, obviously uses electricity, but it is a great method for deep cleaning without using any chemicals. Steaming Cleaning is a great option, particularly for families with allergies or serious health issues.

Enjoy Natural Cleaning Choices! Take Care, Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer

Steam Cleaners - The Purest Way To Clean

Author: Tyson J Stevenson

Steam cleaners are machines that clean surfaces using steam or hot water. Steam cleaners are usually used to kill allergens, dust mites, bacteria, mold, fungus etc on the surface being cleaned. Steam cleaners are used in hospitals, hotels, bakeries, restaurants, pharmacies, etc. Household steam cleaners are used to cleanse kitchens, bathrooms, carpets etc. Steam cleaners can be used to clean almost any surface like floors, curtains, furniture, and almost any surface which is heat resistant. There are two types of steam cleaners, traditional steam cleaners and vapor steam cleaners.

A traditional steam cleaner uses hot water to clean the surface. The traditional steam cleaner consists of a boiler, a collecting tank, a hose and brushes. Hot water is sprayed under pressure on the surface being cleaned. Then rotating brushes scrub the surface and the dirty water is suction extracted into the container. Some traditional steam cleaners also use cleaning agents to clean, while most rely on steam and brushes to do the job. Cleaning agents help to remove spots and grime on the surface. The use of traditional steam cleaners is usually restricted to floors only.

A vapor steam cleaner consists of a water container with a heater attachment (collectively known as boiler), a hose and a nozzle. Water is boiled in the container under pressure to produce super heated steam or dry steam. Dry steam is a steam which is heated to more than 100 degrees Celsius. This dry steam is then passed through a hose to the nozzle and onto the surface being cleaned under pressure. This loosens the dirt and grime on the surface being cleaned. Then a vacuum cleaner is used to clean the surface.

The steam generated in a vapor steam cleaner has very low moisture content, usually up to 5 percent. So when a surface is cleaned by steam it becomes dry within few minutes. They generally do not have continuous water supply hence are more convenient to use. Vapor steam cleaners can be used to clean any heat resistant surface like vehicle interiors, windows, bathrooms, etc with proper attachments. Vapor steam cleaners are generally used by people suffering from allergies or who do not want cleaning by chemicals.

There are specialized steam cleaners for carpets called carpet cleaners. They do not use steam but use hot water to clean the carpet. After wetting the carpet, the area is scrubbed with brushes and then the dirty water is sucked back into the receptacle. The carpet is left to dry. Switching on the Air Conditioner in a room dries the carpet quickly as it removes humidity from the air. Once the carpet is dry, it should be vacuumed to clean it thoroughly.

Steam cleaners can have an independent water container or continuous water supply. Continuous water supply is more convenient as the tank need not be refilled repeatedly. The dirty water is expelled after cleaning.

There are many models available in the market. The cost ranges from $100 for residential models to $2000 for commercial models. Before buying the buyer should look for boiler capacity, the attachments, mobility, warranty, user manual, demo CDs etc.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/steam-cleaners-the-purest-way-to-clean-39780.html
About the Author:
Tyson J Stevenson is a prolific writer of useful articles on a variety of topics. Related resources are Best Steam Cleaner and A Super Website as well as A Darn Good Site

Happy Green Cleaning! Green Keen aka Pam on Vacation

Pamela Palmer

Natural Cleaning Product Reviews:
http://www.greenkeen.blogspot.com/

Suite 101 Magazine Contributing Writer:
http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/pamelapalmer

Women's Online Magazine Columnist
"Living Green Each Day"
http://www.womensonlinemagazine.com/category/family/living-green-each-day/

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A Natural Clean Saves Green | Natural Cleaning Product Review

2009-05-17T19:15:00.002-04:00

Note from Pam: Still on vacation in Arizona, soaking in the sites and scenery. Sedona, in particular, was spectacular. We hiked at the Grand Canyon and on the lava flow from an extinct volcano north of Flagstaff -- awesome, glorious views.

Green Keen aka Pam

A Natural Clean Saves Green

Author: John Marshall

My wife recently cleaned our oven. Not the inside but the top. You know, around the elements where it is just burnt on. We recently have changed to natural cleaning. So when it came time for the oven, my wife used non-toxic general purpose cleaner. While this is highly concentrated, the stains were also quite old. So, she used it full strength. She didn't need a mask or gloves to do this. She just let it soak & then the baked-on crud slowly came off with some scrubbing.

