Are Mrs. Meyers Cleaning Products Really “All Natural”?

If a product is branded as “natural,” does that mean that it’s made with 100% natural ingredients? Not necessarily. Because there are no federal regulations that set requirements regarding what “natural” cleaning products must contain (or not contain), it can be tricky for consumers to know what it is they’re actually purchasing--unless they look carefully at the list of ingredients.

Are There Harmful Ingredients in Mrs. Meyers Cleaning Products?

Unlike some brands, Mrs. Meyers attempts to create transparency on their website when it comes to the ingredients in their products. Each product’s webpage has a section where you can view a breakdown of what ingredients are used, what they are, and what their purpose is. However, some ingredients are labeled and/or described in a way that omits information contrary to the products’ branding.

In the Clean Day Basil Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner, you’ll find ingredients like water, salt, and essential oils. You’ll also see these ingredients:

• Methylisothiazolinone: This is described as a “non-formaldehyde preservative.” Under “What Does It Do?” the website notes: “synthetic product preservative, < 1% of total volume to ensure shelf life stability.”
• Fragrance: This is described as a “mixture of high-quality essential oils and synthetic fragrance ingredients” that “smells great and provides an aromatherapeutic experience.”

Aside from being a preservative, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that methylisothiazolinone (MCI) is a standardized chemical allergen. Synthetic fragrances can also cause allergic reactions and worsen indoor air quality. Federal regulations don’t require manufacturers to list the ingredients in “fragrance,” so the term “fragrance,” “perfume,” or “parfum” can mean a few fragrance allergens or a few hundred. Mrs. Meyers does note under the ingredients list that the product “contains fragrance allergens” and includes a list of each fragrance allergen.

Are Mrs. Meyers Products Dangerous?

If Mrs. Meyers cleaning products are used as directed, they are unlikely to cause serious, immediate harm. However, if you have a chemical sensitivity (1 in 4 Americans do), these products could create harmful conditions for you in your home, and the artificial fragrances used in the products can worsen your indoor air quality over time.

At GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration, we promote healthy living. All of our products are bio-safe, and all of our methods are bio-friendly. We do not use any toxic chemicals and our cleaning systems produce superior results.

The Secret to Deep-Cleaning a Couch in 5 Steps

Just like your floor, your kitchen counters, and your bathroom sinks, your couch gets daily use. You use it, your kids use it, and maybe even your pets use it! Even so, many people don’t think about what kind of cleaning that a couch requires.

If your couch is overdue for a deep-cleaning (and let’s be honest--most of our couches are), here is how to do it in 5 steps.

1. Learn what cleaning method suits your upholstery.

In order to clean your couch properly, you have to first know what kind of material the upholstery is made of. The couch’s label should tell you this and should also include a list of codes to let you know what kind of cleaning can be performed upon the upholstery.

Here are the codes you’re likely to encounter on your couch’s label:

• S: This means that you should only use a dry cleaning detergent.
• WS: You can use either a steam vacuum with a mild detergent or use a dry cleaning detergent.
• W: This means that water is okay to use for cleaning.
• X: Only vacuum when you see this symbol. Don’t use any water.

2. Vacuum every inch.

Before deep cleaning, you’ll want to be sure to get rid of any hair, crumbs, fur, and other particles from your couch’s upholstery. Make sure to use your vacuum’s attachments so that you can get into the crannies and creases of your couch as well as its larger surfaces.

3. Disinfectant any non-upholstered parts.

Once your couch has been thoroughly vacuumed, wipe down any non-upholstered parts of your couch with a bleach-free disinfectant. It’s best to test a small spot first to make sure there are no other agents in the disinfectant that alter the color of the non-fabric parts.

4. Use baking soda to remove odors.

Baking soda is great for removing bad smells, and with all the moisture and bacteria couches can retain, it’s no wonder that they can begin to have a less-than-fresh odor after a while. That being said, you’ll want to test this step on a small, inconspicuous section of the upholstery to make sure that the baking soda doesn’t have a bleaching effect on it.

Once you’ve determined that the baking soda isn’t lightening your upholstery, it’s safe to use it on the rest of your couch. Sprinkle baking soda onto the area that needs deodorizing and spread it evenly with a bristle brush. Let the baking soda sit for a few hours before vacuuming it with your vacuum’s brush attachment.

5. Use water, white vinegar, and Castile soap for lingering odors and tough stains.

If your upholstery is able to get wet, create an all-natural upholstery cleaner and disinfectant for it to remove any stubborn odors or spots. Spray the solution onto the area in need, work it into the upholstery with a white cloth, then blot.

Vinegar Solution Recipe:

• 1 cup of warm water
• ¼ cup of white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of Castile soap (or substitute with 1 tablespoon of mild detergent)

The 3 Most Unsanitary Places In Your Home

Do you know what the germiest, dirtiest, bacteria-ridden places are in your home? The winners might surprise you.

According to a recent study from NSF International (involving 660 tests in 22 homes), these three places in your home contain the highest average germ count (and none of them are your toilet). Don’t worry, though--we’re providing you with some tips for cleaning each one of them.

3rd Place: Your Toothbrush Holder

Although it is not at all comforting to think about, your toothbrush holder is probably the third-most bacteria-ridden place in your entire house. One reason for this is its close proximity to the toilet, making it susceptible to traveling bacteria whenever you flush the toilet. Another reason is that your toothbrush itself contains millions of bacteria, and it rests directly in your toothbrush holder.

According to the study, of all the toothbrush holders tested:

• 64% harbored yeast and mold
• 27% tested positive for coliform bacteria
• 14% contained staph bacteria

How to Clean Your Toothbrush Holder:

• First, rinse it thoroughly with hot water and wipe it down with a clean cloth.
• Use a pipe cleaner or a similar long object so that you can clean inside each toothbrush slot.
• Depending on your holder type, fill it or soak it in antibacterial mouthwash for 2-3 minutes.
• Let it air dry.

2nd Place: Your Kitchen Sink

Your kitchen sink sees a lot of action, and with the amount of food waste, heat, and moisture that accumulate there, it can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. In addition, the sink is where you also clean unwashed fruits and vegetable and rinse off raw meat, which can introduce additional bacteria to your kitchen.

According to the study, of all the kitchen sinks tested:

• 45% tested positive for coliform bacteria
• 27% contained mold

How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen Sink

• Rinse it thoroughly to get rid of any food scraps.
• Sprinkle it with baking soda, and rub the baking soda over the surface until it forms a paste.
• Rinse thoroughly again.
• Soak paper towels in white vinegar (a natural disinfectant), and line your sink with them. Let them sit for 20 minutes.
• Throw the paper towels away and rinse your sink one more time with warm and soapy water.
• Use a cloth soaked in vinegar to clean your faucet and handles.

1st Place: Your Kitchen Sponge

This is pretty alarming news for most people, especially because this is what most households use to clean their dirty dishes. However, when you stop to consider how much food waste touches dish sponges, how little sponges themselves are actually washed, and how frequently wet sponges are, a high bacteria count and even mold growth begins to make sense.

According to the study, of all the sponges tested:

• 86% contained yeast and mold
• 77% contaied coliform bacteria
• 18% contained staph bacteria

How to Keep Your Kitchen Sponge Clean:

• Replace your sponge regularly. Use each sponge for only 2 weeks.
• Microwave your sponge for 2 minutes daily to disinfect it.