There are many crafty companies out there manufacturing truckloads of scented candles, air fresheners and scented oils to make the most of our holiday scent wish lists. Of course, just like any other industry, these companies are riding the holiday marketing bandwagon by promising us that if we plug something in, light something up, or use a can of their spray stuff, our homes will actually smell like Christmas.

Everyone loves that moment when you walk into a house that smells just like freshly-baked gingerbread cookies, especially when it masks the pet odors and the smell coming from the organic disposal container. But what price are we paying just to have a nose as happy as Rudolph’s?

Read more about air fresheners and your health

These commercial products are simply meant to mask odors, using a veritable cornucopia of chemicals and synthetic materials to do so. For those of us who take a more holistic approach to living, it quickly becomes clear that the proper course of action is to remove the root of our odor problems rather than applying a temporary Band-aid solution to cover up the bad smells.

I still get a kick out of seeing commercials where people walk into a home and ‘follow their nose’ to the tempting scent. Little do they know what they are actually smelling! A 2007 study by the National Resource Defense Council found that chemicals such as phthalates, limonene, volatile organic compounds (such as benzene and formaldehyde) are all key ingredients in many scented products. Unfortunately, regardless of how many pictures of flowers and meadows appear on the containers of these products, these chemicals are easily absorbed by our skin and air passageways^[1] and can cause some serious health problems.

Phthalates are known to affect male reproductive hormones, cause birth defects and are a contributor to asthma as well as other allergic symptoms^[2]. We are exposed to about 5 varieties of these per day^[3] through scented products. Limonene is a known allergen that is found in many scented products because it creates an artificial citrus scent. For those with allergies, stay away. This chemical will almost certainly trigger some sort of undesirable reaction, be it a rash, asthma attack or some other allergic reaction^[4]. VOCs including benzene and formaldehyde — we have all heard about these. Both are known to cause cancers. Exposure to benzene is known to cause leukemia and formaldehyde is known to cause a host of cancer and related troubles to our respiratory systems^[5].

Knowing these chemicals are lurking behind those pretty pictures, do you think you’ll be running out to buy a scented candle or a plug-in product any time soon? If you want your home to smell like the holidays but would rather avoid the chemical warfare that can come along with it, give these tricks a try for a truly clean and fresh-smelling home with holiday flare.

• Always start with the root of the problem. Begin by sprinkling a little baking soda onto carpets, rugs and upholstery, which if left for 20 minutes and then vacuumed up, will absorb most odors and leave you with a fresh smelling area.

• Try purchasing organic essential oils – ones that do not have any chemicals added during the distilling process – such as cinnamon, sweet orange, pine, peppermint, nutmeg, clove or spruce. By doing this, not only are you avoiding harmful chemicals, but essential oils have many health benefits: they’re great for boosting the immune system, helping with relaxation and as antiseptics, and can help maintain the overall health of your family during the holiday season, which usually seems to overlap with cold and flu season.

• For diffusing the scents throughout your home, try using a beeswax (or non paraffin-emitting candle) with an oil lamp to move the oils around your home. You can also try a cold diffuser, which is more expensive, but does a great job at spreading a scent effectively^[6].

• For a quick hit of holiday joy, try adding 10 drops of your favorite essential oil to a clean spray bottle with some distilled water and mist around your home as needed. You can also try treating cotton balls with 10 drops of your favorite essential oil and hiding them in closets, drawers, air ducts and hidden corners for a gentle, secret scent^[7].

• Finally, try boiling a pot hot water with mulling spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove) for a powerful and long lasting scent. Your guests will want to melt when they walk in!

Read more about the many uses for essential oils

There’s no need for chemicals to get your home smelling like the holidays, so give natural scents a try.

Sources:^[1-5] National Resources Defense Counsel, "Cleaning the Air: Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners".^[6,7] Deirdre Imus, Green This! Volume 1: Greening Your Cleaning , 2007.

The post Natural Fragrances to Scent Your Home this Holiday Season appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.

The recent popularity of ‘oxy’ cleaners has leveraged off of people’s love of bleach.  So what is an oxy cleaner anyway, and does it replace bleach?  What is it made of, and is it safe to use?

What is Oxygen Bleach?

