The Science of Chemical-Free Cleaning

If you have children, than you know that the sheer abundance of messes created by them is endless.  Sometimes I scratch my head in bewilderment, perplexed at how my son can get berries on my daughter’s swing during breakfast or rub diaper cream all over his legs in the short amount of time it takes me to get his clothes ready for school. Over 90% of the cleaning products in our home are safe, natural, and eco-friendly.  And while they’re effective at what they’re designed to clean, I often feel like I need several different formulations, depending on what I want to clean or where I want to clean it.

Earlier this year, I was invited to the Natural Products Expo in Southern California.  The invite mentioned that Bill Nye the Science Guy would be in attendance, discussing the science behind an innovative new cleaning tool called the ionator HOM.  This hand held appliance uses ionizing technology to convert ordinary tap water into a cleaner and sanitizer.  This could very well be the only cleaning product you’ll ever need (apart from a heavy-duty cleaner for tough dirt and stains).

The ionator HOM is capable of cleaning mirrors, stainless steel, wood, whiteboards, granite, glass, carpet, clothing, tile and more.  What makes the product so distinct (and appealing to this germaphobe of a mom) is it’s ability to kill 99.9% of harmful bacteria including H1N1 influenza A virus, Salmonella, MRSA, and E. coli.  How it does this, I’m not entirely sure.  But you can check out the Activeion website to watch Bill Nye the Science Guy discuss the technology behind ionator HOM.

In essence, electrically charged ionized water attracts dirt like a magnet to help lift if from the surface, allowing it to be wiped away.  In six seconds, nearly any nonporous surface can be clean AND microbe-free.  The Activeion technology is irreversible and completely breaks down the walls of bacterial cells, pathogenic viruses, and other germs…hence it’s disinfecting power.

Using the ionator HOM is so easy, it’s hard to believe that it’s actually working.  You simply fill the device with tap water (not distilled or purified water).  It’s recommended that surfaces be pre-cleaned, particularly if they’re heavily soiled and you want to disinfect.  You simply spray at a distance of 3-4 inches for 6 seconds and wipe dry with a clean cloth.

Use it on any room and any surface.

The ionator HOM doesn’t use chemicals, which means there are no residues, smells, or harmful ingredients.  Its healthy for you, your family, and the environment.  While I do find the price to be  steep at $179.99, it’s justifiable, considering that you’ll not likely have to invest in other cleaning products.  Here is a video I made demonstrating the ionator HOM:

For more information about ionator HOM, just visit their website!

No compensation was received for this post.  A product sample was provided via MomSelect to facilitate this review.

Cleaning Made Easy *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Karen Luedy. Congrats!

There are a lot of household chores I don’t mind doing.  Dishes…just rinse and let the dishwasher do it’s magic. Throw the clothes in the washer and let the machine get all of the stains out.  Mopping and vacuuming…at least I burn a few extra calories. But the bathrooms?  UGH!  My husband and I “take turns” cleaning the shower and the toilets…our two least favorite cleaning activities.  It’s never a quick or easy feat scrubbing soap and mildew off.

While I primarily use eco-friendly cleaners, there are occasions when I turn to products like Scrubbing Bubbles if I can’t get something clean (which most often occurs in the bathroom).  And the reality is, because neither my husband or I particularly enjoy cleaning the bathrooms, we want products that are going to get the job done ASAP.

Scrubbing Bubbles recently introduced their Extend-A-Clean Power Sprayer, which includes a one-touch continuous sprayer that provides better coverage for the bathroom (I actually use it in the kitchen around the sinks as well).  The cleaners work for days and you can purchase refills for the reusable Power Sprayer.  In essence, their cleaners work to keep your bathroom cleaner longer (up to four days) via an invisible grime barrier that is activated when the surfaces get wet.

I’m not typically a fan of cleaning products with scent, however, the fruity scent is mild enough to be tolerable. The thing I like best about this cleaner is that I don’t have to spend as much time scrubbing to get the grime off.  I can spray it on surfaces, walk away while it works on dirt, then come back and use a brush to complete the cleaning process.  You can use Scrubbing Bubbles on tiles, tubs, sinks, showers, countertops. and fixtures.  Be sure to read the label for surfaces that wouldn’t be appropriate for the product.

