Green cleaning involves using methods and products with environmentally friendly ingredients designed to preserve human health and environmental quality. As advocates of green cleaning at Great Green Cleaning, we’re eager to share some of our top tips with you.

Why Clean Green?

Green cleaning is not just about being kind to the environment. It’s also about creating a safe, non-toxic environment for you and your family. Traditional cleaning products often contain chemicals that can cause health issues such as allergies, asthma, skin irritations, and more. Green cleaning products, on the other hand, are made with natural ingredients that are safe for both humans and pets.

Green Cleaning Tips for a Healthier Home

1. DIY Green Cleaning Products: You can make effective, non-toxic cleaning solutions with common household items. For example, a mixture of vinegar and water can be used to clean windows and mirrors, while baking soda and lemon are great for scrubbing surfaces. For scrub powder, we use Barkeepers Friend, which is unbleached and uses all-natural ingredients.
2. Eco-Friendly Air Fresheners: Synthetic air fresheners can contribute to indoor air pollution. Instead, try natural methods to keep your home smelling fresh. Simmer herbs and spices on the stove, use essential oils, or open your windows to let in fresh air.
3. Regular Dusting: Dusting is crucial for maintaining good indoor air quality. Use a damp cloth to trap dust instead of sending it back into the air. Don’t forget to dust hard-to-reach areas like ceiling fans and baseboards.
4. Green Laundry: Make your laundry routine more eco-friendly by washing clothes in cold water, line drying when possible, and choosing laundry products with plant-based ingredients and minimal packaging.
5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Try to reduce waste by using reusable cloths instead of paper towels. If you have to use paper towels, you can always compost food-soiled paper towels. Re-usable sponges are also great and save you money as well, and can usually be cleaned in the laundry or in the dishwasher.
6. Compost Food Scraps: Keep a bowl next to your cutting board for all the food scraps. Composting also keeps your garbage from smelling, improving indoor air quality. If they don’t collect compost on your street, there are numerous food scrap drop-off sites located at Greenmarkets, certain subway stations, and other locations throughout the city. You can find the nearest drop-off site using the NYC Compost Project website.

At Great Green Cleaning, we’re committed to providing our clients with top-notch cleaning services that don’t compromise on environmental responsibility. We understand that every home is unique, and we tailor our services to meet your specific needs.

If you’re interested in making the switch to green cleaning but aren’t sure where to start, we’re here to help! Give us a call at 718-369-9000 for a free estimate. We’re available 7 days a week to assist you in creating a healthier, happier home.

Remember, green cleaning is not only better for the environment, but it also creates a healthier home by reducing exposure to toxic chemicals. Start implementing these green cleaning tips today for a cleaner, healthier home. With Great Green Cleaning, you can have the best of both worlds.

Stay clean, stay green!

A Word of Caution: Beware of ‘Greenwashed’ Cleaning Products

As you embark on your journey towards a greener, healthier home, it’s important to be vigilant. Unfortunately, not all products labeled as ‘green’ or ‘eco-friendly’ live up to their claims. This phenomenon, often referred to as ‘greenwashing’, can mislead consumers into purchasing products that are not truly environmentally friendly or safe for health.

One common pitfall to watch out for is the inclusion of fragrances in cleaning products. While a pleasant scent may make cleaning more enjoyable, many fragrances are synthetic and can trigger allergies, asthma, and other health issues. Some products may also contain hidden allergens and irritants, even though they’re marketed as ‘green’ or ‘natural’.

Always take the time to read labels carefully. Look for products that are fragrance-free, and that list all their ingredients transparently. If you’re unsure about a product, do some research or consider making your own cleaning solutions from natural, household items.

Remember, a truly green cleaning routine is about more than just using products labeled as ‘eco-friendly’. It’s about making informed choices that prioritize both your health and the health of our planet.

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In the interest of saving you time and money, here are a few ways you can check for bed bugs without paying for someone to check or hiring a fancy bed bug sniffing dog.

Firstly, you can check the most obvious place: the bed. Look under and all around the mattress and frame for any signs of bed bugs. It could be their tiny 1mm white egg casings, little dark spots (bed bug excrement) or the bed bugs themselves.