The science behind bleach is that it uses an oxidizer to break chemical bonds and release the stain-causing substance.  In traditional chlorine bleach, a highly toxic substance called sodium hypochlorite is used as the oxidizer. In an oxy-based product, hydrogen peroxide plays the starring role.

Quite simply, sodium percarbonate can be used as a direct replacement to traditional chlorine bleach.  It disinfects, it removes stains (often better than other stain remover products) and is color safe and safe to use on most fabrics (except for a few very delicate ones including silk and wool).  It is odorless and colorless and comes in either a liquid or powder form.

This amazing product contains no phosphorous or nitrogen, making it a good eco-friendly choice.  When mixed with water, the simple contents break down to hydrogen peroxide which is essentially water and oxygen, and sodium carbonate which is soda ash.  The amusing part is, like so many other eco-friendly cleaning products, it is incredibly basic!

I recently picked a bottle up at my grocery store.  I was quite ambivalent but glad to try an alternative that could really work.  I am now a proud fan of it.  Aside from the stain removing and brightening aspect, I also use it to clean my cleaning cloths and tools (such as brushes, sponges, and mop heads).  Other great uses for this product include cleaning decks and siding, diaper pails, cloth diapers, as well as a great stain remover for carpets and upholstery and general disinfecting.

I have since tested and researched the product further and have learned even more great uses for this eco-friendly cleaner:

• A safe and effective way to protect your family from germs during the cold season requires cleaning with a bit of oxygen bleach on points of contact (like door handles and  light switches ).
• For general disinfecting, you can add some to your bucket of hot water and mop floors with it. 
• You can use it as a disinfecting countertop spray as well. 

Remember, sodium percarbonate will not break down grime (i.e. heavy-duty cleaning) but it will brighten and disinfect.  So if you were to clean a toilet, you may want to spray it with oxygen bleach first, let it sit, flush, and then spray with your regular bathroom cleaner after so that you get the benefit of disinfecting and the power of your regular toilet cleaner.

You can safely experiment with oxygen bleach at home, since it does not have the same corrosive, toxic and harmful properties that chlorine bleach does.  Keep in mind what it does and use that as your guide: it brightens and disinfects.

I’ve always been a little wary of infomercials. However, the proof is in the pudding.  I had seen a few infomercials for this type of product and had recently started investigating what it can really do.  Oxygen bleach is safe and it works.  Chlorine bleach has fewer benefits and more chemicals than its eco-friendly counterpart.  Many environmentally-friendly cleaning product manufacturers have developed their own line of oxygen bleach and it is readily available.

There is no good reason to ignore oxygen bleach. Once you try it you will be hooked!

The post Oxygen Bleach: The Effective and Safe Alternative appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.

Grout is very similar to the pores in our skin-it absorbs a lot of gunk. Rather than getting pimples like our skin, grout lines simply absorb the dirt and begin to darken. If you look at the tiled floors in your home, you will certainly see that some grout lines are lighter than others. That is the result of grimy grout! Mopping with dirty water, simply spraying a tiled shower, or spilling food on floors are all factors that will stain your grout. Even walking around barefoot will build up stains over time.

If your grout is not properly sealed, it is much more susceptible to stains. While the tile installer should be responsible for proper sealing, after a few years the sealant can wash away. Resealing your tiles is something to consider every now and then. You can get a grout sealant at your local home store and it can be applied after a proper grout cleaning.

The first step is to get the gunk out and restore the beautiful light shade of your grout. The color variance may seem minor, but it makes an enormous difference from a cosmetic standpoint. To clean up your grout, you will need a scrub brush (one with an iron handle, or an old tooth brush will work fine), baking soda, cotton cloths and a clean spray bottle filled with water.

Spray the grout down with water and then apply baking soda to the grout lines by patting it on and forming a paste. If you have a large tiled area, this will take some time, so consider this project as something to do quarterly or even annually in low traffic areas. I would suggest breaking the area down into quarters, that way your whole floor is not covered in baking soda at once. If you do a quarter at a time, the task will be much more manageable.

After 15 minutes with the paste on the tiles, you can gently spray the tiled area with water and then use your scrub brush to agitate the paste. Think of it like brushing your teeth! After a few good scrubs, you will notice the grout becomes quite a bit lighter. Wipe clean with a cloth and rinse the tiles well-baking soda leaves a fine, annoying powder behind if it is not rinsed. After the whole floor has been done, you can vacuum up the dried baking soda and then give it a quick mop with hot water (using a clean mop head). If you are cleaning tiles in the shower, rinse the shower after cleaning it.

