Miraclean – 803.984.9383 | Tag Archives: natural

10 alternative uses for baby powder

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Kristin Posted in General Announcement .

‘Tis the season for fun in the sun, beach vacations, and lots of sand! One essential beach item is baby powder. It is perfect for getting sand out of…hard to reach places. It is also great when you want to put on your flip flops but don’t want to get your feet wet.

Here are nine other ways baby powder can help you around the house:

1.) Sprinkle the bed sheets to cool down before you go to sleep.

2.) Use it as a dry-shampoo for yourself and your pet!

3.) Rub it in your clothing to absorb grease stains.

4.) Sprinkle baby powder to help fix creaky hardwood floors.

5.) Spruce up your stinky shoes by making baby powder satchels to eliminate lingering odors.

6.) Use it to help detangle your necklaces.

7.) Clean playing cards in a plastic bag with a little baby powder and shake the bag.

8.) Freshen vintage books and moldy pages. Let the pages air-dry, sprinkle powder and let it sit for one hour. Dust powder off.

9.) Sprinkle over kitty litter for a quick refresh.

Do you have baby powder tricks? Please, share them on our Facebook page!!!!

Money-saving gardening tips

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Kristin Posted in General Announcement .

Last night my mom sent me this picture of her herb garden. I love that she said Take #1. Green thumbs don’t run in this family!

This week’s blog is for my mother.

Here are some cute and handy ideas for your garden:

1.) Use an old ladder as a growing support for cucumbers, beans, and tomatoes.

2.) Check out these cool plant potters! Use glow in the dark paint and place the potters around the edge of your patio or garden.

3.) Speaking of paint, paint a few rocks to look like strawberries. Place the rocks near your berry patch to chase the birds away. They hate pecking on stones and they will assume all the berries are hard.

4.) Use left-over coffee grounds to acidify the soil of acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, gardenias and blueberries. A light sprinkling of a quarter-inch applied once a month will keep the pH of the soil on the acidic side.

5.) Another awesome use of coffee filters are to use them in the bottom of your potted plants to keep the dirt from leaking out of the drainage hole.

6.) Turn a rake or other long-handled tool into a measuring stick. Use a permanent marker and a tape measurer to write inch and foot marks on the handle. Perfect for those plants that need space!

7.) Create natural markers by writing the names of plants on flat faces of stones of various sizes and place them at the base of your plants.

8.) Keep your garden twine handy by placing it in a small clay pot and pull the end of the twine through the drainage hole and set the pot upside-down in the garden.

9.) Dry your herbs by arranging them on a sheet of newspaper on the seat of your car. Roll up your windows and close the door and they will be perfectly dry. Plus, your car will smell great!

10.) Next time you boil or steam veggies, let the water cool and use it to water your potted plants. You’ll be amazed at how the plants respond to the veggie soup!

Do you have tips to add? Tell us about it at www.facebook.com/Miraclean.

Guest blogger: Take control of the chemicals around you

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Kristin Posted in General Announcement .

I have known Bree for about four years. We started off as networking pals and grew to really enjoy each other’s businesses because we are all about informing people to make healthier choices. Bree is an RN (and that’s just one of her many credentials) so she knows her stuff! I received her newsletter and couldn’t wait to pass her featured blog on to you all.

It’s not very often that we hear about a connection between our personal care products and our mood, but there is definitely a very important connection! Believe it or not, what you put on and around your body is JUST AS IMPORTANT as what you put in your body. And these days we are easily bombarded with an excess of unhealthy chemicals that can affect our health and happiness.

Since WWII, over 80000 chemicals have been introduced into our world. Did you get that? 80,000 chemicals!! These chemicals are used in industrial products, personal care products, cleaning supplies, furniture, cars, and even your food.

These chemicals are NOT required to be tested for safety. In fact, for every 1500 chemicals that are introduced, about 10 are tested. None of them have been tested for synergistic effects, meaning what happens when two different chemicals react when mixed together in a product.

