Category Archives: Cleaning products

cleaning products on market and tips on how to use them

Deadly Bleach

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Bleach has been used in households for ages and is still enjoying popularity amongst other cleaning products. In fact, some claim that it is irreplaceable. However recent studies and experiments proved that bleach is a very dangerous chemical and one that should not be used at all. Unfortunately, nowadays it is often used mixed with chlorine or sold under different labels.

Around a quarter of emergency calls from household accidents epicenters are chlorine and bleach related. While chlorine isn’t toxic to the body, the chemical reactions that often happen while using it produce extremely toxic products. These build up in the environment, cause dangers to the water supply, kill fish, harm animals, and enters our bodies through the food chain.

Bleach is also the cause of serious health problems. It is especially dangerous for people with allergies and asthma but can be the cause of respiratory problems, burned skin, and even damage to the nervous system. Often, the danger occurs not from the bleach or chlorine directly but from chemical reactions that occur when those are mixed with other products.

• Many people unknowingly mix chlorine with dish soap while cleaning the kitchen. This produces mustard gas, the same gas used to kill many people during World War I.
• Chlorine is also easily mixed with ammonia. The results of this cocktail is a toxic gas which may even stop lungs functioning in severe cases. Generally you will be able to see the fumes, but be aware as sometimes, they will remain invisible and you may not realize your are breathing in a potentially life threatening gas. We can carelessly create this reaction by mixing cleaning products or even cleaning toilet as our urine contains ammonia too.
• Chlorine also mixes with organic matter creating chloroform. This can happen in the house, while cleaning, but also outside of the house when mixed with organics in the environment. These reactions build toxin beyond your doors, neighborhood or even state borders.

There are always safer alternatives to bleach so follow our blog to find out more about this and for the time being, throw away that so familiar bleach bottle and turn away when you see it tempting you from supermarket shelves.

Cleaning your bathroom

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1209273_bathroomWe use our bathrooms everyday, therefore it is one of the most favourite places for bacteria to spread. Cleaning your bathroom should not be a hard work if done properly and regularly and you do not even need to invest in expensive products. You can do wonders by using the contents of your kitchen cupboard.

Bathtub. Give attention to your bathtub as you use it every day and so the right amount of time must be spent on cleaning it. Firstly give it a good rinse. If you have a shower curtain, remove it and wash it separately. Then sprinkle baking soda over the wet surface of the tub. The moisture from the rinse helps the baking soda stick to the tub. Use a stiff scrub brush to scrub the tub. The baking soda will form a paste with the water and act as an abrasive to remove mildew and stains. Scrub it off. Then dip a sponge with a green scrubby attached into some vinegar and continue scrubbing the tub. The vinegar is a disinfectant, and it will activate the baking soda to help remove stains even more. Rinse the baking soda and vinegar off the tub.

Cleaning a Bathroom Sink. It is important to clean sinks regularly to avoid spread of harmful bacteria.
Vinegar works wonders. Fill a small bucket half way with vinegar, and soak toothbrush holders, razors and razor holders, and anything else you keep on your bathroom sink that’s been covered with toothpaste, soap, and water spots. Vinegar descales and dissolves water spots and soap residues almost instantly. Soak the entire surface of the sink with vinegar using a sponge and leave for a little while, maybe 5 minutes. Scrub the entire surface of the sink from the top, down. There is no reason to rinse the vinegar off. Simply wipe everything dry. Scrub the items you’ve been soaking and dry them off without rinsing them in water as well.

Bathroom Tiles. Different tiles will need different products so always be aware and careful. For cleaning ceramic, porcelain, or glass bathroom tiles you’ll need soft sponge, vinegar in a spray bottle, salt, baking soda, lemon juice and warm water. Spray vinegar on the tiles and scrub with a damp sponge. There’s no need to rinse the vinegar away; it will evaporate and leave no residue or smell. If the tiles are still dirty, mix water, baking soda, and salt in equal parts. Rub this paste onto the tile with the sponge. When done, rinse out the sponge and use it to remove the paste residue from the tile. Then dip rinsed sponge in lemon juice and coat the tile. This will remove traces of soap and oils and make the tile look shiny. This also does not need to be rinsed off.

If you are cleaning tiled floors, simply mop the floor with soapy water and let it air dry.

Winter cleaning

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We are all familiar with term “spring clean” and surely everyone will agree that a deep clean is a must in each household at least annually. But how about preparing your house for winter?

Living in a region with changing seasons, like Britain where winters get cold, it is very likely that your home will be closed up all winter long therefore winter clean is just as important as spring clean. First reason is of course health. The second reason is because with the holiday season, you will most probably be a host to lots of parties. Last but not least, for most people Christmas season brings more stuff into the house; presents as well as dirt and germs. Clean now to prepare for these unwelcome additions and keep your mind at rest.