There are some variations to consider when doing this project depending on what cleaning challenges you are facing:

1. Should the grout be exceptionally stained, you can add lemon juice to the paste, as lemon is a natural brightener.
2. If your bathroom grout has mold (because it is a high-moisture area), you can add 10 drops of tea tree oil to the water in your spray bottle and use that to create the paste instead. Tea tree oil is a natural mold-inhibitor and will help combat mold growth. When you finish rinsing down the tiles, re-spray the tile area with the tea tree oil and water mix to help prevent regrowth.

Here’s to brighter grout!

The post How To Clean Grout Naturally appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.

1. Scrub Away To properly care for your bathroom and remove the mold from tile grout, you will need a good scrub brush and baking soda. To effectively scrub the mold away, treat the grout between tiles and the caulking with a paste made of water and baking soda. Leave on for as long as you need to-for example, very dirty grout can use an hour or two. Spray the tiles with water and use a scrub brush to clean the grout with a brisk back and forth motion. Rinse well and buff dry.

Once you have scrubbed the grout, you can prolong your mold-removing efforts so that you do not have to use as much elbow grease next time! If your bathroom is not properly maintained between cleanings, it does not take long for mold to come back. In fact, think of mold prevention like oral care-we have to maintain our teeth to keep plaque away.

2. Open a Window
When you have finished showering, turn on a fan or open a window until the humidity from your shower has dissipated. You need to have top-notch ventilation to remove the humidity and moisture from the air. The lack of humidity creates a poor breeding ground for bacteria and is the easiest way to maintain your mold-free space.

3. Mix Up a Mold-Prohibiting Spray
To doubly protect your bathroom, keep a spray bottle nearby and quickly mist the tiles and caulking after your shower with these natural anti-mold solution that takes no effort to make. These solutions contains mold-prohibiting ingredients that when sprayed, protect your bathroom from becoming a breeding ground. You need white vinegar or tea tree oil, water and a spray bottle.

• Vinegar solution: Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a clean spray bottle.
• Tea tree oil solution:  Mix 10 drops of tea tree oil into a clean spray bottle filled with water

Place the spray bottle on the 'mist' setting. It takes about four seconds to spray the tiles and then you walk away. Now you are protected from mold. These ingredients are cheap, easy to find and are highly effective. I particularly love the tea tree oil solution, as I find the scent soothing and spa-like!

The post 3 Tips to Get Rid of Bathroom Mold appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.

Before the advent of self-cleaning ovens, we were stuck scrubbing endlessly, mumbling under our breath and sweating hard to get them looking and smelling right.

If you are one of the lucky people who have invested in a self-cleaning oven, take advantage of the easy cleaning it offers. If, however, your oven doesn’t have a self-clean function, chances are you’re relying on dangerous chemicals found in a spray bottle to scrub your oven.

Read More: 25 Ways to Clean With Vinegar

Sure, a caustic or corrosive product will clean your dirty oven and its encrusted tenants, but caustic products are capable of corroding material and human tissues, leading to potential burns, scarring, and permanent bodily damage.

I find many people have a mentality of invincibility when it comes to cleaning supplies, because many of these products have cute commercials and seem so harmless sitting there on the shelf in the grocery store. The problem is, many of these products are more harmful as they let on.

But upon further research, I came across a story of a woman who wanted a clean oven and used the chemical spray bottle of oven cleaner to do so, only to fall victim to an allegedly defective trigger, which sprayed the liquid everywhere-including on her face and in her eyes. The woman was blinded for a few days and suffered third degree burns on her skin. She is currently seeking legal advice.

By reading the instructions on a bottle of oven cleaner, consumers learn that cleaning the oven with chemical cleaning products requires wearing rubber gloves (heaven forbid this stuff should touch your skin), newspaper on the floor to prevent the caustic chemicals from damaging the floor tiles or wood, and the removal of people and pets from the area as the chemical mix heats up and cleans.

To give you an idea of what major chemicals are found in popular oven cleaners, here is a selection of the contents of the aerosol version of a popular brand. All of these ingredients have been taken from the MSDS sheet offered by the company responsible for the product.

