You want a clean home, yet you might hesitate over some of the cleaning products available in the market today. Many of them have harsh chemicals that can damage the surface of your floor, your countertop, or any other place you apply them to. Not only that, but you might not like the idea of living in a home covered in it. If you have small children, you might be hesitant with some of these cleaning products, too.

This article will name some of the best cleaning products that money can buy.

DIY Solutions

First, we should mention that you can make your own cleaner from products you have at home. Most homemade cleaners consist of baking soda, vinegar, and natural ingredients such as lemon zest, tea tree oil, or other additions to make your home smell great.

For example, you can make a base cleaner of 1 2/3 cups of baking soda, a half cup of liquid soap, a half cup of water, and 2 TBSP of vinegar.

Usually, these solutions work well for general cleaning. However, you might need something more robust for tough jobs. The cleaning products below are made from organic ingredients and have a powerful yet safe formula. This combination of natural and effective means you can clean without worrying about any side effects to your home or your health.

Seventh Generation Cleaner

is among the highest-rated, available on Amazon and at Whole Foods. Their line of cleaners uses no harsh chemicals and instead uses all-natural ingredients. However, this cleaner is still quite powerful and comes in many different formulas, ranging from all-purpose to granite. It’s affordable as well, meaning you don’t have to pay those organic prices for some quality.

Puracy

If you want your home to smell lemony fresh, then is an excellent cleaner. It makes up to a gallon of cleaning solution, and its ingredients come from all-natural lemongrass and other wholesome ingredients. This cleaning solution is perfect if your surfaces need cleaning and is decently affordable. Try it and see how it works for you.

Bon Ami

One type of cleaner you may enjoy is powder cleaner. However, finding a powder cleaner that doesn’t have harsh chemicals can be challenging. Luckily, is the solution. Bon Ami is made of five ingredients including limestone and baking soda. People love how powerful this cleaner is without their home feeling harsh.聽 It鈥檚 a great option for homes with pets and children.

Method

Another popular cleaner is , an all-purpose cleaner that uses plant-based ingredients. Like many cleaners on this list, it comes in several scents- from honeycrisp apple, lavender, ginger yuzu, and more.  The products are made with all-natural ingredients. In addition, it cuts through grease quickly, without requiring much effort from you. Online, you can buy this product in bulk, which means you will have enough to last a long time.

Ecover Dish Soap

You eat off your dishes, so you do not want a harsh cleaner that will affect where you eat your food. uses all-natural, plant-based ingredients and is biodegradable. Like Method, you can buy this in bulk to last a while.

Ecover is also beneficial because it can be an ingredient in homemade cleaners. Combine it with some baking soda, vinegar, and water, and you have a powerful cleaner that won’t cover your home with harsh chemicals.

Biokleen Carpet Cleaner

Your carpet can be a hub for germs and stains, and increasingly so if you have pets or small kids. You may believe that you need to buy something extremely powerful to clean your carpet.

However, has created a carpet cleaner that runs deep into your carpet, cleaning it of any dirt and resulting in a fresh, clean smell. Furthermore, it does this without any harsh chemicals, meaning it’s one of the best on this list, in our opinion.

Ecos

Finally, we have , a cleaner made from organic ingredients such as tea tree oil. It鈥檚 available as all-purpose cleaner, cream cleansers, stainless steel cleaner, and more.

Your restroom is one place in the home you always want clean, though it can be tough to get the toilet, shower, and sink spotless. Ecos manages to freshen up your bathroom by offering toilet cleaner, bathroom cleaner, and vinegar-based window cleaner.

We hope this article will help you fill your shopping cart with safe, family and pet-friendly cleaning products. There are many options to choose from that can help you tidy your home without worry.

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When Realtor庐 Lynda Brookshire shares her tagline 鈥淟ive your best life at the Alabama Gulf Coast,鈥� she is thinking beyond real estate and relocating to sandy shores. Along with helping clients find their dream home, she is dedicated to letting the community know that health is wealth. Her friends and family tease that 鈥渟he is gonna get you a house or get you a kidney…or both.鈥�

Brookshire and her husband, Loyd, moved to Gulf Shores in October 2017.  After a series of health challenges that landed Loyd in the hospital multiple times within a span of two years, Brookshire realized it was her mission to increase awareness for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), organ donation, and the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. She believes sharing their experience can help others give, receive, or maximize the gift of life.