We have listed a few of the “musts ” for winter deep cleaning.

1. Clean your skirting boards. We always vacuum, steam clean our carpets, sweep and mop floors, scrub tiles…but often neglect the skirting boards. It is easy enough. First vacuum the area with your attachment, or rather the hose, then use a mild solution to wipe them down.

2. Clean the air vents. Those will give you unnecessary dust if neglected. Unscrew them from the wall if you can, remove, clean them well and put them back on. Makes a big difference. Remember you will have a sealed house for the winter and the heat on almost constantly.

3. Dust ceiling and freestanding fans. Dirty fans will blow dust around once heated so please pay attention to them. Turn the ceiling fan off, stand on a chair or small ladder, and wipe the blades down with whatever solution is appropriate for the material the fan is made of. Wipe the top of the blade, and not just the edges. Take apart a freestanding fan by unscrewing the cage around the fan if needed. Reassemble and resume use after cleaning carefully.

4. Vacuum your upholstery. If you have pets, perhaps you do this regularly, but for those of us who don’t, we sometimes neglect this. Take the cushions off after you vacuum those, and clean underneath.

5. Sanitize the trash cans. Scrub and rinse them inside and out. Doing this outside with the hose works well, if you’re still able to go outside and not freeze your fingers!

6.Twice a year (summer and winter), you should clean all of the mattresses in the house to keep dust mites under control. Vacuum the top of the mattress, move the mattress and vacuum the box springs, then flip the mattress and vacuum the new top of the mattress. For further protection add an allergenic mattress pad and wash your sheets in hot water.

Pay extra attention to humidity of your house. Perhaps it’s worth investing in humidifier now or using alternative methods such as bowl of boiled water. The air will get very dry with your windows shut through the winter and that heating on.

Health & Safety- How to use cleaning products

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When you work with chemicals on a daily basis, it is easy to forget just how dangerous these products can be. The tendency is to forget to treat them with the respect they deserve, and painful injuries are often the result.

Cleaning products are a good example. Most of us use cleaning products fairly frequently, at work and at home. But how many of us actually bother reading the directions or product contents? How many of us use rubber gloves or splash goggles?

Having your hands wet for a long time or having them frequently wet during the day can irritate your skin leading to dermatitis.
Some ingredients in cleaning products can cause skin allergies and asthma. Also, some cleaning products are corrosive and can cause skin burns and eye damage.
Acids and bases are all corrosive, and most cleaners are composed of acids and bases. Think about it: when cleaning, you’re trying to “eat” away the dirt and grime. Most likely, the more effective a product is at eating away the dirt, the more effective it will be at eating away the skin on your hands. It will also do more damage if accidentally splashed in your eyes.

Cleaning products can also be extremely reactive when mixed. Bleach, when mixed with any product containing ammonia (or visa versa), will react to produce deadly chlorine gas. NEVER MIX CHEMICALS, ESPECIALLY CLEANING PRODUCTS. Some people think that if something works well by itself, it might work even better if combined with something else….. Wrong!!! Even emptying a mop bucket with an ammonia containing product into the sink, followed by a sponge full of bleach, can produce enough chlorine gas to be dangerous.

Take whatever steps are necessary to avoid mixing cleaning products. Always run clean water through a drain after dumping any sort of cleaning product down it. Wear rubber gloves, especially when using industrial strength cleaners. If there’s any chance of getting a splash in the eye, wear protective goggles. If you do get a chemical splashed in your eye, wash it with clean water for at least 15 minutes.

Always use common sense to protect yourself, and treat all chemicals with the respect they deserve.

Cleaning Marble

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Marble is a metamorphic rock. It is formed from limestone that has gone through a process of recrystallisation through heat or pressure. This gives it a dense crystalline structure that makes a polished surface possible.


668721_marble stairMarble tiles could be used and installed in bathrooms, hallways, pathways, and in many other home locations. One common use for marble tiles is for the flooring. Like all stone, marble is both heavy and brittle. When these factors are combined with poor handling or internal weakness, the marble is liable to break.

Marble can also be damaged if it is exposed to acids and strong alkalis. Apart from distilled water, the solvents mentioned below are all listed on the COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Register. It is very important to read the instructions and hazard labels before you use these .

– Distilled water – available from DIY stores and chemists, used to clean and as a neutral rinse.

– White spirit – good for removing waxes and oily dirt, available from DIY and hardware stores.

– 2% non-ionic detergent – available from chemists.