Many of of these chemicals are known or suspected carcinogens (meaning they increase your risk of cancer)

Many of these chemicals are known or suspected hormone disruptors, which can result in insulin/glucose imbalance (diabetes), leptin imbalance (resulting in weight gain and difficulty losing excess weight), depression, and higher risk of cancer

Most people believe that some agency somewhere is looking out for our safety and all of these products have been deemed safe. That’s not the truth!

There is no agency that’s sole responsibility is to test for safety of our personal care and cleaning products. It is left up to the companies that make the products (and make money selling the product) to report safety of their products. So while the companies may know something is potentially not safe, they will say something along the lines of “the amount is too small to affect you” without taking into consideration how much you use, how often you use it, and everything else you use.

On average, a woman puts 215 chemicals in or around her body EVERY MORNING…125 of those are suspected hormone-disregulators or carcinogens! That’s why it is so important to educate yourself and make better choices for you and your family!

It is impossible to live in our world and avoid all of these chemicals altogether. But you can make a BIG IMPACT by controlling what you can control.

You may have unknowingly been exposing yourself and your kids to many different cancer- causing, hormone-disrupting chemicals every day. Now’s the time to clear this junk out of your home and away from your family. Detoxing your home can save you ALOT of money too.

Begin by paying attention to the labels and not buying products that list the ingredients mentioned in the picture above. Choose natural products over chemical products. (Note: this process can easily feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Begin by changing out just a few items at a time.)

To sign up to receive Bree’s newsletter, visit her at http://www.vitalityhealthcoach.com/ and don’t forget to try her Clean Eating Challenge!

My favorite cleaning product

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Kristin Posted in General Announcement .

Do you ever get something new and try it on everything? Maybe it’s a new tool or maybe, if you’re like me, it’s a new cleaning product. Being the skeptic I am, maybe I want to see if it can really do everything!

As most of you know, I buy all of my all-natural cleaning supplies from a wonderful wellness company that use scientifically-proven natural ingredients to keep your home safe and clean. I recently decided to get the Value Pack, a gift basket of sorts with various top selling products.

One of those products was a heavy duty cleaner called Melamagic and a degreaser called Sol-U-Mel. Both products are made using tea tree oil, a natural disinfectant, deodorizer, and essential oil.

I googled a few recipes to get me started and I was on a roll. I decided to try a capful, yes a small capful, in a load of laundry. My towels came out smelling so fresh! I mixed up an all-purpose mixture of the two, again using a couple of capfuls each and filling the rest of the spray bottle with water.

I sprayed everything in the bathroom and wrapped the showerhead in a mixture I poured in a plastic sandwich bag and tied to the showerhead with a hairbow. I sprayed my countertops in the kitchen, then I got to my stovetop. A degreaser. Let’s try it.

So, I went a little crazy. I started with the top, then I opened it (my mistake there!), then I took the coils off and soaked the drip pans in a mixture I made, again with just a couple capfuls of each.

And it worked! With very little elbow grease, I might add. I couldn’t believe it. The stove is older than I am, so there are a few spots where you can tell I need to go back, but for the most part I sprayed, let it sit, and wiped it up with no problem. It even worked on the control panel, leaving this beautiful shine!

Want to play with all-natural products? Sign up with this fabulous company that produces over 300 products including a men’s line, kid’s line, gluten-free foods, laundry and more! Think of it as an all-natural Sam’s Club or Costco. Join me and millions of others who have made the switch!

Want to join in on a short 30-minute webinar to learn more about the products? Click here!

The number one question our customers ask us

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Kristin Posted in Cleaning Tips .

Scrub less. Organize more.

Answering your questions about keeping hard to clean areas cleaner, longer.

The number one question we are asked is how to keep a tile and grout shower clean in between cleanings.

Today I will share with you our top three recipes for keeping that pain in the butt tile clean.

