Bliss Home Care Services is very excited to announce the launch of a range of natural cleaning products that are now available for purchase for our clients, friends and those who care about keeping their home clean with only natural cleaning products.

These natural cleaning products are ones that we and the Bliss team have been using for years when cleaning our and our client’s homes. We made a conscious decision when we started our business over 15 years ago that we would only use Australian made natural cleaning products. We conducted a lot of research and sourced this range that has been certified by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA). GECA is an independent body who assess the products to ensure they meet environmental, human health, ethical impact criteria.

There has been lots of research that proves toxic chemicals are harmful to our health and the wider environment. There is absolutely no reason to still be using any toxic cleaning products that are harmful to your and your family’s health. In our blog, 7 Reasons To Choose Green Cleaning, we discuss how you can switch to natural cleaning products in your home. It will not only save time and money but you will dramatically improve the lifestyle for yourself, your home, family, pets and the planet.

 

 

10 Reasons Why You Should Choose Our Natural Cleaning Products

1. Do not contain hazardous, dangerous, toxic or polluting ingredients
2. Free of all known or suspected carcinogens
3. Do not contain phosphate, ammonia, butyl cellusolve, aerosols or acid
4. Products are biodegradable
5. World class certification by GECA
6. Are cruelty free and not tested on animals
7. 100% Australian owned and made
8. Produced in compliance with current Good Manufacturing
9. Are septic tank, grey water and black water safe
10. Company with all Australian standards.

The range of natural cleaning products currently available include:

 

 

Let’s take a closer look at why the technology behind these products is so effective and why the products work so effectively…

Bio Bacterial & Enzyme Technology  

These biological cleaning products are made up of “good” living bacteria to break down and liquefy soils such as fat, proteins, carbohydrates and grease while simultaneously eliminating odours. When this type of bacteria cleaning product is applied, the microorganisms begin to digest the waste and the “good” bacteria in turn multiply. The soil is broken down and continues to break down the soil into smaller pieces, until there is nothing left.

Bacteria use the enzymes they produce to break down complex waste into simple compounds, which it then consumes, thereby completely eliminating grime, waste and odours.

The bio bacterial cleaner makes cleaning quicker and easier. The product keeps on working even after you have finished cleaning.

As always, nature provides the answers. For good health and a naturally clean home, look no further. To purchase or learn more about these products click here.

With so many choices for vacuum cleaners on the market the choice can be difficult, particularly if you are seeking an environmentally friendly vacuum cleaner. Here we have prepared a list of things to help you pinpoint what you need to look out for when making your next vacuum cleaner purchase.

The purpose of a high performance vacuum cleaner is to get as much dirt and soil out of carpets to ensure your home is clean and fresh. During this process we should take note of the toll this may be having on the wider environment, our home environment and our lives, particularly if you are an allergy or asthma suffer or have family members who are.

Environmental Rating

These sucking machines consume energy in the form of electricity to operate efficiently. It’s important to note that corded vacuum cleaners are deemed more energy efficient than cordless/battery powered vacuum cleaners. This is due to batteries that require recharging which in the long run, increases your energy consumption. The batteries also increase the presence of toxic particles in the environment. So opt for a corded vacuum cleaner.

Check Dust Containment

Let’s face it vacuum cleaners are dirt and dust collectors. Essentially that’s their purpose, however there are many vacuum cleaners that leak dust because they don’t have strong quality seals. If you suffer from allergies or asthma or someone in your home does, it can also increase the likelihood of health concerns if dirt and dust are being moved around in your home, rather than being eliminated. It’s also important to choose a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter which will be the most effective at reducing particulate matter in the air.

Bag or No Bag?

Bagless vacuum cleaners create less waste and are most cost effective because you don’t have to replace the bags. They are also easier to clean however, it’s important to consider how and where you dispose of the waste that collects in the canister. We recommend you wear a mask when emptying the canister because of the dust that is released, particularly if you are an allergy or asthma sufferer. However there are pros and cons for both bag and bagless cleaners. You can read more about these at: https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/laundry-and-cleaning/vacuum-cleaners/articles/bag-versus-bagless

How to Keep the Odours Out of Your Vacuum Cleaner?