The couple began tackling Loyd鈥檚 kidney disease, believed to be hereditary, head-on from the onset. 鈥淭he heart and the kidneys are like a push and pull- one affects the other.  They鈥檙e vascular organs.  In our case, the doctors didn鈥檛 initially realize that his kidneys were causing the high blood pressure. They treated him for high blood pressure for years instead of finding the root cause.  It was the kidneys all along,鈥� said Brookshire. After a hospitalization in 2018 for kidney bleeding, organ failure and sepsis in December 2019, and another hospitalization for high blood pressure in June 2021, the Brookshires dug in their heels to get answers.

Loyd converted to vegetarian and pescatarian diets in 2019, allowing him to eliminate the need for insulin and other medications, buying him more precious time before entering the waiting list for a transplant. They became hyper-organized with a leather folder, discs, and paper copies of Loyd鈥檚 complete health history.  They visited numerous physicians and nephrologists to learn as much as possible, researched the right questions to ask in advance, and inquired about cutting-edge research related to CKD. Reading about at University of Alabama and at the Cleveland Clinic helped them keep their fingers on the pulse of nephrology. Brookshire recommends that every patient does this type of deep dive so that medical providers 鈥渄on鈥檛 have the chance to say no鈥� while advocating for your personal health or exploring treatment options.

Loyd鈥檚 case, unfortunately, is not rare. According to the , 37 million people in the United States have chronic kidney disease, and 100,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant. The estimate that as many as 9 in 10 adults with CKD are unaware they have the disease. It鈥檚 more common in those 65 years and older.

Brookshire is leveraging her real estate business to talk to as many people as possible and believes that there is no such thing as an accidental meeting or bad timing. To her, it鈥檚 the opportunity to make someone aware of subjects that are not discussed enough: CKD and overall health.

鈥淧eople should know what being a donor means. You are only able to donate if you are a match, and there is an extensive process to figure that out. Donors can live a healthy life with one kidney and give the gift of life to someone else, so the transplant team goes to great lengths to maximize the chances of a successful transplant,鈥� says Brookshire.

Additionally, Brookshire speaks to the importance of healthy living and self-care for prevention and knowing the right questions to ask when visiting a medical professional. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know who my information will touch, but I know that it could save someone鈥檚 life,鈥� says Brookshire.

Loyd Brookshire moved to the transplant list at the University of Alabama (UAB) Kidney Transplant Center in April 2022. He awaits his perfect match, along with over . He is maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle to stay off dialysis as long as possible. Brookshire has already named his future kidney 鈥淏illy the Kid(ney)鈥� and is looking forward to the future with Lynda, their adult children, and grandchildren. Finding a living donor is his best option, and there are currently 3 people in line to test for a match. The couple have faith that no matter what the future brings, all will turn out as it should. They are eager to find the person who will 鈥淪hare a Spare.鈥�

鈥淚 encourage anyone interested in learning more about CKD or donation to get in contact,鈥� says Brookshire. 鈥淚鈥檓 a real estate agent… I know how to answer the phone day or night!鈥�

Could you be someone who could give the gift of life? Contact Lynda at 251-978-4078 or SaltLifeByLynda@gmail.com to discuss the process.

To follow the Brookshire鈥檚 journey and to learn more about chronic kidney disease, follow their Facebook page, 鈥�.鈥�

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Your home is a place of comfort and security. However, is this possible with defective indoor air quality levels? During wildfire and allergy seasons, you may notice air quality alerts. These put you at risk for harmful effects from your outdoor air quality. Regardless, throughout the rest of the year, your home鈥檚 indoor toxins, pollutants, and chemicals could be worse than the outdoor air.

If you鈥檙e unfamiliar with , it鈥檚 critical to learn more. There are adverse health effects resulting from exposure to poor air quality, and you should monitor for various symptoms and conditions that can occur. This information will help you to avoid, prevent, and stop pollution in your home. Read on to understand some of the major indoor air pollutants and what you can do to keep your home clean and healthy.

Dust

Debris from outside, dead skin cells, pet dander, particles from clothing and food, and other materials around the house make up dust. For those who suffer from allergies, dust is among one of the worst triggers. Prolonged contact inside dusty homes for someone who has a . Watch for common symptoms of dusty air, including:

• Bronchial infections
• Asthma attacks
• Dermatitis
• Wheezing and coughing 

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Many manufacturers include VOCs in their products, which can be toxic to your health. There are various areas of your home with :

• Chlorine bleach
• Carpets
• Wood products
• Plastic products
• Rubber products
• Petroleum-based products
• Paints and varnishes
• Glues
• Spot removers

These chemical compounds are a huge component of poor indoor air quality. While VOCs are not necessarily carcinogenic, they have increased the risks of kidney and liver cancer. They also make it difficult to breathe, cause nausea, and irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. VOCs are most threatening when they contaminate your water.

