As you may know, Parents’ Choice is the nation’s oldest nonprofit guide to quality children’s media and toys.  The Foundation’s purpose is to search out and recommend products that help kids grow imaginatively, physically, morally and mentally . . . fairly-priced products that are fun, safe and socially sound.

It’s obvious why the people at Parents’ Choice singled out Twig as one of the best toys of 2009.  Here’s what the Parents’ Choice reviewers (real parents and real kids!) had to say about Twig:

Opening the box containing this exquisitely-designed set of blocks elicited gasps of “ooh’s” and “aah’s” from goggle-eyed youngsters who couldn’t wait to get their hands on them!  The children have never before seen blocks like these, which have open spaces, holes and slots that make it possible for the compatible, precision-cut pieces to slide into, between and alongside one another.  The results of their freewheeling constructions have been astonishing.  The 72 wooden pieces include six sets with the same components.  Each set of 12 pieces is painted in a different brilliant hue, and they nest together perfectly like a three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle.  This can make putting away the blocks seem like a game.

See for yourself what everyone else is talking about. This innovative new toy is sure to become a classic. A simple yet elegant design allows for limitless building possibilities. Twig is perfect for boys and girls alike, and is enjoyed by children of all ages. Discover this modern twist on a classic. Twig is a block set like no other.

Twig

Other Good Toys

Bamboo is highly sustainable and grows way faster than traditional wood. Some varieties can grow up to two feet per day, and it is actually classified as a grass and not a tree. For this reason it will also propagate itself. You don’t need to plant new bamboo like you do trees. It sends out new shoots underground which result in new growth automatically. The varieties of bamboo used to make cutting boards are generally not the same plants intended as habitat for giant pandas. Bamboo is also 16% harder than maple, so it holds up great and soaks less water which results in a lower amount of residual bacteria.

At simplygoodstuff.com, we carry a very high quality Swiss designed line of bamboo cutting boards. There are several sizes to choose from, so you are sure to find the perfect one for your needs. Our rectangualr boards feature non-slip rubber feet, and integrated handles for easy use and maneuverability. Constructed using superior materials and processes to ensure the highest quality product possible. Make the environmentally friendly choice in cutting boards. Get a bamboo board to cut meat, vegetables, bread fruits and more.

Large Bamboo Cutting Board

Regular Bamboo Cutting Board

Small Bar Board

The clean, classic look of this white, down alternative comforter is perfect for virtually any room. It features a generous amount of microfiber filling that is just as warm as down, but without any of the drawbacks. You will find it to be lighter weight and most importantly, machine washable. The 600 thread count Egyptian Cotton cover makes it super soft and adds a touch of elegance. With a one size fits most sizing it becomes the perfect fit for virtually any bed. It is a great size for either king or queen size beds, and will have an oversized fit on full beds. This great comforter will feel super soft, ultra warm and amazingly comfortable. It will be harder than ever to get out of the bed in the morning and you will find yourself sleeping better all night long. The soft, sateen cover only improves with time too. As you launder this comforter, it will get softer and silkier with each washing. Perfect for people with down and feather allergies, our down alternative comforter has all the insulating characteristics of down without the itching and sneezing.

Down Alternative Comforter

Thanks to the efforts of the United Nations and other international bodies, decision makers now increasingly realize that we cannot afford to have a myopic vision when it comes to the future of the planet. The simple logic being that our planet’s ecology can be in real danger until some genuine efforts are made in the direction of creating energy efficient buildings.

So what exactly is the concept? Put simply, Green Building refers to the concept of reducing its impact upon the environment by making optimum use of the various resources such as power, water and other materials. This can be accomplished by integrating ‘green’ principles throughout the building life cycle through the steps of site selection, design, construction, operation, maintenance and even dismantling.

The benefits of Green Building are not limited to the environment alone. Organizations that have implemented these principles have experienced various tangible and intangible benefits including:

• Reduced operating costs

• Improved productivity

• Reduced consumption of resources

• Minimal environmental impact

• Enhanced image and goodwill

These are just known benefits, there are many more benefits and those are unseen. This is one of the best technique to save our environment with pollution.

Jack Albert is a dedicated writer, writes for Spectral, which provides green building services and building simulation consultancy. Also provides consultancy for energy efficient building.

