So, those home-owners making efforts to improve the air quality in their homes might want to look at going Green with their carpet choices. There are several environmentally-friendly carpet options available on the market.

Contrary to what you might think, eco-friendly carpet options are plentiful. Many consumers expected to find them to be unsightly or scratchy are surprised at the durable and chic options that exist today.

An even bigger surprise might be the fact that they are typically less expensive as well (which might be why you don’t frequently see them advertised). In addition to the carpet selection, environmentally-sensitive shoppers should also make sure to choose padding made of recycled and/or recyclable materials. Lastly, they should check with person laying the padding and carpet to make sure that Green adhesives are used during the installation process.

To bring the process full-circle, Green carpet buyers will be happy to know that when the life of their environmentally-friendly carpet has run its course, it can be recycled or, at the very least, will rapidly degrade in the landfill. So, reduce, reuse and recycle AND breathe easier the next time you replace your carpet.

1. Listen to music and DANCE TO EXERCISE YOUR BODY

Whether cranking up the volume to hear it throughout the house, or donning your iPod and earphones, pick music that makes you happy and makes you MOVE. That little extra pep in your step not only makes the time go faster, but burns extra calories. Don’t worry about getting caught; the witness probably does it, too!

2. Listen to an audio book to EXERCISE YOUR MIND

If music doesn’t inspire you, maybe a good story will. Audio books are downright addictive. While most people associate them with long trips, they can also take the sting out of household chores by distracting you and making the time fly. You might even start looking forward to weekly chores if you know that cliffhanger will be resolved.

3. Work together to EXERCISE FAMILY BONDING

We all like to pamper our families – especially our children – but we are doing them no favors if we don’t teach them how to contribute to a household. Sure, the assignments need to be age appropriate and allowances are perfectly acceptable, but the keys here are setting expectations and holding family members accountable. Working together can also lead to some great dialogue and candid moments that might surprise you.

4. Tackle one “overwhelming” project to EXERCISE PEACE

We all have “those areas.” You know them: The cluttered bathroom drawer; the couldn’t-possibly-fit-another-hanger-closet; or the cupboard in the kitchen with canned goods that expired three years ago. Pick one…just one…and tackle it. Once you start, you’ll be amazed at how immersed in the project you become. The feeling when you finish is incredible, as is the weight that is lifted off your shoulders. De-cluttering your home helps to de-clutter your life.

5. Donate some items to EXERCISE GENEROSITY

Any time you are cleaning, make it a habit to find at least one item that you no longer need and donate it to charity. Young children can participate in identifying items and helping you deliver them to your charity of choice. What could be less dreadful than that?

Improving the air quality in your home can improve your health

A variety of contaminants that have been shown to have the potential to negatively impact health can collect in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems of homes and offices. Mold, bacteria, fungi and dust particles are just a few examples of these undesirable irritants. Children and the elderly are especially sensitive to, and affected by, the polluted air they can cause. Cleaning the HVAC system is one safety measure than can easily and affordably be taken to positively impact the air quality of indoor spaces.

When you should your HVAC system cleaned

There are several factors that increase the frequency with which your HVAC system should be cleaned. In addition to personal preference and comfort level for your own peace of mind, following are examples that generally necessitate more frequent attention to the air systems in your home or office:

• Dogs may be man’s best friend, but the hair and dander that inherently come with having dogs, cats and other pets as part of the family negatively impact air quality.
• If you or anyone in your family have asthma, allergies or other breathing problems, improving the air quality through HVAC system cleaning is a simple and affordable step that can be taken to improve the quality of life for those individuals.
• Another reason to quit smoking: You’ll save money by requiring less frequent HVAC system cleanings!
• Remember that water damage very easily – and frequently – leads to mold. If you have any water damage or contamination, air duct cleaning is as important as making sure the water is cleaned up and the affected area is dry.
• If you buy, renovate, or remodel a home or office, safe guard your investment and your family’s/employees’ health by adding an HVAC system cleaning to your pre-occupancy checklist.

An added benefit to your bottom line

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has researched the issue and found that HVAC systems that are routinely cleaned may run more efficiently, since debris is removed from sensitive mechanical components.

