the rub on organic cleaning
Maid for You- It’s all in the details
In this edition of the Maid for You blog, we explore the use of organic cleaning products. You want to be certain that the maid service you hired knows how to correctly apply organic products.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific standards for the cleaning industry. Maid services should be familiar with how to apply organic and all natural cleaning supplies in order to avoid damage or ineffective cleaning. Organic products can have some concerns with use. For example, vinegar combined with baking soda creates salt water. Several essential oils damage furniture/counters. Citrus (lemon oil) can be excellent when used on wood, but should not be left on stone or travertine. If you are a pet owner, some essential oils could pose a toxic risk to household pets.
ESSENTIAL OILS
As with other products, essential oils have different grades. If you buy an essential oil from a big box store, there is a high likelihood that it has fillers and is not a pure organic essential oil. Maid services should locate reputable distributors like doTerra or Young Living. Young Living does not sell to third parties, so cleaning services should be aware of cheaper vendors selling those products cut the items and they may have impurities.
BEST ORGANIC/NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCTS
You may wonder, what are some of the most effective organic cleaning products? Simply using deionized (distilled) water with elbow grease can be one of the best cleaners. Deionized water has had the impurities removed. Water is a very strong product that often is taken for granted, but its reaction on surfaces can be highly effective. Some maid services will use an all-purpose cleaner with deionized water and a little bit of mint for a pleasant smell. Bar Keeper’s Friend is a naturally derived product (oxalic acid) that is a powerful cleaner for glass and iron stains. However, be cautious with this product around stone. Although vinegar is very potent, it is a great cleaning product (particularly on glass) as long as the maid service knows how to use it. Thieves and Dr. Bronner’s Sal-Suds are other recommended organic/all natural cleaning agent lines to consider.
ORGANIC CLEANER RECIPES
Soft Scrub:
- 12 Ounces baking soda
- 4 ounces castile soap (we use mint)
- 5 ounces water
- 5 ounces vinegar
- 30 drops essential oil (we use half orange and half mint)
Glass Cleaner:
- 2 Cups Water
- 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
- 2 Tablespoons ammonia
- 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
specializes in house cleaning and maid services in the Concord, New Hampshire area including the communities of Penacook, Pembroke, Hopkinton, and Canterbury.
Reference
“Essential Oil and Liquid Potpourri Poisoning in Dogs.” vca_corporate, 2017,
vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/essential-oil-and-liquid-potpourri-poisoning-in-dogs.
“UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.” Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, www.osha.gov/SLTC/cleaningindustry/standards.html.