50ml Hand Sanitzer

250ml Hand Sanitizer

Crayon on any surface, but especially on walls, is rather easy to remove. This is another job that Quick’n Brite is especially good at. This stuff will even remove candle wax from clothes and carpet, so a little crayon on a hard surface is simple. Because of how it works, it is uniquely suited to this task. Quick’n Brite is an all natural enzyme cleaner that works great on hundreds of jobs. It will break apart the waxy build-up that is the crayon and lift it off the surface so that you can easily wipe it away. Because it is all natural, and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, it is totally safe around children and pets, and won’t ever discolor or otherwise ruin any surface you apply it to. This great cleaner will completely remove all signs of the crayon quickly and easily.

How to do it:

Gather your supplies. You will need your Quick’n Brite (best to use a heavy solution which is 3tbs into a quart spray bottle of water. You could also use the paste or liquid full strength) For best results, and the easiest time, you will also want a microfiber cloth. The microfiber cloth is great and will remove smaller build-up like fingerprints and smudges from walls all by itself. When combined with the Quick’n Brite they offer unmatched cleaning ability. You will find that a similar technique, and these two tools will be perfect for cleaning all over your home. Just spray and wipe away.

1. Wet your microfiber or other cloth and then wring until it is just damp.
2. Apply the Quick’n Brite to the affected areas of your walls. The easiest way, once again is in a spray bottle. Just spray liberally all over. You could also use the paste or liquid using a scrub sponge or similar tool to apply it.
3. Let the cleaner sit for a few minutes to give it time to work. While it ists it will be breaking down the waxy crayon, and then floating it off the wall’s surface thanks to the natural surfactant involved.
4. Once the cleaner has had time to work, just come back and wipe clean with your microfiber cloth.

That’s all there is to it. There is no scrubbing or hard work involved.  You will find it incredibly easy to remove crayon from your walls using this tried and tested technique. To prevent further damage to your precious walls you might try some preventative measures also. Hang large sheets of paper or newsprint on the walls where your children like to draw the most. You could offer some sort of reward for drawing here instead of the rest of the house. It probably won’t be nearly as apealling as an actual wall that mom or dad would have to clean, but it is worth a shot.

Quick’n Brite

Microfiber Cloth

What is Organic Exactly?

So, back to what’s all the buzz about organic? Well, first let’s define organic. I’ll refer to Dr. Alan Greene, a pediatrician, who spells it out on his website: “Organic refers to the way agricultural products-food and fiber-are grown and processed. It is an ecological system that relies on healthy, rich soil to produce plants that resist pests and diseases. Organic farming prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemicals in favor of innovative practices that work with nature, instead of against it, such as crop rotation, cover crop planting, beneficial insect release and composting. In the case of livestock, no antibiotics or synthetic hormones are permitted. Organic production also prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Organic practices mean: No pesticides to contaminate our soil and water or injure farm workers; No fertilizers to runoff and contaminate rivers, lakes and oceans; And, a healthier and more sustainable environment for us all.”

So, Why is This Issue So Important for Our Children?

The chemicals used in conventional farming are known to pose many health risks to humans, especially children. Children’s cells are literally made out of the food they eat. The nutrients and the non-nutrients, like the chemicals and artificial ingredients, are the building blocks for their cells and their cells in turn build their organs. Cells also communicate with other cells. If children’s cells are being built out of toxic chemicals, it’s easy to see how they may start talking jibberish to each other and how they may not be building the healthiest of bodies.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Children are at a greater risk for some pesticides for a number of reasons. Children’s internal organs are still developing and maturing and their enzymatic, metabolic, and immune systems may provide less natural protection than those of an adult. There are “critical periods” in human development when exposure to a toxin can permanently alter the way an individual’s biological system operates. Children may be exposed more to certain pesticides because they often eat different foods than adults.”

A study conducted by the University of Washington tracked a group of preschool children. There were 18 with organic diets and 21 with conventional diets. Their urine was analyzed for evidence of exposure to five different kinds of toxic pesticides. The researchers found that the average total was six- to almost nine-times higher for children with conventional diets than for children with organic diets.

Okay, But Why Does Organic Food Cost so Much More?