What do bed bugs look like?

You’ve probably seen enough pictures by now, so here are the basic characteristics:

1/4″ flat, generally brown, oval shaped bugs with ridges on their exoskeleton. Roughly the shape and size of an apple seed. The more recently they’ve fed, the longer their shell will be. Know that they can be white in color if they haven’t fed recently, and if they’re not adults it can be very difficult to spot them.

Places to check for bed bugs.

Although they’re called ‘bed’ bugs, they’ll often inhabit many different locations in your space:

• Mattresses and bed frames
• In seams of couches and under cushions
• Folds of curtains
• Even tiny openings in walls like loose wall-paper or outlet covers
• Unfortunately, pretty much anywhere

You have to be a proper detective and check for signs and clues; the more clues you find, the more evidence you have. Search images online to see if your clues match those of actual bed bugs and go from there.

If you suspect bed bugs, you can then set up a simple trap by mixing sugar, water and yeast in a coffee cup placed on an upside down bowl. Detection is vital to catching the infestation before it gets out of hand. Here’s the recipe for the DIY trap / bed bug detector.

What to do if you have bed bugs.

When you call a pest control or bed bug removal company, the first thing they will tell you to do is to prepare your space. This can be a difficult process and involves sterilizing and sealing your belongings, moving furniture, and a lot more.

Your space needs to be prepared properly so the exterminator can do their job with a maximum potential for wiping out the bed bugs, while minimizing the possibility of re-infestation.

We’ve been in the bed bug preparation business for over 5 years, fine-tuning our process to match the requirements set by professional exterminators, and helping people all over New York rid their homes and businesses of bed bugs.

We understand how physically and emotionally exhausting this can be. That’s why we work with you every step of the way, making sure things are done the way you want them, while meeting all required preparations, and even finding you the right exterminator for the job.

The post How to check for bed bugs. appeared first on Great Green Cleaning.

I recently had the displeasure of suffering through 6 months of bed bug infestation in my own personal residence. Like most landlords, mine wanted to save money and deny the magnitude of the problem. It could have been solved in 4 weeks (and I will tell you how in part 3, I promise) but this infestation took 6 months to clear up because of poor choices made by the landlord.

Even though I have been helping my clients recover from their own bed bug infestations for the last 15 years, there’s nothing quite like going through the experience yourself to really help you understand the pain.

Preventing Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can hitchhike on your back pack- or walk down the hall from your infested neighbor. It’s too easy to get them and difficult to get rid of them. There are a few simple precautions that every New Yorker should take to lower the likelihood of bringing bed bugs home.

1- When you are out, don’t put your bags and coat down low on a floor or a chair – if you can hang things up high – that’s better. Remind the children about this too. If they are rolling around low down – -inspect them when they get up.

2- If you stay at a hotel strip and check the bed. Keep your luggage in the tub while you find out if your room is safe.

3- It’s an epidemic and New Yorker’s are tough. After a social event or a movie, it’s acceptable for you and your friends to check each other before going home. Bed Bugs are not microscopic – you can see them. They are small brown or black bugs that look like baby cockroaches.

4- At home, use Food grade Diatomaceous Earth ( DE ) powder in cracks and crevices – and inside the walls, open plugs and light switches – puff some powder inside the walls with a plastic hair treatment bottle and close it back up again. They crawl through the microscopic blades, lacerate their exoskeleton, dry up and dehydrate. Better them than you. By the way, DE is good for your pets- dust some in their fur and no more fleas and ticks.

5- Seal your apartment. Caulk or silicone all cracks and crevices you can see. Check baseboards. Check around heating pipes and radiators, and on the ceiling around pipes that go to your upstairs neighbor. Look under sinks where plumbing enters. This can keep Bed bugs from strolling across the hall from an infested neighbor just to have you for a snack.

6- Ecoraider! I love this product. It’s made from Cedar and Geranium and upsets the brain chemistry of the bed bugs. It has a very high kill rate ( same as pest control poison ) and is all natural and safe for people and pets. If you are as nervous as I am about getting bed bugs- Spraying Ecoraider in a perimeter around your home every 2 weeks is a smart precautionary measure. If any Bed Bugs come in to your environment, they are goners. You can order this great product on Amazon and watch some horrifying Youtube videos that show how well this product kills bed bugs. I have to admit I cheered a little.

