Did You Know...

• Cleaning chemicals are one of the reasons why indoor air often has 10 times more VOCs (volatile organic compounds) than outdoor air. Switch to green cleaning and breathe free!
• Non-toxic cleaning can give you a deep feeling of gratification in knowing that your family’s health is protected and that your home is a place for your bodies to rest and recuperate.
• Strong odor on your cutting board? Wipe with vinegar or baking soda.
• Want to clean green? Cinnamon, Clove, Thyme, Eucalyptus, and Lemongrass essential oils may be used as non-toxic, fragrant disinfectants.
• Do you have a musty attic or room? If getting fresh air through the area is a problem, spritz the air with 1 tsp of tea tree oil in 1 cup of water. Repeat if necessary. Safer for your lungs and the environment!
• Mold and mildew thrive in moist, warm areas. Dehumidifiers use lots of energy. Use bowls of unscented kitty litter instead. Place in closets and damp corners, and replace as needed.
• Eucalyptus oil kills dust mites. Add 25 drops of essential oil to each load of laundry.
• Control mold in an environmentally friendly manner. Regularly spray your tub or shower with diluted vinegar.
• Beyond the Basics uses professional-grade microfibre cloths, as environmentally-friendly and sanitary tools to clean your home.
• To chase away bugs, put a drop of tea tree oil near the point of entry and you can bet they won’t come in that way anymore!
• Lavender oil or tea tree oil can be applied directly to cuts and scrapes where it will cool the pain and help fight infection.
• You can rub the inside of your oven with wet steel wool to remove the tough stuff, and then sprinkle baking soda throughout the oven. Let it sit for a few minutes, then just wipe it all clean with a wet rag…all done and no caustic chemicals!
• To clean your silver, put some water in a pan with a few teaspoons of washing soda, bring to a simmer. Throw in a small piece of aluminum foil, and then dip your silver right into the mix. Pull the item out, dry it off, and shine it clean with a rag.
• Most glass cleaners are made of ammonia, a strong irritant, and coal tar dyes. Some contain butyl cellusolve, a neurotoxin, alchohol, naphtha, and glycol ethers. Some contain wax. Aerosol products create small particles which are more likely to be inhaled or irritate eyes. Consumer Reports found plain water to be more effective than many of the glass cleaners on the market.
• The key to freshening air is to remove or dilute the offending odor (by cleaning, ventilation or absorption), not to cover it with another chemical.
• Microfiber cloths are a new addition to the world of cleaning which can significantly reduce use of chemical cleaning agents. These untreated, reusable cloths are made of polyester and polyamide. They can lift off dirt, grease and dust without the need for cleaning chemicals, because they are formulated to penetrate and trap dirt. A good quality cloth can last for several years.