Homemade Air Freshener Ideas

Air fresheners have become a household staple, and for a good reason. They are effective at removing unpleasant odors from the bathroom, kitchen, and anywhere else in the home.

Unfortunately, they are also a huge health hazard. The National Resources Defense Council conducted an independent testing for 14 different air fresheners, and found that over 85% of them contained phthalates – even those labeled as “all natural”.

Phthalates are linked to health problems such as hormonal imbalances, birth defects, reproductive issues, and more. Air fresheners are marketed to create a clean, healthy home, but actually do the opposite.

Use these real all natural air-freshening remedies instead:

Cinnamon and fruit

Who doesn't love the smell of fresh fruit or a nice cinnamon fragrance? Why not make your whole home smell like this? Fill up a small saucepan ¾ of the way with water and put it on the stove. When it begins to boil, turn it down to a simmer and throw in a couple of cinnamon sticks and a few slices of your favorite fruit – such as apples or oranges. Let it sit for a delicious aroma.

DIY baking soda jars

Baking soda has been used for decades to absorb smells inside of refrigerators, and it can do the same for the different rooms of your home. Grab a few jars, pour in half a cup of baking soda, and add in some of your favorite scented oils. Poke a few holes in the lid and scatter them throughout your home. Replace as needed.

Light a match

If you are looking for a quick, effective way to eliminate your bathroom odors, just keep a matchbox handy. While it might not smell as delicious as the alternatives, it is a good way to remove even the strongest of odors from your bathroom.

Air fresheners aren't the only thing polluting your home's air. Other sources of contamination include cleaning products, paint, and even your air ducts. GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers air duct cleaning services for homes and businesses on Long Island. Call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

Indoor Air Quality: Do's & Don'ts

Indoor air quality is just what it sounds like, and it is a growing concern across the country. Many people don't realize it, but the air in their homes, schools, and offices is usually more polluted than the dirtiest of cities.

Indoor air pollution is linked to all sorts of health problems such as respiratory infections, asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. Fortunately, plenty of information exists on what you should and should not do to improve indoor air quality in your home.

These six do's and don'ts should help get you started:

• Do decorate with more plants. NASA conducted a study in the 1980s that found that some houseplants can naturally filter out toxins from the air. If you are looking to purify your air, these five plants are the ones should get.

• Don't burn candles. Think candles are safe? Think again. Not only do they cause more than 9,000 fires per year, they also release carcinogens into the air when burned.

• Do dust and vacuum regularly. Dusting and vacuuming is a good way to keep your indoor allergies in check. Make sure to use a microfiber cloth when you dust, they are specially designed to trap particles.

• Don't use commercial cleaning supplies. Most commercial cleaning products, even ones marked as “all natural”, actually contain dangerous chemicals. Opt for homemade cleaning solutions made from vinegar and baking soda instead.

• Do control your moisture levels. Keep your windows open when the weather permits, and use exhaust fans to remove excess moisture in the air. Failure to do so can lead to mold growth.

• Don't neglect your air ducts. Usually an afterthought for homeowners, the air ducts in your home could be harboring contaminants such as dust, mold, pollen, and pet dander. These pollutants can use your ducts as a transportation system to circulate throughout your entire home.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration provides high-quality duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. All of our cleaning products and procedures are 100% eco-friendly and we have rave reviews online. Call us at (631) 940-8100 for a free quote.

How to Deal With Home Water Damage

Water damage can come from almost anywhere, and no home is completely safe from it. Whether your situation arises from external factors (heavy rain) or internal causes (burst pipe), dealing with water damage can be tricky and dangerous.

Follow this step-by-step process to minimize damage and stay as safe as possible.

1. Turn off the power. If you are dealing with a large scale flood, the first thing you should do is head to the circuit breaker and shut off the power in your house to avoid electric shock. This isn't as important with small leaks or floods.

