We all enjoy living and working in clean surroundings, but many household cleaners, especially those containing chlorine bleach and ammonia, are toxic to the environment and may have been tested on animals. So what should you look for in a cleaner? Well, you can use natural cleaners from your kitchen cupboards as follows (but it’s always good to test on a hidden area first):

Vinegar – mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and you have a multi-purpose cleaner
Lemon juice – use to remove soap scum and scrub dishes, surface and stains
Bicarbonate of soda – can be used for scrubbing surfaces or as a deodoriser e.g. in trainers

If you prefer to buy cleaning products, as with other things, it’s good to check the labels. EU Ecolabel is a label of environmental excellence that is awarded to products and services meeting high environmental standards throughout their life-cycle: from raw material extraction, to production, distribution and disposal. The leaping bunny logo guarantees consumers that no animal tests were used in the development/production of the product as of a fixed cut-off date.

At Pukka, all of the cleaning products we buy, including our hand soaps and washing-up liquid are certified Cruelty-free. We choose cleaning products that use plant-based ingredients that come from renewable sources, biodegrade rapidly and are less toxic. We also buy in bulk and refill our bottles to minimize the amount of packaging used.

And what if you use a cleaning service? In this case, it’s important to find a company who cares as much as you do. At Pukka, we were lucky enough to find the professional, reliable and extremely lovely Eco Sheen. Like us, Eco Sheen are committed to working with ethical suppliers and minimising their carbon footprint and resource use. They also use Cruelty-free, EU Ecolabel and refillable products.

So for those cleaning with natural, EU Eco-label and Cruelty-free products take a moment to reflect on your good work (or that of your cleaning service!).

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In the early days of ‘green’ cleaning, in most stores, only Ecover products were available and their labelling wasn’t anywhere near as appealing, so we reverted back to our ‘tried and tested’ brands.  But the tide is turning and we are far more aware of the damage chemicals in products can do.  Plus there are many more environmentally-friendly products available that actually work.

So, if you haven’t turned to green cleaning yet, here are some great reasons to make the switch now.

• A safe environment – if you look carefully on non-green cleaning products, I bet you’ll see labels such as Warning, Toxic or Flammable. Using these cleaning products exposes you, your children and your pets to harmful chemicals, and contributes to higher indoor pollution.  VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) found in conventional cleaning products are released into the air and can hang around for a while; and they have been associated with a range of health problems.
• Be healthy – been sneezing and coughing recently? Had more headaches than usual or can’t explain a recent skin rash? It could be the toxic chemicals in your conventional cleaning products that are causing these symptoms.  The hazardous chemicals found in these products, such as carcinogens, mutagens, neurotoxins and teratogens have a negative effect on your health; a good reason to switch to green!
• Become environmentally-friendly – conventional cleaning products, as well as containing harmful toxic chemicals, are also non-biodegradable and are sourced from non-renewable sources, thereby affecting the eco-system. Green cleaning products are manufactured using natural derived resources and sustainable processes, making them non-toxic, biodegradable, environmentally-friendly and safe.
• One cleaner instead of several – you’ve got a cleaner to remove mould and mildew, another to clean the windows, another to clean the toilet, another to clean the kitchen, another all-purpose cleaner. Throw those away.  Just one or two green cleaning products can do the whole lot for you – that’s going to save you money!  Plus, no more worries about bleach stains on your clothes, no more mixing toxic harmful chemicals in the air.  And instead of using the usual cloth or sponge, opt for a microfibre cloth which is formulated to trap and lift dirt, grease and dust without having to use a chemical cleaning product; plus it can last for several years!
• Get creative – did you know you can make your own green cleaning products that are eco-friendly and cheaper? Baking soda is an effective cleaner that deodorises and softens water, whilst borax (sodium borate) cleans, deodorises, softens water and disinfects.  It’s also very good for cleaning wallpaper, painted walls and floors.  White vinegar is great for removing grease, mildew, odours, wax build-up and some stains.  Or use washing soda or SAL Soda (a mineral, sodium carbonate decahydrate) that is also good for tiles, sinks and baths.  Corn starch can be used for cleaning windows, shampooing carpets and rugs, and polishing furniture.  Lemons are effective against household bacteria and food acids, while citrus solvent is used to clean paint brushes, oil and grease, as well as some stains.  All these products are naturally sourced, environmentally safe, easy to use and inexpensive.