First, let’s start with some tips. The best tool you can invest in is a squeegee. It only takes a matter of seconds and, trust me, it’s worth it in the long run. Squeegee the glass shower door and your tile and the shower will stay cleaner longer.

Second, leave the light and fan running for as long as possible. Mold and mildew love a wet, humid, dark environment. By leaving the light and fan on for a few extra minutes, you are giving your bathroom time to dry. Don’t forget to pick up wet floor towels and hang them to dry.

Lastly, keep the bathroom clean by not letting it get dirty in the first place. Put things away. Do you leave your curling irons and straighteners on the counter to cool on your way to work? Install a hook and hang them so you have more space. After work, wrap them up and stick them under the sink. Store all your make-up in one location. Get a basket to capture easy to reach items you use on a regular basis. Keep wipes under the sink for a quick countertop clean-up. By having all these items easily accessible, you’ll have no problem keeping everything in its place.

I am not saying you will never have to clean your bathroom ever again. I’d be out of a job! However, by keeping up with the mess, the globs of toothpaste in the sink, the pinkish colored grout that you were pretty sure was white when you moved in, your bathroom will stay cleaner longer.

When it gets time to do a heavy scrub down cleaning, here are three of our favorite, all-natural, homemade recipes.

1.) Mix ½ cup baking soda, 1/3 cup lemon juice, ¼ cup vinegar in a spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with water. Mix well. Spray throughout shower and let it sit for one hour. Respray, then use an old toothbrush or grout brush to scrub. Rinse shower with water and dry shower with a clean towel.

2.) Mix 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, 3 tablespoons lemon juice in a spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with water. Be careful when spraying as hydrogen peroxide is a natural alternative to bleach and will stain fabrics. Spray mixture throughout shower. Scrub grout with an old toothbrush or grout brush. Rinse shower with water and dry shower with a clean towel.

3.) Mix 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup water in a spray bottle. Sprinkle your favorite abrasive (baking soda, Bon Ami) on your discolored areas. Let it sit for 20 minutes. Respray and you will notice a paste forming. Use this paste to scrub the grout clean with a brush. As with the other recipes, rinse shower with water and dry with a clean towel.

Another option to cleaning bathrooms is by cleaning with steam. Steam mops and accessories are becoming more popular as a natural bathroom cleaner. Water is heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit; hot enough to kill germs and bacteria. Not only will your surfaces be cleaner, they will be disinfected and sanitized, too! This method is perfect for bathrooms, changing areas, fitness equipment, daycares, kitchens, and more.

To learn more about steam vapor cleaning, call us at 803-366-1766 to schedule a free estimate in your home or office.

Check out these before and after shower pictures. We used our steam vapor cleaner to get this shower looking good as new!

We can use the steam vapor cleaner on linoleum floors, too. Check it out!

Look at this fridge! There is nothing we can’t clean! Not only is it clean, but it is also sanitized and disinfected!

Call Kristin for your free estimate at 803-366-1766 or email us your questions at Kristin@miracleanonline.com . Don’t forget to like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Miraclean

12 uses for hydrogen peroxide around your home

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Kristin Posted in Cleaning Tips .

Hydrogen peroxide is a wonderful ingredient for cleaning because it is naturally antibacterial. It is non-toxic to people, plants, household animals and the Earth. Basically, hydrogen peroxide is water with an extra oxygen molecule. It is inexpensive to buy and simplifies the number of different cleaning products you need to keep handy.

Remember, hydrogen peroxide is a natural alternative to bleach.

When mixing your own cleaning products, make sure you store any peroxide mixtures in a dark bottle. The light will breakdown the molecules, causing the peroxide to be ineffective.

Here are some great cleaning tips to use hydrogen peroxide as a natural cleaner in your home:

1.) When washing a load of whites, add one cup hydrogen peroxide to brighten your threads.

2.) Make a 50/50 solution using peroxide and water to use around your house. Spray it on countertops and cutting boards to disinfect. Use it as a bathroom cleaner to create a germ-free area. Hydrogen peroxide can also eliminate that “boy” smell from bathrooms.