2. Stop the source of water. After disconnecting the power, you need to stop the source of water. Whether it is covering a hole in the roof or foundation, or cutting off the water supply to a burst pipe, do it quickly to minimize damage.

3. Rescue valuable possessions. After the incoming water has been stopped, move quickly to rescue your most valuable possessions. These includes important documents, electronics, or family heirlooms.

4. Ventilate the area. You will want to open up all windows and doors, and get a box fan and exhaust fan running if you have them. This will help eliminate excess moisture from the air and prevent mold.

5. Get rid of standing water. Start working to remove any standing water. Use a mop, wet vac, or blot as much as possible with dry towels. Do not use a dry vac to remove water.

6. Contact a local restoration service. As a homeowner, there is only so much you can do to fix water damage. You should call a professional service immediately in order to minimize damage and protect yourself from mold exposure. We can't stress enough that time is of the essence.

7. Call your insurance company. Get in touch with your insurance company as soon as possible to file a claim. Make sure you use the term “water damage” and not “flooding”. They are different, and since most policies don't cover flooding, you could have problems getting reimbursed for expenses.

If you live on Long Island and are dealing with water damage, the experts at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration can safely restore your home to its previous condition. Call us for a free water damage restoration quote at (631) 940-8100.

Do You Suffer From Allergies? Your Air Ducts May Be To Blame

Do you suffer from indoor, outdoor, or seasonal allergies? You are not alone.

It is estimated that allergies affect more than 50 million Americans. Many people go inside to seek shelter when pollen levels climb too high, but even that doesn't always help. If you can't seem to shake your allergies whether you are at home, at work, or outside, your air ducts may be to blame.

What's in your air ducts?

If you don't have your air ducts professionally cleaned on a routine basis, they may be harboring all kinds of unwanted contaminants. The average household generates 40 pounds of dust each year, and much of it can settle into your air ducts. Your ductwork then acts as a transportation system, circulating this dust and other pollutants to every area of your home where they can cause symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, sore throat, and itchy eyes. Other allergens commonly found in air ducts include:

• Pet dander
• Mold and mildew
• Pollen
• Cigarette smoke
• Rodent droppings

What can you do?

The only way to effectively remove these impurities from your air ducts is by calling a professional cleaning service. Do not attempt to clean your air ducts yourself. Not only are DIY cleanings ineffective, they can be dangerous to your health, especially if you are dealing with mold or mildew. High-powered tools such as rotary brushes and truck-mounted vacuums are the only way to completely rid your ducts of contaminants.

If you live on Long Island and are looking for an air duct cleaning service for your home or business, look no further than GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration. We only use environmentally-friendly products and processes, and our customers often report improved energy efficiency and air quality. We serve all of Nassau and Suffolk County, call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

Where Does Mold Grow In The Home?

Almost all of us have been exposed to mold at one point or another, whether we know it or not. More than 100,000 different types of mold exist, ranging from black slime in the shower to green fuzz on an old loaf of bread.

Mold can grow almost anywhere moisture is present – indoors or out. While it plays a key role in nature, it's not something that you want to find inside your home. Mold spreads and grows by reproducing microscopic spores. When we come in contact with these spores, they can cause symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose, itchy eyes, sore throat, headaches, fever, and nausea. Long-term exposure can lead to more serious health problems such as respiratory infections.

Besides health concerns, mold can also damage the structural integrity of your home. Mold feeds on and breaks down organic manner, so when it grows on the wood support beams in your home, you could have a serious problem on your hands.

The key to minimizing the damaging effects of mold is to know the warning signs. These include discoloration or water stains in your walls and ceilings, musty odors, and most obviously, visible mold growth. You should also know where to check for these signs, which is why the experts at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration have compiled this list of common areas mold is known to grow. They include:

• Bathroom – especially on the walls and in the shower
• Basements with high humidity levels
• Unfinished crawl spaces and attics
• Underneath carpeting
• In your roof, ceiling tiles, and walls – especially if there is an exterior leak or burst pipe
• Window, washing machine, and dishwasher seals
• Refrigerator drip pans
• In your HVAC ductwork

If you suspect that mold is growing in any of these places, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Proper mold mitigation requires special tools and techniques, and it can be dangerous to your health. For these reasons, you should contact a professional service if you spot it growing on your property.