Asbestos

If you live in an older home, you may already know about the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that are commonly found in houses built before the 1980s. If you own a newer home, while they are far less likely to have ACMs, you should still know what they are and how they are dangerous. Since this is a fiber that can improve heat-resistance and soundproofing, :

• Vinyl floor tiles
• Insulation
• Roofing shingles
• Cement
• Drywall
• Popcorn ceilings
• Cables and wires

Contained asbestos is generally safe. However, if the fibers scatter and become airborne, you could potentially inhale them. Asbestos is cancerous to humans when the fibers stick to the lungs and heart. Over time, this forms tumors, otherwise diagnosed as mesothelioma.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke

In homes with chronic smokers, secondhand smoke isn’t only bad for the user, but everyone else around them. Nicotine products have dangerous chemicals that you emit from both ends of the cigarette.

Studies show that secondhand smoke impacts you within the first five minutes. The damage can still happen after two hours, at which point you could develop cardiac problems or suffer a heart attack. to children and pregnant women. You may have the following issues:

• Respiratory problems
• Heart diseases
• Lung, breast, brain, and liver cancer
• Ear infections
• Tooth decay
• Worsened eyesight

You may or may not have been aware of these pollutants in your home. The more knowledge you have about what causes indoor air health issues, the more you can prevent them from happening. Studying your own health, the health of cohabitants, and the materials in your home are important when determining if your home could possess harmful levels of air toxins. Your respiratory health plays a role in your physical health, and some diseases are the direct result of what your home is harboring behind walls or in the corners of rooms. Whether hiring an abatement professional in the case of asbestos (or other hazards like mold or radon), doing a deep cleaning, installing proper ventilation, or investing in air purifiers, cleaner air is often achievable.

Your home is a safe place. Keep it this way by introducing and maintaining healthy air levels. Even if you can鈥檛 control outdoor environments, you can do your best to improve the inside.

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Getting better sleep. We all know that we need it, but do you know exactly why? Sleep is an altered state of consciousness in which we have minimal interactions with our surroundings and environmental stimuli. It might seem counter-intuitive, but our brains are quite active during sleep, carrying out a wide range of crucial functions.

These functions are essential to every single process that occurs in your body. This is why sleep has the power to enhance your mental and physical functions, your ability to fight pathogens and disease, and even boost your metabolism. Sleep governs every aspect of human health, and without it, we leave our bodies at risk of developing a host of ailments and chronic diseases.

It is common knowledge that things like caffeine affect our sleep patterns, while healthy foods鈥攅specially those containing protein and slow-release carbohydrates鈥攃an promote restful sleep at night. Lesser known is the fact that the lighting in your home and your bedroom can significantly affect your ability to get a good night鈥檚 rest too.

But how much light is too much light? How dark should our bedrooms be to promote optimal sleep every night? When should we be turning our lights off and settling in for the evening? This blog will help to answer these questions and more.

1. The Importance of Darkness in Getting Better Sleep

There is simply no way around it. Exposure to light at night disrupts your circadian rhythms and thus, your sleep patterns as well. When your circadian rhythm gets disrupted, you can experience symptoms ranging from fatigue and forgetfulness to anxiety and even depression.

Specialized light therapy can encourage a circadian rhythm reset, which may help improve your sleep and symptoms related to sleeplessness. Many for people with depression and sleep disorders. But light therapy should be conducted with the guidance of a professional for best results.

When it comes to optimizing your own sleep environment, your bedroom should be completely dark at night. And ideally, you should not expose yourself to any light even if you do wake during the night. If external light filters in through your windows, you can address this by using blackout curtains and room darkening blinds. These window dressings have the added benefit of keeping your room cool in summer, and insulating it in winter.

If you wake up in the early hours to use your restroom, it is alright to have a small, relatively dim night light in your bedroom to guide you to the door.

2. The Low-Down on Reading Before Bed

Thousands of people nestle into bed each night with a good book in hand. Reading in bed is a relaxing and highly enjoyable activity that can settle your mind after a rushed workday, but there are rules you need to know.

