S.L.O.B.S. TV - A Snippet Of Our First Show!!

Rachel is a full time mom and executive that has just hit overwhelm with her home. Watch as Leslie Reichert, The Cleaning Coach and her team put her back in control in only 8 hours.  Leslie's team includes a nurse, a professional organizer and the professional staff at the Container Store.
Please watch, leave a comment and like on YouTube. I'd also love it if you'd share it with your friends. I'm trying to show the networks that this would be a great show!!

Shadazzle - Product Review and Video

I’ve done a video review of Shadazzle to show you how it will work on your stainless steel pans, your kitchen sink and especially your glass topped stove. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. I’m here to help you!

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Scary Halloween Stains Can Be Removed With A Few Simple Things

Halloween can be a big stain holiday!  On Clean Green Talk Radio we share tips on how to remove everything from chocolate to red wine. And you just need a few simple things to remove them. You’ll need an ice cube, white wine, rubbing alcohol and a few other simple ingredients. Listen in and find out how to have a very HAPPY Halloween.

Click here to listen to the podcast

What Kind Of A Cleaner Are You?

Recently in the WSJ, there was an article about "Speed Cleaners". They not only had a title for those that like to clean quickly, but also sub-categories!  It made me realize that we all have different ways of doing things - and that includes cleaning. My hubby calls me a Binge Cleaner - mainly because I'm so busy doing other things that when I get the time to clean- I go crazy.

http://online.wsj.com/article/
SB10001424127887324436104578579512507422472.html

What type of cleaner are you? I started asking and here are a few of the different types people called themselves:
The Faker - This person is really good at cleaning up before company. They get everything looking perfect and make it look like they live like this all the time. They are the ultimate fake cleaner.
Half-Baked - This person is really good at cleaning some things, yet doesn't do a great job on others. For example, the half-baked cleaner will be vigilant about doing the dishes every night, but won't bother with vacuuming for a week or two.
A Particular Day Cleaner - This person will only clean on a certain day of the week. Everything is left to cleaning day.
Clean It As You See It - This person is cleaning constantly - but in short little dabs and touch-ups. They are loving the new products designed especially for them.
It Can Wait - Do you like putting off your cleaning? You are an It-Can-Wait Cleaner. Just make sure you don't wait too long.

Here are some other types of cleaners that people shared with us today on Clean Green Talk Radio.
There was:

• Squeeze It In
• Type A
• Organized
• Fit It In
• Clean To A Fault
• Clutter Keeper 

What type of cleaner are you? There was one other type mentioned on my facebook conversation - DON'T. I'm not considering that answer as a type!

Sara Snow Is My Guest On Clean Green Talk

Join me as I interview green living expert, Sara Snow. Sara understands healthy and natural living in a way few of us do, and it’s her mission to help impart that knowledge and experience to people all over the world so they too can live a greener lifestyle. Learn how Sara’s family and upbringing shaped her and how that experience earned her the title of “green living’s real deal.” You can call and ask her questions at 1-866-50clean (1-866-502-5326) or join the conversation on my facebook pagewww.facebook.com/greencleaningcoach

Four Tips for Keeping Your Bathroom Cleaner

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/designer-bathrooms#slide-1

A question I received yesterday was "How can I create a schedule to keep my bathroom cleaner?"  Really what you need are a few routines to cut down your actual cleaning time. Here are a few tips for the bathroom:

• Swish the toilet every morning with your toilet brush. This will keep the bowl cleaner so you don't have to clean as often.
• Use an "eco-sponge" in the shower while you are in it. The sponge uses the technology of friction to clean off soap scum. It's great for glass shower doors too.
• "Dust" your bathroom every day with a dry microfiber cloth. This will keep the buildup to a minimum and make actual cleaning a cinch.
• Keep a small battery operated vacuum in the bathroom and run it every day on the floors. This will keep the hair and lint to a minimum.

Learn How To Clean Your Windows - With Just Water

Here is one simple tool that can make cleaning your windows a snap. I only wish I had found this while I had my house keeping service! I never agreed to clean windows because they are so hard to do correctly. We'd spend hours spraying glass cleaner and trying every kind of paper towel so we could avoid streaks and lint. This blue cloth does it all!

A Review Of My Book By The Healthful Truth

Here is a review of my book by the Healthful Truth. Thanks Lily!

