Green Tools Archives - PENGUIN’S BEST, LLC

In Part 1 CLEANERS, I emphasized Less is More. In Part 2 TOOLS, I am reversing this rule, here More is More!

You need to own more well-built tools, learn the proper safe way of using them, and use them often to Green Clean your home!

5 is a good number- five tools is the minimum not including your vacuum and mop.

Your 5 must have Cleaning Tools:

1. Apron

If you visit my website, you’ll see my picture wearing an apron. Never in the fifteen years in the business of keeping Connecticut homes clean have I left home without it! (thecleanteam.com)

Batman wears a utility belt to tackle tough jobs in a serious and efficient manner and you need to do the same.

Would you hire a carpenter that goes up and down a ladder to get a nail every time he/she needs one?

Cleaning your home is time consuming. Take it seriously, make sure it’s done safely and efficiently to get the best results with the least amount of pain!!

2. Toilet Brush

Choose a simple, well-contoured, well-built toilet brush with strong bristles and a handle with a good grip. A toilet brush is a multi-purpose tool. Plus it’s good to own more than one!

Why not? Toilet brushes are good for bathroom work, but they can also be used for other cleaning tasks in your home.

We use a TILE BRUSH to scrub bathroom tiles, tubs and sinks but in a pinch, you can use a (new) toilet brush. Designate one for your specific cleaning job. I wish they made them in different colors!

3. White Scrub Pad

As a tool for use in the kitchen or bathroom, this is one of my favorites and most challenging tools as it needs to be kept dry at all times.

A CLEAN SECRET: Bacteria thrive in moist wet environments. Keep your white pad and all your tools HIGH & DRY!

Why White instead of Green? Because the white pad is gentler. For routine cleanings use the white. If you have a tougher job—like cleaning the stove—use the green pad.

Note: If you can’t get an area cleaned with the tool you are using, STOP (scrubbing harder!!!) and use a different tool!

TIP BOARD: NEVER use any tools on a DRY surface unless specified in the how-to manual. Doing so may damage the surface.

4. Feather Duster

We use ostrich feather dusters, however whatever type of duster you like to use make sure it’s of good quality and you know how to use it. If not, in your cleaning travels, you may leave unwanted feathers behind or worse breakage!

5. Cleaning Cloths

We use 100% white cotton cleaning cloths (they look like regular napkins) instead of paper towels. If you like to use paper towels use the plain, not the printed kind. The color will bleed!

TIP BOARD: A TRAY is good to have to keep all of your supplies organized and clean. We always carry in our trays a pair of medium-size Nitril gloves.

A WITCH BROOM?

Dust brooms are great to use as they don’t require electricity and are quiet. They are a combination of broom and dustpan. My local diner uses a dust broom often as they are open 24/7. I also like a good quality BROOM WITH SYNTHETIC FIBERS rather than a straw (witch) broom, which often leaves evidence behind!

TIP BOARD: ALWAYS keep your tools in impeccable shape and, in turn, they will help you keep your home in shape!

If you keep things tidy at home and use the right tools often, at the end of the day you will spend less time cleaning.

Enjoy a Green Clean home!

Happy Cleaning!

Nicky

ONLY FIVE

Fifteen years in the house cleaning business and I can honestly say Penguin’s Best rarely needed to use more than five cleaners in any one home.

Walk away from the belief that the more cleaners you own the cleaner your home is. How is it working for you?

Think less. Think multipurpose. Think Green.

Do your homework when it comes to chemicals, and remember to Keep It Simple (KISS) always.

WHY?

Who comes in contact with CHEMICALS every day? EVERYBODY! Exposure to household cleaners can be more harmful to your health than hazardous chemicals. People take notice to the latter; however, often we disregard the cautions when it comes to cleaning products.

Take FIVE. WHAT?
From the 5 cleaners, the first 3 are universally known and are MUST HAVES in every home.

GLASS CLEANER: Multiple surfaces including mirrors and glass. A safe option for use on appliances and stainless steel.
WHITE VINEGAR: Tasty on salads and wonderful for cooking—even more wonderful to use on drains and floors! With over 90 other uses, distilled white vinegar is a winner and a Green hero!*
*A footnote: In Haley’s Cleaning Hints you will find hundreds of green clean recipes for your home made from ordinary household items. A good read!
BLEACH: The ultimate kryptonite for germs—Lethal! Mix one part bleach to 10 part water solution (never use bleach straight). Always work in a well-ventilated space—especially when you use bleach in smaller rooms (like a bathroom).
*A footnote: After 24 hours, your water/bleach solution will lose its potency. Get in the habit of mixing a small batch whenever you need it.
POWDERED CLEANER: Ajax and Comet are common options, but you may also find similar cleaners in a cream form. Powdered cleaners are often used for the inside of porcelain, stainless steel, fiberglass in kitchen and bathroom sinks, bathtubs, and toilet bowls. Only a small amount of product is required for a good clean. The cream varieties allow you to have better control when dispensing, thus leading to less product waste; however, I personally prefer the powder form. To limit the powder flow, open only two of the many holes at the top of the container. Also consider powdering only the sponge or brush you are cleaning with rather than the surface. Add just a small amount of water while you are agitating the area to be cleaned. Thoroughly rinse the surface with cold water when done.
Important Note: never leave a powder product on a surface and walk away without rinsing. The paste will harden, and will be tough to rinse.
SURFACE CLEANER: I have had more debates on the topic of surface cleaners than on any other cleaner. Especially now with the popularity of greener living, chemical companies are slapping more Green labels on their cleaning products than their food industry counterparts, like Smart Choice. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Choose a surface cleaner that is non-toxic, biodegradable, odor-free, and safe to use around food. Also, choose one that can be used on multiple surfaces.

At Penguin’s Best we’ve used Red Juice for the past 15 years with great results (thecleanteam.com).

* TIP BOARD: When you invest in big ticket items for your home—such as kitchen or bathroom counters, floors, furniture, rugs—take the time to speak with your retailer regarding proper maintenance of your purchase. It’s ALWAYS a good idea to get this information to reduce waste and save money. If the retailer or manufacturer recommends a specific product, ask him or her if they can provide you with more details.

Investigate the chemicals you are currently using at home and anything new that comes in the door—including all aerosol products (hairsprays to room fresheners).

A FEW GOOD RULES:

CLEAN OFTEN: If you clean your home more often, and do spot cleaning when time is tight, your dependency on harsh chemicals will greatly be reduced.
CHOOSE YOUR TOOLS WISELY: Use the right tools for the job (coming soon in Part 2 of Tools of The Trade).
SIMPLIFY: Get in the habit of using ordinary household items like distilled white vinegar.
READ LABELS: ALL of them. Contact the manufacturer and request the product’s Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). This document outlines the health hazards of a product and how to protect yourself from any danger associated with the product’s chemicals.
CONCENTRATE: Buy concentrates that you plan to use within one year. All cleaning products lose their effectiveness over time.
SAY NO TO HOT WATER: Do NOT use hot water with ANY cleaner. The heat activates the chemicals, and the steam will prevent you from seeing the job at hand.

Happy GREEN CLEANING!

Nicky

**** Stay tuned for Part 2 – Tricks of the Trade: TOOLS ****

Green Tools

Part 2 -Tools of The Trade: TOOLS

Part 1 -Tools of The Trade: CLEANERS