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Here at ArchAngel we take theEnvironment and the beautiful world we live in Seriously! My wife hasbeen slowly going Green in our home and I've been learning from her butI thought to do my own research and see just what is going on. So, here are some Earth Friendly and "Green" cleaning tips I found and am passing on to you! First, here are some STAGGERING numbers to peruse: Did you know?............

17,000:the number of petrochemicals available for home use, only 30 percent ofwhich have been tested for exposure to human health and the environment.

63:the number of synthetic chemical products found in the average Americanhome, translating to roughly 10 gallons of harmful chemicals.

100:the number of times higher that indoor air pollution levels can beabove outdoor air pollution levels, according to US EPA estimates.

275:the number of active ingredients in antimicrobials that the EPAclassifies as pesticides because they are designed to kill microbes.

5 billion: the number of pounds of chemicals that the institutional cleaning industry uses each year.

23:the average gallons of chemicals (that's 87 liters) that a janitor useseach year, 25 percent of which are hazardous. statistics found at http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/green-cleaning/green-cleaning-statistics.html

Ok,after doing research to write today's blog and reading not only thesenumbers above but many more, I have to say I am flabbergasted!Apparently my first knowledge of the cleaners we use being toxic is anunderstatement. So, here are some tips to get you going on your SummerGreen Cleaning!

Tobegin with and this may upset some folks but you will want to stopusing most air fresheners, oven cleaners and other products whichemploy spraying into the air unless you do your homework and know thatthey are all natural. This is the quickest way to begin getting Green.

You next want to start the "Substitution Process". Method, Seventh Generation and Simple Greenall make Earth Friendly products which we don't mind recommending. Weactually use some of the Seventh Generation products in our home. Also,Clorox is making a new product line titled Green Works. You can getthis at your local grocer. We tried several and were not as pleasedwith them as the Seventh Generation, leaves a little residue, but thesmell is delightful and the price favorable. Ifyou would prefer not using products you can make your own home cleanerseasily. This is both fun if you have kids to do together and it savesquite a bit of money as well. Surfaces: You can clean kitchen & bath surfaces and walls with hot water, baking soda and a tad of dish soap.Floors:Your basic vinegar and water solution is really the perfect choice forcleaning most types of bare floors in your home. Mix up 1 cup vinegarwith 1 gallon warm water (be sure it's warm!) and mop it onto a ceramictile, linoleum, vinyl, or wood floor. There is no need to rinseafterward -- saving both time and water. If your vinyl or linoleumfloor looks a little dull after cleaning, you can give it a shine bymopping it over again with straight club soda. Try not to saturate woodfloors with the vinegar and water solution. Use a light touch; themixture will make your floor shiny and remove any greasy buildup.Microwaves:To get your appliance lemony-fresh, she says, simply zap a bowl ofwater and lemon juice for five minutes. Let it cool, then open the doorand wipe down the walls.Fresheners: For home made airfresheners simmer in a pot of water some cinnamon, orange peels, clovesor berries. My wife likes to place a small fan next to the stove andwow does the home smell fabulous.Drains: There ''ain't''nothing like a smell y drain! You can clean and clear your drains byusing 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup salt, and 1/4 cream of tartar mixed.Pour this mix into your drain and then pour in a pot of boiling water.Windows:Clean your windows with 4 tablespoons lemon juice mixed with a halfgallon of water. Other effective cleaners for glass and mirrors arerubbing alcohol and witch hazel. Now I grew up watching my mom usenewspapers to clean the windows. While this seems like a good idea, itisn't Earth Friendly. I suggest using an old tshirt that you can washand reuse or a lint free rag.Stains on Vinyl: Use straight lemon juice to remove stains on vinyl items such as recliners or tile flooring.FurniturePolish: Mix 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice and apply it toyour furniture using a soft cloth. Smells almost good enough to eat andwood loves it!To Get Rid of 'Heat' Marks on Wood: Make a thinpaste of salad oil or lemon oil and salt. Wipe the paste on, thenlightly buff the area as you wipe it off with a soft cloth.ShiningAntiques, Metals, Etc: Use Salt & Vinegar plus Flour. Mix Equalparts to make a paste. Rub this onto the brass or copper you needshined. Let it dry for about an hour and then wipe clean with a softcloth. Shines brilliantly! - You can also use a lemon slice dipped insalt. Rub your piece with this and then rinse and dry. - Last you canspray with undiluted vinegar then sprinkle with salt. Wipe thoroughlywith sponge or cotton cloth removing all the salt so it doesn't turngreen. Repeat twice. ( I don't like this one as much as the first twobecause of the vinegar smell)Fireplace: If you have a woodburning fireplace with yucky soot smudges use cream of tartar and wateron them. Rub in, let dry, and scrub off.Another fireplace tipis putting a handful of salt into the fire itself. This will loosensoot in your stack and make the cleaning easier next time.Theseare just a few of our tips. There is a page where there are about ahundred more great 'concoctions' as the author calls them on GreenCleaning. You will find it here: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/8088/clngrn.html I highly suggest reading it if you are serious about going green!Last, replace disposable paper towels and sponges with rags. We like to use clean old socks!Anothertip about going green is choose a cleaning service who is a "Green"company! I have not researched any in our area as we clean our own hometo save money so I can't recommend one oft hand. But, if you use acleaning company be sure to inquire as to whether or not they would bewilling to clean your home with Green Products. At the very least,perhaps they would use products you provide. In my estimation, if they want to keep your business they will do this for you.

Atip folks don't think of often is the importance of leaving your shoesat the door. If you only knew what all you treck in daily.... oil frompavement, animal wastes, pollen, dirt, and any number of other things,even lead! At our house we have a no shoes allowed policy and a doormat. Well, hope those tips help. We are learning to be a Greener Family and you can too!

Be sure to read our "Green Foot Pledge" on our website www.archangelappliancerepair.com

There is a copy on our homepage and one on our About Us page.

Food for thought, ArchAngel

kind of long post but again informative, I'll definitely be leaving my shoes at the door!