If you suffer from insomnia, reading at night can worsen the condition. If you spend your time in bed reading, watching television, playing mobile games, or browsing social media, you could be creating a psychological association between being in bed and being active. These activities also expose you to large amounts of light, which signals your brain that it is daytime and time to be alert.

You can help to address your insomnia by temporarily postponing your reading in bed. Think of your bedroom as an oasis of calm and keep it just for sleeping until you have corrected your sleeping patterns.

3. Light Levels and Wavelengths

Light levels and wavelengths are also crucial for proper sleep, and there are several aspects of adequate lighting that you should know about.

or light intensity, suppress your body鈥檚 production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleeping patterns. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid bright light exposure before bed to maintain your natural sleep cycle.

The wavelengths of light you are exposed to are important too. Shorter wavelengths, also known as 鈥榖lue light鈥�, can suppress melatonin and make it more difficult to fall and stay asleep. Our primary sources of blue light today are the lights emitted by LED lights, our smartphones, tablets, and TVs.

Longer wavelengths of light, or 鈥榬ed light鈥�, does not affect melatonin. This means that installing red lights or dim lights in your bedroom and using them at night before you go to bed may promote more restful, high-quality sleep.

4. When to Turn Off the Lights

Everyone has a uniquely individual preference for when they like to go to bed. We all have , and these play a huge role in our night-time routines and preferences.

The simplest way to gauge when you should turn off your lights is to do so when you feel naturally ready to fall asleep. That is the best and simplest signal that it is time for bed.

5. Using a Light Box for Light Therapy

Depending on how severe your sleep issues and circadian rhythm disruptions are, light therapy can take place either in the morning, just after waking, or in the early evening before you begin to feel fatigued.

Light therapy demands the use of a specialized light box that should be placed 16-24 inches away from your face. The light should reach your eyes, but you should not be looking directly at or into the box. The good news is that you are welcome to read, browse the internet, or even watch TV during the therapy sessions.

The most important aspect of light therapy is to expose yourself to the light box for a specific and set amount of time. Your sessions could range from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the intensity of the light and what your physician recommends. It is important to be consistent, as you may only begin to see improvements within a few days or even weeks.

Get Those Zzzz’s

The quality and intensity of the lighting in your bedroom can make or break your quality of sleep each night.

Following the above tips will ensure that you create the ideal environment for a good night鈥檚 rest. Ensure that you have the correct for your needs, bedding that keeps you at a comfortable temperature, and pillows that offer adequate support.

With these things in place, a better night鈥檚 sleep is almost guaranteed!

The post It’s all light: a guide to getting better sleep with lighting appeared first on Blog | 皇冠体育app.

Your home鈥檚 bathroom should be a place of relaxation and peace. Yet, there are many potential hazards that could affect this environment and pose hazardous health risks. These are some of the most common and how you can avoid them.

Slippery Surfaces

Those shiny floors might achieve the modern bathroom style you鈥檙e going for, but they can also be very dangerous. Slip and falls are a and may be prevented by installing non-slip flooring material. If you purchased your home with slippery flooring materials and you are not yet ready to renovate, consider investing in quality rubber-backed bathroom mats. Place them in especially slippery places, such as in front of the shower and bathtub.

Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew are fairly common in the bathroom because of the consistently damp environment. According to the CDC, . Fortunately, there are ways to both prevent and treat bathroom mold and mildew. Mold can grow on any surface. Keep moist areas of the bathroom regularly cleaned to prevent the growth of mold. Improper ventilation can also lead to increased mold growth, so make sure your bathroom exhaust fan is working properly. 聽Also, repair any broken grout or tiles to prevent mold from growing behind them.

Shower Curtains

You hang shower curtains for added bathroom privacy and to keep the heat in the shower. Although shower curtains do achieve a sense of privacy, they can also be potentially hazardous to your health. That distinctive odor of a new shower curtain might remind you of freshness and cleanliness, but that smell is actually attributed to noxious odor. The (EPA) found that there are seven harmful chemicals in traditional shower curtains. You may avoid these health hazards by purchasing shower curtains that are made with PVC or vinyl materials.

Bacteria

Most of us are careful to avoid bacteria in public bathrooms. We go to great lengths to avoid touching public surfaces and to thoroughly wash our hands. Yet, many people do not take these same precautions in their own bathroom, trusting that they are properly clean. In actuality, your bathroom is. Some of these germs are natural and not harmful. Others though, carry health risks such as gastrointestinal viruses, allergies, and even Athlete鈥檚 Foot. Fortunately, regular cleanings will significantly reduce the number of pathogenic germs in your bathroom.

