dimanche 23 décembre 2012

Produits d'entretien ménager: un meilleur étiquetage réclamé














                 Au printemps, l'organisation invitait la population canadienne à «sortir les squelettes de leurs placards ménagers» pour participer à un sondage en ligne sur les produits d'entretien domestique. Les résultats dévoilés récemment reposent sur la réponse de 10 500 Canadiens, dont plus du tiers de Québécois. Conclusion : la plupart ne savent pas quelles substances toxiques se trouvent dans les produits qu'ils utilisent pour nettoyer leur maison. Mais 99 % des participants réclament la transparence des entreprises sur l'étiquette.
Il y a des symboles, comme la tête de mort, qui signalent des risques aigus pour la santé : «poison», «corrosif» ou «irritant», reconnaît la Fondation. Mais il n'existe aucun encadrement pour prévenir des risques chroniques, à long terme.
Monoéthanolamine. Triclosan. Phosphate. Laurylsulfate de sodium. Ammoniaque. Ces produits chimiques potentiellement dangereux se trouvent dans les détachants, la lessive, les nettoyants tout usage, les dégraissants... recense la Fondation sur son site (www.david suzuki.org, tapez «entretien» dans Rechercher, vous aurez accès à différents documents). Leurs effets peuvent aller, selon l'exposition, d'irritation de la peau et des yeux, de problèmes de reproduction, de dommages aux reins, au foie, de troubles respiratoires, voire de cancer.
Seulement 42 % des nettoyants affichent une liste complète de leurs ingrédients. La Fondation a presque atteint son objectif de récolter 12 500 messages à l'endroit de la ministre fédérale de la Santé, Leona Aglukkaq, pour lui demander d'aller de l'avant avec l'étiquetage des produits d'entretien ménager.
Mention verte
Même du côté des produits ménagers verts, le sondage révèle un manque de clarté. Alors que 70 % des produits répertoriés comportaient une certaine mention «verte», seulement 47 % affichaient une écocertification quelconque. «Au Québec et au Canada, il existe des organismes indépendants d'écocertification qui aident les consommateurs à faire des choix respectueux de l'environnement», indique Jean-Patrick Toussaint, chef des projets scientifiques pour le Québec de la Fondation David Suzuki.
Sur le site de l'organisation, on indique qu'une étiquette de produit vert qui se respecte doit inclure : une écoétiquette certifiée par une tierce personne (EcoLogo, Green Seal Certified, Ecocert Contrôle), la désignation officielle de la biodégradabilité (exemple, biodégradable test OCDE 301 D ou E), une liste complète et précise des ingrédients, la divulgation de la composition du parfum, les coordonnées de la compagnie.
«Mais une des meilleures façons de garantir que votre foyer est à la fois propre et sain serait d'utiliser des produits faits maison, qui sont simples, peu coûteux et tout de même efficaces», poursuit M. Toussaint. Il fait référence au vinaigre (qui dégraisse, désodorise, désinfecte) et au bicarbonate de soude (qui dégraisse, désodorise, déloge la saleté et blanchi).
Et dire que chaque année, les Canadiens dépenseraient plus de 275 millions $ en savons, en détergents et en désinfectants en tout genre.

How to Remove Rubber Feet Stains from Wood


How to Remove Rubber Feet Stains from Wood

Table of Contents:
When rubber transfers to the surface of wooden furniture, it is best to treat it like a scuff mark. There are a couple of different items that can be used to remove the rubber from the surface. Follow these steps for a quick and easy fix.

Lemon Oil Method

You Will Need:

  • Lemon oil
  • Super fine steel wool (#0000)
  • Soft cloths

Steps to Remove the Rubber Spots:


  1. Start by testing the lemon oil on a hidden area. Although it’s a common wood polishing oil, it may react differently with each surface. If there are no color changes or undesirable effects, it is safe to proceed to the stained area.
  2. Use the soft cloth to apply a liberal amount of lemon oil to the surface. The oil will protect the surface during the stain removal process.
  3. Use the super fine steel wool to gently rub the rubber stain away. Do not apply too much pressure or you will risk damaging and scratching the finish on the surface.
  4. Once the rubber is removed, wipe the area clean with a soft cloth.
  5. Use another clean, soft cloth moistened with water to remove any remaining residue.

Using Commercial Products for Stain Removal

You Will Need:

  • Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
  • WD-40
  • Furniture polish
  • Soft cloths

Steps to Remove the Rubber Spots:

  1. Begin by moistening the Magic Eraser with clean water.
  2. Gently rub the sponge over the marks. Do not apply too much pressure or you may remove some of the protective coating, causing a more permanent mark.
  3. Once the rubber marks are removed, polish the area with a quality furniture polish.
  4. If the Magic Eraser is not available, or you would like another option, WD-40 can be used as well. The lubricant in the WD-40 will help the rubber to release from the surface.
  5. To use this, apply a small amount of WD-40 to the soft cloth.
  6. Gently rub it over the surface.
  7. The WD-40 will remove the scuff marks and polish the wood at the same time.
  8. Wipe away any residue with a clean portion of the cloth.