Butane: This chemical is used as a propellant (something that moves an object or chemical) for aerosol applications. Butane can also be found in cigarette lighters and inhaling it could lead to drowsiness, asphyxia, and cardiac arrhythmia.

Diethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether: According to Scorecard, this chemical is a suspected neurotoxin, suspected reproductive toxicant, cardiovascular and blood toxicant, and can cause extensive damage to the liver and kidneys.

Monoethanolamine (MEA): MEA can cause air passage irritation, serious chemical burns, damage to eyes and other mucous tissues, and liver and kidney damage.

Sodium Hydroxide: This extremely caustic material is known to dissolve fats and oils, which is why it works so well in oven cleaning. On the flip side, spill it on your skin or eyes, irritation is bound to result, and that's when the material has been diluted; in concentrated form, a chemical burn will result.

Read More: Avoid Toxins, Choose Natural Cleaners

These ingredients, all found in a seemingly helpful product, are scary to say the least. Many of the ingredients in these cleaning products are not disclosed because it is not a federal regulation to do so. Many times, we trivialize the results of getting chemicals on our skin or inhaling them while cleaning because we are not aware of what they can do.

Natural oven cleaning

Cleaning an oven naturally is actually quite simple and we have had great success with the following techniques that require nothing more than some eco-friendly solutions and some elbow grease.

Clean oven with lemon

Lemon and other cirtus oils are great natural degreasers, and you can clean your oven-especially convection ovens-with just two lemons and a little effort. Cut the lemons in half and squeeze the juices into the baking dish. Place what’s left of the lemons in the dish as well. Fill the dish about 1/3 full of water, place it in the oven, and bake at 250 degrees for about 30 minutes. If the buildup is really bad, you can try leaving it in for a bit longer. The water and lemon juice will heat up and the vapors will cling to the grime, loosening it and helping it come clean. Remove the dish and let the oven cool. After the oven has cooled off, use a scouring pad to scrub away what’s left of the grime; have a silicone spatula handy for removing bigger chunks. Use the lemon water as a rinse aid when cleaning down the inside of the stove. Keep sponging with the lemon water until clean and then use a towel to dry it off. Be aware that the oven emits smoke when this happens, so be sure to turn on the oven fan and open a window.

Cleaning oven with baking soda

The second technique, which is good for any type of oven, involves vinegar and baking soda. Simply spray vinegar all over the inside of the oven. Follow that with an even sprinkling of baking soda and allow for the mixture to bubble and fizz. Leave the mixture to sit for about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how many former Christmas dinners are still clinging to the walls of the oven. Then use a scouring sponge to scrub the walls and bottom of the oven to remove the grime and build up. Vinegar is a great degreaser, so try rinsing the sponge in vinegar to maintain its grease cutting abilities during your scrubbing. You can rinse the oven by sponging clean water on the walls and bottom, this way no chemicals are required to achieve a clean oven.

Cleaning your oven nanturally is easy with caustic materials but it takes out the elbow grease factor. However, for a safe and effective clean, we should be opting for chemical-free techniques so that we can keep our families and the environment safe while we’re handling that most unwanted of chores.

The post Clean Your Oven Without Toxic Chemicals appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a great product for stain removal because it offers gentle abrasion and can lightly 'erase' stains. Something like scuff marks or crayon on walls can usually be taken off with a pinch of baking soda and a few drops of water on a cloth. Buff out in a circular motion, testing an inconspicuous area first to ensure no paint comes off the wall. Baking soda is safe to use on virtually all surfaces.

Read more about the healing powers of baking soda

2. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

EVOO! Olive oil is a great way to shine up streaky stainless steel and remove pesky stickers and price tags. For streaks, wash off the stainless steel finish with warm soapy water and buff dry. Then, apply a nickel-sized dab of oil onto a paper towel and work into the stainless steel along the grain for a smooth, polished shine. For sticker remnants, dab a nickel-sized drop of olive oil on the sticker and rub it in, let it sit for a while and then begin to scratch off with a blunt knife or old credit card. Clean oily residue off with soapy water and a clean cloth. Works wonders!

3. Lemons

Lemons save the day! Do you have any dirty white socks? This is an age-old problem with a very simple solution. Boil a pot of water, add a whole lemon that has been sliced in half and juiced right into the pot and add the socks. Simmer this for an hour. The acid in the lemon will naturally brighten the socks and remove those pesky dirty spots. Hang them to dry if you can (the sun further assists in whitening), if not, you can place them in the dryer. Other methods that are successful include soaking the socks in full strength, distilled white vinegar for an hour before washing.