At Eco Sheen, all the products we use are environmentally-friendly, without any harmful chemicals and carry the EU Ecolabel; if they don’t, we don’t use them.  But we don’t stop there.  Our buckets, mops, cloths, packaging, computer equipment and our vehicles are all eco-friendly, biodegradable and energy-efficient.  We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint so that our whole business is truly environmentally-friendly, and green.  All our cleaning solutions are long-term and sustainable – no harmful chemicals here.

Want to go green but don’t have the time to do it yourself?  Need office cleaning, window cleaning, and a carpet and curtain shampoo?  Whatever your eco-friendly, green cleaning needs, our team is the perfect choice.  Contact us at Eco Sheen today and get those windows, surfaces, homes and offices gleaming!

With longer daylight hours and the sun shining, I’m sure you’ve noticed a few dirty windows.  Not to mention the dust on curtains, window blinds, ornaments and surfaces that aren’t in constant use.  The daffodils are blooming, clocks have gone forward, little lambs are being born, all the tell-tale signs that spring has arrived; but why do we spring clean?

Well, traditionally, the practice originates from the Far East.  The Chinese have spring cleaning rituals to not just get rid of dust and dirt, but also to chase away any bad luck or misfortune from the winter months.  In Iran, they go as far as buying new clothes!  But the North Americans and Canadians are probably the most avid spring cleaners, with dusting out the attics, emptying cupboards and decluttering.  In the 1940s, you would regularly see housewives spring cleaning their homes from all the dust, dirt and soot collected over the winter months.

In the UK, we’re a bit more conservative.  In fact, in a recent survey of 2,000 adults, it was discovered that 85% of people believe spring cleaning will become a thing of the past.  Whilst we don’t believe that will happen, it was interesting to see that less than half spring clean every year, 37% only every few years and 1 in 5 never bother.

Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to not just clean your house or office from top to bottom, including all those nooks and crannies, rugs, blinds, curtains, pictures, door frames, windows and behind furniture that rarely moves.  It is also the ideal time to declutter and rejuvenate.  Go through the cupboards and wardrobes; the old adage of ‘if you haven’t seen it or used it in a year or more, time for it to go” still stands strong.  Let’s look at some benefits of spring cleaning.

• Increased energy levels. Yes, it’s true.  Doing more activity actually increases your levels of energy and productivity.  A cleaner, more organised environment is going to drive an organised, productive mind.  But don’t forget to ask for help in moving large furniture or going up and down ladders.

• Reduces stress, increased focus. With spring cleaning to focus on and busy hands making light work, it will lead to a more stress-free, organised environment.  Decluttering leads to decision-making and clears the mind.  But don’t over-push yourself; take regular breaks and focus on a room at a time.

• A happier outlook. How satisfying is it when you’ve finished a chore or job, you stand back to admire your work, relax and smile?  That’s a happier outlook!  The satisfaction of spring cleaning will rejuvenate you.  Put on some favourite tunes and dance while cleaning!

• A healthier environment. Did you know that dust is essentially made up of dirt, mould and fungi spores, and dead skin cells?  And if you’ve got an open fire that you’ve used throughout the winter, just imagine the soot that’s invaded your home and settled on unseen surfaces.  Spring cleaning clears the house or office of all those allergen-inducing dirt and dust spores.

But not everyone has the time to do spring cleaning.  You may be a busy mum, working parents, couples working full-time with long journeys to and from the office.  Or just don’t like cleaning, and that’s ok, and that’s where Eco Sheen comes in to spring cleaning.

At Eco Sheen, we carry out that spring cleaning for you; well, as far as the cleaning side of things anyway – we’ll have to leave it to you on the decluttering aspect!  Plus you have the added benefit that your spring clean will be a Green spring clean!