If you are using vacuum cleaners that have cloth bags, you may have noticed odours coming from the vacuum.  This is due to improper maintenance or not servicing the vacuum cleaners.  The odours are caused by bacteria or mould that grow inside the bag.  It is important to empty the bags to keep the vacuum running efficiently, it is also important to keep it emptied to prevent bacteria and mould from growing and causing foul odour.  It is also equally important to clean or replace the filters regularly.  If you vacuum any food items, strongly recommended to empty or change the bag daily.  You may also consider investing in vacuum cleaners that have sealed HEPA filtration system.  This will keep odour-causing bacteria from escaping the bag.

We hope this guide helps you when it’s time to make your next vacuum cleaner purchase. Look for environmentally friendly factors that give the best results whilst also caring form our future and our health.

This month we get into the nitty gritty of mopping and which method is best for your home.

What is the safest and cleanest way to clean our homes? We are often inundated with conflicting information via clever marketing tactics in retail outlets so we’d like to provide you with some clarity and provide you with some tips on the best environmentally friendly cleaning solution for your home.

While mopping is a chore many people don’t like, it’s necessary to mop our floors to keep things hygienic for our personal environment. This is probably even more important to you if you have young children who are in the crawling or floor play phase. The benefits of using a microfiber flat mop far outweigh traditional mopping options.

The benefits of using microfiber flat mopping systems include:

• Microfiber is a more hygienic and effective cleaning material because of its ability to attract, trap and hold dirt. Studies have determined that microfiber is the best fabric to capture bacteria. This is because the fibres are so small which allows them to create static, attracting dust and dirt and containing it.
• Microfiber flat mops eliminate the need for chemicals in our home environment making them an ideal choice if you want to keep yourself, your family and your pets safer. The microfibers work effectively simply with water and can then be washed in your washing machine to eliminate any bacteria.
• Microfiber is extremely absorbent so these types of mops hold enough water to get an area clean without the dripping mess of traditional wet mops. This also lessens the risk of falling on wet surfaces because the floors dry much quicker.
• Microfiber flat mops are also ergonomically friendly as the mop handles are light weight, the head swivels and the handles height is adjustable. There is less lifting, moving and rinsing involved so it’s kinder to your body and lessens the risk of physical injury.

Microfiber fabric is a manufactured man-made product using two fibres – polyester and polyamide. The microfibers are incredibly thin and are wedge shaped allowing them to grab, trap and hold dust soil. Microfiber is tough and durable yet gentle on surfaces because they are non-abrasive. They are also lint free so this eliminates streaky results and can be easily laundered and reused hundreds of times.

 So if you’re looking for an easy, effective and eco-friendly way to keep your floors healthy and clean be sure to choose a microfiber mopping system. They are ideal for use on tiled surfaces as well as polished timber floors. The simple fact that you don’t need to use any toxic chemicals in your home by far outweighs any other mopping options.

We all want our homes to be sparkly clean and want to do what’s best for ourselves, our family, our pets and the environment. Choosing environmentally friendly cleaning products can be a challenging task. Many off-the-shelf household cleaning products claim to be eco-friendly, however there are many hidden chemicals in these. Often many of these are toxic and can do harm to your health and that of your family.

Through a number of studies and research we know that household cleaning products can be linked to health conditions such as asthma, cancer, reproductive issues, lung damage, burns and more. The manufacturers claim that in small amounts toxic chemicals are not likely to pose any health problems, but when you are routinely using these it’s difficult to measure the risk to your health.

You may use an array of products including scents, soaps, detergents, bleaching agents, softeners, glass cleaners, bathroom and drain cleaners just to name a few. Let’s take a closer look at these and what their warning labels state: corrosive, may produce burns, vapour may be harmful, avoid contact with skin, contents can be harmful or fatal. So why do consumers continue to use these products?