Read more about the health benefits of lemon water

4. Saliva

Saliva, who knew? If you encounter a fresh blood stain and have memories of frustration over stubborn blood stains, the answer is in your mouth. Spit on the blood spot! Your saliva contains enzymes that can quickly break down the blood. Pat it up with a clean cloth and then use a bit of soap and cool water to continue to work out the stain (and remove your saliva from the affected area, of course)! Although this trick sounds gross, the effectiveness of it outweighs the temporary disgust.

5. Denture Tablets

Denture tablets aren't just for dentures. These powerful pastels can remove crusty water build-up on your vases post-flowers. If you notice you get a ring in the vase, here's what to do: Place room-temperature water in the vase (at least up to the water line) and drop in a denture tablet. When it finishes fizzing, you know the job is done. Dump out the water and rinse clean. Gently dry with a clean cloth and your vase will look brand new.

Read more about cleaning with vinegar

Image: Elle_Ann

The post 5 Natural Stain Removers appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.

I know that most of us hate cleaning (or have a penchant for not doing it), but ultimately love the feeling of a clean home – whether it’s an indoor or outdoor space. With a few basic cleaning recipes and tools you likely already have at home, cleaning the furniture can be a breeze (now that patio season is in full swing). Here is a quick how-to guide that will have your patio furniture looking spiffy in a jiffy.

Tools

To start, you’ll need double-sided non-scratch scrub sponges and a scrub brush. The recipes involve vinegar, castile soap and water. These ingredients keep the yard safer for the “users” of your lawn (small insects, birds household pets), and it won’t discolor or rust your furniture like certain chemicals can.

Read more about using food scraps to help your garden thrive

Plastic, Resin Wicker, Steel/Metal and Fabric Outdoor Furniture Cleaning Recipe

½ cup of castile soap

1 cup of vinegar

2 gallons of warm water

Mix these ingredients together in a large bucket and fill a clean spray bottle with the solution. Prior to applying the solution, use a scrub brush to loosen dirt or debris by gently brushing off anything easy to remove from the surface (it will mean less scrubbing later on). Remove any cushions – these will be cleaned separately. Spray the solution liberally onto each piece. Let the mixture sit on the furniture for a few moments (5-10 minutes). If the solution has dried, re-spray the area.

For woven pieces such as resin wicker, use the scrub brush to 'brush out' the dirt. Rinse the sponge often so that dirt is not re-distributed back onto the furniture. Hose the pieces down until all suds are gone to avoid any lingering residue on the furniture. Then, let the sun do the rest and air-dry them beautifully for you.

Teak, Wood and Wicker Furniture Cleaning Recipe

1 tablespoon of castile soap

1 gallon of warm water

For teak and wicker furniture, try a gentler method. Use a dry scrub brush to quickly dust off any loose debris. Then, dip the clean scrub brush into the bucket and gently scrub away the dirt and debris, being especially careful not to scrub too hard on the wicker (or else it can lose its shape). Hose the surface off when done to remove all bubbles and residue. Only apply oil to teak if the manufacturer's instructions call for it. Usually to maintain the amber glow it needs to be re-oiled about twice annually; if not, it becomes weathered and silvery.

Cleaning rugged cushioned pieces with permanent covers

First, brush any debris off with the dry scrub brush. Spray the solution onto the cushions liberally and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. This will allow the product to saturate the material and break down dirt. Wipe soiled areas well with the non-scratch sponge to agitate and lift the dirt up. Use a cellulose sponge so that it can lift the dirt up without ruining the fabric of the cushions (a scouring pad could). Ensure both sides have been cleaned this way. After 15 minutes have passed, hose down both sides of the piece and lay it flat to dry in the sunshine. Flip the cushions over when the top is dry so that the bottom side can dry as well. If the covers cannot be washed down for whatever reason, take a shop-vac out and vacuum up debris to keep it clean. When necessary, stains can be spot cleaned with warm, soapy water and a clean cloth.

