The Beginning of Clean... Step 1 to a Greener Home

What's the best way to fight the dirty? Well, if you are like me, it's going to have to involve the least amount of effort AND have the biggest impact. In the process of obtaining my Green Designation, I decided that I'm going to try harder at adopting the green method. Detoxing my home is the first step in a cleaner, healthier family. And, most importantly, in a time when most families are finding themselves saving more vs spending more, greener can also be cheaper!

Believe it or not, it all starts with the air that you breath. The air inside your home is up to 5 times more polluted then the air outside - that's a SCARY thought! If you think about it, gone are the days of drafty homes and no air condition. Instead we clutter them with chemically filled products, the flooring, the paint, even our furniture.

Follow me, if you dare! In the process you will make your home a healthier place to live and a more desirable home to purchase when you decide to sell.

Step 1: Rid your home of the chemical dependency. You know, the smell of Chlorine bleach, smells clean right? but then gives you a headache. That's because you were inhaling toxic fumes. The same toxins that have been linked to birth defects and cancer. It's time to get rid of the toxic cleaning supplies - BUT don't just go through the cabinets trashing them. Either use what you have first or visit Earth911.org to find a household hazardous waste drop-off site.

Some other great cleaning tips:

• Only use a HEPA Vacuum filter.
• Avoid toxic carpet cleaners and switch to steam cleaners.
• Take off your shoes! A lot of dirt, grime and bacteria enter your home on your feet.
• When dusting, use microfibers and avoid aerosol wood cleaners.
• Switch to glass cleaners that don't contain ammonia.