Win It! One of you will win a Minimize Morning Madness Gift Basket which includes the Extend-A-Clean Power Sprayer, Starbucks Via, mug, travel alarm clock and AquaNotes.  Simply leave me a comment with something you learned on their website. Comments will close on July 5, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn. Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.  I received a gift basket, courtesy of the company.

Keeping An Allergen-Free Home

My husband loves it when I clean the house (which is less often that we’d both like these days with two kidlets running around).  But finding the time to clean it from top to bottom (literally) is a challenge.  More often than not, sections of the house get cleaned…just in time for other areas to get dirty.

For some parts of the country, allergy season is still very much a problem.  Bedding, stuffed animals, and carpet can house bacteria, mildew, and dust mites, making it essential to take the necessary steps to keep them at bay.  With environmental allergies affecting all of us, we take several steps to keep our home clean and allergen-free.

1.  We encase our pillows and mattresses with covers from Aller-Ease.

2.  We regularly wash our sheets, pillow-cases, and comforters.

3. We regularly wash my son’s stuffed animals

4.  We regularly change our air filter (usually when the seasons change) (Filtrete’s Elite Allergen Reduction filter from 3M can capture pollen, smoke, dust mite debris, and pet dander from the air).

5.  We use a vacuum with a HEPA filter

6.  We My husband dusts everything (including fixtures) since I’m allergic to dust

3M, the makers of Filtrete Filters created the Clean Air Club which offers filter change reminders and home living tips.  You can sign up for free on their site.

What tips do you have for reducing the allergens in your home?

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Filtrete and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Spring Cleaning With Oreck *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Jennifer P!  CONGRATS!

We still have at least 6 more weeks of winter, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek at my next series.  One of my New Year’s resolutions is to get the house clean and organized.  Over the weekend I hosted a party (which I’ll tell you more about very soon!).  My husband and I spent Saturday cleaning the downstairs area for the party and it looks fantastic.  Now if I can get motivated to finish the upstairs…

Amanda, Tanya, and I have joined forces once again to help you get clean and organized this year!  And maybe in the process MY house will be clean and organized!   This year, my series is not going to be as heavily focused on products, but rather practical ways to achieve your goals this spring.  And as a green mom, the products I do feature will be all-natural and safe enough to use around your children. The series doesn’t officially begin until March, however, I have a pre-series giveaway to get you excited about spring cleaning.

A vacuum is  a cleaning staple in any household.  One of the first things I look for in any vacuum is a HEPA (high efficiency particulate absorbing) filtration system.  Without one, the dust, dirt, and microbes simply get blown into the air. The Oreck XL Platinum Pilot vacuum has a HEPA filtration system that traps up to 99.9 percent of dust and allergens down to 0.3 microns.  My husband, son, and I all have allergies so this is an important feature for us.

I have to admit that when I did my research on the vacuum (before testing it out) and found out it uses a bag, I was a bit disappointed.  I remember my mom’s old vacuum and what a hassle it was for her to change the bags (it was messy for the most part). We have a bagless vacuum and I have to say that some of the dust particles do in fact get uplifted into the air when I empty it (which is why I do it outside or in the garage).  The Platinum Pilot actually uses self-sealing bags (a concept I’d never heard of before) which means you don’t have to be exposed to dirt, dust, and allergens.  While it is an added expense to purchase bags ($20-$35 for 8 bags), overall I think it’s a cleaner, healthier way to deal with the “stuff” that you vacuum up.  If you have pets, you definitely want self-sealing bags in order to help eliminate pet odors.  While I like to “see” what my vacuum has picked up, I’m more interested in keeping all of those microbes nicely packed away in a vacuum bag…to be disposed of!

Vacuums are heavy.  They also tend to be bulky which makes storing them a challenge.  At only 10 pounds, I can easily take the Platinum Pilot up and down the stairs to vacuum (I can even vacuum the stairs).  It has a slim design which makes it easy to store nicely in our closet downstairs.

