Even some so-called natural cleansers can contain these same or similar nasty ingredients. And you would know this only if the manufacturer practices full disclosure of ingredients on their labels, which is not required on home care products. Think about it – when was the last time you saw a full ingredient listing on your spray cleaner?

The best way to make sure your living space is clean and healthy is to use safe, natural cleaning products you create yourself, using natural and inexpensive ingredients you can pick up at any natural grocery store. It’s cost-effective, not difficult and, like the task of spring cleaning itself, it’s satisfying and rewarding. You can craft your own, home-spun versions of everything from carpet cleaner to furniture dusting polish – and have the satisfying assurance that you really are keeping your home clean and green.

Whether you’re shopping for prepared natural cleaning solutions or making your own, keep in mind that the word “aromatherapy” is now being applied to everything scented – from dishwashing liquid to laundry detergent. The true practice of aromatherapy relies on using pure essential oils extracted from plants. These natural plant essences nurture us on mental, emotional, physical and even spiritual levels. House cleaning isn’t exactly a spiritual exercise, but adding the effects and properties of essential oils to your homemade household products can enhance the experience and the effectiveness of your task.

Essential oils have potent antimicrobial effects along with their clean, pleasant natural aromas. Here are a few “classic” homecare essential oils suggested by the experts at the leading aromatherapy company, Aura Cacia: lemon (clean, sweet, uplifting scent; deodorizing), peppermint (minty, fresh; air purifier; mild pest repellent), eucalyptus and tea tree (air and surface sanitizers; fresh, therapeutic aromas).

Here’s a shopping list of key ingredients for making your own homecare products:

* Baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) – Gently abrasive scouring powder, odor absorber and an excellent base for making your own cleaning preparations.
* Washing soda (Sodium Carbonate)
* Borax (Sodium Borate) – Natural mineral compound, laundry booster, multipurpose cleanser, fungicide/insecticide.
* White distilled vinegar (Acetic Acid)
* Liquid soap (Sodium Hydroxide) – Choose from vegetable oil-based soaps such as olive oil or sweet almond.
* Distilled water – Clean, distilled water acts as a better carrier and dirt solvent. Tap water will often contain salts and minerals that can lead to spotting and build-up.
* Essential oils
* Spray bottles
* Natural bristle scrubbing brushes
* Squeeze bottles
* Cotton dusting cloth
* Hemp or jute fiber scrubbing cloth
* Tote to put it all in

Follow these simple recipes for making your own basic homecare products:

Basic Spray Cleaner

2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon sodium borate
1/4 teaspoon liquid soap
36 drops essential oil*

*Cleansing and purifying essential oils: lemon, tea tree, eucalyptus, spike lavender.

Gentle Scouring Cream

1/2 cup baking soda
Liquid soap
18 drops essential oil*

*Oils that brighten: lemon, lemongrass, grapefruit.

Add essential oils to baking soda and blend. Next, incorporate the liquid soap, several drops at a time, until a creamy paste forms.

Window Cleaner

2 cups water
3 tablespoons vinegar
1/4 teaspoon liquid soap
36 drops essential oil

Wooden Furniture Polishing Oil

3 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil
10 drops lemon essential oil

Carpet Deodorizing Powder

1 cup baking soda
18 drops essential oil*

*Deodorizing essential oils: bergamot, coriander seed, lavandin.

Carpet Cleaner

1 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon liquid soap
18 drops essential oil

For more information and eco-friendly cleaning tips, visit www.auracacia.com.

Courtesy: ARAcontent

Learn how to naturally clean your microwave by using just lemon and water.

Indoor air can contain viruses, dust mites, formaldehyde, radon, pet dander and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pollutants that aggravate allergies. But in understanding four key air quality components, Americans can ensure a healthy, sustainable home.

1. Moisture Control

Too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can cause skin and respiratory problems. Controlling humidity allows the HVAC system to work more efficiently, so homeowners pay less in energy bills. Choose automatic, whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers. For example, Aprilaire’s Model 1750 Central Dehumidifier’s built-in intelligence provides automatic control for not only whole-home dehumidification, but also for fresh air ventilation, air cycling and air filtration.

