FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

I use regular toxic cleaning products to clean my home. Why should I be concerned and make the switch to non-toxic, cleaning products?
If you are using regular cleaning supplies you should definitely be concerned. Chemicals found in conventional cleaning products can effect a great variety of our body systems. It is important to understand the diffferent types of problems exposure to these chemicals can provoke. Some reactions are acute, meaning we feel the effects immediately: our eyes water, we break out in a rash, or we begin coughing or sneezing uncontrollably. Other health effects can be chronic, or long term: Hormonal problems, developmental, and learning disabilities, the build up of fluid in the lungs, even cancer. Asthma and arthritis are both examples of chronic health problems. If you use chemicals to clean your house you will be exposing yourself and your family to the health risks. The chemicals in many cleaning products will leave residues all over your house that efffect you whenever you eat, sleep, or even breath.
What is one of the biggest sources of toxins in my home, and how do I get rid of them?
There are so many factors that contribute to toxins in your home. Food, water, carpet, cosmetics, toiletries, and of course cleaning products.Once you learn the facts about toxins in your home and where they come from you have the responsibility and choice to make changes. At the same time it is important that you implement these changes at your own pace, a little bit at a time. Going green is a constantly evolving process that all follows from the first tiny step.
What is the cost difference between regular cleaners & natural cleaners?
When you buy conventional cleaning prodcuts you are buying a product that has been made from chemicals. When you buy natural, green cleaning products you are not. You can even make your own green prodcuts by being resourceful and creative. For example use baking soda, vinegar, essential oils, lemon, table salt, lemon juice, etc.. If you want to buy them just look around for good sales, and many times you can find natural products for a very similiar cost to conventional. In fact, many times you can cut the amount of cleaners you use in half! Many people are under the impression that you need several different cleaners, the reality is that a few good green cleaners can clean the whole house! Many times you save money!
How do I know if my cleaning products are safe?
If you can answer "yes" to these questions then your products are safe. Does it enclose all ingredients? Because the manufacturers of household cleaning products aren't required by law to do so, you should look for companies that voluntarily disclose their ingredients. Does it tell you where the ingredients come from? The label should also tell you if it's ingredients are synthetic, or naturally derived. Is the water purified? Is the fragrance natural? Does it tell whether the surfactant is derived from plants or chemicals? Example:Petroleum toxic, or coconut oil safe. Do these ingredients biodegrade? A label should tell you if its ingredients biodegrade in the environment. Avoid cleaning products that have any of the following: Aerosol propellents, Ammonia, Chlorine bleach, Heavy Metals, Known or suspected carcinogens, Endocrine disrupters, Mutagens, and Teratogens, Petroleum distillates, Phosphates, Synthetic dyes, Fragrances, and Optical Brighteners.
Have you noticed the amount of Natural Cleaners at the Supermarket these days? Wonder why Name Brands are jumping on board of this "Natural" cleaning trend?
Seems as though there is a lot about that "All Purpose Cleaner" under the sink that we are not being told. As awareness grows some makers of these products will meet the demands of the educated public that are demanding healthier alternatives. Similiar is the trend of more and more organic products now being offered in mainstream supermarkets. As awareness grows so should demand of healthier choices. This is why it is so important that the public does not compromise and continue to buy these hazardous products.
What type of chemicals are we using in our home environment?
Commercial Spot Cleaners can be loaded with carcinogenic ingredients, neurotoxins, central nervous system depressants, and all of these are considered hazardous waste. Sodium Fluosilicate, Na2SiF6 A poisonous, white, amorphous powder; slightly soluble in water, and used to fluorinate drinking water and to kill rodents and insects, is commonly used in some commercial laundry detergents. Furniture Polishes can contain neurotoxins and other hazards to the environment. A closer investigation in household cleaners, commercial oven cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and metal polishes reveal a vast amount of chemicals that are used as pesticides and even fuel. Add the additional contact of these chemicals in the work environment and contact issues escalate. Is it any wonder that "occupational dermatitis" is the foremost source of work-related disease? Americans spend as much as $300 million a year in their quest for relief from contact dermatitis. Florists, domestic workers, hairdressers, food preparers, janitors, and employees in industry, construction, and health care are the people most at risk of contracting work-related contact dermatitis. Common cleaning products may be more dangerous than the germs themselves. Often we forget that our largest body organ, our skin, absorbs whatever it contacts. Exposure to chemicals can be detected within a minute in all organs of the body. Many "cleaners" release their toxins as fumes. Mothers that breast-feed should be very cautious around household cleaners, like chlorinated products, can form orgono-chloride compounds that can be stored in fat cells and migrate into breast milk. Ask any parent how much contact a baby has with the rugs and floors in their home/day-care area, then consider the chemicals found in rug cleaners and spot removers on those same floors, and an awareness warranting caution emerges.
How exactly do these cleaners effect our environment?
Hood River, OR (PRWeb) March 22, 2007 -- According to the EPA, the air we breathe inside our homes could be as much as 5 times as polluted as the air outside. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality tells us that the average American uses 25 gallons of toxic and hazardous chemicals at home. Of the 17,000 chemicals found in household cleaners, only 3 out of 10 have been tested for effects on Human health. Many cleaning products contain petroleum products, which are slow to breakdown in the environment, non-renewable and can contaminate our air and water. Of these chemicals, many are flushed down system and make their way through our sewers to our creeks, rivers, and ultimately our ocean.
If I wanted to hire Green Clean to come clean for me how much would it cost?
Everyone has different needs and goals so this is hard to answer because you will determine what your budget is and what you want to purchase. A standard service for residential house cleaning usually ranges anywhere between $80-$150 a visit. This generally gives you a 2 hour cleaning with a 2 person crew. However, if your home is very large and you have deep cleaning needs the time may need to be adjusted in order for us to get all your needs meet. If you chose to have us come weekly or bi-weekly discounts apply. We are more than happy to discuss your needs with you and try to come up with a plan that will work for you. Our goal is to make our cleaning service affordable and superior to the standard cleaning service you may be used to. If you have a business or are in need of helper services due to circumstances or illness, a weeekly service can be as low as $50 a week, but may be higher depending on your needs. We get a lot accomplished in a short amount of time, and pride ourselves on trying to save our clients money, so please do not hesitate to call for a free estimate! We want to work with you!