I honestly didn’t realize the power behind this vacuum, especially considering how light and compact it is.  We have eco-friendly carpet with a bit of “shag” to it so it’s not the easiest to vacuum.  It traps dirt and dust which means it never really “looks” dirty.  But I know it gets dirty (we can fill up a bagless vacuum with one room).  The Platinum Pilot features a powerful, pile-lifting roller brush to help pull out embedded dirt, dust, allergens, dander, and pet hair. The vacuum also has an anti-microbial agent built into it (and on it) to inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria, mold, and mildew.

The vacuum handles well.  Not only is it extremely light in weight, it maneuvers well. The Platinum Pilot features 360° Glide technology (ball-joint and pivot connection) which means it tilts, twists, turns, and moves easily in hard to reach places (it even lies flat!).  The result is that I don’t have to spend nearly as much time going back to places I’ve missed with a handheld vacuum.

A vacuum is a big investment…one that needs careful consideration.  My personal feeling is that it should be effective at picking up and containing dirt, dust, etc., easy to use and maneuver, lightweight, and utilize HEPA filtration.

The Oreck XL Platinum Pilot Vacuum retails for $599 and also includes a lightweight handheld vacuum.  The company offers a 30-day risk-free trial period because they stand behind their products.  For additional information about the vacuum and it’s features, or to purchase the vacuum, simply visit their site.

Win It! One of you will win an Oreck XL Platinum Pilot Vacuum!  Simply check out their website, then come back and leave me a comment with a feature of the vacuum you like.  Comments will close on February 25, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Add the “Win an Oreck Platinum Pilot Vacuum” button to your sidebar.  Be sure it’s up for the duration of the giveaway.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

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Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways. Please include this button:

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

I did not receive compensation for this post. I received a product, courtesy of the company, in order to facilitate this review.

Swiffer Is Going Pink for October!

Earlier this year, I reviewed the Swiffer Sweeper (which is a fab little cleaning device that sweeps AND mops).  As you may know, October is Breast Cancer awareness month and for the first time, Swiffer is going Pink and offering limited edition Swiffer Dusters and Sweepers.  Proceeds will benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the funds will be used for education on self-examiniation, mammography, and the importance of an early detection plan.

As a nurse, a women, and a mom, breast cancer awareness is something I’m passionate about.  I support companies who direct their efforts towards research and funding to find a cure.  Swiffer is one of 35 participating P& G brands and you can find the new limited edition pink Swiffer Sweepers and  Swiffer Dusters in individual packaging as well as a new three-in-one pack.

So what is a Swiffer Sweeper? It’s like a broom and a mop all in one.  I like the fact that the product allows me to get under the refrigerator and into hard-to-reach corners.  The product comes with both dry and wet cloths which are disposable.  You can use the Swiffer Sweeper on most surfaces including linoleum, vinyl, creamic, and finished wood floors.

The Swiffer Sweeper retails for $10.99 (very reasonable) and the new limited edition products can be found at retailers nationwide.

It Cleans Itself…The Oven That Is!

Last weekend, hubby and I decided it was time for a little cleaning spree (again!).  Either I’m totally nesting (and it’s way too early for that), or I’m becoming slightly neurotic because I keep asking hubby to help me clean or organize something!

So, this week we decided it was time to clean the oven.  Now, if you would have asked me a few years ago how I was going to clean the oven, I would have told you that I (or my husband) was going to don a mask and gloves and attack it with deadly oven cleaner.  Have you smelled oven cleaner?  It’s awful and apparently toxic.  And getting down on my hands and knees to scrub our new oven is not really an option for me at 6 1/2 months pregnant.  Thankfully, our Frigidaire Gallery Range
comes built with a self-cleaning function.  Self-clean?  Yes…That was my question too!

Basically, an oven that cleans itself, uses very high temperatures, which eliminate soils completely or reduces them to a fine powdered ash so they can be wiped away with a damp cloth.  The range we are reviewing has 3 different self-cleaning cycles, depending on how dirty it is. We try not to let foods that are cooking drip (we use baking sheets if we think that is going to be an issue) so we set the timer for the 3-hour clean (you can also set a 2 or 4 hour-clean for light or heavy-duty cleaning). I like that I didn’t have to do anything to prepare the oven to clean itself.  In other words, it truly is a self-cleaning oven.  And because it wasn’t heavily soiled, I didn’t have to wipe away any residue.

