shirl
06-18-2008, 12:34 PM
You have probably never given a second thought to how your house-cleaning techniques impact on your health. But you may be surprised at the benefits a few simple switches can make.
- Which is healthier -- sponge mop or rag mop? A sponge mop. Even after rinsing, more dirt and bacteria sticks to the strands of a rag mop than to the sponge.
The sponge's flat surface cleans more effectively.
- Should you put a tablet in the bathroom cistern or use a toilet brush? Opt for a toilet brush. Although tablets release cleansers with each flush, you still need to scrub to get rid of dirt.
Try pouring one cup of bleach into the toilet before going to bed. The bleach breaks down bacteria and fungus overnight, making your job easier.
- Is it better to use bleach or ammonia? Stick with bleach -- ammonia fumes are more irritating to the skin, eyes, nose, and lungs. Bleach is better at cutting dirt and killing germs. But a little goes a long way.
Whatever you do, don't mix bleach and ammonia. The combination creates chloramine, a gas that can damage your airways.
- The cat or dog has has an accident in the living room -- should you use baking soda or vinegar?
The advice is to choose vinegar. Animal excrement is full of bacteria and possibly parasites. The most important thing to do is to break up the enzymes in the urine or stool.
The enzymes are what encourage your animal to mark in the same spot again.
Fill a spray bottle with a half-and-half mixture of vinegar (apple cider or white) and water. Saturate the area with the solution and pat it dry with a paper towel; repeat and let dry.
- Is it better to opt for an oven's self-cleaning feature or just do it yourself? The bad news is you're better off doing it yourself.
A 'self-cleaning' appliance may seem convenient, but it can create a toxic home environment. The feature heats the oven as high as 900°F and burns off everything inside.
Even if the oven is sealed tightly, it will release smoke, fumes, and carbon monoxide.
Sprinkle baking soda in a small layer. Spritz the baking soda with water until damp. Let it sit overnight -- the grime should lift off easily the next day.
- Which is healthier -- sponge mop or rag mop? A sponge mop. Even after rinsing, more dirt and bacteria sticks to the strands of a rag mop than to the sponge.
The sponge's flat surface cleans more effectively.
- Should you put a tablet in the bathroom cistern or use a toilet brush? Opt for a toilet brush. Although tablets release cleansers with each flush, you still need to scrub to get rid of dirt.
Try pouring one cup of bleach into the toilet before going to bed. The bleach breaks down bacteria and fungus overnight, making your job easier.
- Is it better to use bleach or ammonia? Stick with bleach -- ammonia fumes are more irritating to the skin, eyes, nose, and lungs. Bleach is better at cutting dirt and killing germs. But a little goes a long way.
Whatever you do, don't mix bleach and ammonia. The combination creates chloramine, a gas that can damage your airways.
- The cat or dog has has an accident in the living room -- should you use baking soda or vinegar?
The advice is to choose vinegar. Animal excrement is full of bacteria and possibly parasites. The most important thing to do is to break up the enzymes in the urine or stool.
The enzymes are what encourage your animal to mark in the same spot again.
Fill a spray bottle with a half-and-half mixture of vinegar (apple cider or white) and water. Saturate the area with the solution and pat it dry with a paper towel; repeat and let dry.
- Is it better to opt for an oven's self-cleaning feature or just do it yourself? The bad news is you're better off doing it yourself.
A 'self-cleaning' appliance may seem convenient, but it can create a toxic home environment. The feature heats the oven as high as 900°F and burns off everything inside.
Even if the oven is sealed tightly, it will release smoke, fumes, and carbon monoxide.
Sprinkle baking soda in a small layer. Spritz the baking soda with water until damp. Let it sit overnight -- the grime should lift off easily the next day.