Chemical Agents

It is likely that you have a variety of cleaning and chemical agents in your bathroom. Many of these chemical agents through inhalation and skin absorption including Bleach, Ammonia, Chlorine, and Sodium Hydroxide. These chemical products can also be especially dangerous to small children. You can avoid these health risks by wearing appropriate protective gear while cleaning and keeping them out of reach of small children. Choosing organic cleaning products that contain only all-natural ingredients may be a better option for your home.

The bathroom can be your sanctuary of peace and quietness or it can be a potentially health hazardous environment. Make sure you are aware of the most common bathroom health hazards and take the appropriate steps to avoid the risks.

This post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. The point of view and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of 皇冠体育app International.

This post was written for 皇冠体育app by Heather Hardy. Heather is an avid writer who has contributed to numerous blogs and internet news sources. 聽While she writes on a variety of topics, her specialties include real estate, home improvement, and travel. After obtaining two degrees, Heather has found her passion in writing content that improves both readability and knowledge.

The post Health Hazards in Your Bathroom and How to Avoid Them appeared first on Blog | 皇冠体育app.

As we start the new year, many of us focus on self improvement and making changes. A majority of the new year鈥檚 resolutions people make are health related, but only about in maintaining their new goals.

Check out our tips and ideas to make your home and your home life work with you, so that you can be a part of the crowd of people who succeed.

Goal: Lose Weight

Losing weight and eating healthy are the two most common new year鈥檚 resolutions that people make. How can you use your home to help you shed some unwanted weight?

Rearrange your kitchen to support your diet. Take the time to clear out any junk food you might have laying around after all of your holiday parties and celebrations. This will clear space that you can fill with healthy foods to start the new year off right. This way, you鈥檒l be able to reach for something healthy instead of something you might regret later (ex. leftover Christmas cookies). You can also designate a certain cabinet or area in the kitchen for your healthy foods so you鈥檒l know exactly where to go to get a healthy snack and can steer clear of temptation.

Designate a space for home fitness. A key part to losing weight and staying healthy is getting proper exercise. Consider designating a space in your home for an at-home fitness routine. Even smaller spaces can lend themselves well to simple home workouts including push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks and yoga routines. If you want to take it a step further, you can invest in building a home gym complete with cardio equipment, weights, and work-out mats. If you have a spare room without a dedicated purpose, making the decision to transform the space solely to support your fitness goals is motivating and can definitely help you stick to a routine.

Goal: Stay Healthy

Step up your cleaning routine. Prevent allergens, bacteria, and viruses from getting you and your family sick. Be sure to get rid of dust that can cause allergies and wipe down surfaces, especially doorknobs and kitchen countertops that are usually . Air purifiers are a great way to keep the air in your home clean and reduce allergens and germs.

Plan home safety inspections. The beginning of the year is the perfect time to inspect your house for any hazards, and set a schedule for the year for regular check-ups. Hiring a professional to come and do a safety inspection can help identify hazards you might miss.聽 Be sure to consider the following action items as you develop your plan:

• Check on any fire safety elements
• Do an air quality inspection
• Get an electrical safety inspection
• Install or maintain home security systems
• Prepare an emergency kit with food, water, a flashlight, batteries, and a first aid kit
• Check that all of your appliances and electronics are working properly

Keep Things Neat and Organized. It鈥檚 easy to let your home get a little bit disorderly, especially around the holidays. But did you know that clutter and mess can actually like anxiety and helplessness? Keeping your house clean and tidy can do wonders for your mental health, not to mention making maintaining your home a lot easier.

Goal: Save Money

Install Energy Saving Appliances. Installing energy saving appliances will not only save you money, but they will also make your home more environmentally friendly. There鈥檚 everything from energy saving washing machines to energy saving thermostats, so consider replacing some of your older appliances with new, energy efficient ones.

Home Maintenance. While some issues should be handled by a professional, like electrical issues, there are many home maintenance basics you can do yourself. Hiring professionals can be costly, so learning how to do some of your own home maintenance can save you a lot of money. You may avoid costly repairs or replacements down the line with some home appliance maintenance basics.

This post was written for 皇冠体育app by Elliot Walsh. Elliot is a dual-degree graduate from the University of Rochester with a B.S in Cell Biology and a B.A in English Literature. He is a full-time freelance writer from Boston, specializing in veganism, humor, and health. His articles have appeared in The Rival Rochester and his work experience can be found here: .

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