Cleaning cushions with removable canvas slipcovers

These can be cleaned twice a season. Remove slipcovers and place in the wash with regular laundry detergent on a regular cycle. When the slipcovers come out of the wash (i.e. do not place in the dryer), place them back onto the cushions to re-shape and stretch the covers out. This is an important step to ensure that the cushion covers maintain their shape.

Cleaning outdoor pillows and cushions

These pillows and cushions can be cleaned annually, usually at the beginning of the season. Most are machine washable (if they fit into the washer). Launder on a gentle cycle and tumble dry on low. Toss a couple of tennis balls in the dryer to help beat out the excess moisture and promote quick drying.

Cleaning outdoor umbrellas

If you notice mildew on the umbrella, act fast and clean it well to prevent more growth. The simple way to accomplish this is to brush off as much mildew as possible using a scrub brush and then spray the umbrella with a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water on the affected area.  Leave it for 30 minutes to soak. Take a clean scrub brush and remove the remaining mildew from the umbrella by gently scrubbing. Hose it down when done to remove the solution and mildew. Re-spray the area with the vinegar and water solution to protect against mildew build up and repeat this monthly. (In fact, this is a safe solution that can be sprayed on all outdoor furniture to keep mildew away.)

If no mildew is present, clean the umbrella at the beginning of the season by brushing off any loose debris, spraying the interior and exterior well with the solution, soaking it for 15 minutes and then hosing it down. Leave it open to dry for at least a (sunny) day.

Read more about chemical-free household cleaners you can make at home

For regular maintenance, nothing more than a quick spray from the garden hose once a week is all that is needed to maintain the furniture throughout the season. Keep your furniture, your lawn, and your own little ecosystem clean by employing these simple patio furniture cleaning techniques!

Image: Chris Clogg

The post How To Clean Outdoor Furniture appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.

Read more about chemicals and children's health

For people with asthma or other respiratory problems, these products may exacerbate the ailments and act as a catalyst for causing such problems in children. There are upwards of 3,000 chemicals that can be found in air fresheners, including petrochemicals such as propane and butane, which can spread themselves around your room and cling to everything including your carpets, upholstery, and airways.

These nasty chemical cocktails are combustible, can cause headaches, depress the nervous system, and may lead to shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. Rather than buying these products, here are some natural, great ways to keep the house smelling fresh.

• Open a window to circulate fresh air. It sounds simple and obvious but it works like a charm.
• About 20 minutes before you vacuum carpets, sprinkle baking soda onto the carpets to eliminate the odors out of the carpet fibers. You can even add some dried lavender or sage to the baking soda beforehand, which will leave a fresh and natural aromatic scent.
• If you are craving a warm scent, simmer some mulling spices in water for awhile and enjoy the scents of your own creation.
• For the bathroom, use the simple and steadfast trick of lighting a match. It works every time and is much safer than a constant chemical concoction. Of course, be sure to safely light and flush the match.

Read more about what you can do to support toxic chemical reform

Whatever you decide to use to freshen your home, choose a more natural, chemical-free way of enhancing the scent of the place the where you live. Your health will benefit.

Image: Dave Sutherland

The post Air Fresheners: A Breath of Fresh Chemicals appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.

Ever since I started my business more than two years ago, I have been on the lookout for ways to use fewer chemicals in clients' homes. One of many neat products I have come across in my quest is something called castile soap, a wonderful liquid vegetable soap.

It took some getting used to, however. I used to think low viscosity soaps and castile soaps did not have the same make up. After getting used to the watery consistency, I have changed to using castile soaps as hand soap in the washroom, in the shower as a body wash, and as a dish soap and mild cleaner around the house.

Castile is an instant classic.

The price for a good sized bottle is quite comparable to a standard bottle of soap, however, chances are the castile soap will last longer because it's pure and more concentrated, as opposed to other soaps which are mixed with other chemicals. For castile, a little goes a long way.

It lathers nicely and leaves your hands, dishes and just about anything else with that squeaky clean feel that literally squeaks. The soaps come in both scented and unscented varieties, and I have managed to find soaps with the most gorgeous scents-lavender, almond, and tangerine-bergamot. Finally, it is so gentle that it can be used on skin and surfaces alike and is perfect for people with allergies and sensitive skin.

Castile soap got its name from its origins in the Castilla region of Spain. Of course, Spain being known for its olive oil, makes it a no-brainer that some of the best of castile soaps are made with 100 percent olive oil and are chemical-free.

