Spring is coming and that means Spring cleaning! Here are some fun, safe, and money saving ideas for spring cleaning.
Plants help filter your indoor air. They're simple, inexpensive, and quite effective at filtering your indoor air. According to a study by NASA, they not only turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, they absorb harmful pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde and/or trichloroethylene.
STOP using plug in air fresheners and sprays. More and more people are creating such a toxic level of pollutants in their home simply by trying to make it smell better. Try some simple inexpensive ways to decrease the smell and increase your happiness.
Now that it's getting warmer outside, open your windows — even if it's a little brisk outside.
Slightly simmer cinnamon, cloves and orange peel in water on your stove top. CAUTION: do not leave your home with this still on the burner.
Baking soda absorbs odors and white vinegar removes odors naturally.
Essential oils diluted in water is a natural way to freshen the air. Mix them in a spray bottle and mist only in hard surface areas. It's not recommended you apply these directly to textiles or upholstery.
Burning soy or beeswax candles is a great way to enjoy candle light and not emit VOC's like most chemically based candles.
Just like air fresheners... STOP using over-the-counter carpet cleaners.They're just not as effective and they're filled with soaps that simply leave behind residue, attracting more soil and creating a mess of your carpet and upholstery. If you do have spills, spots, or pet urine stains you are concerned with, try just taking a damp white terry cloth towel and blotting the area. For areas with an odor concern, try applying an equally mixed water and white vinegar recipe mixed in a spray bottle. Don't over saturate the carpet or upholstery and always lightly rinse with clear water. Remember to always use a white cloth. Colored cloths may transfer the color of the rag/towel directly to the carpet.
Have your carpets, upholstery, and drapery professionally cleaned. All 3 of these act as a natural air filter just like your HVAC system. It's important to keep them clean and free of dust, pollen, dust mites, germs, and bacteria and it's important to have it cleaned properly. Our system is self-contained and we use pre-treated softened water, enhancing the cleanability. Therefore, we're able to use mild cleaning agents to get better results. Our system also creates heat upwards of 220° F, killing bacteria, germs, and dust mites. It's then all extracted out and taken back to our in-plant cleaning facility where it's filtered and disposed of properly.
