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Cleaning and Organization
 Websites presented in alphabetical order 20 Surprising Uses for Salt 
 Collection of 20 unusual ways in which using salt can solve household problems. Ideas include eliminating a grease fire, soothing a bee sting, cleaning a glass coffee pot, and killing grass growing in cracks. From an author and television host. http://home.ivillage.com/cleanandorganize/cleaning/0,,9jtb,00.html Topics: Herbs, Spices, Condiments, and Flavorings, Home & Housing Last updated Apr 18, 2006 The Book of Household Management
Electronic version of this book that was originally published by Isabella Beeton in 24 monthly parts in 1859-1861. The book presents "information for the mistress, housekeeper, cook, kitchen-maid, butler, footman, coachman, valet, upper and under house-maids, lady’s-maid, maid-of-all-work, laundry-maid, nurse and nurse-maid, ... also, sanitary, medical, & legal memoranda; with a history of the origin, properties, and uses of all things connected with home life and comfort." Also includes recipes. From the University of Adelaide Library. http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/b/beeton/isabella/household/ Topics: Home & Housing Last updated Sep 4, 2009 Clean It: Safer House-Cleaning Methods That Really Work!
This guide provides less toxic methods for household cleaning than the use of cleaning products that are hazardous to the health and to the sewer system (and possibly water life). Includes general cleaning guidelines, items not recommended for garbage disposals, and specific ideas for cleaners, ovens, drains, bathrooms, furniture, and metal polishes. From the San Francisco Bay Area Pollution Prevention Group. Opens directly into a PDF file. http://sfwater.org/Files/News/CleanItGuide%202003%20rev%20PUC%20logo%20secured.pdf Topics: Home & Housing Last updated Oct 28, 2007 Cleaning 101
This collection of articles offers "[b]asic tips and tricks to get the entire house sparkling, from quick cleaning strategies to supplies to stock." Features ideas for deep cleaning, keeping living areas clean longer, and "how to fake a clean house." Also includes a daily cleaning checklist, video on window cleaning, and links to related cleaning articles. From the website for Real Simple magazine. http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/cleaning-101-00000000009633/index.html Topics: Home & Housing Last updated Mar 10, 2009 Cleaning Checklist: Printable Housecleaning Schedule
This site provides quick and easy cleaning ideas, including homemade cleaning recipes, professional tips, chore checklist, and spring cleaning pros and cons. Also includes a 14-week spring cleaning plan adapted from the book "Cleaning Grand Plan." From OrganizedHome.com. http://organizedhome.com/articles/clean-house Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing Last updated Nov 1, 2007 Cleaning Stovepipes and Chimneys
This document provides safety tips and suggestions for cleaning chimneys to free them of creosote buildup, which can cause chimney fires. Covers equipment and techniques for cleaning a flue, and instructions for cleaning the soot and creosote that has fallen to the bottom of the chimney. Includes links to related publications concerning wood stoves. From the University of Missouri Extension. http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G1735 Topics: Home & Housing Last updated Nov 20, 2009 Dealing With Clutter
This presentation features tips for managing paper clutter and storage of household items. Topics include methods for dealing with clutter, what to do with specific items (such as financial and tax records, general papers, and clothing), barriers to getting organized, and other approaches and ideas for organization. Also available in Spanish. From the University of Illinois Extension, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. http://urbanext.illinois.edu/clutter/ Topics: Home & Housing Last updated Sep 14, 2009 FabricLink
Information about fabrics and textiles, including a stain removal guide for washable fabrics, carpets, and upholstery; tips on storing garments; laundry tips; and brief descriptions of fiber characteristics. http://www.FabricLink.com/home.html Topics: Arts and Humanities, Arts and Humanities, Crafts, Home & Housing, Home & Housing Last updated Oct 7, 2006 FlyLady.net
"Are YOU living in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome)....Do you feel overwhelmed, overextended, and overdrawn? Hopeless and you don't know where to start?" The FlyLady system is based on a flurry of daily e-mails that help the user take control, all one "baby step" and "fifteen minutes" at a time. The site itself contains instructions on how to implement routines, declutter, "crisis clean," prepare to relocate, and much more. http://www.flylady.net/ Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing Last updated Jun 25, 2002 Get Organized At Home!
