greatcleaners.com
Jill's Cleaning secrets

Clean Green
The environment will thank you!

The goal of Green Cleaning is to use cleaning products and methods that keep our environment healthy. There are many ways that your household can accomplish this goal and be "green." Some homes substitute products like ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda, vinegar, and lemons to clean countertops and other surfaces. Other families will purchase commercial cleaners, such as OxiClean, that are good for the environment. When shopping for cleaners, avoid phosphates, chlorine, artificial fragrances, and artificial colors. Thse products can contaminate the environment and endanger human health. Instead, look for cleaners that are biodegradable.

Cleaning green is good for your own health, too. Did you know that the levels of pollutants inside your house can be up to 100 times higher than the outdoors? This is due largely in part to home cleaning products that aren't biodegradable or environmnentally friendly. These products can release toxic chemicals into the air and cause skin, eye, and respiratory infections. As an example, in households where artificial air fresheners were used frequently, mothers experienced 25% more headaches and were 19% more likely to suffer from depression. Infants in these households had 30% more ear infections and 22% higher incidences of stomach pains.

Whatever choices you make about your cleaning supplies, there is a huge variety of environmentally friendly choices for those interested in green cleaning. Orange Glo, OxiClean, and Kaboom! products are powerful cleaners that don't compromise the health of the home or the environment. OxiClean uses the power of oxygen to clean -- it works with the environment, not against it. Because it doesn’t have a chlorine base, OxiClean is less harsh on sensitive skin. Chlorine based products can damage fibers in the stain fighting process and can’t be used on color. OxiClean, on the other hand, seeks out the stain’s surface and lifts the stain away without damaging fabrics and other materials. It is environmentally friendly and biodegradable -- powered by the air we breathe and the water we drink. When you purchase one of many OxiClean products, you can feel confident you're doing your part in improving our environment and "cleaning green."

Also, keep in mind that saving energy prevents pollution. In most households, the refrigerator is the single biggest energy consuming kitchen appliance. If you replace a refrigerator bought in 1990 or prior with a new ENERGY STAR compliant refrigerator, you'll save enough energy to light the average household for about four months.

You can also reduce the amount of energy that your refrigerator or freezer uses by following these simple tips:



  • Position your refrigerator away from a heat source such as an oven, and away from direct sunlight.
  • Leave a space between the wall and the refrigerator, and keep the coils clean.
  • Keep your refrigerator between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Minimize the amount of time the refrigerator door is open