One of the things I will mention is that when the oven is in it’s self-cleaning mode, there is an odor.  It smells like something is burning or cooking.  It’s not terrible, but it was enough that I decided to go upstairs and open some windows for ventilation.  When I woke up in the morning (we had set this to clean after dinner one night), the smell was gone.  I’ll most likely be setting our oven to clean while we’re away.

Because the oven is hot…really really hot, it locks itself (I really appreciate that aspect).  The manual has numerous precautions that should definitely be read up on, prior to using the self-clean option (like how to remove spills, what not to use on and inside the oven, what should be removed before cleaning, etc.).

So what about the top of the range?  Well….that’s easy.  Just remove the grates and clean with soap and water (or an approved cleaning agent).

Because Frigidaire’s Gallery line is all about how to save YOU time, I thought this feature was well worth making mention of.  How long does it take you to clean an oven?  Well, that’s how much time you now have to read, spend a little more time with your family or my favorite…sleep!

Seventh Generation Contest and Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Chrysa.  Congrats!

A week ago, I was sitting at a table with Amanda, Tanya, Liz, and Meghan from Seventh Generation.  I’ve been working with Meghan for many many months now and it was so amazing to finally meet her.  I told her I was pregnant (LOL…she could SEE that I was pregnant), we hugged and chatted and I thought to myself, these are the kinds of relationships I am making.

Before I even started working with Meghan and Seventh Generation, I used their products.  Many of you’ve read about my struggle with my son’s diaper rashes and how I finally happened upon Seventh Generation’s diapers (and now Training Pants) which I believe really solved that problem.  I also switched to their cleaning products when I found out I was pregnant with my son because I wanted to rid my household of toxic chemicals.  All this to say, many of the products you see here on my blog are ones we use in our home….either because we used them already or we started using them once we were introduced to them.

If you’re interested in reading any of my reviews, I can definitely point you in the right direction.  Right now, I have two incredible opportunities I’d like to share with you.

1. Seventh Generation is hosting an “Under the Sink Makeover Contest” which ends on August 14, 2009.  Here is what you need to do:  Seventh Generation asks that you reveal your best friend’s dirtiest secrets – those hiding under the kitchen sink, that is in order to enter. With the area under the kitchen sink as a family’s typical dumping ground for chemical products, Seventh Generation wants families nationwide to know about – and detox – this potentially hazardous area, usually within arm’s reach of kids.

The “Under the Sink Makeover Contest” is seeking nominations on www.SeventhGeneration.com/under-the-sink through August 14, for under the kitchen sink areas that are in desperate need of organization and detoxification. Submit a photo of the area under a friend’s sink and a 250-word description on why they deserve an under the sink makeover (e.g., she’s concerned for the health of her family and the environment, the area under her sink a toxic wasteland, she’s overwhelmed by the chaos of motherhood and wants to change but doesn’t know where to begin, etc.), for a chance to win great prizes.

One lucky grand prize winner will receive a package that includes:

· An in-home consultation at the friend’s house with Dr. Alan Greene, practicing pediatrician and specialist in green living

· A one year supply of Seventh Generation products for both the entrant and the friend in need

· A trip to New York City for the entrant and her friend that includes a one-night stay at the W New York – Times Square hotel

· A day of pampering at New York’s Green Spa that will include a Body Polish, Wellness Massage, Ocean Vegan Spa Manicure/Pedicure along with a one hour make-up application and lesson

Four other finalists and their friends will receive a Seventh Generation Living Home Starter Kit containing a variety of home-cleaning products for their own under the kitchen sink makeover, in addition to a luxurious Lavera home spa kit containing Lavera’s customer favorite BODY SPA shower gel, body scrub and bath salts, and premium LAVERÉ Anti-Aging body lotion to pamper themselves.

Win It! One of YOU will win a Seventh Generation Living Home Starter Kit.  I received this kit a few months back and a. LOVE it b. Still have products from the kit c.  Use them whenever I clean.  All you need to do is head on over to the site and take a look around.  Come back here and leave me a comment with a product you’d like to try.  Comments will close on August 19, 2009 at 10 PM PST.  One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Spread the word about the contest.  You can blog, share on Facebook, etc.