There are many reasons organic foods cost more – it is more labor intensive due to not using pesticides to protect the crops, there is more cost in creating and maintaining healthy soils that will produce nutrient-rich, healthy plants, and government subsidies offered to conventional farmers may not be available to organic farmers. Whatever the reasons, it is important to realize that while the cost may be more for the organic foods, the benefits for our families are much greater. I only have one chance to help build those bones and those hearts and those eyes, and since it took 30 years for the government to realize that DDT was responsible for so many medical problems and deaths of many children before it was banned in the US, I’m not going to leave it up to the EPA to decide what’s safe for my growing kids. I know intuitively, and I’m sure you do too, that foods that aren’t sprayed with a host of chemicals are a lot healthier for everyone, especially kids.

It becomes a matter of adjusting our spending priorities and doing the best we can to protect our children from the chemicals that are so prominent in our environment. Buying organic foods, even if it is just some of our weekly groceries, is one way we can protect our children.

Health Kids, Happy Moms @ http://www.nourishyourkids.com
Two moms, one a Holistic Health Educator and the other a Holistic Pediatrician, help moms raise healthier children.

While I don’t advocate dropping your medical insurance all together, I do believe that there is a natural alternative you can use before you call your doctor and that’s natural homeopathic remedies. Natural homeopathic remedies are safe to use, highly effective, have no side effects, don’t interfere with any existing medicines or prescriptions you may need to take, and they’re cost effective too which makes them perfect for families with children.

The truth is you can start living a more natural life now by starting your own natural medicine cabinet for your home with natural homeopathic remedies which are affordable and you can easily find them at your local farmer’s market or whole foods store.

To help you get started putting together your natural medicine cabinet, I’ve put together a list of the top 5 products that you should start with and which are simply a must to have on hand in your home at all times.

1. Rescue Remedy:

The most important product you should have in your natural medicine cabinet is Rescue Remedy by Bach. Rescue Remedy is a combination of 5 Bach Flower Essences which is highly effective in treating emotional trauma or shock as in the case of acute emergencies or crises such as accidents. However, you can also use Rescue Remedy for any stressful situation which evokes stress, fear or anxiety such as upsetting bad news or an upcoming job interview. Rescue Remedy is safe to use for yourself, your children and even your pets. It’s an excellent natural product to keep on hand at all times for any type of emotional upset or trauma. Rescue Remedy will help restore you to a normal emotional balance so you can deal with the situation calmly and confidently.

2. Arnica 30C:

Another great natural product to always have in your natural medicine cabinet is Arnica 30C. Arnica (arnica Montana), is a perennial with yellow-orange flowers, that has been used medicinally for centuries by Europeans. Although there are many medicinal uses for Arnica, it is commonly known as THE number one injury remedy for sprains, bruises, muscle aches, or wounds. However, Arnica also provides quick relief from pain, shock and trauma. Arnica is proven to help the body to heal from injury as well as to reduce swelling and pain. You can find arnica in a topical ointment, salve or spray as well as in pill form to be taken internally as a homeopathic remedy.

3. Traumeel Cream:

Traumeel Cream is another amazing natural product as it is commonly known for the past 30 years as a natural pain-reliever. Traumeel, made from all natural ingredients, has been used to effectively treat sprained joints, strained or pulled muscles, bruises, arthritis, post-surgical pain, and inflammation & swelling. Traumeel is very powerful yet safe and easy to use and is generally found in an ointment or gel to be used topically. Traumeel is definitely a powerful product to keep in your natural medicine cabinet at all times for just about any minor injury.

4. Propolis:

Propolis which is a resin gathered by honeybees from tree bark and leaves, is a very powerful natural antibiotic. Dating back to ancient times, propolis was used to heal wounds, sores, and even ulcers. Propolis is commonly known today as “nature’s band aid” because it is excellent to put directly onto minor cuts or sores. Propolis with its antibiotic properties, helps heal the wound but also helps cover and protect it because propolis is water-resistant so it allows the skin to breath while it is healing from the inside out. Keep propolis in your natural medicine cabinet at all times for any minor cuts or scrapes that can and do happen as we know, often and frequently.

