19. May 2009 by Dean of Clean.

Spring is back.  Do you feel that renewed sense of excitement, and the feeling of wanting to clean up our space we’ve inhabited all winter?  Sounds like Spring Cleaning!  And you’ve probably heard of “green cleaning.”  But what exactly is “green cleaning”?  It’s cleaning in a way that does not cause any harm to you or the environment.

Here are some simple, inexpensive ways you can clean “green” this spring!

You could start by making your own cleaners.  It sounds kind of intimidating but it’s actually quite easy and cost effective.  Just think about your grandmothers and your great grandmothers – they were cleaning green and didn’t even know it!  They didn’t have all these fancy, chemical laden cleaners to choose from.  They had simple, non-toxic recipes to use.   Their homes were clean and non-toxic – “green” before it was the trend.  (And
just think about how long they lived – could there be a connection to
their longevity and their lack of exposure to harmful chemicals in
cleaning supplies and food?)

Recipe for All Purpose Cleaner:

4 Tablespoons Vinegar

2 tsp. Borax

32 oz. hot water

Mix and store in a spray bottle.

Recipe for Window Cleaner:

1 Cup White Vinegar

3 Cups Water

Mix and store in a spray bottle.  Use a cotton rag or newspapers.

Recipe for Cleaning Wood Floors:

¼ Cup White Vinegar

1 Quart Warm Water

Mix in spray bottle.  Use sparingly and be careful not to over wet the wood.  Use a cotton mop. 

A Couple of Notes:  Always test a surface before you clean it with any product.  For a pleasant scent, add a few drops of an essential oil to your homemade cleaning products.  Try lavender, lemon, or tea tree oil.

Also, part of “green” cleaning is reusing your cleaning supplies.  Opt for reusable, washable rags over sponges and paper towels. 

Now clean to your heart’s content – all of the recipes above are non-toxic and are safe for you and the planet.  So clean away! And, if you’d like Professional “Green” Cleaning for your Carpets, Upholstery, Stone, Tile and Grout floors or Oriental Rugs, call 385-8444 and we’ll be happy to give you a complimentary,  no-obligation quote.

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30. April 2009 by Dean of Clean.

So you’re looking for a business - whether it be a plumber, attorney, cleaning service or bookstore, and you see several that claim that they are “green”, or that they offer “green” services. What does that really mean? How do you make sure that you’re not being “greenwashed” by a company that is simply hopping on what they think is the next hot bandwagon?

“Green” is in, no doubt about it - and this is definitely a good thing! But you won’t be surprised to learn that there are different shades of green in business, as in our personal lives. First of all, green means different things to different people. It can range from “we recycle” to a deeper look at (and commitment to) sustainability by the business within their chosen field.

It’s true that large multinational companies like Wal-Mart are “Greening” their operations these days, and that is no small achievement. These corporations can make a huge difference for good; however, small local businesses seem far more likely to be genuinely green than behemoth companies…if your definition of green includes living wages and keeping dollars local. Here’s what I personally look for:

-Livable wages for employees…since no business is truly sustainable without this! Also, call me crazy, but it just seems like the right thing to do.

-Use of Green Power, such as wind or solar, recycling wherever available, energy-saving lights/appliances and other “no-brainer” initiatives that all of us can participate in. (Do you practice these at your house?)

-Local ownership, keeping dollars here in La Plata County (or wherever you live).

-Use of carbon offsets, alternative fuels and modernized, economical vehicles or equipment where applicable.

-Specialized “Green” initiatives (these will vary by industry or trade.) For instance, a plumber might use a pipe cement that has fewer or no harmful VOCs…a carpet installer might use the same reformulated type of adhesive to lay your recycled carpet, or your local coffee shop might use shade-grown organic coffee that doesn’t require clear-cutting and chemicals to make you an aromatic cup of morning wake-up.

So the next time a company claims to be “Green”, don’t be afraid to ask “Why?” and “How?” if they haven’t explained it. Click here to learn more about “Green” Cleaning in Durango, Hesperus and Bayfield…and have a great day!

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25. April 2009 by Dean of Clean.

Come visit us at the Durango Home & Ranch show at the La Plata County Fairgrounds and we’ll give you FREE car mat cleaning while you browse the show! Just drop your mats off to our big white truck in the parking lot, and we’ll clean them for you and have them ready when you leave.

And while you’re there, stop by our booth to learn more about “Green” carpet cleaning, stone, tile & grout cleaning and sandless wood floor cleaning and refinishing. You can enter our contest to win free carpet cleaning, giftcards to Carver’s and Maria’s, and more! See the equipment we use for water damage and flood restoration, ask any questions you may have about stain removal, and we’ll even give you some free spot remover.

To top it all off, we’ll have a huge display of beautiful hand-woven rugs from around the world! You’ll meet Linda Barnes, world traveler, who brought them back to Durango, and Richard Carpenter, one of the few Certified Master Rug Cleaners in the world. Together they can answer any questions you may have about rug care, construction and lore!

See you there!

Learn more about UltraSteam Professional Carpet, Upholstery, Stone, Tile, Grout and Wood floor Cleaning

Posted in Upholstery Cleaning, Sandless Wood Floor Cleaning and Refinishing, Carpet Cleaning, Tile & Grout Cleaning, Stone Cleaning, "Green" Cleaning and Living | No Comments »