PEEPING DUST

Finally!!  Temperatures have dropped and we've been opening up our windows to enjoy the cool breeze only nature does so well.  Our air conditioners (and wallets) sure needed this break.  Unfortunately, with open windows and bountiful breezes come outside dust and allergens.  The worst of it collects on our window screens, blinds and window sills. So let's get going and clean out those windows!!  

Start by dusting the window blinds, frame, sill, and screen with a dry dust cloth.  You can smear dust all over the place if you apply a damp cloth to your window surfaces before dusting.  This makes a big mess and totally not fun or easy cleanup for that matter.  Then, you'll want to use a mild soap detergent (Dawn dish soap) and water mixture with a microfiber towel to clean the screens.  With a different microfiber towel and fresh water plus soap clean window ledges and frames.  With a squeegee and a natural window cleaner with essential oils go ahead and wipe down glass.  The toughest part might be the blinds.  They are for me.  Close the blinds and gently wipe down slants with fresh water/soap mixture.  Be sure not to put too much pressure as they may come tumbling down.  A microfiber towel is essential in that it won't scratch any of the surfaces and uses minimal water to do the job.  THAT'S IT!  You're done.  Now on to the next window.  

BEWARE: SMALL CHILDREN ARE IN THE HOUSE

If you have little ones around the house like we do, please take extra caution in where you store your cleaning equipment and products.  Also be diligent about reading what the product label has to say before using it.  Whenever possible, avoid using products that use the words corrosive, reactive or explosive, flammable, toxic, or poisonous.  It is a very real scenario that too many children are poisoned by common household cleaning agents.  A few tips to follow in keeping your kids safer are:

• Never leave cleaning products unattended or easy to get to.
• Don't leave buckets full of water unattended as tiny tots can easily drown if they somehow climb in.  Hay, you never know!
• Always, always close caps and lids of any cleaning container.  
• Dispose of any unused or empty cleaning containers.

I hope these simple easy to follow tips will keep you and your family safe from cleaning agent harm.  

THE RIGHT STUFF

I'm curious...what's lurking in your cleaning closet?  You don't have to spend an entire weekend or even an entire day cleaning your home.  If you have the right tools and you know how to use them cleaning can be effortless even enjoyable.  (I see those eyes rolling)  It's true.  Let's take a quick peek at what you have to clean your home with.  

First and for most a good vacuum with attachments is needed in every home.  Doesn't matter if you don't have area rugs or carpeting.  With the use of attachments, you can suck up cob webs and dust bunnies from the ceilings, and clean up food crumbs from under tables and kitchen cabinets.  Make sure your vacuum cleaner is in good working order.  My advice is to make sure its also clean.  You don't want to spread allergens from one room to another after each use.

Several of my go to cleaning tools are:

• A broom with a wide angle and dustpan (you can also use the vacuum to "sweep up"),
• A wet mop (microfiber of course),
• A couple of buckets to use in washing floors, windows, walls, etc.,
• A pair of rubber gloves (helps protect your manicure),
• A good sponge,
• A toilet bowl brush, 
• Trash bags, and 
• Lots of microfiber cloths for dusting and cleaning.

This list is by no means exhaustive.  These are a few of what I think is needed in every home.  Ok, let's take a look at what you have in regards to cleaning products.  I'm big on using environmentally friendly cleaning agents.  At work we use concentrated products because we're not storing large volumes of bottles and all you really need is a little product with some water and viola.  

Several of my go to cleaning products are:

• An all-purpose cleaner for floors, walls, and other standard surfaces,
• Disinfectant,
• Degreaser, 
• Dish washing detergent (can't live without this), 
• Oven cleaner,
• Wood cleaner,
• Stone cleaner (for natural stone floors and walls), and
• Stainless Steel cleaner (usually water based).

Again, this is a basic product list.  With these tools and cleaning products you'll be well on your way to an enjoyable cleaning experience.  

FUN FACTS ABOUT TILLANDSIA'S

Since posting the article "My New Obsession", I've received several inquiries on Tillandsia's.  For this posting, I wanted to write a few fun facts on Tillandsia’s and how they differ from other plants.  I hope this answers many of your questions or curiosities.  ;)

• Tillandsia's are named after the Swedish physician - Elias Tillands.
• Tillandsia's are members of the Bromeliad family.
• They grow on anything, they hang from anything.  
• They grow upside down, right side up, or sideways.

• They grow on tree trunks, branches, shrubs, cacti, rocks, and cliff faces.
• They're root systems function to hold the plant stable, and not to absorb nutrients.
• There are over 550 different Tillandsia species.
• There are two major types of Tillandsia's:  those with hard leaves, and those with soft leaves.
• Some but few are fragrant.
•  It can take years for them to grow and mature.
• Sizes vary.  Some are about an inch in height while others grow over 40 inches tall.
• Flowers tend to be tubular and range in color from purple, blue, white, pink or yellow.
• Reproduction is by seeds or by offsets called "pups".
• A single plant could have many "pups".

If you would like more information on Tillandsia’s or would like to make a purchase, send me an email at ldiaz@sweepingdimensions.com.  