Likewise, systems that are clean and well-maintained tend to have longer life spans, operate more effectively and break down less frequently than dirty systems. Efficiency and effectiveness can translate to fewer dollars shelled out for short-term energy bills and long-term replacement components and equipment.

• It has a custom, handcrafted look that appears upscale, yet is very easy to care for.
• Options for patterns are limitless when taking into account the seemingly infinite combinations of sizes, textures and colors.
• It wears extraordinarily well in high-traffic areas, such as entry areas prone to dirt and water.
• Hand-painted tiles and colored grout further expand choices and allow you to make the look your own.
• It is easier to keep clean than carpet, thereby promoting a healthier environment in your home or office.

Various designs and numerous combinations of trims make for countless design options. Floor tile is typically ½” to ¾” thick and comes in squares measuring from 4″ x 4″ to 24″ x 24″. Other shapes are available as well. Wall tile, on the other hand, is thinner and comes in squares from 3” to 6”.

Mosaic tiles are 2″ square or smaller and can be installed individually. Mosaic tiles are also available in pre-mounted paper or fabric mesh sheets.

Finding a tile you like is actually fairly easy:

1. Make sure it’s the right one for your floor type.
2. Choose a tile that’s rated for the area where you plan to install it.
3. Baths require a moisture proof, non-slip textile. Slip resistant tile is specially treated to rough up the surface for safety.
4. Entryways need a hard, wear-resistant, moisture-proof tile.
5. Some tiles are rated for indoor or outdoor use only. Others can be used in either application.
6. Be sure it is a tile you can properly install, or you have an expert that can install it for you.

Once you’ve chosen and installed your tile, the hard part is over. From here, making sure your tile is sealed and routinely cleaned is important in order to extend its life and enjoy it for many years to come.

Do you hate to clean? Would you rather be enjoying the outdoors with your family instead of on your hands and knees scrubbing the tub?

I would rather be almost anywhere than cleaning my house, even at the dentist. (Well, that might be pushing it. I hate visiting the dentist!)

If I could just afford to pay a full-time cleaning service to come and take care of it all, I would be in 7th heaven. Instead, I will settle for learning how to clean more efficiently; like a professional.

Professionals follow a formula: 25% Chemical, 25% Heat, 25% Agitation and 25% Time. This simple process spells C.H.A.T.

As home-owners, we usually don’t have the heat needed to compare with the professionals. Instead, our cleaning solutions tend to be room temperature, and so is the water (no matter how hard we try to keep the cloth warm). We also don’t give cleaning solutions the time needed to work properly. Lacking adequate heat and an appropriate amount of solution dwell time, we need to be cleaning with the right product.

When we clean at home our CHAT chart looks more like this: Chemical 40%, Heat 10%, Agitation 25% and Time 25%. We must use the right product and let it dwell on the surface as recommended. Only then we can use agitation and time to our advantage.

So, use the right products and follow the recommendations and we can all be cleaning like a professional!

Would a red wine spill stain your grout?

Sealing your grout is essential to protecting your investment.

Grout is made of porous cement and takes on the colors and odors of oils, soil, and other contaminants. The tiny holes in the cement can be filled with either whatever it comes in contact with, or with a grout sealer. Unfortunately, grout that is not sealed will eventually ruin your tile floor.

Grout sealant is applied immediately after cleaning. It is a clear in color and penetrates to protect the grout from future discoloration. It does not change the appearance of the floor.

Most floor dealers recommend applying sealant when the flooring is installed, but sealant does not last for the life of the floor. It is important to ensure periodic reapplication in order to extend the life of the tile.

The benefits of applying a grout sealant are numerous:

• If you’ve ever spilled red wine or anything else on your tile, you know that once it soaks into the grout, your chances of removing it are basically zero. If the tile is sealed, the liquid is repelled and cleans up nicely.
• Mold and mildew can grow in unsealed grout that is continuously exposed to a wet or humid setting. Mold is not only unsightly, but more importantly, can also be unhealthy. By sealing the grout, mold growth in the grout is entirely eliminated.
• You spend less time cleaning and more time doing the things that are important to you!