Long Island homes and businesses can count on GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration for thorough and effective residential and commercial mold removal. We serve all of Nassau and Suffolk counties, and all of our products and procedures are proven to be environmentally-friendly. Visit our website for more information, or give us a call at (631) 940-8100.

What Does GreenPro Clean?

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration is a Long Island-based company that provides specialty cleaning services to Nassau and Suffolk County. We aren't your traditional housecleaning service, we dare to go where they don't. Here are a few examples of the cleaning services we provide.

Attics & Crawl Spaces

If you have an attic or a crawl space in your home, it is most likely an afterthought. Unfortunately, these areas are very susceptible to problems such as mold, pest infestations, water leaks and more. These types of damages can wreak havoc on your home and even compromise its structural integrity.

HVAC Ductwork

If attics and crawl spaces are an afterthought, your air ducts are a neverthought. If you grab a flashlight and peep inside the vents in your home, you are likely to see a thick coating of dust and grime. This can hurt your HVAC system's energy efficiency and worsen your allergies, which is why experts recommend having them professionally cleaned every 3-5 years.

Water Damage Restoration

Water damage can come from a variety of sources: a heavy rainstorm, melting snow on the roof, a crack in your foundation, burst pipes, and even long-term humidity problems. No matter what caused the water damage in your Long Island home, we will evaluate it and take the necessary steps to get it fixed.

Mold Removal

Mold is a fungus that plays a key role in nature, but it is not something you want to find in your home. It can grow virtually anywhere moisture is present, and exposure to it can lead to sneezing, coughing, headaches, fatigue, and respiratory problems. Mold removal is not something to attempt on your own, so call us if you see any growing in your home.

Do you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, Long Island? If you are in need of any of these services, call GreenPro Cleaning &Restoration for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

What You Can Do To Reverse Household Air Pollution

Let's do a quick breathing exercise. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

If you were sitting in your home or office while doing this, chances are you just inhaled all sorts of toxins and pollutants. Many people are not aware of indoor air pollution, but the truth is the air in most of our homes is dirtier than even the worst of cities.

According to the World Health Organization, indoor air pollution is linked to illnesses such as pneumonia, heart disease, COPD, lung cancer, and many others. On the bright side, there are plenty of ways to purify the air in your home. Here are some things you can try.

Lose the Shoes

Do you know what's on the bottom of your shoes? If you wear them around the house, you are tracking dirt, pesticides, and all other kinds of nasty stuff into your home. Place door mats at all of your entrances and implement a “no shoes” policy.

Invest in a HEPA Filter

Installing a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) air filter in your home can greatly improve your air quality. A filter can only qualify for the HEPA name if it has been tested and proven to eliminate at least 99.97% of the particles from the air.

Clean Your Critters

If you have pets, especially cats and dogs, their hair and dander could be adding to the pollution in your home. Keep them clean by regularly bathing, brushing, and grooming them, and frequently washing their bedding in hot water.

Improve Ventilation

One of the main reasons that the air in your home is so bad is because toxins are emitted from everyday household goods (such as cleaning products) and have nowhere to escape to. Improving your ventilation can help with that. Always keep your exterior doors and windows open when the weather permits.

Mitigate the Mold

Mold is more than a gross fungus – it is harmful to your health. Mold can grow virtually anywhere moisture is present, including your basement, bathroom, and walls and ceilings with leaks. If you spot mold growing in your home, have it professionally removed immediately.

Mold removal is a dangerous process, and trying to do it yourself exposes you to health hazards. For the safety of your home and yourself, it is best to leave it to a trained professional. If you live on Long Island, call GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration at (631) 940-8100.