Gloves (plastic or Nitrile, not fabric) should be worn to protect the hands, work should be carried out in a very well ventilated area, and the minimum amount of solvent should be used.

To ensure safe handling of solvents, decant small quantities for use into glass or ceramic containers – this prevents contaminating your bulk supply. Label small quantities of solvent (use the bulk container as a guide) and store all solvents appropriately (e.g. out of reach of children and away from sources of ignition etc.).

Avoid using bleach on marble: it does not remove stains and may change its colour or chemically react to fix the stain permanently. Bathroom cleaners often contain harsh abrasives, are acidic (to help remove limescale) and have a range of additives designed to improve their cleaning performance. Spray cleaners have similar ingredients.

All proprietary cleaners of this type can damage marble, and can ‘skin’ the surface, which will then be visible as dull patches. Polishing with abrasives may increase the sheen, but also removes the surface of the marble, damaging pieces of historical or monetary value.

Although it seems like hard work, marble creates a very elegant, sophisticated and classy look to your home, office or any particular room in any building. It is certainly worth the extra effort spent on its maintenance!

Micro-fibre cloths: cleaning with no chemicals

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e-cloth1Would you like to have a product that can clean you house as well as being kind to your family and the environment and saving you money and time? We have the answer you were looking for: micro-fibre cloths.

There is a growing number of people turning their backs on traditional household chemicals. Call it health reasons or money saving, people are discovering the advantages of the micro-fibre cloth. Can you imagine a cloth that can clean your surfaces with just water and leave them free of grease, dirt and bacteria? Well, it exists! Here at http://www.amycleaning.co.uk we have some clients that had made the swap to the micro-fibre cloths and their cleaners are surprised about the possibilities this type of cleaning offers.

Micro-fibre cloths are made of nylon and polyester on different quantities. The fibres are 1/100th the width of a human hair (that is why they are so soft!) and they clean by breaking up and absorbing the dirt and bacteria from the surfaces.

On the market you can find heavy duty cloths, for cleaning thick dirt, lighter weight cloths (good for cleaning windows) and even a mop set! So you can keep your house clean with just a little bit of warm water and a micro-fibre cloth.

Do not think about their price (they cost more than normal cloths) as they can last around 300 washes; so they will be with you for months to come. Give it a try and let us know how it went!

House-hold chemicals recipes revisited

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Our post on home made cleaners has proved to be a success for the customers at http://www.amycleaning.co.uk. It looks like people are getting more concern about the environment and how our acts can damage it. So here you can find some more “green recipes” to help you do your bit for the environment!

Cleaning tile floors:

– 1 cup vinegar

– 1 bucket of hot water

– Mix and apply. Wipe clean

Pots and Pans:

– 3 tablespoons of baking soda

– Some salt

– Water

– Mix the ingredients to form a paste. Dip a sponge into it and rub onto the metal. Let dry. Rinse with hot water.

Mold killer:

– 2 teaspoon of tea tree oil

– 2 cups of water

– Mix and put in a spray bottle. Spray on problem areas. Do not rinse.

Stainless steel polish:

– Undiluted white vinegar or olive oil

We hope these recipes are good enough for the new  “green alchemists” and let us know your experience!

Recipes for home-made cleaners

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Here are some recipes for home-made chemicals that will help you keep your home sparkling clean!

ALL PURPOSE CLEANER

1 teaspoon borax

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoon vinegar

1/4 teaspoon washing up liquid

2 cup hot water

Mix all ingredients and use on multiple surfaces when needed (you can use lemon instead of vinegar to leave a nice fragrance).

MICROWAVE CLEANER

2 teaspoon baking soda or lemon juice

1 cup water (on a microwave-safe bowl)

Heat for five minutes or until the liquid boils and condensation builds up inside the microwave. Wipe down.

GLASS CLEANER

1 litre water

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/2 teaspoon washing up liquid

Mix all ingredients and add to a spray bottle. Use when required.

FURNITURE POLISH

1 cup vegetable oil or olive oil

1/2 cup lemon juice

Put ingredients in a spray bottle, mix well and apply a small amount to a cloth.

OVEN CLEANER

1 cup baking soda

Water

1 teaspoon washing up liquid

Sprinkle the oven with water. Cover with baking soda. Sprinkle with some more water. Let the mixture work for a while. Wipe with a cloth and finish cleaning the oven with a little bit of washing up liquid and a sponge.

Household chemicals and pets

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Which chemicals can you use when having pets at home? Is there any household chemical that can cause damage to your pet?

We surely know of a lot of people that have cats or dogs or other pets at home. Maybe even you have one! We always need to be worried about the chemicals that we purchased to minimize the danger around our house when having our loving pets around.