Additional Tips and Advice

  • Depending on the amount of rubber left behind, some have found tennis balls work well to rub away the stains.
  • These same methods can be used for removing rubber scuff marks from wood floors, baseboards and doors as well.
  • The lemon oil method is also useful for removing rubber scuff marks and stains from furniture feet on linoleum flooring. Again, test a hidden area to ensure there are no unwanted effects from the oil application.

jeudi 13 décembre 2012

7 TIPS FOR CLEANING YOUR KITCHEN


1. Microwave Cleaning Shortcut

The quickest way to clean a microwave oven is to place a handful of wet paper towels inside and run it on High for 3-5 minutes. You don't need a science lesson to know that the steam from the towels will soften the grime. Once the paper towels cool down, use them to wipe the oven's interior.

2. Clean Your Blender

Family physician and author Jill Grimes has a great tip to clean the blender. 'After you pour your drink, take the pitcher straight to the sink. Put in a little water and a drop of dish soap, put it back on the blender, and turn it on for 20 seconds. Rinse it out and you’re done.'

3. Clean Your Coffee Pot

The glass jug that comes with a coffeemaker can quickly develop a brown, blotchy haze – especially when you leave it on for long periods of time. For the quickest cure, you will need some ice, salt and a lemon. Fill the empty jug a quarter full of ice. Cut the lemon into quarters and squeeze two of the quarters into the jug. Add 2 tablespoons of salt. Swirl the mixture in the jug for 2 minutes and the inside surface will quickly

4. Clean a Cast-Iron Pan

Most cooks know that you should never use liquid soap on a cast-iron pan and never scrub it with anything abrasive if you want to maintain its well-oiled nonstick surface. So how do you clean it? Use salt. If the pan will not rinse clean with water and a soft dishcloth, rub it with a few tablespoons of salt and a paper towel, and rinse. Then replenish the oil film by coating the inside surface with a dab of cooking oil.

5. Clean a Cheese Grater

Keep a clean pastry brush handy for removing every last remnant of grated food left behind in the tiny grates. It works like a charm on both sides of the grater.

6. Disinfect a Garbage Disposal

Deep clean and deodorize a waste disposal unit by grinding ice cubes made with half vinegar, half water.

7. Clean a Coffee Mug

Remove coffee stains from china cups by scrubbing them with equal parts vinegar and salt.






mardi 11 décembre 2012

How to Clean Hardwood Floors Organically





Before you learn how to clean hardwood floors, you'll need to prepare for battle. You are going to need a broom, vacuum (optional), a mop (preferably flat, rectangular terrycloth), an empty spray bottle, and cleaning solution. The cleaning solution is the life's-blood of this project. There are many home recipes for cleaning wood flooring, but I simply go with organic dish soap and water. Stay clear of any natural solutions or commercial products that are acidic or abrasive as they will dull your hardwood floors over time.

Next, sweep up any dust or dirt off your wood floors. Make sure to use a high-quality, indoor broom as abrasive bristles can leave scratch marks. You can also vacuum if your hardwood flooring has loose boards, gaps, or impossible-to-sweep trim areas. Make sure not to use a vacuum that has a beater bar or "grabber" with non-retractable, abrasive bristles.

Now it's time to prepare the hardwood floor cleaner. Instead of using the traditional mop and bucket, pour warm water into an empty spray bottle and add a squirt or two of the organic dish soap and shake well. If you find this dull, pretend that you are being watched by clouds of venomous insects whose only fear is bottle shaking. Regular dish soap will do as well as long as it has a neutral PH level. Using a spray bottle and flat terrycloth mop makes it easier to use the appropriate amount of water. Never wet mop hardwood floors. Wood expands when it gets wet and an abundance of water could lead to warping and even cracking. You'll find that many hardwood floor cleaners come in spray bottles for precisely this reason.

Lightly mist the wood floor cleaner in about a 4 x 8 area and then mop in a back and forth motion until clean. Doing one area at a time is best. Again, if this step seems boring, open up your windows, strip down naked and mop as fast as your body allows. This will entertain and possibly frighten the neighbors, which is always fun.

If there are some trouble spots, spray them directly and apply more force. Some would argue that it's time for something a bit more potent, but I would stay away from anything too powerful and opt for a bit more elbow grease; it will add years to the lifespan of your floor and decrease the amount of times you need to refinish the wood floors. One option is to mix warm water with vinegar, then mop in the same fashion. It's a bit acidic, but it'll get the job done.