All the products we use are environmentally-friendly, without any harmful chemicals and carry the EU Ecolabel; if they don’t, we don’t use them.  But we don’t stop there.  Our buckets, mops, cloths, packaging, computer equipment and our vehicles are all eco-friendly, biodegradable and energy-efficient.  We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint so that our whole business is truly environmentally-friendly, and green.  All our cleaning solutions are long-term and sustainable – no harmful chemicals here.

Want to go green and get a spring clean?  Need office cleaning, window cleaning, and a carpet and curtain shampoo?  Whatever your eco-friendly, green cleaning needs, our team is the perfect choice.  Don’t miss out on National Spring Cleaning Week.  Contact us at Eco Sheen today and get those windows, surfaces, homes and offices gleaming!

Whether it’s your office, warehouse, property to sell or let, or your own home, you want to know that when you use a cleaning product, it will really remove dirt and grime, leaving worktops, appliances, floors, carpets, curtains, windows, doors, frames and other surfaces clean and fresh. But you also want to use products that are free from chemicals, safe to use and environmentally-friendly.

So, let’s break a long-held myth – eco-friendly products are just as effective as traditional cleaners!  Before chemicals made their way into cleaning solutions, and before our shelves were stacked with easy-to-use, time-saving bottled cleaners, we used baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, water and good, old-fashioned elbow-grease!  And not forgetting that when more natural products are used, such as citric acid and lactic acid (safer antimicrobials), there is no strong, chemical smell associated with ‘green’ cleaning products.

But you need to have your wits about you when choosing a green cleaning product.  Whilst some manufacturers/brands are putting a lot of research and work into ensuring their products are truly green – ECOS, Clorox Green Works and SC Johnson’s Nature’s Source – replacing chemical surfactants with biodegradable, environmentally-friendly versions – others aren’t.  Whilst they may be using reduced levels of phthalates, i.e. fragrances, these are still harmful to you, your children and the environment; and it is still legal to sell these products.

At the moment, manufacturers of cleaning products are not required to list all the ingredients on the packaging but that doesn’t stop you from becoming a ‘label geek’.  The list of harmful chemicals used isn’t pretty reading: sodium hypochlorite, xylene, phosphates, trisodium nitrilotriacetate, silica, 2-butoxyethanol and methylene chloride are amongst the preferred types of additives.  Not only do they cause immense damage to the environment when flushed down our plug holes, the residue they leave behind after use also affects us when we come into contact with them on a daily basis.

So, let’s take a look at the main benefits of green cleaning.

1. Products are safer to use – green cleaners are not corrosive and certified products have to meet strict guidelines and standards in respect of skin absorption, inhalation toxicity and combustibility. No risk of chemical burns to skin, no strong odours and toxic fragrances, no watering eyes; just a clean environment.

2. Reduced antibacterials – green, environmentally-friendly cleaners don’t contain antibacterial agents. No impact on your health and no build-up of resistance to antibiotics (the American Medical Association says that frequent use of antibacterial agents can promote resistance).

3. A healthy home – studies have demonstrated that using a standard household cleaning spray just once a week can increase the risk of asthma. Without chemicals in the air that can be absorbed in to the skin through touch or breathed in, everyone is healthier.

4. A better environment – if enough people stopped using harmful chemicals to avoid them being dispersed into the environment polluting water systems and the air around us, we will be living in a better, friendlier environment.

Experts from the three major green certifying organisations – EcoLogo, DfE and Green Seal – agree that, yes, they do clean effectively and you will find that some green cleaners also have disinfecting ingredients, too.  There are a set of performance standards that a green cleaning product has to meet, and hopefully exceed, in order to become certified.  For example, they have to be free of carcinogens and toxins linked to gene mutations, and biodegradable.

At Eco Sheen, you can rest assured that all the products we use are environmentally-friendly, do not have any harmful chemicals and carry the EU Ecolabel; if they don’t, we don’t use them.  All the cleaning products we use carry the EU Ecologo but we don’t stop there.  Our buckets, mops, cloths, packaging, computer equipment and our vehicles are all eco-friendly, biodegradable and energy-efficient.  We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint so that our whole business is truly environmentally-friendly, and green.  All our cleaning solutions are long-term and sustainable – no harmful chemicals here.