7- Seal your mattress and boxspring in a high quality Bed Bug incasement. I did my pillows too. I like AllerEase Ultimate Protection and Comfort Waterproof, Bed Bug, Antimicrobial Zippered Mattress Protector – Vinyl Free & Hypoallergenic – 10 Year Warranty.. It was more expensive but very sturdy. It felt nice and the zipper was high quality with a flap seal so there was no open space for bugs to get in or out. The smart thing about this is, if you do get bed bugs they cant nest in your mattress or box spring. Spending $100 can save you the price of a new bed.

8- Move your bed away from the wall and tables. Just a few inches. Don’t make it easy for them to climb up and get to you.

9- Put bed bug traps under your bed legs. They are very inexpensive – you can get a good set for less than $20. If a bed bug does get in, and comes looking for a meal, this trap will stop them from climbing your bed legs and sucking your blood. You can check your traps each morning and sigh with relief when you find them empty. If you do find a bug – get the Ecoraider!

10- It’s a great time to get rid of clutter. Do you really need those jeans you wore in high school? It’s much easier to prevent an infestation if they don’t have a lot of places to hide. Think of it as a Zen opportunity to simplify your life. When we help people get rid of bed bugs, folks who have a lot of clutter spend at least 10 times as much money to prepare for the exterminator, Sometimes thousands of dollars, just for sorting, bagging and checking. You can prevent that, by streamlining now.

Don’t sit up biting your nails tonight, and watching the crack under your bedroom door.
I’m not saying that you are going to get bed bugs, but it has gotten pretty bad and there’s no sign that we’re wining.

I believe if we work together smartly, we can keep our space safe and stop them from spreading so easily.

Remember, if you think you may have bed bugs or you just have some questions, feel free to call Great Green Cleaning: 718-369-9000

We will take the time to answer your questions thoroughly and give you as much free information as you need, so you can rest easy tonight.

The post Bed Bugs, 10 Ways to Be Safe! appeared first on Great Green Cleaning.

It’s as simple as the discovery in the mid 1800’s by Doctor Semmelweis, who found that by encouraging hand washing and cleanliness in the clinics, he saved millions of lives. When they started disinfecting and hand washing, the death rate abruptly dropped from 30% to near 0% in only two months following the cleanliness discovery.

We like to think of our homes as “safe” but the truth is, if you haven’t taken the time to sanitize and get the germs out, germs are thriving on every surface in your home. If you had a microscope and you could look around your home with it, you probably wouldn’t want to touch anything.

Tidying up is nice and makes for a stress free environment, but it’s just as important to make sure every surface has been sanitized and all organic matter removed, so that the germs have nothing left to eat. And this should be done on a regular basis to keep your home clean and germ free. Germs don’t exist in an environment that has no organic matter, germs have to eat too!

Great Green Cleaning takes charge of the cleaning chores for you. We know about sanitizing and making sure your home is cleaned green, and left allergen and scent free. And, of course, regardless of how well someone cleans, it’s also about having someone trustworthy cleaning and sanitizing your home, “caring for your precious belongings the way you would.”

Great Green Cleaning uses green earth safe products to make your home clean and safe for your family. Our clients are smart, busy New Yorkers who choose eco-friendly products, live a Green lifestyle and live on the earth gently and responsibly. The products being used at your home or company have no Petroleum distillates, chlorines, ammoniates, among many other contaminants.

Again, it’s not just about cleaning; it’s about safe cleaning, green cleaning, and your health. And that can make a big difference in the quality of your life this winter during flu season. You can call Great Green Cleaning and a client care specialist will be happy to give you a free cleaning assessment so you’ll know what you need to do to get your home in shape for flu season.

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So, today, we’re not going to talk about politics or current events. What we’re going to do instead is list the things we’re grateful for.

Why Choose Gratitude?

We live in a country where we are free to speak out loud, dress as we choose, live as we choose, create businesses, prosperity, health and happiness for ourselves and those around us, with nothing to stop us but ourselves.