Being aware of what’s in your cleaning products may help you understand why they can be so harmful used over a long period of time. Here are four common chemicals that are used in commercial cleaning products and how it may affect your health:

• Phthalates
Often found in fragranced household products such as air fresheners, dishwashing soap, scented soaps and event toilet paper. Phthalates are known to affect the reproductive system of men and women.
• 2-Butoxyethanol
Often found in glass cleaners, laundry stain removers and carpet cleaners. Sometimes also known as 2-BE or butyl cellosolve is known to be associated with blood disorders and may even cause liver and kidney damage.
• Ammonia
Often found in window cleaners, toilet cleaners, bathroom cleaners and all-purpose
cleaners. Vapours from ammonia can irritate the skin, eyes, throat and lungs. Asthmatics are particularly sensitive to the effects of breathing ammonia.
• Sodium Hydroxide
Often found in oven or drain cleaners. This product is extremely corrosive and can cause severe burns. When inhaled it can also affect your throat and respiratory system.

Replacing your cleaning products with a few simple ingredients such as water, baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and clean sponges can be as effective as the toxic commercial chemical products. You may want to visit our Clean Home Pinterest board for inspiration on natural cleaning tips: https://au.pinterest.com/blisshomecare/clean-home/

Make wise choices and eliminate environmental toxins that are harmful to your health. Reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals by choosing safer, healthier options that also minimise the impact on our environment and keep you healthier, for longer.

Earth Friendly Cleaning - Easier Than You Think

As consumers, we are constantly bombarded with new cleaning products that will save time and get things done better or faster. Using natural products and resources for earth friendly cleaning is not as difficult as it may seem.

With a spike in the number of adults and children suffering from allergies, asthma, sinusitis or bronchitis it's imperative for us to avoid using synthetic chemicals in our home environment. Using commercial products that are filled with chemicals, even when they claim to be 'natural' is introducing allergens and poisons into our homes.

By making a conscious decision to switch to earth friendly cleaning products and practices in your home, you will be saving money as well as improving the lifestyle for your home, family and pets. There are many inexpensive and easy to use alternatives that can used safely to replace chemical laden cleaning products.

Here are 3 powerful natural items, which you may already have in your pantry, that can easily be incorporated into your cleaning regime for safe and effective earth friendly cleaning:

Bi-Carb Soda

This is a versatile product which can deodorise, soften water and scour away grease. It's safe to use in your kitchen so simply mix it with a little water to clean bench tops, stainless steel sinks, microwaves, range hoods, cooking utensils, the list is endless. You can also use it to wash fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables safely removing unwanted chemicals and wax on the outer layer. It is a great odour eater - simply place a small bowl in your fridge or sprinkle it into smelly shoes. It's also wonderful to have a relaxing bath in and leaves your skin clean and smooth.

Lemon

Lemons are high in citric acid so it makes them one of the best natural cleaners due to its low pH and antibacterial properties. You can even use lemon juice in your laundry to replace bleach - it does a great job of whitening while leaving a fresh lemon scent.It's a great cleaner for bathrooms including taps, shower doors and build up of hard water deposits. And don't just throw away the peels once you've used your lemon! Use these in your spray bottles to create a citrus smelling cleaning spray.

White Vinegar

White vinegar is an effective cleaner and is able to cut grease, remove mildew and odours. If you have persistent odours in your home, leave a little bowl of vinegar out overnight. You can also use it as a hand rinse to remove strong scents such as garlic and onion from your hands. You can also create an effective window cleaner by diluting vinegar with water and using this in a spray bottle and you can even use this spray along doorways, windowsills and bench tops to keep ants at bay.

Making small changes in your immediate surroundings and cleaning practices will help with the long term goals of protecting not only your home but our environment.

NOTE: do not use vinegar and lemon on natural stone e.g. marble.

Bathroom Cleaning:

Traditional Cleaning:

If you're cleaning bathrooms the traditional way, you're probably using disinfectant cleaners, glass cleaners, and acid bowl cleaners. Although these products do a good job of cleaning, they can be toxic to the environment and to the people who use them. In addition, some cleaners are made from petroleum products, which is not a renewable resource, so using a product that is water based would be a "greener" alternative.