5. Aloe Vera:

Lastly, another must have product to keep in your natural medicine cabinet is aloe vera. The amazing medicinal and healing power of aloe vera dates back thousands of years. With its cool, soothing, anti-inflammatory effect on the skin, today aloe vera is most widely used in the healing of wounds, frostbite and burns including sunburn. Aloe vera with its ability to penetrate the layers of the skin easily and be absorbed quickly, is also a natural moisturizer and skin conditioner containing valuable vitamins and nutrients that are able to be carried to and reach the deep innermost layers of the skin, thereby healing and conditioning the skin from the inside out. Aloe vera is very effective and safe to use. Keep a jar or tube of aloe vera on hand at all time for minor burns, scarring from wounds, sunburn, insect bites, and poison ivy.

Receive more quick & easy tips, tools, news and information so you can live a more Natural, Healthy, Spiritual, Green Life…

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Written by Laura K. Halik, expert author and internet marketer specializing in natural products and solutions for a healthier life and environment.

2)Make a menu and grocery list: By making a weekly menu with corresponding grocery list you are limiting what you buy. When you walk blindly into the store you are more likely to grab what sounds good at that moment and what is most convenient. Instant gratification and convenience almost always guarantees an unhealthy choice. Choose a cookbook with healthy recipes to create your menu from. The Sonoma Diet has fresh healthy recipes and daily meal plans. A cookbook with preplanned meals is a great springboard for creating a healthy habit. Once you have created your menu of all meals for the week go through the recipes and write down the ingredients you don’t have. Making the list is the easy part. It’s sticking to it that can take some practice. Just remember if you’re shopping on the perimeter of the store your in the “healthy” zone.

3)Remove disposable diapers and disposable sanitary products: Disposable diapers contain known carcinogenic chemicals called Dioxin and Sodium Polyacrylate. Dioxin is created in the bleaching process and Sodium Polyacrylate is the gel crystals that absorb liquid in a diaper. Cloth diapers and cloth menstral pads are an economical, environmental and healthy alternative to disposable products. This transition is one of the more difficult ones. It can be confusing, overwhelming, and your mind is most likely racing with millions of faulty preconceived ideas. Reading other”s experiences and strategies on a blog like All About Cloth Diapers will set your fears and doubts to rest. With the internet today you can learn from other people’s mistakes and drastically decrease the learning curve.

4)Inspect your cleaning products: Removing harmful chemicals like bleach, sodium lauryl sulfate, 1-4, Dioxane and Propylene Glycol are positive steps towards creating a healthy environment for your family. There are many “green” cleaning products on the market today making this transition an easy one. Some alternatives include: Ecover Dishwashing Detergent, Crunchy Clean Laundry Detergent, Burt’s Bees Honey Milk Lotion, Kiss My Face Olive Oil soap, Clorox Green or Vinegar for countertops and windows. Make a list of all the cleaning products in your house and set goals for when you will phase the unhealthy out. It may take your 3-6 months to complete the task but every step brings you closer to a healthy house.

5)Drink more water and less soda: We’ve all heard the recommendation of 8 8oz glasses of water a day at minimum or else dehydration sets in. Whether or not this recommendation is accurate, the truth is drinking water is never bad (unless you are over doing it by the gallons). Transitioning your soda intake by reducing one at a time is the best start. Sodas have many harmful chemicals in them. Aside from the High Fructose Corn Syrup that spikes your blood sugar and predisposes you to diabetes, there is Phosphoric Acid. Phosphoric Acid leaches your bones of Phosphorous causing them to be more brittle. Next time you reach for that can of Coke, grab a glass of water instead.

Autumn Beck is a mother to 3 constantly working to make her house a healthier place for her family. Autumn invites you to learn more about natural living by visiting her blog at: http://www.allaboutclothdiapers.com/

Click Here for Cloth Diapering Strategies

Shop For Green Cleaning Products

Shop For Good Stuff for Kids 

Conventional moisturizing lotions only attempt to replace a lack of natural moisture with artificial moisture but the problem is it comes off every time you wash or touch something.

Until now, all one could do to alleviate a dry skin problem was to apply conventional moisturizing lotions. In order for any moisture to actually improve a dry skin condition it needs to get below the second major layer of skin. In reality the only moisture that is going to reach this level is your skin’s own natural moisture.

Have you ever stopped using artificial moisturizers only to experience an episode in which your skin actually became drier than it was before you started using them?

When you apply any artificial moisture to the skin’s surface you are often sending the wrong signal – that your skin is being adequately moisturized, when in fact it is actually dehydrated of natural moisture. This often results in reducing your skin’s production of the natural moisture needed to actually resolve a dry skin condition.