I started my cleaning service as a single mother of 5 children, with no money and no resources. It was very difficult getting my business off the ground but I persevered and life rewarded me for it. Not only have I been able to provide for my family, I’ve been able to provide jobs to hundreds of people over the years so that they could provide for their families.

I’m grateful for that. I know it’s a cliche but I really do Love New York, where the streets are paved with hope and possibility.

And that should be true for each person equally. Each person deserves a chance at wealth, prosperity, health and well being, but I believe to get there it takes integrity and sacrifice. For 35 years we’ve said no to all the franchises that wanted to buy our company, because they wouldn’t do it our way, the green way, the completely for our staff and clients way. They wanted to turn us into a watered down version, with bleach, and minimum wage, and systematic cleanings… but we’re Great Green Cleaning, we do it all! And we care about the impact we have on this planet.

So, the next time you feel challenged by life, remember how grateful you are for all the good that life has to offer. Who knows what the future has in store for you? And, when you stop worrying about it, I bet you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised.

The post The Spirit of Gratitude appeared first on Great Green Cleaning.

Now more than ever it’s important that we tend to our environment in such a way that our minds and bodies can return to their natural, healthy, and happy state. Keeping your space clean and clutter free, and in-turn keeping the air you breathe clear of pollutants, you can balance your mood and positively affect your life.

Cluttered Up

When entering a house with dirt and clutter you have two choices: either clean it up or put it off. Most people end up putting off the real cleaning because they’d rather be doing something they enjoy. The problem is that the clutter itself is hindering your peace of mind, so the extent to which you enjoy anything is going to be limited.

Research has shown that clutter raises the level of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the brain, and that stress would stick with participants even when leaving the cluttered environment. Aside from stress being unhealthy by itself, it can also lead to other unhealthy behaviors. A study at Cornell University demonstrated that a messy kitchen increased the consumption of snack foods by participants.

High stress levels and over-eating are just some of the problems with living in a disorganized fashion; it also caused participants to act less professionally and feel more out-of-control overall. The solution is clear: get rid of clutter, bring order to the space you inhabit, and encourage good health of body and mind.

The Details

Even if your home is clear of clutter, dirt and grime on the surfaces in your space can have a negative effect on your behavior. The “Broken Window Effect” is the highly regarded theory that when any part of a system is mistreated or neglected, further neglect is promoted subconsciously. So, when you see the dirty bathroom sink in your periphery, you probably aren’t going to be cleaning the toilet bowl any time soon. In fact you’re less likely to care about keeping things clean at all.

The good news is that the same theory also finds the opposite to be true. When a team of researchers cleaned and restored 34 of the most crime-ridden areas in Lowell, Massachusetts, it’s crime rate was reduced by 20%. The dirt on your things is like graffiti on subway walls, and ridding your home of it will promote good behavior and continual cleanliness.

Beneath the Surface

While making things look and feel clean is extremely beneficial to your health, there are also invisible factors at work. Indoor air pollution is considered a top five environmental risk to public health by the United States EPA. Their studies found that indoor air pollution levels were an average of 2 to 5 times greater than outdoor pollution. This is serious since certain contaminates can exacerbate respiratory issues, cause headaches, nasal congestion, fatigue or nausea. One study on air pollution found an association with stroke and depression in adults, as well as some serious cognitive and neural effects on children and animals.

Most people don’t realize how important it is to keep air clean and to not let things like bacteria and mold develop behind the scenes. Luckily, once the clutter and dirt is gone, keeping your air clean becomes a lot easier. Aside from ridding your home of chemical-based air fresheners, you’ll need to clean behind and under stationary furniture on a regular basis and always use air filtration systems.

Cleanliness Works

The psychological and physiological effects of a messy living space are substantial but not unavoidable. It’s not an impossible task to keep your home clear of clutter and dust, and you’ll soon find that the cleaner your house, the easier it is to maintain.

By getting rid of unnecessary things, organizing the rest, and thoroughly cleaning every corner of your home, you’ll find a happier, healthier future awaits. They say cleanliness is next to godliness, but as it turns out, it’s pretty close to happiness as well.

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