I really enjoy using castile soap around the house and we suggest this product as part of a good cleaning kit.

Many people wonder how to clean hardwood and stone floors, and the secret is in the sauce. If you use a neutral cleaning agent, nothing will get ruined and everything will be cleaned. For floors, simply add half a teaspoon of castile soap to a bucket of warm water and clean floors with a well-wrung out mop. The soap will not leave a residue and will have just enough power to clean the dirt off the floor.

If you prefer the flat-head mops, try adding a few drops of soap to a spray bottle filled with water and clean the floor that way. If you have wood furniture and don't want to use furniture polish, but feel that the piece needs a good clean, use a drop of soap on a microfiber cloth, add water and wipe down the furniture. The sheen is restored and the furniture is clean. The same goes for cleaning granite counter tops or stone showers; a few drops of soap and water is all you need to do the trick.

For those with stainless steel appliances, we like cleaning them with vegetable based soap as well (add a drop to a damp cloth and wipe down), and then shine the appliance with a dab of olive oil. Finally, castile soap works very well with cleaning pots and pans. I soak mine in warm water and add some baking soda. After 30 minutes, the dirt has no choice-it comes right off and the cleanup is a piece of cake. The best part is, the soap is so gentle I don't even use gloves when doing dishes.

I have found many uses for castile soap around my home and encourage you to head to a health food store and pick up a good quality bottle of it today.

The post Clean Naturally with Castile Soap appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.

Maybe you’ve heard the buzz surrounding natural enzyme cleaners and are wondering if they’re right for you. These hungry, hungry cleaners are quite effective and are especially great at eliminating pests, cleaning up protein stains (blood, oil, grease), pet stains and odors, and a multitude of other cleaning conundrums. The best part is that natural enzyme cleaners are not harmful to pets, waterways, or humans.

Imagine a natural enzyme cleaner as a lion on the prowl in search of a meal. The way a natural enzyme cleaner works is essentially the same: organisms are made up of proteins, and the natural enzymes feed off these proteins. Natural enzymes will hunt around for these proteins and devour them, leaving your surfaces clean and your stains removed, taking a few unwanted pests with them.

How can something so powerful be considered safe? Well, its nature's natural process of decomposing-remember, our bodies have enzymes, too-and they can break down proteins. Proteins exist in most stains, bacteria, and pests, so an enzyme cleaner makes a lot of sense for cleaning.

The enzymes do essentially the same thing as harsh chemicals, but use a different process to obtain the same result, without the nasty side effects.

In fact, these products are so safe, most of them don’t even carry a warning label. You don’t need to wear any protective gear and it is not hazardous if you accidentally spill some on your skin.

The method of use is fairly simple. They generally come concentrated and the consumer dilutes the product in a bottle of water. The product is then sprayed on a surface (i.e. a counter top, stain,) and wiped off or vacuumed away (with a wet/dry vacuum). Although these products don’t claim to be disinfectants, bacteria count tests show they are highly effective at doing so (often times more so than using soap and water).

These products are great for getting blood stains, wine stains, and pen marks out of all kinds of surfaces. Simply apply the product to a surface and allow it to sit, scrubbing away the stain and then blotting the area dry. Killing mold and mildew can be easily taken care of (remember, mould is a bacteria), by spraying the affected area, letting the product sit, then scrubbing away the mould and wiping clean. Even tasks as daunting as a basement clean-up, mildew on roof shingles and siding, window sills, or caulking in a bathroom can be made easier.

Pet odors such as urine and kitty litter can be easily taken care of by spraying the area with a natural enzyme cleaner which will eat the odor-causing bacteria.

You can also try using a natural enzyme product to deal with a pest problem. For example, carpenter ants or bed bugs can be killed when sprayed with a natural enzyme cleaner, since the enzymes eat the vital proteins these pests need to survive. It's an incredibly safe method of cleaning and extremely effective in all areas both inside and outside of the home.

I am starting to use this more and more in clients' homes, and have received terrific feedback from happy and healthy clients as well as very happy cleaners who truly enjoy not having to finagle their way through the cupboard full of chemicals that used to be the norm. So give natural enzymes a meal fit for a king and let them loose on the dirt in your home!

The post Hungry to Learn About Natural Enzyme Cleaners appeared first on NaturallySavvy.com.