The CleanSuds Blog
Where education and truthful facts are easy to come by.
3 Easy Ways to Get Your Home Ready for the Winter
Winter is fast approaching, and with it cold, wet weather that can cause problems for your home. There's always plenty to do when it comes to maintaining your home. Some of those projects might be bigger and more complex. Others are quite simple, but no less important for it. Here are three tasks that fall into the latter category.
Replace Air Filters & Clean Your Furnace
No one wants to go without heat when it gets cold outside. Replacing your air filters regularly and cleaning your furnace before winter hits is important to helping it function properly. How frequently you should replace filters depends on the filter you're using and who is in your home. Homes with pets or people with allergies will benefit from changing filters more frequently. Every two to three months is usually advisable, and the process is quite simple. According to Molly Maid, cleaning your furnace is a little more involved, but still quite doable. Doing so will help cut down on the dirt and debris that would otherwise move through your system.
Clean Your Gutters
Your gutters help protect your home from precipitation and moisture that could otherwise damage your siding and foundation. Water isn't the only thing that gets in gutters though. Leaves, sticks, dirt, and even toys can find their way into gutters. If left unattended, they can clog them up and prevent your gutters from doing their job properly. This can cause water to spill over them and down your house, potentially causing water damage. Ideally, according to Comfort Solutions, your gutters should be cleaned twice a year. If your property has lots of trees though, you may need to clean them out more frequently.
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
According to SELF, fires are more common in winter than any other time of the year. People are home more, turning up the heat, cooking, lighting candles, and more. All of these can contribute to house fires. Since smoke detectors are usually the first indicator of a house fire, it's vital to make sure they're working properly. While you're at it, test your carbon monoxide detectors too. Like house fires, carbon monoxide injuries tend to be more prevalent in winter. Colorless and odorless, you may not realize you've been exposed until it's too late without a properly working detector.
Getting your home ready for winter doesn't have to be difficult. Replacing your air filters and cleaning your furnace, cleaning out your gutters, and testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are easy tasks that can make a real difference in your experience this winter. Take action now before winter sets in to protect your home and stay warm and safe.
To make sure your home is the most ready, clean it with some of our eco-friendly house cleaning products!
A Guide To Disinfecting Your SUV
Staying healthy has become more important than ever before and people all over the world are taking active steps to protect themselves from getting sick. Not only are there more individuals wearing protective face masks, but we’re also paying more attention to hygiene and making sure that our homes are free of germs and bacteria. As germs and viruses can stay on surfaces from 4 hours to 17 days, proper disinfection is essential to ensure that your family stays well. Disinfecting the home should be the main priority, but don’t forget to give your family vehicle a thorough clean too, especially if you use it everyday. Here’s a guide to disinfecting your SUV.
Use water and a mild cleanser to clean non-porous surfaces
Whether it’s a conventional car or an SUV, all family vehicles will benefit from a complete cleanup job that involves more than washing and waxing the exterior. To clean the interior of your SUV, mix a mild all-purpose cleanser or Castile soap with water, then dip a soft sponge in the mixture and use it to clean hard and non-porous surfaces such as the arm rests, door handles, and the glove compartment, among others.
Most people think that antibacterial cleansers or household disinfectants such as bleach, ammonia, or hydrogen peroxide are the only things that could work to remove viruses, but new research has shown that soap can destroy most virus membranes, and plain water will do to wash them off surfaces. Moreover, it’s far gentler on your SUV interiors as they won’t harm or dull hard surfaces. Floor mats should also be removed and given a thorough wash with soap and water, then allow them to dry naturally under the sun.
Pay attention to high-touch areas
High-touch areas inside the SUV such as the steering wheel, the gear shift, door handles, turn and wiper signal, seats, and the buttons on the sound system unit and climate control unit should be disinfected as frequently as possible, especially when you’re running errands or are taking your kids to their after-school activities. Clean these areas once a week with a soap and water solution and have a packet of alcohol wipes to disinfect them when you’re on the go. It’s also advisable to disinfect your hands before going inside your SUV, so have some hand sanitizer with you whenever you leave the house. Encourage your family members to do the same before getting in the vehicle.
