Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Green Choice: The Soap Dispensary

Mount Pleasant has a new cleaning store!  As you all know I love cleaning so I was very excited to be strolling up Main Street and see that The Soap Dispensary was open for business.  The store has a simple yet unique concept that promises to cut down on the plastic bottles circulating in the world - always a good thing! 

Linh, the owner, stocks a variety of green cleaning products in bulk sizes.  You bring in your empty bottle, she fills it up and you are out the door!  The selection is great and a lot of the products are unscented so you can add essential oils to personalize the scent for your home.  If you don't have bottles to reuse initially, she carries plastic bottles that you pay a small deposit for and then you can bring them back in the future.  

Anyone who appreciates green cleaning products with little to no packaging needs to check out The Soap Dispensary.

Stay clean and green!
Shonagh

Friday, December 9, 2011

Declutter: Creative wrapping solutions

Gift wrap - what an environmentally unfriendly material!  Wrapping paper can't be recycled because of the coating they use on the paper.  I know it is so pretty.  I happen to love wrapping gifts, probably more than buying them or having them opened.  I just think they look so nice clustered together, like little bundles of loves.  BUT, I am sure that there are ways to create beautiful gifts without using gift wrap. 

Sunday, December 4, 2011

DIY: Holiday Aromatherapy Blends

When I was 21-years-old I got a certificate in aromatherapy from Langara.  It was one more step on my scented journey in life.  I have loved scent for as long as I can remember - one vivid memory: Being five-years-old trying to capture the scent of rose petals in water and being mystified that it didn't work.  Indeed aromatherapy still captures my imagination and fascination.  It is in this spirit that I thought:  Let's share some of my favorite holiday aromatherapy recipes!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Healthy for the Holidays!

Who loves the holidays?  I know I do.  Besides Halloween, Christmas is my most favorite time of year!  This is probably because it gives me an excuse to bake to my hearts content.  During Christmas there is no excuse needed for showing up with a tin of cookies or a pot of homemade dulce de leche (it's my current obsession).  The foodie in me delights.  The cleaning lady in me cringes slightly as all of those hugs and handshakes means germs are flying around like no ones business.  To help you get through your holiday season (whenever that might be) health intact, here are a few green and clean suggestions:

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Deep Clean: Ovens

Oh goodness, who enjoys cleaning out the oven?  All that stuck on gunk that has been baked over and over and over again.  Let's be honest, how often do you clean out your over?  If you are the average person then probably not very often.  Well it's time for penance and that penance is called elbow grease.  Oh yes, you heard me, because with my deep oven cleaning there are no toxic oven sprays allowed.  This is the green and clean method.

Shall we begin?

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Deep Clean: Oven Stove Top

Dinner is finished.  You grab your damp rag and give the stovetop a haphazard wipedown.  Looks pretty clean and it is time for dessert!  Most of the time I think that is a perfectly fine after-dinner routine.  Every once in a while (maybe once a week?) though your stove top really needs a good solid clean.  Here is how to do it.

Monday, November 14, 2011

The Dirty: Black Mold

The unwanted intruder, creeping in behind your walls until one day - the tell-tale sign - a mass of tiny black dots.  Ugh!  Black mold.  It definitely looks gross but even grosser is what it does to the health of people who live with it.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Secret: Frequent cleaning is...

green cleaning.  I was contemplating cleaning the other day (yes I do that a lot) and I think it is accurate to say that to clean more often is to clean greener.  I came to this conclusion while looking at the grout in my own shower stall.  It is a classic example of this truth.

Friday, November 4, 2011

The Golden Rule: Toilets

You make the smear, you wipe it clear.  Seriously this is a lesson that every parent should teach their child during potty training.  Wipe, flush, check, clean.  Everyone's happy.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Make Cleaning Fun: Cognitive Reframing

Cognitive reframing is a psychological technique used frequently in cognitive behavioural therapy.  In essence when you reframe an activity (or emotion or conflict, etc.) you are attempting to look at it in a new light.  You are trying to consciously change your focus.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Make Cleaning Fun: Become a Radio Announcer

This is a great way to make cleaning fun for little kids (and maybe your husband, but kids especially).  This technique comes from a very stressful experience I had when I was 18-years-old  - tree-planting.  For anyone who hasn't tried this hellish job just imagine clambering over four-foot stumps surrounded by mosquitoes with hundreds of seedlings attached to your waist.  There is a reason it is always top-ranked as one of the physically hardest jobs you can do in BC.  Anyways, there I was with my sister (she was 19) trundling along slinging my trees into the ground.  We were exhausted and together I must admit we get rather silly.  We decided to do the planting Olympics.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

The Secret: Renovations

Time after time I see renovations that don't fit with the lifestyle of the owner(s) of the house.  The girl who hates to clean but is designing an all-white house.  The mother of three who has tiny white tiling in the main floor bathroom.  The world's most giant kitchen with shiny granite counters that need to be polished in order to look fantastic.  None of these renovations follow my simple rule to successful renovations.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Deep Clean: Toilets

