Memphis Maids Blog

Household Cleaners: Damages They Can Cause

July 11, 2013 by admin

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With everyone going green these days it got me thinking, what exactly is in your typical household cleaner? What I found was astonishing! I’m still confused as to what exactly each of these chemicals is, but I learned enough to know what they are found in and what damage they can cause, for me that am enough! Here are just a few to start with.

• Formaldehyde – It’s found in spray deodorizers and is known to be a respiratory irritant. Doesn’t smell so great now, does it?
• Petroleum Solvents – Found in floor cleaners. This chemical causes damage to the mucous membranes.
• Chlorinated Phenols – This can be found in your toilet bowl cleaner. So after you get done scrubbing that toilet you might want to see your doctor and have your respiratory and circulatory systems checked. This cleaner causes harm to both.
• Diethylene Glycol – This nasty little chemical is in most window cleaners. Yes, it may get those windows shined but it also depresses the nervous system.
• Butyl Cellosolve – You can find this ingredient in our beloved all-purpose cleaners. We all love these types of cleaners because it tackles multiple surfaces that need cleaning. It’s also tackling your liver, kidneys, nervous system, damaging bone marrow and in some cases causing cancer. Talk about multiple purposes that are multiple risks to your health.

I bet your thinking twice now about what’s in your cleaning cabinet. All these hazardous chemicals can easily be replaces by safe and non-toxic products. The down side is that it’s hard to tell which product contains what. Most household cleaners contain these harmful chemicals. However the law does not make manufacturers list their damaging recipes or ingredients on their product. Basically the government is backing up the products that contain all these toxic chemicals and forgetting the health of all humans and our environment. I hope that after you have read this you will have a better understanding what’s being used in your home and the damage they can cause.

The Power of Baking Soda!

July 11, 2013 by admin

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Baking soda has become a must have item any everyone’s home. It’s not just for baking or just popping a box in the fridge, although it does help to keep food fresh. I have a compiled a list of ways you can use baking soda. Here’s to the power of baking soda and its many uses!

1. Drains/Pipes – Sprinkle a little baking soda down your drains and let it work its magic. This will help unclog those pipes in no time at all.

2. Carpet Freshener – Lightly dust your carpet or rugs with a little baking soda, let sit for 15 minutes and then vacuum it up. This helps with any odors that may be hiding in your carpet.

3. Oven Cleaner – Toss a small amount around the bottom of your oven. Then spray a little water over the baking soda and let that sit overnight. The next morning wipe everywhere you see it needs cleaning.

4. Laundry – Throw in a very small amount with your next load of clothes. This is a really great way to getting your clothes super clean!

5. Dish washer – Add a small amount to the dish washer and let it run its cycle. This will not only clean your dish washer beautifully but will also help in cleaning out the pipes once it empties.

6. Trash Cans – Sprinkle a small amount into the garbage cans to help prevent any odors.

7. Cutting Boards – Scrub the cutting board with a tiny amount of baking soda and it will put an end to onion smells, garlic smells and much more.

8. Tupperware – Make a paste with baking soda and a little water and use this to scrub your Tupperware. You will notice all the stains are gone!

9. Diaper Genie/Pail – Throw some down in the bottom of your diaper pail and this will help rid of all lingering smells.

10. Grease Cleaner – Not only will this help put out grease fires but it will clean up the mess that grease caused.

So now you have a list of just some of the ways that baking soda can be used throughout your home. This is a cheap and safe way to clean; the power of baking soda can go on and on.

Go Green: 3 Reasons Why You Should!

July 11, 2013 by admin

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Have you ever stopped to think what exactly you are spraying when doing your daily cleaning? If not then you should. You are spraying toxic chemicals into the air in which not just you but your family and pets breathe in. These chemicals have been known to cause allergic reactions, breathing problems, and it can even go as far as cancer. Here I’m going to share just 3 reasons why you should go green!

1. Money
With prices jumping up all around us going green will save you green. By purchasing eco-friendly products that tackle multiple jobs, there’s no need to purchase anything else. This allows you to handle more cleaning and less cleaners, leaving less to buy.

2. Your Environment
Since you have chosen to go green you have also chosen to take a stand for your environment as well! Most of all green cleaners have safe and toxic free ingredients that won’t harm the air or the environment. It’s just a small part that we can all take in helping!

3. Health
Many of those cleaners that you spray contain very harsh and extremely harmful chemicals. Those chemicals can linger in the air for months. Some ingredients in your regular cleaners have been known to cause cancer, allergic reactions, and respiratory issues. The faster you go green the faster your family will be protected.

Have you been convinced to green? I sure hope so. Remembering these 3 tips will not only protect your health, the environment, and your wallet but will also leave you with a safe and clean home!

20 Ways to Use Vinegar

July 11, 2013 by admin

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It’s not just for sunburns or dying Easter eggs anymore. Vinegar is rapidly becoming popular to tackle just about any job imaginable. After my own personal use and tips from friends, I have gathered a list of just 20 ways to use vinegar. Its uses don’t stop here. This stuff can be used for skin care, insect bites and repellent, cooking, the list goes on and on.
Here are my top 20 uses of vinegar that can be useful in your home:

1. Clean and disinfects toys
2. Cleans counter tops
3. Cleans away dust off computers with a q tip
4. Takes stickers off surfaces
5. Vanishes stains from pots and pans
6. Dissolves mineral deposits in shower heads
7. Eliminates carpet stains
8. Cleans grout
9. Disinfects and deodorizes refrigerators
10. Cleans coffee pots and its stains
11. Kills germs and bacteria on cutting boards
12. Water marks on wooden furniture
13. Removes stains from toilets
14. Takes crayon marks from clothing
15. Cleans mildew
16. Make your own all-purpose cleaner
17. Unclogs pipes and cleans drains with a little baking soda
18. Spray on wallpaper and peel away
19. Removes stains from Tupperware
20. Gets rid of residue in showers and bathtubs

Like I have mentioned vinegar can be used for just about anything in and outside your home. This is a one product wonder, no need for anything else! Best thing about it is that it’s cheap! So if you can stand the smell briefly you will love the results!