Ventilate your SUV
Proper ventilation can reduce virus levels inside your SUV. To create a healthy environment within the vehicle, open the windows so that there’s at least a 3-inch gap to keep the air circulating. When not in use, you may also open the doors and windows to air out your vehicle, or place a portable air purifier or ionizer to clean the air inside. Regularly dust the interiors and to further improve the air quality in your vehicle, use natural or organic car air fresheners to get rid of musty smells. You can buy one or make your own by mixing half a cup of baking soda with about a teaspoon of peppermint or lavender essential oil.
Keeping your SUV clean and sanitized can protect your family against illnesses. Try these tips to thoroughly disinfect your vehicle so you and your loved ones can stay healthy.
Bathroom Items You Aren’t Replacing Often Enough
When you think about the dirtier areas of your home, your bathroom might be one of the rooms at the top of your list. It makes sense, considering what happens in the bathroom. Even if you're a master at keeping your bathroom clean, there are probably some bathroom items you should be replacing more often.
Towels
Few things feel better when stepping out of the shower than wrapping up in a nice, warm towel. Once you're finished with it, it probably gets hung up to dry and left until the next time you need it. Doing this too often can be a mistake though. It's important to wash your towels regularly. This helps keep them clean and free of mold and bacteria. Over time, the constant use and washing can cause your towel to wear down. If you notice your towel developing tears or holes, it's probably time to repurpose them or just throw them out altogether.
Your Toothbrush
If you know much of anything about oral hygiene, you know it's important to brush your teeth every day. That's a lot of use out of your toothbrush. You should be replacing your toothbrush about every three months. Replacing your brush regularly helps minimize bacteria that gets in your mouth. You should also replace your toothbrush after being ill. If you have a cold, the flu, a sore throat, or a mouth infection, your toothbrush can accumulate even more germs.
Your Loofah
In addition to your towel, you probably frequently use a loofah or something to scrub your skin when you shower. Loofahs can be a nice way to exfoliate your skin. That said, all that dead skin and soap scum can really do a number on your loofah and make it susceptible to bacteria growth. To avoid scrubbing your skin with a dirty loofah, rinse it thoroughly and allow it to dry. It's a good idea to replace it every month or so to be safe.
It's easy to remember to clean the bathroom. After all, you tend to see visual reminders after a while. Your towels, toothbrush, and loofah, on the other hand, may not be getting replaced as frequently as they should. If you haven't replaced these or other items in your bathroom recently, it might be a good idea to take a look at them and see if any of them need to be switched out.
If your bathroom needs to be cleaned, try cleaning it with some of our eco-friendly house cleaning products!
How to Incorporate Green Living into Your Home Renovation
Green living has been an ongoing trend for years and doesn't appear to show signs of stopping. There is an increasing number of homeowners who are taking steps to incorporate green living into their homes. This often requires some degree of renovation. So how do you incorporate green living into your home renovation?
Achieve Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a hot topic for many homeowners. Not only does it help protect the environment, it also tends to lower utility bills. It's a win for everyone. To achieve greater energy efficiency in your home, consider things like your appliances, your lighting, your HVAC system, and your home's insulation. All of these will factor into the overall energy efficiency of your home. Which factors are applicable will depend on your renovation project. For example, according to Clockwork Builders, if you're adding a spare bedroom, you'll want to take lighting, heating, and insulation into consideration.
Use Recycled Materials
During your renovation project, consider using recycled materials to increase the environmental friendliness of your project. If your driveway needs some help, you might use recycled asphalt as your material of choice. According to Ark-La-Tex Paving, recycled asphalt is a more affordable and environmentally friendly material to use for your driveway. Aluminum is another very recyclable material. It can be a good option for adding a roof to a deck or patio. Just make sure to treat it to prevent rusting. If your project requires insulation, cellulose has a high recycled content and may be a good option.
Use Sustainable Materials
When it comes to sustainability, refinishing is the most sustainable option. That doesn't always work out though, so take a closer look at the materials you're using. Where did they come from? What is the production process like? This can help you get an idea of how sustainable the material is. Go for materials that are reclaimed, recycled, or easily renewed. According to Green Active Family, you should try to avoid those that have volatile organic compounds. Materials with VOCs, especially those with high levels, can have adverse impacts on health and air quality. This is even more concerning if they're found in areas that aren't well ventilated.
Incorporating green living into a home renovation isn't actually very difficult. Focus on achieving greater energy efficiency and try to select your materials from those that are recycled or sustainable. You can feel better knowing that you are taking action to take better care of the planet you live on.
Want to be green in the way you clean? Check out some of our eco-friendly house cleaning products!