Unlike artificial moisturizers, Skin MD Natural bonds with the outer most layer of skin cells to turn it into what works like an invisible shield.

This “invisible shield” keeps moisture-robbing irritants out while helping to retain your skin’s own natural moisture, resulting in skin that is far better hydrated, over the long term, than what can be achieved by conventional lotions.

For more info check out this link –> skinmdnatural.com

• Growing and Herb Garden: Growing an indoor herb garden is a great way to start an environmentally friendly kitchen. Not only does growing your own herbs help to ensure you stay organic, but it also enhance every meal. Choose a few of your favorite spices (Basil, Thyme, Oregano, and Garlic are popular ones), get a couple clay pots, and start your garden. You’ll want to set up your plants on a windowsill where they will get plenty of sunlight. Check out your online gourmet retailers like igourmet for herb garden sets that will supply you with everything you need to start your garden.
• Fair Trade Brews: If you love a morning cup of coffee, consider purchasing and brewing your own fair trade coffee. While most coffees are mass produced or made through non organic processes, fair trade products work to “fairly” compensate smaller famers for their time and product. Farmers who take part in the fair trade tradition work to utilize organic means of producing, harvesting, and selling their product. Fair Trade products aren’t limited to coffees; many gourmet retailers offer a wide selection of Fair Trade products including sugars, syrups, and teas
• Take it To Go: Did you know that over two million styromfoam cups are used for a morning cup of coffee and then merely tossed into the trash. Do your part to cut down on non biodegradable waste by making your morning cup of coffee or tea and home. If you want to enjoy your warm beverage while you drive or at work, consider investing in a good travel mug may be a good idea. Making your coffee to go and taking it with you in a reusable travel mug will help you save time, money, and the environment.
• Say No to Plastic: Whether your taking your lunch to work or refrigerating left over’s, consider getting rid of plastic baggies and saran wrap and replacing it with reusable Tupperware containers. Using and reusing containers will help cut back on the amount of product you waist and it will ultimately keep your sandwiches or last night’s dinner fresher longer.
• Use Dish Towels and Reusable Napkins: When you’re finished washing dishes and need to wipe your hands off take a second and think about what you use. Many people use a paper towel, wipe their clean wet hands off and proceed to toss it in the garbage. A great way to cut back on paper waste and work towards and environmentally friendly kitchen is switching over to reusable napkins and hand towels. Purchase a few fancy cloth napkins for your dinner table and simply wash them after your finished using them.I’m not saying you need to get rid of those paper towel rolls all together. Sometimes they really come in handy for messes you don’t want to clean up with reusable cloths. When you do purchase paper towels, look for brands that use recycled paper to produce the towels; after all they are simply going right back into the trash.

For great organic cooking ingredients including herb garden kits and Fair Trade products visit igourmet. Treat your friends and coworkers during the upcoming holidays with igourmet gift baskets. Visit igourmet for great holiday gift baskets and gourmet gift baskets

If the threat of global warming doesn’t spur you into action, perhaps this fact will: Most of the actions you can take to green your home are easy. And while they save energy and other valuable resources, they also save you a little or even a lot of green (read: money). I’m not expecting you to go off the grid, start raising all your own food, or anything that extreme. These are just easy changes that can be made around your house now to make a big difference.

So, without further ado, I present to you The Home Know-It-All’s Top 15 Ways to Go Green Around Your Home (in order from easiest to accomplish to hardest-although I’d say they’re all pretty darn easy).