Who here loves cleaning their toilet?  Whoa!  So many hands up in the air!  I know it is so much fun.  All joking aside, even toilets need a little cleaning quality time every once in a while. Here is how to get your toilet squeaky clean.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Raw Green: A New Category

I feel like there is a lot of information out in the world on green cleaning products.  What I have started to wonder about is the raw ingredients that go into cleaning product.  That is the motivation for my new category: Raw Green.  I also think it sounds kinda cool.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

The Basics: Washing a Counter

Now I am sure some of my readers are laughing at the idea that someone needs to learn how to wash a counter.  Well in my experience there are quite a few people out there who don't know how to do it properly.  This post is for them.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Behind the Label: "Dermatologist recommended..." part 2

This is a continuation of a previous post discussing the use of the phrase "Dermatologist Recommended."  I decided to contact the Canadian Dermatology Society to find out a bit more about "Dermatologist Recommended."  I sent an email asking about the phrase and received this reply:

Friday, September 16, 2011

Clean Freak Calendar: Tidying up in 5 minutes?

So you are probably asking yourself: Is this woman crazy, how does five minutes of tidying up accomplish anything?  There is no way that five minutes will do anything for my house.  Well, I might not have seen your house personally but I can guarantee you that over time five minutes of daily tidying will do wonders for you.  Please note the emphasis on the words over time.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Introducing the Clean Freak Calendar

So I finally finished the first version of my Clean Freak Calendar.  Please find it here on my webpage.  I have been thinking about doing this for a long time for several reasons.  These include:
  1. The job of managing.  It takes time and energy to manage a cleaning schedule.  What gets done when?  Who is doing it?  Did it get done?  These are the questions of the manager.  My Clean Freak Calendar answers the first question.  Taking a few minutes once a week to assign tasks answers the second and the third?  That's a tough one.  I would love to hear from my readers how they ensure that cleaning jobs get done in the house. 
  2. I need it myself.  Between my masters and my business I am often tired at the end of the day.  I don't want to think about: When was the last time I cleaned the bathroom?  What is my top priority right now?  By creating a cleaning list I know that things are getting done as often as they should and I get to not think about it.  I also get to not feel guilty or worry that I am being a slob.  I just do what is on my list and it often takes much less than half an hour.
  3. Other people need it.  What I notice with some people is that they want a clean house they just don't know how to do it.  This ranges from not knowing how to clean to not knowing when to clean to not knowing what to clean.  Often we assume that people know all of these things when sometimes they have never been taught.  My calendar will keep your house clean and tidy with a manageable amount of effort.  
My purpose in creating my Clean Freak system is to give people more space and time in their homes with less stress.  Stop freaking out about your house being messy and start using a manageable system that over time will help you create a home that you are proud to call your own.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Product Review: My PNE lint brush

Okay I have to admit that I fell for one of the PNE show room product offerings.  The demo was just so persuasive with all the hair and dirt she kept sprinkling over the fabric and then lint brushing it all up.  I was sold.  And hey!  The deal!  The deal.  If I bought the small and medium size lint brushes she offered to throw in the large lint brush.  How could I say no to that?

So anyways on to the lint brush...

Friday, August 12, 2011

Product Review: Scotch-Brite Grout Scrubber

I am like a kid in a candy shop with new cleaning tools and products.  Browsing in Home Depot the other day trying to hunt down what seems to be an elusive ice cream machine, I walked by a rack with a new cleaning tool from Scotch-Brite - a grout scrubber.  Now those who read my blog regularly will know that I am slightly obsessed with grout - keeping it clean, being frustrated by it, etc.  When I saw this new product, I thought to myself: Perhaps here is my solution.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Renovations: Textured Tile

I have mentioned textured tile in a few posts now and I have to admit something - my opinion of it has changed.  I had a run-in with some textured tile about a month ago now and it has been annoying me ever since.  Luckily I have also learned a valuable lesson.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

The Basics: Washing versus sanitizing

What is the difference between washing and sanitizing?  I feel like I always see sanitizing products and I've wondered to myself, how is that different from just using soap?  Well I have finally found out!

I took a Foodsafe course a few weeks ago and the instructor explained that washing is to get rid of dirt and sanitizing is to get rid of microbes (disease-causing bacteria, viruses, parasites).  A person can wash the counter and not sanitize it but you shouldn't sanitize the counter before washing it.  Why not?

Monday, August 1, 2011

Behind the Label: "Dermatologist recommended..." part 1

So I was making my way around the grocery store cleaning aisle yesterday looking for some green seals to investigate (I know what an exciting life, skulking around grocery stores) and I noticed something that has intrigued me for a while.  "Dermatologist recommended."  What does this mean?  I have often wondered about this phrase in the context of skin care products from my aromatherapy background but it is also used on laundry detergents.  I found this especially interesting considering the products it was found on were also labelled "Toxic" and were heavily scented.  What is up?