Here's the point. The various commercial cleaners from the store contain petroleum distillates. They produce potentially deadly fumes & are harmful to our environment. Not to mention the fact they cost much more per ounce then the natural cleaners. Often their packaging is non-recyclable.

The store-bought cleaners are also pre-mixed. With the natural cleaners, you decide how strong you would like the solution. Just one quart of natural cleaner can make up to 32 gallons of safe cleaning solution. One quart of cleaner from the store equals one quart of cleaner.

The natural cleaning products are just as effective as their toxic counterparts. It's easy to save money with organic cleaning since the products are concentrated. We have cleaned quite a few things with the cleaner so far, & still have quite a bit of concentrate left. At just pennies per quart of diluted solution, there isn't a much more effective cleaner out there for the money.

Natural cleaners are effective everywhere in the home. While the kitchen & bathroom contain most of the more harmful cleaners, they can be found in all areas. Even air fresheners (aerosol) are harmful. Natural cleaning products can provide a safe home environment & help save money.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/a-natural-clean-saves-green-189959.html

About the Author:
John Marshall a.k.a. "Mr. Green Clean" is an advocate of natural cleaning. More info available at http://www.completegreencleaning.com/. Copyright (c) John Marshall. Reprint article only with this resource box included please.

Happy Green Cleaning! Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer
Pamela Palmer

Natural Cleaning Product Reviews:
http://www.greenkeen.blogspot.com/

Suite 101 Magazine Contributing Writer:
http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/pamelapalmer

Women's Online Magazine Columnist
"Living Green Each Day"
http://www.womensonlinemagazine.com/category/family/living-green-each-day/

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD
Join me

Natural Cleaning Bathroom Tips | Natural Cleaning Product Review

2009-05-14T18:12:00.002-04:00

Note from Pam: In Arizona -- enjoying the cacti, desert flowers, and huge mountains, which rise from the desert sands as dark, jagged monoliths. Tomorrow we tour an Earthship, a sustainable house built from mostly recycled materials. I'll be writing about it soon....Talk soon, Green Keen aka Pam

Natural Cleaning Bathroom Tips

Your BFFs or "best friends forever" for natural cleaning in the bathroom are:

natural all-purpose cleaner/glass cleaner
natural disinfectant
natural scrubbing cleanser

Your best bathroom cleaning accessories:

natural fiber scrubbie sponge
recycled paper towels
or old newspapers to clean mirrors
natural fiber cleaning cloths
or recycled rag
toilet bowl scrubber brush (keep next to toilet)

Keep all these in one bucket under your bathroom vanity or in a nearby closet.

Daily Quickie Bathroom Cleans of just the sink, faucets, toilet, light switches, and door handles really minimize the dirt, yuck, and germ build-up.

Here are my favs for each Natural Cleaning for Bathrooms BFF categories:

Natural All-purpose and Glass Cleaner-

Diluted White Vinegar (1/2 water) (For mirrors, try a sheet of old newspaper!)

Natural Disinfectant-

For Toilet Bowl:

1/2 cup baking soda with a squirt of liquid soap, scrub let sit 5 mins., flush. Follow with 1/2 c. white vinegar, let sit, at least 5 mins. or longer then flush.

For Everything Else:

Wash off visible dirt with soapy water. Straight White Vinegar, then straight Hydrogen-Peroxide. (Don't mix. Keep HP in a dark bottle. Use spray bottles.)

Natural Scrubbing Cleanser:

Baking Soda in a plastic shaker bottle (Try a recycled Parmesan Cheese Container to keep the original box from getting wet.)

Mix with a squirt of liquid soap and/or borax for more cleaning power.

To whiten stains, add 1-2 T. Hydrogen-Peroxide. (All of these are completely biodegradable.)

BFF Natural Sponges and Scrubbies:
Twist's Naked Sponges--Multiple sizes. 100% cellulose. Totally biodegradable. No dyes.

(See BuyGreen.com on Side Bar)
(P.S. Naked sponges, what a great idea! Why dye a sponge???)

Scotch-Brite Bamboo Cleaning Cloths--Inexpensive, very soft, yet absorbent, dries fast and are tough. Has texture to help with scrubbing. Bamboo fiber has antimicrobial qualities. (Only 60% bamboo though.)