1. Unplug household appliances and electronics (like the coffee maker, toaster, and cell phone charger) when they’re not in use. Even if they’re not on, appliances that are plugged in use energy. In fact, as much as 40 percent of all electricity is used to power home appliances that are turned off!
2. Get the most out of your appliances by only washing full loads of laundry and dishes. Minimize how often you open the refrigerator too. And keep the fridge full-an empty fridge has to work harder to stay cool than a full one.
3. Turn down the thermostat in cold weather and kick it up higher in warm weather. For each degree below 68 degrees Fahrenheit you set your thermostat during cold weather (or above 78 degrees Fahrenheit in warm weather), you’ll save 3 to 5 percent more heating energy. A programmable thermostat makes this step easy. And using ceiling fans can keep you comfortable even when the thermostat is set higher or lower than you’re used to.
4. Bring your own (reusable) grocery bags to the store. Paper and plastic grocery bags are no good for the environment-in fact, according to Ideal Bite, about 12 millions barrels of oil and 14 million trees go into producing plastic and paper bags each year. Plus, reusable bags hold more than flimsy plastic sacks and are easier to carry around.
5. Replace burned out lightbulbs with CFLs. These fluorescent bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescents and last up to 10 times longer. You can save $30 or more in electricity costs for each bulb over its lifetime!
6. Remember the three Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle!). Note that recycling comes at the end of the list. The most important step toward going green is to reduce your consumption-buy less, and you’ll have less to recycle. In the home, that means buying materials, furnishings, and other items that are well-made, durable, and long-lasting (in other words, go for quality, not quantity).Then, of course, there’s recycling. Recycle everything you possibly can-plastic, paper, bottles, cans, you name it. It’s important to recycle electronics, batteries, toxic household items, and more as well. Learn where to recycle at Earth911.org. Oh, and buy recycled too-all sorts of household items from carpeting to dog beds to paper products are available with recycled content.
7. Use green cleaning supplies or homemade cleaning concoctions rather than chemical ones.
8. Paint with no- or low-VOC paints the next time you want to repaint rooms in your home.
9. Insulate your hot water heater to save energy. Placing an insulative jacket around your hot water heater costs as little as $10 to $20, and pipe insulation is less than $1 per six feet. While you’re at it, turn the water heater down to 120 degrees for more money savings-and to ensure no one gets burned by water that’s too hot.
10. Plug air leaks around your house. Air leaks waste tons of energy, but they’re easy and inexpensive to take care of. Simply install weatherstripping and caulk around windows, doors, electrical outlets, and plumbing penetrations to stop drafts. Check the attic for leaks too.
11. Stop using chemicals on your lawn and in your garden. One way to reduce the need for chemicals (and lots of watering) is to try xeriscaping. And while you’re in the garden, check out natural ways to get rid of garden pests too.
12. Save water by installing low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets.
13. Select Energy Star appliances when it’s time to purchase new ones. Clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers, dehumidifiers, and more with the Energy Star label incorporate advanced technologies that use 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than standard models-and they work well too!
14. Replace single-pane windows with double-pane ones to reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in the summer. An added bonus: they’ll reduce noise pollution too.
15. Purchase sustainable materials for flooring, furnishings, and other home items. Flooring materials such as cork and bamboo are growing in popularity because they’re attractive, durable, and better for the environment than other options. Wood that bears the Forest Stewardship Council has been harvested using environmentally friendly methods-look for sustainably harvested wood furnishings, decking, and more. And check out TreeHugger’s guide to green furniture for more environmentally friendly furniture options.

So there you have it. Ways big and small to go green. This barely scratches the surface, of course. So if you want to learn more about these and other ways to lessen the impact you, your family, and your home have on the environment, check out some of my favorite online resources: Green Home Guide, Lime, The Green Guide, and TreeHugger.

Lexicon Consulting, Inc
The Home Know-It-All

Green Cleaning Supplies

Answer:
You can use your favorite cleaners or furniture oils with the microfiber
cloths, but the great thing about microfiber is you don’t have to. With just
water the cloths will remove 98-99% off all dirt, dust, bacteria etc. so
there is no real need for cleaner. You may still have a desire to use oils,
and the only thing to worry about is that over time residue from these and
other common chemical cleaners can build-up and coat the fibers, making the
cloth less effective. To prevent this, wash after use, or you may want to
designate one cloth to use with cleaners and the others with just water.

Bottom Line:
Cleaners that contain bleach will corrode the fibers, and others may coat
and clog them, but for the most part you can use anything you want.
Microfiber Cleaning Supplies

Microfiber is a workhorse
One of the drawbacks of housecleaning is that it is just so darn hard to do — and it takes so many cleaners. But microfiber has changed all that. These cloths actually attract dirt and trap it in the fibers. At only 1/16th the size of a human hair, the fibers don’t just trap dirt, they trap bacteria, too.

The cloths are made of a polyester and polymide blend that retains a static charge. This makes them actually attract dust, dirt, and pet hair. The cloths are also so efficient at trapping dirt that they don’t demand gallons of cleaners, so you can even clean with water alone – important if anyone in your home is chemically-sensitive, has breathing problems, or has asthma.