The Joy of Green Cleaning

Posted on December 2, 2012

I have a dream…that one day my home will be completely free of harsh chemicals! I was raised to use these toxic chemicals. My mother says “If you’re not using Clorox, it’s not clean!”. My mother even uses it in her dish water especially when someone gets sick in the home. I thought this was how it was done! (Sorry Mom!) Now I cringe when I smell bleach. Lysol All Purpose Cleaner gives me a raging headache.

What is my “why” when it comes to green cleaning? I didn’t actually start to make green, non-toxic changes until I became pregnant and started thinking about my daughter’s health. I thought about how she would be crawling on the floors absorbing toxic chemicals through her skin and mouth. They would be present on her clothes and inhaling these chemicals that kill brain cells, cause cancer, and irritate your skin. If you have kids you know that their skin is very sensitive and their guts are very permeable and these chemicals would quickly get in to her blood stream and wreck havoc. Not only did I think about the cleaners but also the baby products like shampoos and lotions. Another reason

why, is that we over do it when it comes to anti-bacterial products. We have been raised to think that killing all bacteria is good for us…WRONG. Most people don’t realize that there are good bacteria and bad bacteria. Antibacterial cleaners kill everything leaving the strongest bacterias to survive and get stronger. This results in the creation of super bacteria that become resistant to the antibacterial agents you use to kill them. You may actually be doing more harm to yourself by using these harsh chemicals to kill them then what the bad bacteria you are trying to kill may do to you.

So all this non-toxic talk brings me to my latest blog post which is really a book review of The Joy of Green Cleaning.  I absolutely love this recipe book! It’s a great handy resource book for green cleaning.  It was written by Leslie Reichert aka Green Cleaning Coach whose mission is to teach and encourage others in the art of home-keeping and green cleaning. In her book, Leslie explains what is the big deal about greening your cleaning. She says that most regular cleaning can be done without any toxic chemicals. It is true that you can clean with non-toxic items already in your pantry such as baking soda, vinegar, sea salt, lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide.

Read more here...

Julia Child - Cleaning Up In The Kitchen

Everyone is writing, cooking and eating to honor the 100 birthday of the wonderful Julia Child. I have been a fan of hers from the very start of her TV career. I remember watching her TV show when they were being aired for the first time. Yes, that would be the early 1960’s and even as a  5 year old child, I loved her. I also remember what the Washington Post wrote about her style. “It wasn’t that she could do no wrong – it was that she made doing wrong so right!”  I love her!

So in honor of Julia’s 100^th birthday, I pulled out my copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and started to see if there was SOMETHING I could make so I could be a part of the celebration. It’s been three years since my husband bought me her book, hoping that someday I would get motivated and make something French for dinner. To date that hasn’t happened. I opened the book to the introduction and read her outlook on life. I especially liked the part about -  “have a good time!”  

I then started browsing through the forward and found her advice on cleaning:
“Use all the pans, bowls and equipment you need, but soak them in water as soon as you are through with them. Clean up after yourself frequently to avoid confusion.”  And again “have a good time!”

Who knew that Julia not only was an expert at cooking but also had great tips for cleaning. (Although if you watch her show she usually threw things right on the floor!) Really, every good cook has to clean up their own mess, unless of course you’re a celebrity chef and have a staff to do that.  Sometimes I think that cleaning up is the real reason I don’t like cooking!

As I continued into the pages of her book I found a “recipe” on page four under A Note on Copper Pans. Julia writes: … there is the cleaning problem, as copper tarnishes quikly. Ther are fast modern copper cleaners available. A good homemade mixture is half a cup of white vinegar and ¼ cup each of table salt and scouring powder. Rub the mixture over the copper, using steel wool if the pot is badly tarnished, then rinse in hot water.  Alias, the woman we celebrate for her cooking skills also knew how to clean and realized its importance.

So in honor of Julia’s 100 birthday, I suggest you mix up this copper scrub, find a pot that needs attention and get to cleaning! While you’re cleaning that pot, sing happy birthday to Julia! It will be a great way to avoid confusion and to have a good time!

Happy Cleaning, Julia! 

Cleaning in the Outdoors

It's the time of year when you want to be outside, by the pool or eating your corn on the cob on your outdoor patio. But the furniture that gets left out all year or is stored in a shed tends to get kind of grimy. There is a simple way to keep your outdoor equipment nice. Charlie's Indoor Outdoor Cleanser is a highly effective biodegradable non-toxic cleanser that is created from natural washing soda and coconut oil based detergents. When I saw my white picket fence turning an unfortunate shade of green, I decided to give it a try. You can see how much of the algae the cleanser removed on the section I wiped especially when you look at how green the washcloth has become. Not only will it keep your outdoor furniture looking brand new, but it is also cars, bikes, boats, siding, and anything else that may strike your fancy. It's a useful cleaner that will not only save space in your cabinet but keep your outdoor living areas the way you like them.

