Is This Just a Fad?
If you think that going green - just green - is just another fad equated with the idea of hugging trees, saving whales and the rainforest, think again.
When looking at the big picture, since the post-Industrial Revolution or the commencement of the use and development of thousands of harmful, toxic chemicals, we see that over the last few decades the tides have turned and many manufacturers are now focused on creating healthy, non-toxic, Eco-friendly cleaning products. Even when walking through the aisles of your local grocer or bulk warehouse there are countless green cleaning products to purchase.
The real fad, which started during the past millennium, is finally passing; the tides are slowly turning, with a return to traditional, natural cleaning solutions and methods that are better and safer for your health!
Healthy Living
Just Green Cleaning Co. is dedicated to serving our clients and promoting a healthy lifestyle that works toward a better overall quality of life.
By focusing on holistic, healthy living we take into account that what we do in one area of our lives has an affect on every other area; our mind, body and spirit are all connected by the choices that we make; or to put it rather simply, “the whole is more than the sum of its parts.”
We realize that everything we do has an impact on our health, from what we eat and drink to the air we breath; from how much exercise we get to how much sleep we get; from the amount of eustress to the amount of distress we respond to and cultivate in our lives; our attitudes, what we choose to do and so on.
Each of us can and should take full responsibility for the choices we make that impact our lives and the lives of others on a daily basis. Now it is up to you to decide how you want to live for yourself and for those around you.
Top Green Cleaning Tips:
- Employ green cleaning products
As the health and environmental impacts of conventional cleaning products become more thoroughly understood, more and more brands of healthy, green, and effective cleaning products have started hitting the market and competing for that coveted place of honor under your sink. Many of these products are non-toxic, biodegradable, and made from renewable resources (not petroleum). Home-mixed cleaners are the way to go and can get the job done and then some. Vinegar and baking soda mixed with water or together can be used to clean just about anything.
- Avoid poor indoor air quality
It is not uncommon for the air inside a home or office to be more toxic than the air outside. This is because of the presence of toxic materials and substances and the fact that homes and buildings are better insulated than ever before (which is a good thing from an energy standpoint). Keeping windows open as often as possible allows fresh air in and toxins flowing out.
- Be careful with antibacterial cleaners
The antibacterial and antimicrobial 'cleaners' that many people think are necessary, especially during cold season, don’t clean hands better than soap and water, and also add to the risk of breeding "super germs," bacteria that survive the chemical onslaught and have resistant offspring. The FDA has found that antibacterial soaps and hand cleansers do not work better than regular soap and water, and should be avoided.
- Help your home smell baking soda-licious
Baking soda not only removes those strange smells coming from your fridge, it's also a great odor-eliminator for carpet. Just sprinkle on a little baking soda to soak up some of those odors and then just vacuum it up.
- Clean your indoor air naturally
Skip the store-bought air fresheners and instead try boiling cinnamon, cloves, or any other herbs you have a fondness for. Fresh chocolate chip cookies also have been known to create a friendly aroma. Also, plants may not make your house smell different but are good for filtering interior air -- pretty much any broad green leaf plant will do - especially English Ivy, Peace Lilies, bamboo palm, spider, and ferns - all eat up indoor toxins, including formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, and cigarette smoke. English Ivy, which absorbs mold, has even been shown to significantly reduce asthma. We can’t think of a better reason to cultivate a green thumb.
- Toss toxic cleaners carefully
When replacing your cleaning products, don’t just throw the old ones in the trash. If they're too toxic for your home, they won’t be good for the drain or the landfill either. Many communities hold toxics & electronics recycling days and will take all of these off your hands. Throwing chemicals in the trash or down the drain means they might end up back in your water supply and come back to haunt you.
- Avoid conventional dry cleaners
Conventional dry cleaners are the largest users of the industrial solvent called Perchloroethylene, or perc, which is toxic to humans and also creates smog. The two most common green dry-cleaning methods are carbon dioxide cleaning and Green Earth. Seek out cleaners that use green methods. If you do take clothes to conventional cleaners, be sure to air them outside before wearing them or putting them in the closet.
- Employ a green cleaning service
For people who don’t have the time or energy to clean their own home or office - this is where Just Green Cleaning Co. comes in! Fortunately we take all the guesswork out of knowing what products, equipment and methods to use.
- Leave the toxins at the door
Imagine what gets on your shoes throughout the day. Bringing all that oil, tar, antifreeze, animal waste, particulate pollution, pollen, and who knows what else in is not good news, especially for kids and other critters that spend time at floor level. Keep the sidewalk out with a good doormat or a shoeless house policy. Many green buildings now include entryway track-off systems as a means of maintaining a healthy interior environment. Less dirt also means less sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming, which means less work, water, energy, and fewer chemicals.
- Design with clean in mind
Designing houses and other buildings with cleanability in mind can create spaces that are cleaner, healthier, and require fewer substances to maintain. In larger buildings, good cleanability can also be a big money-saver as cleaning costs can often add up to as much as half of a building’s total energy costs.
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