2. Ventilation

Without air circulation, allergens, odors, moisture and other pollutants cannot leave the home. Ensure air flow with a mechanical ventilation system, which will use fans and ducts to circulate fresh air.

3. Air Filtration

Central air filters permanently remove airborne contaminants. In a recent standard industry test, the Aprilaire 5000 achieved 99 percent efficiency against airborne particles. The unit captures and kills virtually all contaminants, including viruses, bacteria, mold spores and allergens.

4. Energy Efficiency

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), using efficient heating and cooling systems, leakless ducts and thermostats that are programmed to save energy at night or when residents are away would prevent 169 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions a year. The EPA says that a programmable thermostat can save you up to 30 percent on your energy bills.

For more information, visit www.aprilaire.com.

Courtesy: NewsUSA

But automating pool functions can save up to 75 percent of a pool’s annual energy costs, while also reducing chemical use and maintenance time. Pool owners can customize pool functions to their schedule. For example, someone may set their pool’s filter pump to run longer or more often on weekends, when the pool experiences heavier use.

The pool experts at Hayward offer the following tips for Americans looking to enjoy their pools with minimum effort and maximum savings:

Replace your pool’s filter pump

A pool pump may be your home’s second or third largest energy consumer after air conditioning units. But a multi-speed, energy-efficient pump can save up to 75 percent on your pool operating costs. Hayward recommends its Tristar 2-speed pump or Variable Speed pump that features up to eight programmable speeds. Owners can further reduce energy consumption by setting each action’s time, speed and duration, or setting the pump to work during off-hours.

Use a robotic cleaner

A robotic cleaner can quickly pay for itself, saving up to 94 percent of the energy used by a pressure cleaner and booster pump. The best models, like the TigerShark, use little energy themselves, operate independently from other pool functions and shut off after cleaning.

Are you still flipping switches?

Save energy by managing your pool and spa functions with automation. The new OnCommand automatic pool controls can be retrofitted to your pool for less than the price of your next big-screen TV. Program and control up to 4 functions such as your multi-speed filter pump, booster pump, pool/spa lights, heater or pool cleaner.

For more information, visit www.haywardnet.com.

Courtesy: NewsUSA

Let’s do a little math with the help of the Water Savings Calculator (www.americanstandard-us.com/water-efficiency/) created by American Standard. Using an average residential cost of $6.06 per 1,000 gallons of water per year, consider this:

• Install new 1.28-gallon-per-flush (gpf) high-efficiency toilets to replace older (pre-1990) 3.5 gpf toilets currently in your home. With the average toilet being flushed 12 times per day, replacing two older toilets saves $118 and 19,447 gallons of water per year.
• Replace three 2.2-gallon-per-minute (gpm) faucets with 0.5 gpm WaterSense-labeled faucets and use them the same 40 minutes per day. The result: Save $451 and 74,460 gallons per year.
• Swap out two 3.0 gpm showerheads for new 1.5 gpm models and save $265 and 43,800 gallons per year.

Grab the calculator — in one year, the average household can save $834 and more than four swimming pools’ worth of water!

Bulking up your wallet and saving water become all the more appealing when combined with a new generation of plumbing products that offer peak performance. Remember these product selection tips as you outfit a new, greener bathroom for your home:

Look for the WaterSense Label

Created by the Environmental Protection Agency, this label certifies that products reduce water usage by 20 percent or more without sacrificing performance. The WaterSense label is currently available for high-efficiency toilets (HETs) and faucets. American Standard has the most high-efficiency toilets independently rated to flush more than two pounds of solids. All American Standard bathroom faucets are WaterSense-certified, and they comply with stringent new no-lead requirements.

Keep Performance Front and Center When Going Green

The goal is conservation without sacrifice. Using as little as 1.0 gallon of water on the light setting, the H2Option Dual Flush HET scours the sides of the bowl with a strong push-and-pull siphonic action created by a forceful, but quiet, jetted action under the rim. The FloWise three-function showerhead has the option of a full 2.5 gallon flow rate, but an internal turbine also delivers invigorating sprays at lower water-use settings.