Start the new year fresh and banish the clutter!

De-cluttering at the end of the year might not be fun, but it is necessary. Making this an annual practice will pay off down the road in shorter, more manageable stacks, access to more storage space and ease in locating those items you really do need. Here are a few tips to get you started with the process.

Tax Returns

The general rule is to keep personal supporting documentation for three years; business for six. When disposing of sensitive information containing social security, credit card or bank account information, be sure to use a criss-cross shredder.

Home Improvement Documentation

As lending and ancillary appraisal industries continue to tighten their standards, it is more important than ever to keep track of the improvements you make to your home. Scan and upload receipts, or keep a home-improvement binder. The key here is to keep everything in one place to that it’s handy when you need it and won’t have to go digging through mounds of paperwork.

Photos

Printed photos need to be stored in acid-free, archival-quality albums or boxes. If you keep your photos digitally, be sure to back them up online or away from your home. You never know when the computer will decide it has processed its last byte; or, heaven forbid, when a disaster might strike.

Computers

Speaking of computers, how many out-dated peripherals do you have stuffed in closets, under desks and in the backs of cabinets? If old equipment is still functional, it just might be valuable to a non-profit, school, or other organization. Be sure your erase the hard drive (if you don’t know how, it’s worth paying the nominal fee to have it done professionally) before donating or disposing of computers. If the equipment is not usable, many big box stores have turn-in programs to take old equipment off your hands. Some will even give you credit towards new equipment, so be sure to ask.

Books

There are a lot of options for used books. Those in reasonably good condition might be acceptable inventory for resale on EBay, Amazon, Craigslist, or similar websites. Yard sales and flea markets are great outlets for used books as well. If you are feeling more charitable, many non-profits accept books for sale in their thrift stores or through special book fairs or sales. Finally, don’t forget your local schools and libraries. Many are experiencing declining budgets and will gladly welcome (appropriate) donated reading materials.

Magazines, Catalogs and Newspapers

One word: RECYCLE! (Oh, and cancel any unwanted subscriptions and remove your name from catalog mailing lists at www.catalogchoice.org to keep them from piling up again in the future.)

Clothes

Keep the classic looks, donate the trendier ones. Neutrals, tailored pieces and garments that can be used for multiple looks are keepers. Bell-bottoms, leg-warmers and grown-up footie pajamas are thrift store fodder. Likewise, any clothes that haven’t been worn in the past one to two years need to be donated, assuming they are clean and in good repair. Take a deep breath and toss any stained, ripped or worn clothing directly into the trash.

Old Towels

This one might surprise you. There are many businesses that might actually appreciate your old towels. Veterinarians, kennels, automotive repair, and cleaning companies are just a few to consider. This is one category where your trash really might be someone else’s treasure.

Toys

Remember the movie Toy Story? There is always another home where toys will be loved again, so most make great donations or yard sale items. For hygiene and safety reasons, make sure toys are clean and in good repair. Pay special attention to potential choking hazards. Items that have seen better days – such as games that are missing pieces or dolls with no heads – sadly, need to begin their journey to the garbage truck.

Tick-Tock Tosses

Expiration dates exist for a reason. Pay special attention to:

• Food that is past its expiration date or in dented or rusted cans.
• Outdated medicines (visit www.fda.gov for proper disposal suggestions).
• Opened paint cans, oil or other solvents that are more than a year old (visit www.epa.gov for disposal guidelines).
• Used batteries (see the EPA website referenced above).

Getting started with these tips will set you on the path towards banishing the clutter in your home. Who knows? It might even motivate you to tackle those pesky junk drawers next!

Many homeowners choose to install carpet specifically because it provides a soft surface for children to play on, sit on and – we all know it – wrestle on! But, while a quality carpet can help prevent injury, it can lead to other “silent” injuries.

Dust, bacteria and other contaminants build up in carpet and negatively affect the air quality in your home. Carpeting can serve as a breeding ground and therefore, is typically not recommended in homes of those with allergies. While vacuuming certainly helps, it does not rid carpet of the deep-seated, stubborn, and unwelcome visitors.