Marcal's Small Steps Recycled Paper Towels--Best price. 100% recycled paper.

Recycled T-shirts and Cloth Diapers--You'll never look at old clothing the same. Many natural-fiber ex-clothing make great rags. Disinfect in the laundry. Cut as you need. Use until it falls apart!

Couldn't find a natural fiber toilet bowl brush!! A possible substitute is the coir bottle brushes (see this link toward bottom). Currently, mine is a plastic-handled, synthetic-bristled one.

***Let me know if you find one!!!***

Helpful Hints:

Line Bathroom Trash can with BioBag Compostable Trash Bags for the Bathroom $4.49 for 25 bags. (A little steep-priced, but they decompose as fast as food scraps!)

(Or use a recycled plastic grocery bag or a paper grocery bag, if they are lying around the house)

Put a sprinkling of baking soda in bottom of can first for a fresh scent.

Try old newspapers for a mirror-cleaning paper towel replacement--I think they work even better!

Scrub sink with a squirt of your hand soap and a dash of baking soda. Easy to do after brushing your teeth.

Disinfect the toothbrushes inside the drinking cup.
Use either hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol or listerine. Soak them, while you are cleaning the bathroom, 10-15 mins.?? (Don't combine, just choose one) Then rinse. And wash cup inside and out with soap and water. Done!

Keep all bar soap "nubbies" and add to a used/but clean nylon knee-high or another scrubbie mesh bag to keep using them. This really makes bar soap go a long way!

Disinfect the bathing scrubbies and sponges (loofahs/natural sponges - I recommend doing this once in a while.)

Method #1
Wash in soapy water, then rinse really well.
Boil in sauce pan full of water for 10 mins.
Let cool and wring out.
Hang to dry.

Method #2
Wash in soapy water, then rinse really well.
Put "wet" in microwave on high for 1 min.
Let cool and wring out.
Hang to dry.

Method #3
Wash and rinse by hand. Then add to a load of laundry.
Do not put in dryer. Hang to dry.

What is my favorite natural soap for hand washing and bathing?

Definitely Dr. Bronner's Lavender Scented.
Also, I love Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Bar soap, as well.

BUT my BFF is my own homemade cold-processed bar soap. I love mixing pine and lavender and bergamot essential oils. I'll do a post/slide show on making soap soon!

Peace,
Green Keen aka Pam on Vacation

Pamela Palmer

Natural Cleaning Product Reviews:
http://www.greenkeen.blogspot.com/

Suite 101 Magazine Contributing Writer:
http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/pamelapalmer

Women's Online Magazine Columnist
"Living Green Each Day"
http://www.womensonlinemagazine.com/category/family/living-green-each-day/

EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD
Join me

Best Natural Cleaning Tips and Tricks | Natural Cleaning Product Review

2009-05-09T09:42:00.011-04:00

Side Note from Pam:

I'm going to Arizona next week for vacation with my hubbie and I'll be blogging from there....We will be visiting the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley (in picture) can't wait!!

Also, since the weather is perfect now where I live for hanging laundry outside….I have a couple of clothes lines hung on my sunny back porch.

Earlier this Spring my clothes pin holder, a cloth bag hung on the line, was confiscated by a little wren, who made a nest inside and laid some eggs, and now has 4 little babies, tweeting away for food….so, I’m sharing my clothes-hanging porch with some new "birdie friends" this season!

Luckily, most of my clothes pins were on the line, so I can still hang laundry!!

Best Natural Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Reuse the vinegar rinse water from hand washing dishes to wipe down counters and kitchen sink. Spray with Hydrogen peroxide and let sit for an easy sanitizing technique.

Reuse the vinegar rinse water from hand washing dishes to wash the kitchen floor.

Reuse a Parmesan Cheese container, in the kitchen, by filling it with baking soda for a non-toxic scrubbing powder. (Works great!)

Reuse the hot soapy water after washing dishes to pre-soak dirty pots or yucky refrigerator containers. (Let the soap and water do the work. You just wipe up after the mess is loosened.)

Microwave a rinsed-out, but wet kitchen sponge, for 1 min. to kill germs. Do this daily at end of each day. (See reference on scientific proof at link, "Homemaking Tips" section)

Wipe out your microwave after heating up the sponge; it will be moist from the steam and easy to clean.