Submit an entry to the Under the Sink Makeover Contest.

Disclosure:  The information for the contest and the giveaway were both provided by Seventh Generation.

The 3 Second Clean!

Every day it’s the same.  One of us cooks, we eat, our toddler throws spills all some of his food on the floor, I we clean up.  The “cleaning up” part is the most monotonous and time-consuming, especially at the end of a long day.  If the mess encompasses more than just a small area, we have to break out the “big” vacuum.  Well, thanks to Vroom, we don’t have to break out the big vacuum as often!

I recently had a fabulous opportunity to check out the brand-new Vroom Solo vacuum!  Before I go into my review, here is a little more information from the company:

This small, but powerful, vacuum can clean up a mess in less time than it takes to find a broom or go get the cleaning supplies. Vroom installs in kitchen and bathroom cabinets or under the counter in workrooms so you won’t ever have to go looking for it. Vroom is always there, always convenient and an auto on/off means it’s ready when you need it. And with up to 24 ft. of retractable hose, Vroom goes a long way towards making your life easier!

The first thing we had to do was install it in one of our cabinets under the sink.  I left that task to my husband, which took him approximately 30 minutes.  He said it was fairly easy to install with minimal tools required for the actual installation.  If you don’t have a super savvy guy to install it for ya (love ya hubby!), you can go online to find a dealer who will install it.    And while we’re talking about installation, I should note that it doesn’t have to be installed underneath your kitchen sink. It will fit standard kitchen and bathroom cabinets and makes a great clean-up tool for the garage, laundry room, or basement!  The Vroom Solo comes with it’s own power source and plugs into an electrical outlet which makes it very versatile.

Once my husband installed it, I was anxious to try it out.  Check out the video review I did:

The Vroom Solo cleans up messes in seconds.  I can actually do my entire kitchen floor and the counters quickly without using the “big” vacuum.  The Vroom Solo will easily pick up everything from my toddlers smooshed Cheerios to the glass I broke the other day.  I like the fact that I can also get in my utensil drawers where crumbs seem to magically accumulate. Here are a few more features you may be interested in:

Vroom…It’s Coming! Virtual Tweetup Tonight!!!

My review for the brand-new Vroom is almost ready!  But I didn’t want to delay in letting you know that TONIGHT…in one hour…there will be a virtual Tweetup (follow hashtag #vroomvac). They will be talking about tips and challenges to keeping a clean house Two Vroom Solos will be given away so be sure to follow @vroomvac!  See ya there!

March Spring Cleaning Event

Whew…the Potty Party has finally come to an end, but that doesn’t mean that the fun stops there!  I have some exciting news for you.  Winter is quickly passing us by (although we have had our share of wind, rain, storms and snow in the mountains) and that means spring is on the horizon.  I don’t know about you but since we’ve moved into the house there is a ton of cleaning and organization still left to be done.  Starting March 2, I’ve teamed up with 2 awesome bloggers, Mommy Mandy and Mommy Goggles,  to present to you a Spring Cleaning Event.  Not only will there be tips and product picks, but the giveaways are AWESOME!  Come back in 1 week and join the fun!  BTW…I’d love to see your spring cleaning projects and tips so sign Mr. Linky if you’d like to participate. Hoover Platinum Collection Giveaway (ends March 31) Stinky Carpets Are So Yesterday My Green and Clean Bathroom (giveaway) (ends March 17) Shaklee (giveaway) (ends March 19) Woolite Power Shot (giveaway) (ends March 23) Perfect Curve (giveaway) (ends March 23) Clorox Decor Canisters (giveaway) (ends March 27) Windex Outdoor All-In-One (giveaway) (ends March 29) Steamboy Steam Floor Mop (giveaway) (ends March 30) Skoy Cloth (giveaway) (ends April 2) Swiffer Sweeper (giveaway) (ends April 3) Mabel’s Labels (giveaway) (ends April 4) Febreze Destinations Collection (giveaway) (ends April 5) Dial (giveaway)  (ends April 14) E-Cloth (giveaway)  (ends April 14)

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