Now that you've learned how to clean hardwood floors, you'll see why it was worth your while. Find your newest, cleanest pair of socks. Next, locate the longest, most clutter-free piece of real estate and see if you can traverse the room in one epic sock-slide. Carpet, eat your heart out.

dimanche 2 décembre 2012


How to Clean Your Television Screen


Is you television’s screen so caked with dust, dirt, and smudges that it’s become black and white? What are you waiting for, it’s easy to clean and it should only take a couple minutes. Here’s how:
The process for cleaning your TV screen will depend on the type of TV screen you have. Just read the section that applies to yours and follow the instructions. All types of TVs require a cloth for cleaning. This cloth can be a handkerchief, an old t-shirt or a microfiber cloth specifically for wiping screens. Do not use a kitchen towel, paper towel or tissue, as it can scratch your screen and leave behind a trail of fuzz.
Be sure to turn your TV off and unplug it before cleaning the screen, or any other part of it, for that matter. This is safer of course since you won’t shock yourself, and it will make it easier to see any dirt, dust and fingerprints. Also, check the manual that came with your TV before you begin cleaning the screen. The manual may provide specific instructions – or warnings – for your model.

Cleaning LCD TVs

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A good solution to use for cleaning LCD screens is one of two parts isopropyl alcohol and two parts water or two parts regular vinegar and two parts water. Always use distilled water instead of water from the sink since it doesn’t have any minerals or additives in it that can end up on your screen. The water should be at room temperature.
Note: Try using just the distilled water by itself to clean the screen first before spending the time mixing the solution.
Prepare about two cups of the water and the vinegar or alcohol in a mixing bowl (or more, depending on your screen’s size). Stir the solution with a spoon until it is uniform. Alternately, you can pour the solution into a spray bottle and just shake it up. Then, dip your cloth in the bowl and saturate it or spray the cloth with the mixture from the bottle.
Wring the cloth out thoroughly. Then wipe the screen gently with the cloth without touching the screen with your hands. Use too much pressure and you could damage your screen. Move the cloth across the screen from left to right and top to bottom to help ensure that you don’t miss any spots. Spend extra time rubbing any heavily soiled spots but don’t use extra pressure. Once you’ve gotten through the whole screen clean, let it air dry before you plug the TV back in.
If your screen is seriously dirty or it has something besides dust on it, like marker or crayon, you may want to purchase an LCD screen cleaning kit. These are available at most electronics stores.

Cleaning Plasma TVs

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The safest way to clean a plasma screen without the risk of damaging it is to use nothing to clean it, as in no cleaning solution whatsoever. Just wipe the screen gently with the cloth, using the same side to side method you would for an LCD TV. Use as little pressure as possible. If this doesn’t work, get the cloth slightly damp with lukewarm distilled water and try wiping it again.
If the screen still isn’t clean, you can try a plasma screen cleaning kit. Some are better than others, so use discretion when purchasing one. Ask for a recommendation at your local electronics store or call your TV’s manufacturer for advice.

Cleaning Rear Projection TVs

The screen of a projection TV is a little harder to figure out, since there are two types: those with a screen shield and those without. It’s pretty easy to tell the difference. Shielded TVs will have a hard and smooth screen feel since they are covered in a layer of plastic, and those without a shield will have a softer, bumpier screen feel. You may be able to tell just by looking at the screen. If not, touch it lightly.
If your TV does have a screen shield, you can clean it by following the directions above for plasma TVs. If not, you will have to buy a cleaning kit made specifically for this type of TV. Again, consult the manual and head to the electronics store.

Cleaning CRTs (Tube TVs)

TVs with glass screens are by far the least complicated to clean, especially if they do not have any special coating on them. Most older TVs do not. If you’re not sure, check your manual.
If your TV has no special coating on it, you can dip you simply spray your cloth with a glass cleaner, such as Windex. Be sure to put the glass cleaner on the cloth as opposed to applying it to the screen directly so there is no opportunity for it to drip where it’s not wanted.
If your TV does have a protective coating, the Windex could damage it. Use only distilled water or a special cleaner designed for electronics.
Since glass TV screens are also prone to static, give the screen a quick swipe with a fabric softener sheet after you’ve cleaned it to help discourage new dust or hair from sticking to it. A used dryer sheet is better to use than a fresh one because most of the fragrance will have been washed off. Therefore it won’t leave any residue on the screen.

Keeping your TV clean

There’s not much you can do to prevent your TV from getting dust on it. It is pretty much a part of life. However, you can prevent your screen from getting a heavy buildup of dust by giving it a light cleaning about once a week.