"Win the war on clutter!" Armed with useful tips, tools, and strategies, this site offers a variety of ways to attack targeted cluttered areas in the home environment. Start the campaign with Declutter 101 , strengthen the attack with More declutter resources , and finally, keep the clutter under control by adopting the viable ideas from Staying decluttered . http://organizedhome.com/ Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing Last updated Dec 23, 2001 Green Cleaners
This article presents options for avoiding home cleaning products that are toxic and harmful to the environment. Includes recipes for general cleaners, laundry soap, bathroom and kitchen cleaners, carpet deodorizers, stain removers, furniture polish, and other household cleaning products. Also provides a listing of ingredients for alternative cleaners, shopping tips and other less-toxic household tips, and information in Spanish. From Metro Regional Government, Portland, Oregon. http://www.metro-region.org/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=1400 Topics: Home & Housing Last updated Mar 10, 2009 Green Your Spring Cleaning
This tip sheet offers ideas for environmentally responsible house cleaning, such as using old clothing and sheets for dust rags, avoiding cleaners that contain phosphates, and replacing mothballs with a more natural alternative. Includes links to a related article on making your own nontoxic cleaning products and to cleaning product listings in a screened green business directory. From Green America (formerly Co-op America), a nonprofit membership organization. http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/greenpages/greentips/march.cfm?notext=t Topics: Home & Housing Last updated Mar 10, 2009 Greener Choices: Dry-Cleaning Alternatives
This report discusses the environmental effects of dry cleaning. Reviews three alternatives to standard solvent, perchloroethylene-based dry cleaning methods: GreenEarth, a silicone-based solvent used in modified dry-cleaning machines; liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) used in high-pressure cleaning machines; and 'wet cleaning' with plain water in computer-controlled washing machines. Also includes federal and state legislation regarding dry-cleaning. From Greener Choices, a Consumer Reports site. http://www.greenerchoices.org/products.cfm?product=drycleaning&pcat=homegarden Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Home & Housing Last updated Dec 11, 2007 Home Inventory Guide
"Listing all your possessions in the event of a fire, an earthquake or burglary can be difficult." This guide provides a template and describes how to create a home inventory, including documenting articles of personal property in your residence (with serial numbers for electronic items and photos and videos), storing the inventory, and updating the inventory. Opens directly into a PDF document. From the California Department of Insurance. http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0100-consumers/0060-information-guides/0040-residential/upload/Home-Inventory-Guide.pdf Topics: Home & Housing Last updated Apr 30, 2008 Household Hazards: Potential Hazards of Home Cleaning Products
This July 2007 report looks "at the potential hazards of chemicals in household cleaning products and their association with asthma and reproductive harm." Chemicals considered include monoethanolamine (MEA), ammonium quaternary compounds, glycol ethers, alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs), and phthalates. Includes a list of recommended actions such as buying products with ingredients listed and never mixing products. Opens directly into a PDF document. From Women's Voices for the Earth. http://www.womenandenvironment.org/campaignsandprograms/SafeCleaning/HazardsReport.pdf Topics: Home & Housing, Pollutants & Toxic Substances Last updated Jan 17, 2008 How Dry Cleaning Works
Introduction to this fabric-cleaning process. "The cleaning fluid that is used is a liquid, and all garments are immersed and cleaned in a liquid solvent -- the fact that there is no water is why the process is called 'dry.'" Includes a history of the process (that first used gasoline and kerosene and now often uses perchlorethylene), and a description of the procedure. From How Stuff Works. http://home.howstuffworks.com/dry-cleaning.htm Topics: Home & Housing Last updated Sep 14, 2009 How to Clean Anything
This site contains more than 1,000 tips from a "group of cleaning professionals" for cleaning your house, yard, vehicles, pets, and belongings. Also features stain removal ideas, a glossary of cleaning terms, a directory of cleaning service providers, and feature articles. Searchable. http://howtocleananything.com/ Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing Last updated Sep 30, 2003 Label Talk: Understanding Apparel Care Instructions and Care Symbols
This guide to clothing care labels has sections for consumers, apparel/textile industry, and educators. Find guides to common care symbols, common home laundering & drycleaning symbols, and a stain removal FAQ. Also find care instruction guides in Spanish and French. Educators can find a guide (in PDF) to learning how to do laundry. Since this site is a product of the Clorox Company, the stains guide refers heavily to their products. http://www.textileaffairs.com/ Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing Last updated Dec 1, 2003 Safety and Health Topics: Dry Cleaning
Collection of material from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) about occupational hazards "associated with drycleaning processes, including chemical, fire, and ergonomic hazards." Includes the OSHA standards, how to recognize dry cleaning hazards, examples of possible solutions, and links to related material. Also includes a guide to reducing worker exposure to perchloroethylene (PERC), a potential human carcinogen, and the "most commonly used dry cleaning solvent." http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/drycleaning/ Topics: Home & Housing, Jobs & Work Last updated Jun 19, 2006 Sierra Club Green Home
This site "is dedicated to helping you create a more sustainable home environment." Main topics include reducing energy consumption (and a home carbon dioxide calculator), solar energy, and home health hazards (such as radon, pesticides, and mold). The "Learn More" section includes content organized by subjects such as bath, cleaning, flooring, landscaping, and plumbing. Also includes a video library. From the Sierra Club. http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/ Topics: Environment, Home & Housing Last updated Apr 23, 2009 Spring Cleaning
Tips for spring cleaning, which "can be a major undertaking ... but maintaining a safe and healthy home is worth the time you will spend. Spring cleaning reinforces the importance of keeping germs out of the home to stop many infectious diseases before they happen." Includes material about cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, food handling, hand-washing, and dealing with rodent infestations. Includes related links. Also available in Spanish. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/Features/SpringCleaning/ Topics: Home & Housing Last updated Mar 10, 2009 Spring Cleaning: Dusting Away Indoor Allergens
This article suggests a thorough spring cleaning to help alleviate indoor allergies. It provides an overview of indoor allergies and offers cleaning tips to reduce dust (and dust mites), mold, pet dander, and cockroaches. Includes links to related articles and resources on allergy topics. From the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). http://www.aaaai.org/patients/topicofthemonth/0208/ Topics: Diseases & Conditions, Home & Housing Last updated Mar 10, 2009 Spring/Summer Cleaning (Yes, It's Time Again)
This collection of resources offers ideas for reducing the environmental and health effects of cleaning, noting that "common cleaning products are hazardous -- to your health if you ingest or touch them, to the environment when flushed down the drain or otherwise disposed of." Features cleaning projects for specific rooms in the house, an article about anti-bacterial products, and tips for reducing clutter, reading product labels, and outdoor cleaning. From the nonprofit New American Dream. http://www.newdream.org/marketplace/springcleaning.php Topics: Home & Housing Last updated Mar 10, 2009 The Twelve Principles
Practical and fun ideas for locating lost objects. Describes principles such as "It's Not Lost -- You Are," "Domestic Drift," and "The Camouflage Effect." From the author of a book on finding lost objects (and several other books) and self-described "findologist." http://www.professorsolomon.com/12principles.html Topics: Home & Housing Last updated May 16, 2006 |
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