3.) Add ½ cup hydrogen peroxide to a sink full of water and use to wash fruit and veggies.

4.) Got a sickling in your home? Use peroxide to wipe light switches, door handles, toys, or any other surface they may touch.

5.) Soak your toothbrushes in a cup of peroxide to give them a good cleaning.

6.) Add an ounce of peroxide to one cup water and spray house plants daily to help prevent fungus growth.

7.) Gargle and rinse with peroxide as a mouthwash for brighter teeth and a breath freshener.

8.) Use it to scrub stained grout in the bathroom.

9.) Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a pre-treater to stains. For example, it can be used to remove blood stains from clothes.

10.) Combine half cup of peroxide with one gallon of hot water and start mopping. Because it is so mild, it is safe for any floor type and there is no need to rinse. Great for brightening dingy floors.

11.) Use hydrogen peroxide to clean your mirrors for a streak-free shine, every time.

12.) Try soaking dentures in a 50/50 peroxide and water solution. I’m not there yet, but reports say it is better than using those tablets, and cheaper!

Most stores sell the 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide. Some health food stores and pharmacies sell a higher percentage, usually 35%. Keep in mind that this is an alternative for bleach, so the higher the concentrate, the more likely it will stain your fabrics. Be careful!

Did I forget something? Let me know at www.facebook.com/Miraclean

Easy tips to help you in the garden

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Kristin Posted in Cleaning Tips .

Last week, we discussed the chemistry of vinegar. We discussed how it can be used as a cleaning product because it naturally deodorizes, disinfects and cuts grease. Click here to check it out!

Vinegar is such a versatile ingredient. Not only can it be used in food and cleaning recipes, it can also be used around your garden. Since the weather is getting warmer, try using these vinegar tips outside.

1.) Remove berry stains from your hands by washing your hands with 1 cup vinegar.

Berry stains are organic. Organic stains, like blood and food, respond better to natural, acidic products like vinegar and lemon juice. It’s all about the chemical reaction between a base and an acid.

2.) Keep rabbits from eating your plants. Put cotton balls soaked in white distilled vinegar in a 35mm film container. Poke a hole in the top and place in the garden.
* Rabbits also dislike pepper, garlic, chili powder and mint. You could also plant some flowers and herbs that are natural deterrents like foxgloves, digitalis, aconitum, catnip plants, or lavender.

3.) Get rid of rust on spigots, tools, screws or bolts by soaking the items overnight or for several days in undiluted white distilled vinegar.
*Rust forms when moisture on metal begins to oxidize. Even a small amount of moisture, such as sweat, can cause rust to form. Over time, rust will eat away at the metal deteriorating it beyond repair. Vinegar is naturally acidic and will dissolve the rust from the metal without harsh chemicals.

4.) Clean a hummingbird feeder/bird bath with white distilled vinegar—soap or detergent can leave behind harmful residue.

Hummingbirds will starve themselves before eating spoiled food, so be sure to clean your feeders often. At least once a month, clean the feeder thoroughly with ¼ cup of vinegar to one gallon water. Soak for one hour, then clean with a bottle brush.

5.) Make your own mosquito and moth repellant by combining 2 cups vinegar and 1 cup molasses in a tin can and hang from a tree branch or place on a picnic table.

Mosquitoes are a food source for bats, frogs, and birds; but they are also pests when you are trying to enjoy the outdoors. If you’ve got clogged gutters, uncovered rain barrels, bird baths, etc., you’ve got a nesting ground for these blood-suckers. But there is a solution! Mosquitoes hate strong smells like lemon, vinegar, lavender, citronella or geranium. That’s why the recipe mentioned above works so well. Another way to naturally keep mosquitoes at bay is to plant marigolds, basil, tansy and rosemary in your garden. The herbs and flowers give off a smell that helps ward off bugs without using insecticides.

