This year, if you want to create a cleaner and healthier environment for your family then you’re in luck because this is exactly what we are going to talk about in the following sections. It’s a fact that a clean, healthy home is a happy home. So buckle up because you are about to learn exactly how to enjoy a noticeably fresher home and explore the concept of cleaning greener.

Getting rid of toxic dust

Every home has a little dust but did you know that alongside being unsightly and sometimes allergenic, dust can also be toxic? It happens because chemicals you use in and around your house settles in indoor dust originating from a number of sources including furniture, electronics, plastics and outdoor pollutants that come in through windows, doors or hitchhiking a ride on your shoes. In short, dust is a way for toxic chemicals in your environment to reach your body. To get rid of dust:

• Vacuum frequently and don’t forget to vacuum stuffed furniture.
• Wet mop uncarpeted floors to prevent accumulation of dust.
• To keep dust off your furniture, wipe with a wet or microfiber cloth.
• Avoid things like synthetic sprays and wipes; they contain harsh chemicals.
• If you have an air heating or cooling system, fit them with good, high-quality filters. Change the filters regularly.
• Keep electronic equipment dust-free.
• Use a natural doormat and make it a habit to leave your shoes at the door

Here is the deal: Cleaning is a chore but it does not have to be toxic too. Conventional cleaning products have health risks associated with them because they contain ingredients linked to asthma, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity and other health problems. If you use detergents, bleaches and other harsh chemicals at home, you expose yourself and your family to corrosive cleaners, which can result in a number of things including burns to the skin and eyes, lung damage and asthma attacks. The solution is simple: Choose green certified and eco-friendly cleaning products. To that end:

• Know exactly what ingredients are in your cleaning supplies.
• Dilute and use your cleaning products according to instructions.
• If your family is generally healthy, there is no need to use “antibacterial” products.
• Do not mix bleach with vinegar and/or other acids. When combined, these ingredients may produce deadly gases.
• Labels lie. Make sure your certified green products actually meet the green standards and have the appropriate logos.
• For the kitchen, bathroom and other high traffic areas of your home, replace cleaners with safer alternatives. For example, you can scrub toilets with baking soda and forgo air fresheners to instead clean up the real source of the smell.

Carpets collect all sorts of dust, grit and soil and like the clothes we wear, they require periodic cleaning to keep them fresh and hygienic. Vacuuming on a regular basis is a necessity but most vacuum cleaners do not get rid of deep-down dirt and nasty germs. This probably explains why most manufacturers recommend getting carpets professionally cleaned every 12-18 months using highly sophisticated equipment. Regular professional cleaning:

• Increases the life expectancy of carpets
• Removes stubborn stains
• Creates a healthier and more hygienic home environment
• Eliminates odors for a fresher smelling home
• Eliminates mites and bacteria, which can cause allergies and other health problems.

No matter what type of upholstery fabric you choose for your home, at some point, it is going to need cleaning. The same is true for any decorative rug you may have in your home, from Oriental to Persian. Regular vacuuming alleviates some of this problem but periodic professional cleaning is also recommended to extend their life expectancy and keep them hygienic and looking good.

At All Star Chem-Dry, we offer a professional cleaning service for carpets, upholstery and oriental rugs using a proprietary cleaning solution, The Natural and Chem-Dry’s patented hot carbonating extraction system. The Natural is green-certified and therefore safe for kids and pets. It does not contain any soap or harsh chemicals. In the cleaning process, the solution is carbonated to produce millions of microscopic carbon dioxide bubbles. These penetrate and explode dirt from deep in carpets to the surface from where they can be extracted leaving your carpet and home feeling Drier, Cleaner, Healthier®.

To learn more about our patented cleaning process or our range of green-certified cleaning supplies, call us now on 416-916-0550.