Many residential companies or home owners who clean in the traditional way also use white cotton cloths for cleaning surfaces. When using cotton cloths, you take a chance that you will cross-contaminate surfaces as they move from one area to the next.

Cleaning bathroom floors in the traditional way may include sweeping with a broom or dust mop, and then using a cotton mop, sponge mop, or cotton rag to clean the floors.

Green Cleaning:

When you clean bathrooms using environmentally friendly products, tools and methods, you use safer cleaning products, and more efficient tools and cleaning systems. First, consider switching to products that are safer for the environment, aquatic life and human life. Check with your local distributor, as they should carry at least one environmentally friendly product line.  Ideally, cleaning product is eco-friendly, non-hazardous and certified.

Bathroom cleaning involves disinfecting a number of different surfaces, so you want to avoid cross-contaminating surfaces. The best way to do this is to use color-coded microfiber cloths. Each color is used for a particular task. For example:

• Blue - mirrors and taps
• Yellow - sinks and benchtops
• Red - toilets

Cleaning floors using green cleaning equipment and methods means you'll use a good quality approved vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter to vacuum the floor, rather than sweeping, which spreads soil around and causes dust to become airborne.

Mopping floors using green cleaning equipment and methods means you'll use a microfiber mop instead of the traditional mop and bucket. Microfiber mops are lighter weight, use less water, and are able to trap more soil in the fibers than traditional mops. In medical facilities, you can quickly switch mop heads from room to room to avoid cross contamination.

Conclusion:

As you can see, making a few simple changes in chemicals, equipment and cleaning methods can make a big impact. Not only will you be making a contribution to protecting the environment, but you'll also be protecting your family, pets and employees from toxic chemicals and outdated equipment that can cause unnecessary injuries.

Simple Facts About Bacteria

In the world of cleaning, it is our responsibility as business owners to educate our employees on how to clean and sanitize the surfaces we care for. Bacteria growth is a big concern for our clients because they want to protect their families from unhealthy environments.

Understanding bacteria and how it grows and moves is one of the starting points in learning how to keep the environments we care for, clean.

Bacteria Reproduction Facts:

• Bacteria reproduce by dividing. Once the cell reaches its maximum size it starts to come together in the middle and eventually breaks in two. This process can take 15 to 30 minutes.
• In just 5 hours, one bacterium can turn into over 1 million bacteria.
• Since you would rarely start with just 1 bacterium on any given surface, you can see where bacteria can spread into millions and billions of bacteria very quickly.

How Bacteria Spread:

Bacteria don't spread on their own. Here are some ways bacteria find their way to other surfaces.

• People are carriers of bacteria and can pass the bacteria to others in a variety of ways.
• They can travel through the air when someone sneezes.
• We deposit them on objects we touch, so bacteria can literally be anywhere. This is why cleaning companies must pay particular attention to "touch points" like door knobs, telephones and TV remotes when cleaning and disinfecting.
• Animals and insects can carry bacteria.

Methods of Killing Bacteria:

• Heat - this method can include sterilization (steam under pressure), moist heat (autoclaves), boiling, and dry heat (hot air sterilization).
• Cold - cold doesn't actually kill bacteria, but it inhibits the growth.
• Direct sunlight or ultraviolet light.
• Chemical Agents like disinfectants or germicides.

By having an understanding of bacteria and how it spreads, you can make more informed choices on the products you choose to use and what areas may be at higher risk of bacteria growth.

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Make sure it's Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) certified - Why?

Until recently and even at present time, most cleaning companies cleaned for appearance which is what their clients were looking for.  However, more and more home owners are concerned with the chemicals that are used in their homes and are looking for better alternatives.  Green cleaning is not only cost effective, but it is better for a home’s indoor air quality and making it better environment for families.