Monday, July 25, 2011

DBTFH: Placemats

Here is another question.  Why would someone buy non-washable placemats?

You know what I am talking about.  The bamboo placemats with all those little crevices just waiting for gunk.  Or fancy cloth placemats that can't be washed.  This is the penultimate example of form over function.  Isn't it?  I did a very brief search of placemat history and I can't figure out where they originated from.  I assume it was to protect the table from food and scratches, you know, when they used to build things to last so we took care of them.  So if my assumption is correct then the placemat is designed to catch food spills, so shouldn't it be washable? 

Down with non-washable placemats!!!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

DBTFH: Halogen lights over your mirrors

Oh my goodness.  Never, never, never do this.  By "this" I mean put halogen lights over or pointing at your mirrors.  That is unless you like perpetually dirty looking mirrors.

Mirrors are not perfect.  They have imperfections, especially low-quality mirrors.  They are cloudy, sometimes scratched, marred.  You often can't tell unless you have a halogen light pointing directly at them.  The worst part is when you try to clean the halogen-lit mirror.  Every little fibre from your cloth shows up, every little smudge - spray as much cleaner as you want, nothing helps.

This again reinforces my point that many designers don't think about maintenance during the design phase.

Don't buy these for your home...

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

The Secret: Stand-up Showers

Stand-up showers are a bit annoying.  I find they have a tendency to build up mildew and mold like nobody's business, this is especially true of the glass variety.  While frequent scrubbing is one way to keep these suckers clean, I have a few extra tips to make it a little easier.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Science of Cleaning: Baking Soda

Besides being a clean freak, I am also a baking freak.  My love of baking and of learning about all things nerdy led to this posting.  It all started with an article talking about the chemistry of baking and how the different leaveners affect the finished product.  This reading occurred in my kitchen where I happened to look over at my stove top and think, "man, that needs a good cleaning."  I got out my trusty baking soda, it was sparkling in under five minutes and I thought, "why does that work so well?"

Here is what I can surmise.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Deep Clean: Textured Tile

There are three kinds of cleaning people: those who don't care, those who care a little and those who care A LOT.  This post is for those who care A LOT.  The average person is satisfied with running a mop over a floor to clean it.  Textured tile will be just fine if that is all you do to take care of it.  However, for those who really want a sparkling, eat-your-dinner-off-the-floor clean, this post is for you.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Product Review: Lootz Aprons

I was at a craft market a couple of weekends ago and I saw the most adorable and functional aprons ever!!!  I have a thing for style and function.  Style only = pointless, function only = uh? usually ugly, style + function = fantastic.  Lootz aprons definitely master this equation.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Behind the Seal: Green Seal gets an A+

My first green seal review is called, funnily enough, the green seal!  It's kind of perfect.  And from what I can see this seal is pretty perfect too!  What a great way to start.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Seal Sense: What is behind all of these green seals?

I don't know about you but I am never sure what to think when I see that a product is approved by a green seal.  What does the seal actually mean?  Has the company just paid a large sum for the honor of affixing the seal to their label?  Perhaps I am just a cynic?

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Deep Clean: Your Best Friend!!!

There is one tool that I can't do without when I am trying to deep clean anywhere in my house, but especially sinks and taps.  My trusty toothbrush.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Quick Clean: Kitchens

I know you all know the feeling.  Your kitchen will never be clean every again.  Dishes are piled everywhere, there is STUFF all over the counters, the floor is dirty and you are tired.  The last thing you feel like doing in the world is cleaning up anything.  I've been there.  I find that even when I am in the depths of "Ugh!  I hate cleaning!" I will feel better if my kitchen is a wee bit tidier.  The key is to create the appearance of clean with as little effort as possible.  Here's what I do:

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Taking it to the next level in green cleaning products

My last post sparked a few interesting emails and led to a fair amount of pondering.  I am proposing a challenge to manufacturers of green products.  Take it to the next level.  What do I mean by this?  Let me explain.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Product Review: Eco Mist Wood & Laminate Cleaner

So I just started working with a new client.  She has beautiful laminate flooring and wanted a specially-designed cleanser so they look as wonderful as possible for as long as possible - I wanted something green.  My mission commenced.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The Basics: How to Buy a Vacuum

I find buying vacuums confusing.  There I said it.  Even though I am a cleaner and have used tons of different vacuums in my time I still find the vacuum section to be a bit of a maze.  Do I want an upright?  A mini?  Bags or bagless?  If I buy this bright and flashy vacuum will it even work well?  Argh!  Who knows?  What I hope to do in this post is offer a few guidelines for buying a vacuum, these are things that I look for and hopefully they will be helpful.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The Basics: Wood Flooring Finishes

The last thing you want to do after getting a beautiful wood floor installed is ruin it with improper cleaning!  Before you attack that floor with a mop and bucket make sure you know what you are getting yourself into.  There are three main types of wood flooring finishes: surface finish, wax finish and acrylic finish.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Renovations: Bathroom Counter/Sink Design

Sinks get pretty grungy.  However, there are design features that make it get grungy even faster.  On the flip side if you pay attention to a few key things during the design process, you could find yourself with an easy to clean, non-grungy sink/counter area.