According to one study, microfiber cloths pick up 99% of bacteria using only water. With houses becoming more and more air tight, cleaning with water makes sense because if you’re able to clean with fewer chemicals, then those chemicals won’t be trapped in the house with you. A university in Canada performed a study that tested the cloths’ cleaning ability in restrooms and found that microfiber with water cleaned as well as a rag with disinfectant.

Special surfaces need microfiber
Microfiber cloths also beautifully polish chrome, fixtures, windows, wood floors, and granite. That’s right, granite; beautiful to look at and awful to maintain. If anyone had told me how hard keeping that shiny surface would be, I doubt I would have installed it in my own house. But then I use microfiber and it helps me maintain my love affair with my granite.

I’ll never forget the look on my builder’s face when he asked me if I thought granite was a chore to maintain. I then proceeded to show a side by side comparison of the cleaning ability of a sponge and a microfiber cloth. I enjoyed his amazement at the incredible cleaning ability, and I think I sold another set of towels that day.

The same is true for those glass cooktops that require the special “cooktop cleaner.” Fortunately, microfiber is there. With a damp cloth, you can make your ceran or glass cooktop sparkle without all the special cleaner and paper towels every single time you want to clean it. It does a great job on stainless, too.

Wood floors and windows are another cleaning challenge. With wood, it’s not a good idea to damp mop because over time water damages wood, but yet wood floors need an occasional mopping. Lightly sprayed with water, special microfiber mops pick up the tiniest bits of dirt and wipe smears and stains away without using excessive amounts of water.

And who wants to clean windows? I do because I hate looking out dirty windows and the microfiber makes cleaning them so easy. For windows, I use two microfiber cloths. One is wet with a weak solution of water and window cleaner and the other dry. I wipe the windows first with the wet one to get the dirt off and then wipe to a perfect shine with the dry one. Unlike with paper towels where you need to wipe until your arm wants to fall off to make your windows shine, it only takes seconds to clean windows with microfiber.

Treat your microfiber right
When you buy microfiber towels, be sure to wash them in hot water first to plump up the fibers. Add a little dish soap to a dishpan and wash the cloths in with the hottest water possible. Rinse, wring them out, and they’re ready for use. After use, wash the same way or throw them in the washer. Make sure you don’t add fabric softener or put them in the dryer. You can get literally hundreds of washes from one cloth.

Give microfiber towels a try. You’ll be amazed, too. It’s my personal promise.

Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter feng shui e-zine and is dedicated to helping her readers develop successful, prosperous, and supportive environments with feng shui. To subscribe, logon to www.redlotusletter.com and receive this special report Fr*ee “16 Feng Shui Secrets for Greater Prosperity.”

The Power of Microfiber
First of all, microfiber is the best cleaning material available today. It is a super strong, lint-free synthetic fabric comprised of electrostatically-charged fibers. This charge allows it to attract dust particles more efficiently. Each strand is 100 times thinner than a human hair. These strands are then split, and woven into masses consisting of over 90,000 threads per square inch. Each strand has tiny wedges that scrape the surface to lift up dirt and then lock it in the fibers. This is how microfiber makes it possible to clean with only water. The fabric itself cleans so well, you don’t need to waste time, money or brain cells using chemical cleansers. Just get it damp to clean almost any surface.

Recently, microfiber has been incorporated into mops, which has resulted in a re-useable, fast and easy cleaning solution. It is also the best non-toxic and all natural way to mop your floor. When you clean with microfiber and water, you know it is safe for your children and pets. The following is a few more reasons to use a microfiber mop.