Adding pets to the mix naturally compounds the problem. The hair, dander and even fleas deposited into carpet (courtesy of man’s best friend) dials up the air quality problem. With pets, of course, also come pet stains. In addition to being difficult to remove absent the help of a professional, they are also extremely unhygienic. Be sure not to allow children to play in a stained area.

While carpets add beauty and function to a space, they must be properly maintained in order to ensure a healthy home environment. Regular vacuuming is a good start, but having your carpets professionally cleaned by a company that utilizes green, environmentally-friendly products is a must as well (especially if you have little feet running about!).

What is your child being exposed to?

While no one in school should be exposed to dangerous chemicals, children are especially vulnerable to environmental health hazards. Medical research shows that children’s organ systems are still developing. They proportionally eat, drink, and breathe more per pound of body weight than adults. Their behavior exposes them to more environmental threats and they are least able to identify or protect themselves from hazards. Air pollutants can cause respiratory ailments such as nasal congestion, shortness of breath, wheezing or worsening of asthma, nosebleeds, a cough, or other symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes, headaches or dizziness, fatigue, nausea, rashes, fever, muscle aches and more.

HOW CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED TO TOXIC CHEMICALS IN SCHOOL

Whether a product is freshly applied or misapplied, mixed improperly (some common cleaning products, when mixed together, can give off deadly gas), used in an undiluted state, stored in an unventilated hall closet, or leaves a heavy residue, there are three exposure routes.

1. Inhalation: (children breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults) Aerosols, vapors, fumes, or dusts can be inhaled causing breathing problems, and/or absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to other body organs.
2. Skin contact: (children are less able to identify and avoid hazards; they have immature systems that may not detoxify poisons) Residues from chemicals can damage skin by burning skin tissue or by being absorbed through the skin and carried to body organs, resulting in dryness, redness, or dermatitis.
3. Ingestion: (children play on the floor or ground, put their hands in their mouth, and rarely wash their hands before eating lunch or snacks) Can accidentally eat chemicals via hand-to-mouth contact.

CHEMICALS USED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SCHOOLS TODAY

Of the 85,000 synthetic chemicals in commercial use today, only a small fraction have been individually tested for toxicity. Tests on various chemicals acting in combination with one another is practically nonexistent.
Despite this, a wide variety of toxic or hazardous products are routinely used for cleaning homes and offices. Schools are no different, except the majority of school occupants are children, packed very closely together. Adult exposure limits are negotiated in a federal regulatory process. But new research on children and their vulnerability gives reason to urge preventive measures to protect children.

Source: Healthy Schools Network, Inc.

(Stay tuned for Parts II and III for solutions and “green” product tips.)

Is it really dangerous?

How threatening is it? How does it get indoors? It rides on air currents and on our clothing. We bring in an estimated 35% on our shoes. And, it has been directly associated with cancer, pneumonia, skin rashes, allergies, throat irritations, asthma, bronchitis, sinus & eye infections, and even learning disabilities.

What’s really in dust?

Dust contains living biological contaminants, like the dreaded dust mites, viruses, bacteria, mold and fungus spores. Even more frightening is that is supplies an inexhaustible food supply (pet and human skin cells, insect body fragments, dust mite excrement, and pollen) to perpetuate proliferation.

Scientific analysis of indoor dust usually reveals the presence of pesticides as well. For example, DDT and chlordane, which have been banned for years, along with other pesticides specified for “outside use only” are also found indoors.

Who is most vulnerable?

Dust is especially dangerous to children, as they have underdeveloped immune systems and live closer to the floor. In fact, children can consume up to 10 grams of dust per day through inhalation and ingestion as they run, jump, and wallow in dirty environments, put their hands in their mouths and handle foodstuffs with unwashed hands.

What can you do?

I) Keep exposed surfaces dust free. Never use a feather duster to stir the dust into the air to be inhaled. Use a damp cloth to collect it carefully.

2) Mop hard surface floors twice weekly.

3) Vacuum carpet 2-3 times a week.

4) Have carpets regularly cleaned by a professional who understands the science behind contaminants such as dust and who uses green cleaning products to combat them.