Get Rid Of Ants With This Simple Recipe

It's that time of year where the ants are starting to drive me crazy. Watch this video and learn a quick way to get rid of them, without nasty pesticides.

Dusting Tips on Martha Stewart Living Radio

If you missed Morning Living on Martha Stewart Living Radio today, this is what we discussed. 

Dusting or Polishing

There is a difference between dusting and polishing. Dusting is something that removes the dust from surfaces while polishing is actually treating the wood. We have tried to combine the two by using polishing sprays while we are dusting. What's happened is that we are doing a poor job of both.

picture from http://multimenage.webs.com/dusting.htm

Dusting should be done once a week with just a clean microfiber cloth and a touch of a light spray. I mix up my "light dusting spray" and put it into a spray bottle.(Never spray anything directly on the furniture). Then just go over the piece and remove the dust. This is easy and quick. The less oily polish you use the longer it will stay dust free. The oils collect dust and make it harder to remove it.

Polishing should be done every 3-6 months. This is a lot of work, but keeps the furniture looking new and also keeps the wood and finish moisturized. I use my recipe - Lemony Furniture Polish - when I'm going to polish the furniture. And make sure you use a high quality microfiber cloth.

How to dust

I always say to myself "top to bottom, back to front" because i always want to go to the dusty thing i see first. Instead, start as high up as you can reach and work you way down to the floor. Also work in a circle around the room and you'll never miss anything. Make sure you get the tops of door jambs and all the wood trim. You can use a feather duster to knock off some dust, but for flat surfaces - use a cloth. You can also use a lambswool duster - high quality ones are able to be washed in the sink with a touch of dish detergent

Other ways to dust

Removing dust from pillows - use your dryer

Removing dust from knick-knacks - use your dishwasher

Removing dust from tight places - use a stiff paint brush and a vacuum

Bucket-less Mopping

Using a traditional mop and bucket can leave you feeling a little bit like a scurvy pirate mopping the deck of a ship with some dirty sea water. The water in the bucket gets dirty, you have to lug the water wherever you want to clean, and sometimes the floor doesn't even look cleaner after mopping. However, all of the hassle and grind of using a bucket is unnecessary. To learn about a faster, easier way to mop your floors, follow the link below to the third part in my ten video series that will help you achieve a safer, greener, and cleaner home.

http://www.greencleaningcoach.com/ar/bucket-less-mopping

Safe Germ Killers

Bleach is a household cleaning product for one reason. It is very effective in killing that bacteria on your countertops or other surfaces in your home. However, not only is bleach toxic to those micro-invaders but it is also terrible for you and your family, especially when it finds its way from you countertops to your food. There are better, safer ways to protect yourself from salmonella, e-coli, and other scary bacteria. Below is the link to watch part 2 of my 10 part video series to help you get a safer, green cleaning home.

http://www.greencleaningcoach.com/ar/safe-germ-killer

Not only will the tips in this video save you some money as you will be able to use common home ingredients but you will have the added benefit of knowing that the cleaning supplies you are using aren't harming the health of you and your family. The fact that creating your own cleaners can be fast, fun, and easy is just a bonus.

How to clean dust off your ceiling fan

The other night I was staring up at my ceiling fan.  All I could see was the unsightly dust buildup that has been hiding on the top of the blades and has starting flowing over the sides.
This is a very common problem. The fan is a place we forget to clean. Out of sight, out of mind. I have a very simple solution to the problem. Use a pillowcase to wipe away the dust. Anything that falls will be caught in the pillowcase, safe to be shaken out outside. This will keep everything under the fan nice and clean.

This is what the fan looked like before the clean.

This is how I used the pillowcase. Simply put the case over the whole blade and the wipe away.

And TADA! Your fan is as good as new with no hint of that invading dust.

For That Unsightly Lime

It's a shame when those beautiful new glasses become fuzzy or spotted after a few washes. There is a simple explanation, and it's not wear and tear on your dish-ware. If your water is hard and has minerals in it like lime, it will leave traces behind. In the video below I've included some tips on how to get rid of these unsightly marks.