Want to go green?  Become a label geek; look out for the ‘green’ certification logo; make the move to the use of natural products, and contact us at Eco Sheen!  Need office cleaning, window cleaning, a carpet and curtain shampoo, a clean up after builders and end of tenancy cleaning; or how about a spring clean?  Whatever your eco-friendly, green cleaning needs, our team is the perfect choice.

When was the last time you looked carefully at your keyboard, both on top and underneath? When did you last move your pen pot on your desk or any other items on your desk including that pile of paperwork that you just haven’t got to yet, and notice an inordinate amount of dust and debris sitting there? Turn off your PC screen and almost without doubt you’ll see a layer of dust sitting there. And maybe I shouldn’t even mention your telephone; you won’t believe the dust, debris and dirt that lurk on these devices!

So, when is clean, really clean? Our eye can be deceiving, we don’t always see the dirt and bacteria that sits on everyday items and surfaces that we handle and touch day-in, day-out. When you’re wiping down and dusting a surface area, items sitting on that surface should not only be lifted but they should also be cleaned as well. Hoovering the floors shouldn’t’ be restrained to just the exposed areas; move chairs, bags, cables, etc. and hoover in these places as well. And on a regular basis, heavier items such as desks and cabinets should be moved, where possible, so that cleaning can be carried out on the floors and walls behind them.

And then there are the cloths and materials that are being used to carry out the cleaning; how clean is your duster? When were the dishcloths last sterilised? It’s no good wiping down a surface or item with a duster or dishcloth that is dirty and full of bacteria before you’ve even started! Washing and rinsing it under the tap when you’re done is not enough to make sure that cloth is really clean and ready for use next time. They need to be fresh and free from grime to ensure they pick up the grime from the surface, not replace it with new grime!

Our ethos at Eco Sheen is to clean well and clean deep; just about everybody that’s worked in an office environment has picked up a cold or a virus from the workplace. Bacteria thrives in offices; every time you touch a door handle or light switch not only do you leave germs, but so do many other people. Our hands are responsible for the spread of 80% of common infectious diseases. Indeed, the three most common types of bacteria are pseudomonas, staphylococcus and streptococcus. We pay particular attention to regularly used items such as computer keyboards, kitchen utensils, microwaves, door handles and latches, light switches, etc.

But it’s not just about moving items on the desk, hoovering under desks and chairs, ensuring the cloths you use are really clean; it’s also about the products you use. Yes, there are plenty of products available that make all sorts of claims to ‘lift the grime’ from under your feet, and promise a really ‘deep clean’, but they are also full of harmful toxins that can get under your skin. The use of ‘green’ cleaning products has risen significantly over the last few years, by as much as 35% this year alone, as more and more people become aware of the damage certain toxins and chemicals are having on the environment. However, not all products that claim to be ‘green’ and healthier are necessarily so; they can still be using harmful products, for example, phthalates, and it is legal. At Eco Sheen, we guarantee that all the products we use really are ‘green’ and effective.

So, if you really want a ‘green’ clean it’s important to ensure that the products you use are certified by a registered ‘green’ organisation, i.e. EU Ecolabel, DfE, EcoLogo, Green Seal, which have specific performance standards that products have to meet to be certified, and some even require products to be biodegradable, free of carcinogens and toxins that have been linked to gene mutations.

But do so-called ‘green’ cleaners work? Well, according to experts, yes, they do and you will find that some ‘green’ cleaners also have disinfecting ingredients, too. And because more natural products have been used, there is no strong, chemical smell associated with ‘green’ cleaning products. All the products we use at Eco Sheen carry the EU Ecolabel so that you can be sure they are ‘green’ and environmentally-friendly; and if they don’t, we don’t use them.

‘Going Green’ doesn’t have the stigma that was originally attached to the term, it is now a leading trend and is becoming essential to source and use ‘green’ products in not just our offices and workplaces, but also in our homes in order to protect our environment, and our health. So, next time you sit down at your desk in the morning, take a few minutes to look around you and see if your current cleaners have ensured that your environment is really clean – is it time for you to change your cleaners and have a really CLEAN environment?