Items That Should Be on Your Daily Cleaning Checklist
Some areas of your home deserve more attention than others. This is true especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone is more conscious about contact points and keeping clean. You can help keep your guests and family safe from illness and bacteria by putting these items on your daily cleaning checklist.
Floors
Your floors put up with a lot—no matter if you have wooden floors or carpeted ones. Try and keep these areas as clean as possible. The main reason people may allot their floor cleaning as a weekly chore simply comes down to the amount of time it takes to scrub every inch of your home. Thankfully, you have a few options. Buying a robot vacuum can help get your cleaning done passively. Spot checks are excellent ways to save time and clean up.
Common Surfaces
Make sure you clean the surfaces that are commonly encountered throughout the day, like your counters. Other surfaces such as light switches, doorknobs, and sink handles are essential to clean. These build up a gross number of microbes. Bacteria can double every 20 minutes on an unprotected surface. These should be one of your top priorities, especially if you have children at home.
These areas are also good to clean up before you host an event at your home. The pandemic has brought a lot of awareness in contacting others. You should think about what areas people are likely to hold or touch throughout your home.
Windows
Windows in your home are another essential cleaning item you should add to your list. Unlike some of these other items, windows show fingerprints and dirt much easier. If you have kids, you know this well.
When you plan on hosting a group of friends, clean windows they will most likely first, and then prioritize the others. You can also do spot checks on your windows to make sure they are in good shape. When you clean your windows, make sure you are safe with any ladders. If you have a hard time avoiding a streaky clean, ask around to see what special techniques other people use.
If you add these three items to your daily cleaning routine, it will enhance the presentation and sanitation of your home. Minimizing the chance of spreading illness to other people should be a high priority during this pandemic. Clean these areas daily so you can make sure your home is safe and welcoming.
To clean your home, try some of our eco-friendly house cleaning products!
Creative Uses of Baking Soda Around Your House
Baking soda is something of a pantry staple. It's used in plenty of recipes as a leavening agent. Many people find it useful as an air freshener and a deodorizer for refrigerators, garbage cans, shoes, and even themselves. What are some other creative ways you might use baking soda around your house?
An All-Purpose Cleaner
Finding a cleaner that's cheap, effective, and can be used on multiple surfaces can be tough. Baking soda fits the bill on all counts. When combined with enough water to form a paste, baking soda can be a great bathroom and kitchen cleaner. You can use it on surfaces such as your microwave, oven, marble, grease stains, bathroom tiles, toilets, showers, bathtubs, and bathroom sinks. Baking soda can even be used to get rid of carpet stains.
Unclog Drains
Clogged drains are annoying and inconvenient at best. If left alone, the problem will only worsen, potentially resulting in more trouble down the road. It's important to take action to unclog drains when you start to notice that there's a problem. Baking soda is one thing you can try to use to unclog a drain. Baking soda and vinegar can easily break apart organic material in your drain. Start by pouring some dish soap and boiling water down the drain. Then pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. You should hear a fizzing noise as the two mix. Finish it off with another two cups of boiling water. If it drains, you're good to go. Otherwise, you might need to repeat the process.
A Vegan Substitution for Eggs
Baking soda is often an ingredient in baking recipes. It acts as a leavening agent in conjunction with an acidic substance and liquid by producing carbon dioxide. This reaction causes baked goods to rise and become light and fluffy. Eggs also act as a leavening agent in baked goods. They work with the flour in recipes to give the final product its height and texture. If you're a vegan, however, eggs aren't a good option in baking. Try substituting baking soda and vinegar in place of the eggs. Use one teaspoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of vinegar for each egg the recipe calls for.
As it turns out, baking soda has a ton of uses. You can use it as an all-purpose cleaner. It can help unclog drains. If you're vegan you can use it in conjunction with vinegar as an egg substitute. There are so many things you can do with baking soda you may start asking yourself what it can't do instead.
For those things that baking soda won’t clean, we’ve got you covered! Try some of our eco-friendly household cleaners today!
3 Things You Can Do to Help Your Pet Stay Healthy
Keeping your pet healthy is a lot like keeping yourself healthy. Not only are many of the steps similar, but you should be in a habit of doing all these things consistently throughout your pet’s life.
Make Sure They Get Exercise
Helping your pet exercise regularly has the same benefits as exercising yourself every day. It’s a cycle, in a way. Exercising helps them stay happy and healthy, which then helps them exercise more, which then keeps them even happier and healthier. Start this habit with your pet as early as possible so that it will be easier for them (and you) to stay in the habit.