But with so many products on the market these days, how do you know which ones are truly "Green"? Here are some suggestions on what to look for when choosing green cleaning products:

1. Is the product certified? Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) is Australia's only independent, not-for-profit, multi-sector Eco-labeling program and is the only Australian member with GENICES recognition from the Global Eco-labeling Network (GEN).
2. Is the product non-toxic? Look for products that are non-toxic to humans and aquatic life.
3. Is the product biodegradable? Biodegradable means that it can be broken down by microbial action. The longer it takes to break down, the more harmful it is to the environment. Check the label to see if it says it's biodegradable.
4. Is the product concentrated or ready-to-use? Ready-to-use cleaners are composed of 90% water, which means extra energy and packaging went into making this product. And extra packaging means extra solid waste ending up in our landfills. Concentrated product however, uses very little water and less packaging, which is much more environmentally friendly. It also cuts down on weight, which means less cost associated with the fuel needed to transport product to its final destination.
5. Does the product work in cold water? Using cold water saves energy, whereas the need for using hot water with the chemical uses more energy.
6. Does the product contain chlorine bleach? The waste water after using a product containing chlorine bleach can react with other chemicals, which can be toxic.
7. Is the product derived from petroleum? Petroleum-based solvents are made from non-renewable resources, they are flammable, and can be toxic when inhaled. It's better to use solvents derived from pine oil or citrus because they're considered renewable resources.
8. Is the product an aerosol? Aerosol bottles can be dangerous if punctured, as they may produce an uncontrolled spray, which can put you at risk of exposure.
9. Is the product neutral in pH? Neutral pH products are safer for the environment and end user. Acidic or alkaline products can burn if accidentally spilled on your skin. A pH of 7.0 is considered neutral.
10. EDTA and NTA. Avoid purchasing products that contain these ingredients.  Instead look for alternatives such as sodium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate or sodium silicate.
11. VOC Concentration. Look for products that have a VOC concentration of no more than 10% of weight of the product when diluted for use as directed.
12. Is the packaging made from recycled products? Many containers and cardboard boxes are made from "post consumer" materials.

Once you've decided to make the switch to green cleaning products, use this as your guide for making the right choices.

Microfiber: More Than Just a Cleaning Cloth

Microfiber is no longer a "buzz word" that is taking the cleaning world by storm.  Most cleaning companies should be using them on a daily basis as a basic cleaning tool.

How to choose the right microfiber cloth for your all cleaning needs.  There are different grades of Microfiber for different types of tasks and most manufactures will carry at least 3 different types of  Microfiber cloths.  The most common types are:

1. Heavy Duty Microfiber Cloth - which is mainly used for heavy duty cleaning to remove deep soil and oils.
2. Medium Grade Microfiber Cloth - used for dusting and medium duty tasks such as wiping bench tops and sinks.
3. Microfiber cloths that have a suede like texture are used for glass, mirrors and for polished surfaces.  These cloths are usually much thinner than heavy or medium grade cloths, are more tightly woven and may come in blue colour.

When purchasing for your Microfiber cloths, visit your local cleaning suppliers, as they more likely to supply high quality Microfiber cloths.  You can usually tell a good quality Microfiber cloth by doing couple of tests.  First, run the cloth across your hand.  Does it seem to catch?  This is caused by the dense fibers and indicates quality Microfiber.  Next, put a small amount of hand lotion on mirror and then wipe your mirror cloth to see how many passes it takes to remove the lotion.  A good quality Microfiber cloth will remove the lotion in only one or two passes.

Microfiber cloths come in variety of colours and the reason for that to prevent cross contamination.  You certainly would not want to use to clean a toilet and then use the same cloth to clean your kitchen bench tops.

How to Care for Microfiber Cloths

when washing microfiber cloths, it is best to wash and dry them separately from other laundry items such as cotton cloths, towels or clothing.  If you don't wash them separately, they will pull the lint off these items and become so loaded it may make them useless.  Avoid using bleach and fabric softener.  Bleach will damage the fibers and fabric softener will reduce the static charge, which is an important part of what makes Microfiber cloth works so well.

when cleaning Microfiber, use about half the amount of laundry detergent you would normally use for a load of laundry.  Microfibers release soil very easily when washed, so more is not better in this case.  It is recommended that your water temperature not to exceed 95 Celsius.  Microfibers can air dry (Microfiber cloths dry very quickly) or you can use a machine to dry them as long as you use a low heat setting and do not add a fabric softener sheet.