Spring Cleaning - Get the Family Involved

Spring cleaning will go a lot faster if you have some help. Having a clean house isn't just to your benefit, it's something the whole family can appreciate. So get them working with you and you will see that winter dirt disappear in no time.
Make a Plan

The best way to make sure everyone is working is to have a plan. This will keep everyone on track. If you have children who are prone to comparing their workload, ensure your kids have their own tasks. Then they can complete them without comparing time.

Have the Right Tools
By making sure that you have the right tools you can make your tasks much simpler as well. Vacuuming will be easier with the right attachment, steamers will get dirt out of grout and showers, microfiber mops and cloths make water the only cleaning solution you need, and using a cycle in your dryer to get the dust off of your curtains will save hours of washing. The microfiber cloths especially work perfectly for young children. Just hand them a spray bottle filled with water, one of the cloths, and set them to work washing any glass doors, windows, or mirrors. It's a simple but useful task where they won't get hurt or make a mess. 

A "Ten Minute Tidy"
If you can't coerce your family into a whole day of cleaning, you can use one of my favorite techniques, the "ten minute tidy." I get every member of my family to clean the same room for ten minutes. Each person has their own tasks, and since I have five in my family, it's just like I cleaned for 50 minutes. It takes a lot of time off of my workload. 

The "little cleaning box" Is Big News!

Don’t you just love samples? What about opening presents? And that special excitement when you see a package in the mailbox? Don’t you love trying new products? If you answered “yes” to all of these questions then signing up for the little cleaning box will be just what you should do!

The Little Cleaning Box is a “members-only” subscription website where you can try before you buy the newest and coolest new cleaning products. For $10 a box you get access to the tips, tricks and tutorials on how to make cleaning greener and easier – and who doesn’t want that! You also have access to online shopping with monthly specials and free shipping. The best part is the quarterly brown box that is mailed directly to you - filled with 4-5 full sized samples. These are the highest quality cleaning products available for your home.

As inconceivable as it may seem, there are NO laws protecting you dangerous chemicals that are being used as ingredients in common household cleaners that are more than likely sitting under your sink right now.
And it’s the mission of Leslie Reichert, the idea lady behind the LittleCleaningBox.com,  to protect families and pets from hidden toxins and health risks that are commonly found in household cleaners that are being used EVERY day all over the world.
Which is why she wants to send you the Little Cleaning Box, a collection of green cleaning samples that she has personally used and tested. Everything in the box has Leslie’s “Fast… Green… and Totally Clean” seal of approval.
And you can receive these samples each quarter for less than what you would spend on one full-sized bottle of laundry detergent!
So go check out www.littlecleaningbox.com and get started on a cleaner, greener home right now!

Goodbye to Grease How To Video

On your quest to achieve that lovely spring clean you are at some point going to have to enter the kitchen. There are just so many places that food buildup hides here, and your stove is no exception. If you have trouble getting rid of that troublesome grease in your grease plates, the video below will make your job a lot easier. It's springtime, and the last thing you want is the grease leftover from the Thanksgiving turkey hanging out in your kitchen. With the few tips I give in this video, you can quickly move on from the stove with enough time to tackle the larger tasks of Spring Cleaning.

Time to "Clean" the Closet

When the weather changes, it is time to "change the closet." Now those of you who live up in the northern parts of the country probably know exactly what I mean and precisely how much it entails. It's that special time of year when you kiss all of your sweaters goodbye and start rummaging in your spare drawers and those boxes in the attic for that clothing you put away because it was too cold. You have to pack away your winter wardrobe and refresh your spring/summer style, and your clothes don't smell any better for being stuck in storage for the last few months. So to help you take just one more step to getting your home ready for spring, I'm going to give you the recipe to my Great Grandma's Laundry soap featured in my book, The Joy of Green Cleaning. This recipe will not only make your clothing clean and fresh but  is perfect for those with sensitive skin who are prone to breakouts.
Start by compiling your ingredients. First you will need 2 cups of soap flakes. You can either order them or you can create your own by grating a dry ivory soap bar. Next you will need 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup washing soda, 1 cup Borax, and 15 drops of any essential oil for scent.
To make the detergent, simply mix all of these ingredients and store them in an air-tight container. For front loading machines, you can use 1-2 tablespoons of detergent or 1/4 cup for top loading. If you prefer a liquid detergent to a powder, just mix the soap with very hot water before putting it in the washing machine. Mixing these ingredients hardly takes any time and you will be sure to come out with a well washed wardrobe that is better for the skin of you and your family. Once those piles of laundry are cleaned and organized, your home will feel more spacious and you will have the peace of mind of knowing that when the weather changes, you will have precisely what you need.