In my experience, the key design features of an easy to clean bathroom are:

1) Counter level
The biggest issue I find with counters is that when they are installed they slope towards the back wall so that water pools by the grout.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Green Products: My Recipes

A lot of green products are green washed.  Green washing according to the Greenwashing Index, is "when a company or organization spends more time and money claiming to be 'green' through advertising and marketing than actually implementing business practices that minimize environmental impact."  Once you start to read ingredients on cleaning products, you will notice that they use a lot of fancy words.  

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The Secret: A Clean House

It is nice to have a clean house and keeping it clean is a fairly easy proposition as long as you follow some simple guidelines.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Quick Clean: Bathrooms

Who doesn't love a clean bathroom?  Perhaps the more appropriate question is who loves a dirty bathroom?  Yes, that would be no one.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

The Secret: Inside the Fridge

The Dreaded Fridge Clean...  I'm sure you all know that feeling!  Oh yes, we use our fridge every day, opening and closing the door; reaching in and pulling things out.  It's a fantastic modern device that has made our lives infinitely easier.  The question is how do you keep the darn thing clean?

I'll tell you my Clean Freak secret...

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Renovations: Grout, ugh!

What is the bane of my existence?  What is the most challenging thing to keep clean in a house?  What should never be used in high-traffic or high-mess areas?  You guessed it - grout.  Those beautiful tiny tiles, they looked so pretty in the tile store.  So delicate.  You pictured them in your bathroom, gleaming underneath your feet when you stepped out of the shower.  The soft white colour setting off your new pedicure.  Your dream bathroom.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Renovations: Why My Opinion Matters

Why would anyone read a cleaning blog when they are planning a renovation?  I know it sounds a little silly, but follow my logic for a moment.  When people are planning a renovation, why do they do it?  I believe I can safely say that people renovate so that they have a nice house/condo/apartment.  If you are going to spend all that time and money, generally you want a nice looking house at the end of it.  Well something I have learned so far through my cleaning business is that designers do not think about cleaning.  Oh sure they want you to have a nice house, maybe they have a fantastic eye for color/pattern/set-up, but they tend to not think through the day-in, day-out process of keeping that river-pebble shower floor clean.

Monday, February 7, 2011

The Secret: Windows & Mirrors

How can you get streak-free, crystal clear windows?  The answer is treat the process like making meringue.  Yes, you heard me.  Cleaning windows is like making meringue.  People who make a lot of meringue know that the key is to keep all of their equipment as clean as possible.  If the beaters or bowl have even traces of oil or grease on them, the meringue will not reach its ultimate level of fluffiness.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Don't try this at home: Vacuuming...

Every once in a while at work a funny thing happens that really underlines the importance of certain cleaning techniques.  In this situation I learned the importance of not vacuuming up moist, really noxious substances.

There I was!  Bright and early in the morning.  My client was upstairs taking care of her young baby so I decided to start my cleaning shift with a quick vacuum of the kitchen floor and dining room.  I pull the vacuum out, plug it in and start sucking away.  As I am vacuuming the smell of cat pee becomes quite strong.  It seems to be following me around and I am not sure why.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Home Cleaning: The Commandments

Like most things in life, cleaning works best when a few general guidelines are set out.  They are here to act as a guide, feel free to disregard any of them if they don't work for your life.

1. Thou shalt not overly obsess about cleaning.  Obviously I enjoy having a clean house.  I think it gives my life a sense of peace and calm.  Having said that, it is just cleaning and as long as you are comfortable with your level of cleanliness then be peaceful with that.

2. Thou shalt use no chemicals.  I did mention that I am obsessive about being green as well didn't I?  I don't think chemicals are necessary for cleaning.  Having said that I know that technically vinegar, alcohol and, heck, even water are considered chemicals.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Why am I writing this blog?

Since starting my cleaning company in April 2010 I have become obsessed with cleaning.  I scrub my toilet every day, reorganize my closets continually and delight in microfiber cloth sales at Canadian Tire.  I find myself with a new lens on the world - I call it my cleaning lady eye (I know incredibly politically incorrect but seriously most of us are women).

My cleaning lady eye is both a blessing and a curse.  Restaurant bathrooms that once merely lifted my eyebrow now receive gasps of horror.