Microfiber mops clean better, in less time. You will save time and energy.
The tiny fibers of the microfiber make it extremely absorbent, so that mop pads are able to withhold more liquid without dripping. Thus, the mop head does not need to be replenished as frequently and the floor is damp after cleaning, as opposed to being soaking wet. Plus you don’t need as much water with a microfiber mop anyway. You will be able to clean more space, in less time, with virtually no trips to dunk and rinse.
Microfiber is also extremely effective at cleaning in between the nooks and crannies of tiled floors. Traditional mops require excessive force in order to remove dirt from tile cracks. Microfiber cleaning is different. Instead of having to exert physical force to scrub the floor, microfiber adheres to the surface and electrostatically removes the dirt particles for you. The fibers do the scrubbing so you don’t have to. Just glide it effortlessly across the floor to remove 99% of all dirt, dust and germs.
Microfiber cleaning reduces the risk of injury
Microfiber mopping eliminates the need for excessive “scrubbing” forces, and the need to wring the wet mop head. This effectively reduces the risk of back pain, wrist and hand problems, and work-related injury. As mentioned before, microfiber cleaning also leaves less water on the floor, which reduces the risk of someone slipping on the floors. You also don’t need a heavy bucket of water. No filling or dumping is required.
Microfiber cleaning is environmentally friendly
Microfiber mops require significantly less water to clean entire rooms. In addition, microfiber is extremely effective at digging into nooks and crannies of tiles without the use of chemicals. And unlike disposable mops, Microfiber mop heads can be washed in the laundry. Wash the mop pad hundreds of times before it goes bad. Stop throwing one away every time you mop and you will be cutting down on wasted landfill garbage that accumulates from the use of those disposable mops.

Microfiber cleaning costs less
In the long run, a disposable cleaning product will cost you at least $60 a year for the mop, and all those refills. Standard mops, on the other hand, consume a significant amount of water and tend to not last for more than a year. Plus you have to buy special cleaners for each floor in your home to mop with one The cost of a microfiber mop package is generally under $40, and usually includes everything you need to get started. Microfiber Mops are also guaranteed to last at least 3 years!

For more information about buying a Microfiber mop, please click here.

“our job [as a department] to come up with ideas to be more environmentally friendly”, says Darren Gardham, supervisor, custodial and housekeeping services. The custodial services department has developed ways to minimize cleaning chemical use, use fewer cloth and paper resources, improve health of custodial staff and occupants, and increase cleaning efficiency. For approximately the last five years, microfiber products have played a significant role in the university’s sustainability program.

During the trial period, the manufacturer representative conducted a black-light test demonstration to compare microfiber performance results with other tools and products.

The test was conducted on three restroom urinals after a day of use. Before any cleaning was done, a black light was used to test the area for protein spots. Then each urinal was cleaned using different methods. One urinal was cleaned with a cotton rag and water. A second urinal was cleaned with a cotton rag and disinfectant. The third urinal was cleaned with a microfiber cloth and water.

The microfiber cloth used with water produced almost identical results as the regular rag and disinfectant, Gardham says. [Whether we used] disinfectant with a regular rag or microfiber with water, the urinal was bacteria-free.

Results of The Study:

1. Microfiber cleaning products leave the surface of the item being cleaned “Free of any foreign material.
2. Microfiber products “Do not cross contaminate.”
3. As microfiber products can be used wet, there is no need to mechanically dry them. By avoiding the use of commercial dryers, “Significant additional energy costs are avoided.
4. Microfiber cloths & mops, used only with regular tap water, are 99.94% effective in removing bacteria from smooth surfaces, as compared to conventional cloths and mops used with Lysol or bleach, which were only 91.89% effective.
5. Microfiber products “do not negatively impact the shine value of the surface being cleaned.”
6. Microfiber “mops allow a greater area to be cleaned than conventional mops, and microfiber mops are 5 times less expensive to clean.”

Benefits of Using Microfiber:

1. Reduced environmental impact.
2. Saves substantial time & money.
3. Fewer allergic reactions.
4. Decreased risk of backs and shoulder problems.
5. Reduced chance of spills & chemical related accidents.
6. Improved public safety, slip & falls reduced or eliminated.
7. Microfiber cloths can be reused a minimum of 500 times.
8. Cloths & mops are light and can therefore be washed in large quantities, greatly reducing water and energy consumption.
9. Cloths & mops take up less physical space and therefore reduce both transport costs and area required for storage closets.
10. This system provides for very substantial cost and labor savings, on a yearly basis, as the system is more efficient.

Conclusion:
Reduced environmental impact, healthier people, fewer accidents and injuries are priceless savings. This system is simple, efficient and effective, and represents the next Generation in cleaning systems. Lastly, this system is as effective as cleaning with chemicals.

This system is simple, efficient, and effective, and represents the next generation in cleaning systems. Lastly, this system is as effective as cleaning with chemicals. Strong words from a university that states its goal is to become a global leader in environmental sustainability through innovative strategies, which foster the protection and preservation of the environment.

Microfiber Cloths

Microfiber Mops