MY NEW OBSESSION

Earlier this year I stumbled upon a unique type of plant that by their shear unique appearances caught my eye.  One of them I bought just because it looked like something you’d find on another planet. Tillandsia’s better know as air plants grow without soil or in typical plant containers and are easy to maintain – a huge plus in my book.  Tillandsia’s absorb moisture and nutrients from the air around them through their leaves and not through their roots, which they use as anchors. Why is this important?  We spend about 90% of our time indoors, and improving the quality of air we breathe should be a priority especially for allergy sufferers. Tillandsia’s help clean the air in our homes and offices.  They are one type of plant that function as efficient air detoxifiers removing toxins from the air.

In every room I have placed these plants in there is a tranquility that comes over me when I’m there.  Tillandsia’s with their unique shapes and colors offer a spa-like zen that I absolutely love.  Whether it’s the natural elements (wood, rocks, moss, seashells) I arrange them in or the fact that I relax when I’m home, I can’t get enough of them. They look sophisticated, exotic, and very non-traditional.  

If you would like more information on Tillandsia’s or would like to purchase, send me an email at ldiaz@sweepingdimensions.com.  

Do You Love To Clean? 3 Cleaning Tips That Will Change Your Mind

Cleaning is one of those chores you would love to hate.  You can get dirty and messy during the process but when it’s all done there’s always a huge sigh of relief and a sense of calm. Yes. I am talking about cleaning and it is true that when you walk into a room you just cleaned, sometimes there is no greater sense of tranquility and accomplishment.  Calm surrounds us all when we are in the presence of cleanliness.  We tend to spend more time in these surroundings so it is no wonder that more business is done in a clean office and more people join you for festivities in your home.  I mean, who wants to see cobwebs inconspicuously hiding in ceiling corners, ceiling fans showing bundles of dust on its panels, or finger prints on light switches and door knobs?  The following three tips can make cleaning easier and less time consuming at the end of a busy day. It all begins by clearing out clutter. 

Simple enough, but when we spend a large amount of our time in rooms like the kitchen or our office clutter always accumulates.  This makes cleaning a longer task than it has to. Our first tip is to keep areas clutter free.  For example, excessive paper clutter like mail, homework assignments, or phone messages, should not be on countertops, the dining room table or conference room. Scattered utensils, dishes, and open food containers should always be put away.  Consider removing clothing off exercise machines, toys on  sofas and loveseats, and magazines off of chairs and tables.  These small changes can make a considerable difference to a healthy environment. 

After the pick-up, we can get to the culprit of all cleaning culprits – dust. Cupid did not give us a love affair for these fine, dry particles.  Those who suffer from allergies attest to the difficulties of removing them from surfaces.   By using the proper tools like a treated dust cloth or a microfiber towel to remove dust from all surfaces in your home and office becomes easy and effortless.  Every other day make a point to remove dust from chairs, tables (dining room tables, end tables, coffee tables), and any other horizontal surfaces.   Don’t forget to shake out dust and allergens from the sofa and pillows.  No one likes to bounce on the sofa to have dust bounce right back at us. 

Once the dust is removed, damp wipe with appropriate cleaning liquid and a microfiber towel all horizontal surfaces.   Wiping surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth helps to eliminate germs and allergens not removed by dusting alone.  One last tidbit:  A fresh bundle of flowers makes a lasting impression on your mood and that of your company.  It’s a low cost way to relax and be in the comfort of your environment.  Keep a fresh, vibrant colorful bouquet in the most occupied room.  

DO YOU HAVE TIME FOR YOURSELF?

CREATING CH’I

As a business owner and woman I’m always looking for balance. Balancing my home life from that of my professional life. Balancing fitness and nutrition with an occasional massage. Even balancing time out for meeting up with friends and family. I often wonder where the time goes throughout the day. I swear I wake up in the morning and think I’m going to get a lot done that day and by the time I get home I’m wondering what I accomplished. Sometimes, I’m aggravated in realizing I didn’t do much.

Today’s blog entry is about finding the time for you. Finding the time to sit down, relax and enjoy your “me” time.

In traditional Chinese culture and philosophy there is a fundamental concept called Ch’i or Qi. Ch’i literally means “air” or “breath”. Conceptually it refers to the energy flow or life force that is said to pervade all things. Why write about Ch’i? I’ve read that the quality, quantity and balance of Ch’i are believed to be essential to maintaining a long and healthy life.

When it comes to obtaining a long and healthy life I look at the stresses in my life and try my best in alleviating them. One such stress is cleaning my home. What a pain in the ass it is. Now, I don’t have a big home but it takes me forever to clean. In full disclosure, I take a lot of “breaks”; especially if the TV is on. Either way, I cannot seem to relax at home. That’s my point! I want to go home to feel relaxed and ready to lounge. No dog hair on the floor, on the bed sheets. No dishes in the sink. No cobwebs or dust bunnies in the corners. No floor to sweep and mop. Wouldn’t it be nice to come home to a clean home and not have to do anything but watch television or lay in bed reading?

So, I pose this question to you. Why not hire a cleaning service? Lessen one stress in your life. Come home to a space free from allergens; see that the laundry has been picked up from along side of the bed and the garbage taken out. At a minimum you get to come home and enjoy the comfort of a clean home. Let us, or any cleaning service in your area; help create a flow of Ch’i. It will positively affect your health and energy level whereby reducing stresses in your life.

All the best!