You Can Repair Scratches With Just a Crayon!

Having children is hard on your furniture. I have a little (now bigger) boy that is always finding ways to destroy my furniture. And having the scratches repaired by a professional is very expensive. Instead I recommend this trick. The video is only 30 seconds... enjoy!

Scary Halloween Stains Can Be Removed With A Few Simple Things

Halloween can be a big stain holiday!  On Clean Green Talk Radio we share tips on how to remove everything from chocolate to red wine. And you just need a few simple things to remove them. You’ll need an ice cube, white wine, rubbing alcohol and a few other simple ingredients. Listen in and find out how to have a very HAPPY Halloween.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Free Tele-seminar with 21 Green Living Experts

Feel free to join me in this fun and informative tele-seminar called "Lean Into Green" 


http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Free-Tele-seminar-with-21-Green-Living-Experts.html?soid=1101810084478&aid=oKNFH11NcUU

What Kind Of A Cleaner Are You?

Recently in the WSJ, there was an article about "Speed Cleaners". They not only had a title for those that like to clean quickly, but also sub-categories!  It made me realize that we all have different ways of doing things - and that includes cleaning. My hubby calls me a Binge Cleaner - mainly because I'm so busy doing other things that when I get the time to clean- I go crazy.

http://online.wsj.com/article/
SB10001424127887324436104578579512507422472.html
What type of cleaner are you? I started asking and here are a few of the different types people called themselves:
The Faker - This person is really good at cleaning up before company. They get everything looking perfect and make it look like they live like this all the time. They are the ultimate fake cleaner.
Half-Baked - This person is really good at cleaning some things, yet doesn't do a great job on others. For example, the half-baked cleaner will be vigilant about doing the dishes every night, but won't bother with vacuuming for a week or two.
A Particular Day Cleaner - This person will only clean on a certain day of the week. Everything is left to cleaning day.
Clean It As You See It - This person is cleaning constantly - but in short little dabs and touch-ups. They are loving the new products designed especially for them.
It Can Wait - Do you like putting off your cleaning? You are an It-Can-Wait Cleaner. Just make sure you don't wait too long.

Here are some other types of cleaners that people shared with us today on Clean Green Talk Radio.
There was:
  • Squeeze It In
  • Type A
  • Organized
  • Fit It In
  • Clean To A Fault
  • Clutter Keeper 
What type of cleaner are you? There was one other type mentioned on my facebook conversation - DON'T. I'm not considering that answer as a type!

Radio Show: Clean Green Talk - Tips for making your move easier


Marie Stegner joined Leslie Reichert on Clean Green Talk Radio. Listen in for even more tips and ideas to make your move easier.
Moving can be one of the most stressful things in your life, and not being prepared for it can make it even worse.  Leaving things for the last minute can sometimes be a disaster just waiting to happen.
To make your move easier, organized and less stressful, create your own personal moving check list.  Sticking to your list can make all the difference in the world.
Here are some very important things to include on your moving list:
Give yourself plenty of moving time.  Do not wait until the last minute to move.  Doing so can cause unneeded chaos right from the start.  Make your move easy on yourself by being organized.
Start creating your checklist.  Start your list as early as you can.  Organize your list any way you want, whether it is by family member, items classification (clothing, pet, food), or room by room (kitchen, bathroom, kids room).  Add to your list if you need too.   
Create a file and track moving expenses, estimates, and budget.  Make a spreadsheet that will help you track all costs, budgets, moving expenses, phone numbers and any other important information that you might need to make this process smoother.  This spreadsheet will make your life so much easier and will soon become your best friend throughout this process!  Keep track of the estimates for moving trucks, packing supplies, moving boxes and even tape!
Create a folder just for receipts.  Anything related to the move should be organized and kept in a folder.  Include all receipts and brochures related to the move.  This way you can find the items easy if you need them.
Save your money!  Plan on saving as much money as you can for this move so you are able to pay off all your bills quicker.
Write-offs.  Being able to get some of the money you spent on moving back would be wonderful.  Check the IRS moving expense guidelines to see if you can deduct any of your moving expenses on your taxes.
Inquire.  It doesn’t hurt to check with your doctor, pediatrician, and veterinarian to see if  they possibly have recommendations for you at your new location. This could save you some time and frustration when trying to find a doctor in your new location.
Gather up moving supplies.  Ask friends, family members and even local stores if they have any boxes or other packing materials that you need for your move.  If you start asking early enough, you just might get them for free.
Address change.  Forward all your mail to your new address by going to the post office and filing out a “Change of Address” form.    
Shut off utilities.  Contact the electric company, water company, and phone company early and let them know you are moving so you don’t get billed for any services you did not use.
Your personal checklist is your guide to an easier, stress-free move so make sure all your moving needs are included on the checklist.
Happy moving! 

Spring Cleaning the Eco-Friendly Way (guest blogger)


This article is by guest blogger, Nicole Sanders.  I always love hearing how people have enjoyed learning that greening your cleaning does really work!