Wash counters and tables with a dishcloth. It is easier to feel the grit and know that you got it all. When done cleaning up for the day, wipe up the floor around dining room table and the kitchen floor and throw in the wash. Changing kitchen dishcloths every day will keep germs at a minimum.

Use bamboo dishcloths which have natural antimicrobial fibers.

Quick Daily Disinfect Techniques

Don’t have time to disinfect everything? Disinfect only what you or your family normally touch with your hands. This can easily be done every day to minimize germ transmission.

***light switches, door handles, cabinet and appliance handles, trashcan lids, stairway banisters, toilet handles, faucets in sinks and showers, common counter areas, table and desk tops, highchair trays, computer keyboards, piano keys, TV remotes.***

Regularly, soak for 5 minutes, washable plastic or wood toys in a vinegar and lemon solution to sanitize. (See scientific proof.)

Stuffed animals and fabric toys can be hand washed or machine washed on delicate for regular sanitizing. (Using laundry soap and a vinegar rinse.)

Keep windows open during cool parts of the day to air out house. This minimizes germs and toxins from indoor pollution—without any energy consumption!

During other times let a HEPA air filter clear the household air of dust, pollen, and microbes. This greatly helps to minimize cleaning needs.

Sweep/vacuum daily. This also minimizes dust and cleaning needs. (I still need to improve on this, particularly because we have a Golden Retriever!)

Bathroom Quickie Clean

Clean bathroom tub and shower just before taking a shower, easy to rinse up, during your shower. This is only possible when using all natural, non-toxic cleaners!

Clean Bathroom Sink and Toilet just after using it and before washing hands. Easy way to keep it clean throughout the day, so no real dirt and germ build-up!

Reuse old toothbrushes for spot scrubbing fabrics, tile grout, small edges and corners. Just make sure you label the toothbrush “for cleaning only”!

Vinegar and Baking Soda Tricks

Use a little vinegar and squeezed lemon juice or concentrate in water to clean coffee pots, toasters, toaster ovens, tile floors.

Use baking soda and soap solution and as a scrub for refrigerators, microwaves, and sinks.

Essential Oil Air Fresheners

After cleaning and/or before company, place a small bowl of water, with a few drops of essential oils in front a fan or on a central tabletop, to freshen the room.

Citrus oils, like orange, tangerine, grapefruit, or lemon, brighten the mood. This is a great substitute to chemical “air fresheners”!

A dab of essential oil also can be placed on a cool light bulb before turning it on to permeated the aroma in a room.

Hope you enjoy these Natural Cleaning tips and tricks! I absolutely love finding out new techniques to streamline my green cleaning, recycling and reusing when possible, and having the pleasure of cleaning with natural cleaning products, that I am confident are healthy for my family and pets.

Peace, Green Keen aka Pamela Palmer

Alba Hawaiian Skin Care Line | Natural Cleaning Product Review

2009-05-08T09:29:00.006-04:00

Alba Hawaiian Skin Care Line gets high marks as a Natural Cleaning Product Line, see Herbtraders on my sidebar. Drawing upon skin-helping ingredients from the Hawaiian Islands such as pineapple, papaya, and coconut, it is a natural cleaning experience that will enthrall you with Pacific scents.

A Complete All-Natural Skin Care Line with Natural Cleaning Ingredients

The Alba Company states on their website that “Our products are created to both delight your senses and to provide the benefits claimed. We use science-based nutrients, which means that the herbal botanicals and other ingredients we use are proven to be effective.”

Added to this natural cosmetic line are natural cleansers using coconut milk and pineapple enzymes for proven deep cleansing and exfoliation. Also, Alba adds a Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask and a Hibiscus Facial Toner to complete your facial natural cleansing.

One of My Favorite Natural Moisturizers

To moisturize without oil, great for young, acne-prone skin, they have their Hawaiian Aloe and Green Tea Oil-free Moisturizer. This product works great; I’ve reviewed it before in my Best Natural Skin Care Blog Post.

This natural moisturizer, with great all natural ingredients contains “certified organic aloe vera, green tea antioxidants and oil-free humectants absorb instantly to replenish essential nutrients and protect skin.”

Price

$16.95 for a 3 ounce jar.