It is true that any chemical that you may have in your household could be extremely toxic, not only to animals but to us as well. But it all depends on how we make use of them.

Let us see some chemicals that could be a potential danger for your pets:

1-Pine oil based products: It is well known that cats are very sensitive to phenol based products. So before buying any disinfectant double check the label to make sure there will be no harm.

2-Pest sprays: It takes only a mouse to touch the still wet spray and your cat to catch the mouse to have a serious accident. Make sure that when you use this sprays, you wait until it is dry to let your cat into the room.

3-Chlorine bleach based toilet cleaner: We know that a strong chemical will be great to clean the lime scale on the toilet. But if your dog is used to drink on the toilet bowl from time to time, this kind of chemicals can caused him really strong stomach-aches and diarrhea. The same will happen if you use toilet cleaning tablets.

4-Carpet deodorizer: It is fine to use it, as long as you keep your pet away from the room until it gets dry.

5-Febreeze: There have been a lot of rumors about this product. A lot of people will agree that this chemical can cause serious illnesses to our pets, from liver problems to even death. But nothing has been proofed yet, and still there are many veterinaries that do not consider Febreeze stronger than any other household chemicals. On this one, I leave the decision with you. I do not consider myself a “green” person but I always thought that opening the windows is better than using chemicals to hide unwanted odors…

You can see from this small list that it could be very easy to put the health of our pets in danger without even being aware of it. How can we change this? Well, the key to success in this matter is to read and follow the labels for proper use. Every chemical is a potential danger if we do not follow instructions of use.

 

The chemicals list: what do I need to have in my house.

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Here you can find some advise on the necessary chemicals and utensils to have in your house for the weekly cleaning. Whether it is your domestic cleaner or yourself doing the house work, there are always some essential tools to get the best results.

We can make a difference between “the essentials” and “the advance option”, depending on your preferences. If you are not a cleaning maniac and consider other parts of your life more important than having your silver cleaned every week, then the “essentials list” would be enough for you. If, on the other hand, you take care of your house as if it was a golden chamber, then it would be better to add some extra chemicals/tools that will add up sparkle to your cleaning life.

Let’s go with the “essentials list” first:

  1. Gloves. Do not expect your domestic cleaner to brush your toilet without them; it is not only disgusting but a health and safety risk. If you do not want your house cleaner to use your washing up gloves, buy another pair for her.
  2. A vacuum cleaner. This will not be used on carpet only, but all floors around the house. It is quicker than the broom, thus saving time for the cleaner to do other things around the house. Remember that every vacuum is a different world so do not leave your cleaner to explore it without you; give her some tips on how to use it and how to change the bag!
  3. A broom. It is always advisable to have a back up plan in case the vacuum cleaner breaks down.
  4. A dustpan. If you have a broom you will definitely need a dustpan.
  5. A mop. Cleaning the kitchen and bathroom floor on your knees is not easy. Having a proper mop and bucket will ease the job enormously.
  6. Several dishcloths. We are again talking about Health and Safety. Your domestic cleaner will need to use different cloths for each task and room (it would be better if they are color coded), otherwise we can create cross contamination, putting your health in danger.
  7. Yellow duster. It is the cheapest cloth you can buy on the market, and the best one to do the dusting and polish the furniture. You can wash them and re-use them with no problem.
  8. Nylon cleaning pads. They work much better than sponges to clean stubborn stains but they do not scratch the surfaces.
  9. Bin liners.
  10. Kitchen towels. They absorb the water extremely well and are great to clean glass and shiny surfaces. It will help your domestic cleaner and will leave your house like you have never seen it before!
  11. Wood or laminate floor cleaner.
  12. Glass cleaner.
  13. Toilet cleaner.
  14. Oven cleaner.
  15. All purpose anti bacterial cleaner. You can buy bathroom and kitchen cleaner if you prefer.
  16. Furniture polish-wax free.
  17. Limescale remover.
  18. Hob cream cleaner.

What about the “Deluxe” list? Apart from the chemicals and utensils listed above you will need to add this ones:

  1. Micro fibre cloths. The best thing about them is that you can clean your windows with no chemical at all! They are a little bit more expensive but they are re-usable, so at the end you are saving money.
  2. Lambswool flick duster. It attracts dust the best and you can reach high corners and top of wardrobes and doors.
  3. Silver cleaner.
  4. Granite and marble cleaner.
  5. Wax polisher. For wooden furniture and antiques.
  6. Degreasing cleaning spray. Very useful for the kitchen; it does not only clean but takes the grease out of wardrobes and surfaces.

Every house is different and people’s preferences change with time, so do not take this lists as a must have. It is always advisable to share the list with your domestic cleaner and see if she is comfortable with the list.