6.) Avoid skin problems after working in the garden by rinsing your hands with 1 cup vinegar.

* Harsh lotions can strip away your skin’s natural acidity. Vinegar can help restore the natural acidity, which can clear up skin problems like dryness, itching, flaking and acne. Vinegar is a natural antiseptic and antifungal, so it helps reduce and destroy harmful irritants and germs.

There you have it. A few ideas about how vinegar can help you outside. If you haven’t checked out our cleaning recipes posted last week, click here. Vinegar is such an amazing, versatile ingredient. Thank goodness they sell it cheap and by the gallon!

Do you have vinegar tips? Tell us at www.facebook.com/Miraclean

Behind the Scenes: The True Story of Miraclean

Posted on March 31, 2013 by fdsfg23441drghs433retgsd Posted in General Announcement .

If you haven’t noticed through my Facebook, LinkedIn, and blog posts, I love helping people. I love being able to share little cleaning tid-bits with you all and hearing your feedback.

That’s how Miraclean got started.

I needed a job that was flexible with my schedule while I attended college. My mom had cleaned offices when I was a kid to get some extra cash, so my dad suggested I do the same. I could make my own schedule, pick my own clients, and make some money.

“Sure, why not?” I thought.

So I got few office jobs and went to work. I must have been doing something right because my office managers loved me! They wanted me to clean their house. At the time, I turned down the work because I thought homes were too much of a liability. It was too much to worry about breaking something.

One particular office manager wore me down, so I decided to only clean her house. Honestly, I told her I would dust her house like I dusted the office. Same thing, right? I didn’t even clean her master shower because there is no master shower in the office.

I had NO idea what I was doing. Needless to say she kept me (and I started cleaning the master shower…duh, Kristin.) She started to tell her neighbors and the word spread around town.

Once I took the leap and started cleaning houses, my business took off. I started researching different products, learning the industry, ‘experimenting’ methods, and seeing what worked best.

But, all my office work wasn’t a waste because little did I know, I had built a relationship with the office managers. When they found out I also cleaned houses, they wanted aboard. It’s amazing how fast word spread.

By this time, I was getting ready to graduate from Winthrop University.

Due to a conflict in my scheduling, I had to take 25 credit hours in one semester to graduate on time. Most seniors take as few hours as possible and their first class was NOT at 8 a.m. Monday thru Thursday.

Not this senior.

Oh, and did I mention I was also planning my wedding? Yep. So, everything was happening at once. (Side note: I learned that if I could survive this semester, I could do anything!)

Miraclean was growing and my life was headed in one million different directions. I had to turn down a lot of people and I hated it. I thought Miraclean was too small to have employees. I was also worried about the liability, pay, tax deductions, and could I really afford to make that step?

Instead of worrying, I had to ignore it. I had bought a house the prior year and the mortgage wasn’t going to pay itself. I decided to keep the customers I could fit into my schedule because they paid my bills and focus on graduating.

I survived! And graduated on time. I majored in mass communication with a concentration in journalism. I minored in business.

I dabbled in newspapers, working as a freelance reporter, but Miraclean always won. As we grew, I knew I needed help!

My dad joined part-time and helped expand Miraclean. Thanks to his work, we also offer carpet, upholstery, tile and grout and pressure washing services, using all-natural products. We’ve become a one-stop cleaning shop.

I’ve hired a few amazing folks and we’ve got plenty of teams to help you clean, deodorize, sanitize and disinfect your ENTIRE home, top to bottom!

This is the true story of how Miraclean came to be what it is today. We use all-natural products that are safe to use around children and pets. We have the fastest dry-time method around! Your carpets will be 100% dry in less than one hour.

Don’t take my word on it. Check out our website for before and after pictures, referrals, and more information about us. If you would like tips on how to clean your home naturally, friend us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

If you are a customer, please know that we appreciate your business so much. If you have yet to work with us, please know that we will do everything we can to help give you peace of mind. 🙂