Alba’s Standards in Manufacturing

• Hypo-allergenic
• Oil-free
• pH balanced
• 100% vegetarian ingredients and no animal testing

About Alba the Company and the Environment

Alba appears to be very committed to protecting the environment with their business practices. Here’s a sampling of their eco friendly action:

* Office and Warehouse are 100% Solar Powered.

* Comprehensive Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Policy and Practices.

* Recycle Printer Cartridges, Bottles and Cans. Proceeds Donated to Non-Profits.

* Purchase and Use Recycled Office Paper with minimum 35% Post-Consumer Content.

* Organic Acres Farmed Increased as a Result of Our Organic Ingredient Choices.

* Use New Leaf (Recycled) Paper for Our Printed Promotional Materials.

* Products are EU Safe Cosmetics Directive Compliant. More than 1,300 commonly used ingredients are banned in the European Union because they are known or suspected of causing cancer, birth defects or fertility problems. We don't use any of them.

My Take on Using Alba’s Hawaiian Natural Cosmetic Line:
I highly approve of this line. Although I have not used every single product in this line, I have reviewed most of their ingredients and find them to be very healthy and non-toxic.

I really like the company’s involvement in the environment too, but especially, I love the efficacy and aromas of these natural cleaning products!

Double Thumbs Up! For Alba’s Hawaiian Natural Skin Care Cosmetic Line with Natural Cleansers.

Best Natural Facial Skin Care For Any Skin Type | Natural Cleaning Product Review Part Two

2009-04-27T21:40:00.007-04:00

Best Natural Facial Skin Care For Any Skin Type (Part 2 of 2)

Background Facts On Each Step:

African Black Soap, for a really natural cleaning product; see my detailed article.

Witch Hazel for a toner, is high in tannins, good for astringency-- tightening pores and removing excess oil, also acts as a natural, green cleaner.

Aloe Vera Gel, has been used for thousands of years for skin care. “Fresh is Best”, see yesterday’s post on directions.

Aloe Vera is rich in anti-oxidants, which are known for their anti-aging properties. It has anti-inflammatory properties, anti-bacterial properties, and heals the skin without leaving scars.
It also acts as a natural cleaning product, removing old cells, cleaning the pores, and stimulating new cell growth.

Because Aloe is a succulent, it helps to maintain the natural moisturizing agents in the skin -- helping retard natural evaporation and drawing moisture from the air around us. Aloe Vera gel heals the skin from acne, thanks to the sulfur and salicylic acid found in it; both are used topically to treat acne.

Tea Tree Oil used again for thousands of years, fights bacteria, and is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anti-microbial against cuts, burns, bites, and a host of skin ailments, including acne.

Olive Oil also has been used for cosmetic care for thousands of years. It is also a good source of vitamin E and other antioxidants, which not only protect and rejuvenate your skin, but the special fats in olive oil cause deep, long-lasting moisturizing.

Water is the simplest form of "moisturizing", which by definition literally means “to add moisture”. Drinking a sufficient amount of water throughout the day helps the skin preserve a necessary moisture balance--65% to 90% of our bodies are water, not drinking regularly depletes that balance quickly.

Sunscreen every day needs to be part of your regime before going out to prevent premature aging from the sun, and protect from skin cancer.

Alba’s Aloe & Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer (Found at Herbtraders on Sidebar)

Hawaiian Skin Care (The description from their website)

Signature ingredient: This oil-free, daily moisturizer infuses the skin with rejuvenating aloe vera, one of the world's most perfect substances for skin-repair, and green tea, a powerful antioxidant which protects from free radical damage, has anti-inflammatory properties and repairs and strengthens.

Product description: Certified organic aloe vera, green tea antioxidants and oil-free humectants absorb instantly to replenish essential nutrients and protect skin against dehydration for a soft, healthy, luminous complexion.

Features and benefits: A potent blend of aloe vera, green tea, hibiscus, cucumber, and organic mango and shea butter, this intensive moisturizing system quickly penetrates the skin, healing, toning and smoothing without residual oiliness.

Who should use this product? Light and oil-free, this moisturizer is perfect for all skin types, though it's especially useful for people who have trouble tolerating heavier moisturizers.

Price: 14.09 for 3 ounces.

Check out Alba’s herb and ingredient glossary on their website: A complete guide to the benefits, properties and sources of their ingredients.