Spring Cleaning the Eco-Friendly Way
by Nicole Sanders

As you may have guessed, spring cleaning is one of my favorite seasonal activities, and I can’t wait to get started on my annual cleaning session. Not only does this make my home more inviting, but it also allows me to better the environment. If you are looking for a few spring cleaning tips, check out my favorite eco-friendly housekeeping tips that will leave your home sparkling.

Gather the Essentials
Before I begin cleaning, I make sure that everything is ready to go in a portable container. Fortunately, green cleaning products are inexpensive and easy to find. Start with the basics such as vinegar, baking soda and rubbing alcohol. Then grab a microfiber dust cloth, a natural sponge, or a scrub brush made from natural fibers. If you plan on doing some deeper cleaning, add a few natural products designed for the specific task. With your kit of eco-friendly supplies on hand, you’re ready to get started. 

Bathroom Tips
One of the best home cleaning tips I’ve found is to first clean your bathroom by sprinkling baking soda in the toilet. This way, you can let it sit while you wipe down the sinks and fixtures with a microfiber cleaning cloth. To make your fixtures shine, dab a small amount of rubbing alcohol. After you clean the bathroom, use your scrub brush to finish up the toilet.

Eco-Friendly Laundry Methods
Green cleaning should be incorporated throughout your house, yet many people still rely on chemical products when doing laundry. However, I have found that natural laundry detergent and fabric softeners do a better job at eliminating stains. I always make my laundry detergent from scratch using baking soda and shaved soap. When I am short on time, I enlist the help of a cleaning service that uses a natural laundry detergent. Finally, I complete my laundry by airing it out on the clothesline, or by tossing a sachet with lavender into the drying cycle.

Kitchen Scrub Down
In the kitchen, there are several home cleaning tips that will keep your appliances and windows clean with very little effort. For cleaning your oven, simply sprinkle some baking soda and let it sit. Then, wipe it down with some rubbing alcohol and watch as the build-up scrubs away easily. Vinegar can also be used to clean up your appliances so that they shine. In the kitchen, green cleaning should also include a thorough cleaning of the floors using natural products such as vinegar and water. You can also use an eco-friendly floor cleaner. 

Whether you are using a cleaning service or conducting your own spring cleaning, make sure you’re only using natural products that are safe to use in and around your home, especially if you have young children or pets. Not only is this more effective, but it also leaves your home sparkling—minus the chemical residue. As you finish up your cleaning project this spring, make sure to keep these eco-friendly products readily available so that you can keep your home spotless and toxic-free year-round

How "Martha" are you with Betsy Karetnick

As an accomplished broadcaster, journalist and media host, Betsy Karetnick is a dream to interview. We had a great time sharing cleaning conundrums, secrets and lots of laughs. Betsy worked for seven years with Martha Stewart Living Radio on the Morning Living Show and has a vast knowledge of everything that pertains to lifestyle. We talked about stains, cooking and took questions from our listeners. You can check out her blog at www.iamnotarestaurant.com

Here is a post from Betsy:

As I was erasing evidence of kids and pets from my front hallway, a thought mentioned by cleaning coach Leslie Reichert popped into my head. When I was on her radio show on W4WN.com, she asked, why do so many people hate to clean? Some of it may have to do with the factory like nature of cleaning (I was pretty sure I’d been in that hallway with a similar sponge not too long ago). Some with the connectivity inherent to the job – rats, now that the walls are clean, I can see the light fixture is filthy…OMG, cobwebs above the doorframe! But I think sometimes we’ve lost sight of just how easy it is to keep a clean house in a century that offers magic in sponges and vacuums that move by themselves. As a radio host for more than seven years on Martha Stewart Living Radio I tried to focus on the upside of cleaning. Yes it is remarkably repetitive, but there is much to be celebrated too.
Here are a few things I've learned along the way from experts like Leslie and from a huge family of listeners.

1.      Everyone needs to be appreciated. I don’t care what you clean – thank yourself for a job well done. Every Monday we used to play “How Martha Were You” over the weekend. It seems like a silly game until you realize you processed 12 loads of laundry, cooked, entertained, organized…all while driving endless carpools. Promise yourself a reward after de-griming the kitchen. Enjoy a cup of tea with two chapters of a ridiculous novel.
2.      If your kids give you clothes that are inside out, wash them inside out, fold them inside out and return them inside out. Either they will start to right their clothing or they won’t care. If they don’t care, neither do you.
3.      Teach children laundry skills. And take a lesson from me – discuss emptying pockets first! Have you ever seen what gum and ink can do to a dryer?!!
4.      Cleaning equals a free gym membership. Don’t believe me? Try this. Vacuum your whole house. Fill a bucket with hot water, a drop of dish soap and a dollop of white vinegar. Mop your wood floors. After each room, either “skate” two dry t-shirts around the room or dry the floors on your hands and knees. Repeat the following week and get back to me.
5.      Lemons can be your cleaning buddies. Try this recipe for cleaning the microwave. Zap slices of a spent lemon in a bowl of water for 5 minutes. Wipe away debris. Smile.
6.      Lemon juice and mayo make your wood furniture sparkle – I learned that from Leslie Reichert, my favorite cleaning coach. But you need her book (thejoyofgreencleaning.com) for the recipe.

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