Exercise looks different for every pet (exercising your parrot isn’t going to look the same as a hamster) but there are a couple of general guidelines to consider. Make sure that your pet has enough space to exercise. This can mean taking your dog outside for a walk, creating a perimeter for your rabbit to run around in, or simply having a big enough living space for your pet. There are different toys and feeders for different pets that encourage physical activity and can help to get them moving.
Look Closely at Labels
Just like you would do for yourself, examine the labels for any treatments you give your pet. Different remedies have different side effects, and it’s important to know these side effects so you can know what is normal or what may be an emergency.
Do some research about the ingredients in remedies for your pets. Some ingredients can be harmful to animals. For example, pets receive benefits from CBD, but THC is very bad for them, so make sure you look closely at the remedy’s label. Find a veterinarian who you trust and can ask questions when you have them.
Monitor Their Food Intake
Having the right kind of food, right amount of food, and right number of feeding times for your pet is paramount. To stay healthy, you wouldn’t eat only garbage, so be careful when picking out your pet’s food. Check the ingredients and ask other pet owners about what has been best for their pet. Also be sure to always feed your pet the correct amount. It can be difficult for your pet to know when they should stop eating. Remember that size can be an important factor in determining how much to feed your pet.
Some pets have allergies or special dietary restrictions individual to them. Talk with a veterinarian about what that may look like for your dog and how to best avoid those foods. This will not only help keep them healthier and happier but leave you with fewer smelly messes to clean up.
Ultimately, the thing that will make the biggest difference in your pet’s life is your love for them. Sure—loving your pets influences your actions and how you care for them. But remember that they can feel your love, and they will love you right back.
Keeping your house clean is a necessity, but so is keeping your pet healthy and safe. Try some of our nontoxic household cleaning products that are safe for animals!
How to Thicken Your Soap
• Making Castile Soap thicker is possible but not necessary for other liquid products.
• To thicken MamaSuds Castile Soap, pour 8 oz in a separate container, heat 1 oz of water with 1/4 tsp of kosher salt and slowly pour in while stirring soap.
• Be careful not to add too much salt solution as it will cause a chemical reaction and curdle soap.
Threats That Every New Gardener Should Watch Out For
Taking up gardening can be a wonderful endeavor that gets you outside and using your hands. However, it’s more than just digging and planting. When starting a garden, it’s important to be aware of any ways your garden may be harmed.
Pests
An easy way to keep pest populations under control is to attract their natural predators. Some spiders and insects, including ladybugs, wasps, and lacewings, prey on the insects damaging your plants. To attract them consider adding plants such as dill, fennel, or coriander.
There are several other natural deterrents that can be used to keep pests away. For example, slugs and snails can be kept at bay by adding crushed eggshells below your plants. Many insects are also deterred by smells. The scents of mint, lavender, citronella, basil, lemon grass, and many others drive insects away. As an added bonus, some of these smells also attract pests’ natural predators.
Diseases
Most diseases in your garden will be fairly easy to spot. They present themselves in the form of discolored leaves, spotting, wilting, and mildew. Avoiding diseases in plants begins with prevention. Have your soil tested before planting. Use disease resistant varieties. As your garden grows, regularly trim and remove weeds to give plants plenty of room for air circulation. Monitor weather conditions as many diseases thrive with excess moisture.
If you grow corn in your garden for the fall, there are several diseases you should watch out for. Most diseases affecting corn impact the leaves of corn. These include gray leaf spot, common rust, and corn leaf blight. These types of diseases can be prevented by proper seed selection and treatment as well as regular fungicide application during the growing season.
Improper Maintenance
One of the most important parts of gardening is properly maintaining your plants. Your garden can begin to fail if plants get too much sun, too much water, or even too much fertilizer. It’s important to be well educated about your plants and their needs. Ensure that your plants are being placed in nutrient rich soil. Inspect your plants regularly for discoloration or disease. Remove any dead leaves or buds from your plants. Be sure to weed often to help repel pests.
Gardening takes a constant and consistent effort, but as long as you are vigilant your garden can thrive. Keep an eye out for pests and diseases and take the time to address them. Most importantly, do plenty of research on how to best care for the plants in your garden.
Read this next for more great tips: How to Deal with Weeds in Your Organic Garden