The post Cleaning Your Home to Prevent Allergies appeared first on bio-home by Lam Soon.
]]>Sometimes, common household allergens like dust and mould can create an immune response in our bodies; leading to sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. Indoor allergens and even outdoor allergens such as pollen and grass can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms in millions of sufferers. It’s been found that at least six allergens have been detectable in more than 50% of households. These allergens are carried through the air, and can easily be trapped in furniture, curtains, and bedding. To reduce your exposure to household allergens, cleaning on a regular basis is one of the most effective measures to take.
One of the best ways to get rid of allergens is to get rid of dust. This is because dust mites are the most common trigger of asthma and allergy symptoms inside the home. Most of us get rid of dust by dusting with a feather brush or dry cloth. The problem with dusting in this fashion is that it can actually kick up dust particles, exacerbating allergies.
The best way to get rid of dust in a safer manner is by using a damp or treated cloth, allowing dust particles to become trapped in the cloth, rather than being forced back out into the air. While dust is a major allergen, there are other types of allergens found in each room of a house that need to be treated with a thorough clean.
Keeping a clean kitchen should be commonplace, even more so when it comes to allergens. Cockroaches are a common pest in homes and kitchens, and their droppings can trigger allergy symptoms in some people. For this reason, never leave garbage bins or food uncovered, and always wipe down stove tops and countertops after cooking or after any spillages. Use bio-home Kitchen Cleaner and wipe down all surfaces to clean. While cooking or heating the cooking pots, always make sure you turn your exhaust fan on to draw away moisture from the steam. Scrub and towel-dry the sink and tap area daily in order to prevent mould growth.
Organizing and streamlining your pantry can also help to prevent dust particles from settling. Devote a day to emptying out your pantry and cupboards, giving everything a wipe down with a damp cloth before rearranging in a clean and organised manner.
Bedrooms are particularly good at attracting indoor allergens. Since they usually have storage areas with nooks and crannies, as well as bedding, they are susceptible to gathering dust. Allergens such as dust, pet hair/fur, and mould are the common culprits in a bedroom and often set up home in blankets, pillows, and curtains. For this reason, it’s important that you vacuum out the bedroom at least once a week and also wash and change your bedding at least once every two weeks to kill dust mites and their eggs.
If you have pets, don’t let them onto your bed, as they can transfer pet hair/fur as well as pollen and grass from outdoors. It’s also recommended that you change your pillows every five years, and mattresses every ten years.
Just like the bedroom, the living room is an area that attracts a lot of dust. The best way to tackle dust mites and allergens in a living room is by starting from the top and working your way down. Begin by trapping dust on ceiling fans using an old pillow case and sliding one on to each blade. This will capture the dust without allowing it to spread back into the air. Wipe down light fixtures and lamps with a slightly damp microfiber cloth, making sure you switch off the power beforehand. Continue wiping down around windows and tabletops with your damp cloth, getting rid of all settled dust and dirt. Finally, get your vacuum cleaner and vacuum the entire surface of your living room. For allergy sufferers and those with asthma, it’s best to vacuum the house every couple of days to keep your home allergy-free.
In between times, you may also wish to invest in an air purifier. Air purifiers work by filtering out particles in the air; trapping allergens (including smoke) and purifying the air, making it healthier to breathe. You can get smaller purifiers to place in your bedroom or study, and larger units to purify the entire house.
Breathe easier in your home and reduce allergens through regular cleaning and vacuuming. For those seeking to clean regularly using an eco-friendly cleaning product, choose to switch to bio-home. Our cleaning products, including our Multi-Surface Cleaner, are 100% plant-based and kind to sensitive skin. So you can be sure that you’re protecting the health of your home and family from all types of allergens, including harmful residue from chemical-based cleaners.
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]]>The post How to Clean Your Home For a New Baby appeared first on bio-home by Lam Soon.
]]>Making sure your home is clean is just as important as deciding on how to decorate the nursery. It’s crucial to give the home a really good clean from top to bottom. There’s a very good chance that you won’t be able to do such a thorough clean in the near future as you’re so busy with your baby, so here’s a room-by-room guide on how to get your home free from harmful germs.
They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, and they’re not wrong. But it’s also a room where germs absolutely love to thrive. And it’s also the room where you’ll be preparing a lot of baby’s meals. The areas with the most germs tend to be kitchen sinks, appliance knobs, handles, sponges, taps and cutting boards.
It can be overwhelming to think about how many germs are actually in the room where you prepare your food and drink. However, start small. Give the sink a really thorough clean and wipe down all surfaces, from your oven to your fridge handle, with bio-home kitchen cleaner – it’s available in a convenient 500ml recyclable trigger bottle and in a choice of pleasant phthalate-free fragrances including Lemongrass & Green Tea and Lavender & Bergamot.
Throw away all sponges and replace with new ones. Remember to replace these on a regular basis. It’s also a good idea to empty out your fridge, discard any expired products and give each shelf and drawer a good wipe.
On top of cleaning the area, it’s also a good idea to declutter. Babies require a lot of new products for feeding so it’s helpful to have that little bit of extra space on the counter and in the fridge. Give the pantry a good wipe down too and consider reorganising it to ensure you have space for the food and snacks that will soon be required.
The laundry is another place you’ll find you visit more often than you wish. Babies make a lot of mess and you’ll be constantly soaking, washing, hanging and folding all of their clothes, swaddles, sheets and blankets.
Give all surfaces a good clean, including the laundry sink, with bio-home multi-surface cleaner. To use, simply spray and wipe the area to be cleaned with a damp cloth or sponge. If your washing machine has a ‘clean’ cycle, run it before you wash anything related to the baby. If you have any storage in your laundry, it’s also a good idea to go through the cupboards or shelves and see what products can be thrown away and what needs to be kept.
Before you bring your baby home, pop all clothes, blankets, linen and mats into the wash. While you don’t necessarily have to do it all before you bring your baby home, definitely make sure anything that they wear, is washed before. The reason behind washing before wear is simple: your baby’s skin is sensitive and it hasn’t figured out how to deal with the nasties that are often found on clothes. Use a gentle, baby-friendly washing detergent like bio-home’s delicate laundry detergent.
Before you start to bring any furniture into the nursery, give the whole room a good clean. This means wiping away any dust or dirt from ceiling fans, wiping the walls if necessary, giving any built-ins a solid clean, and giving the floor a good scrub or vacuum. Starting from a clean slate will make the upkeep a whole lot easier. For these tasks, use bio-home multi-surface cleaner as well as bio-home floor cleaner, both available in Lemongrass & Green Tea and free from harmful chemicals, to ensure every area of the room is clean and germ free.
Next, gather all the tools and baby gadgets you need to keep the room clean and germ-free. This means having a sanitary solution for nappy changes and ensuring any antibacterial gel and wipes are in arm’s reach. It also means having a good plan in place for dirty diapers.
Of course, there are non-room specific things that need to be done before the baby comes home and on an ongoing basis. This includes ensuring the floor is given a good cleaning. If you have mats, consider getting them professionally cleaned. If you have floorboards or tiles, give them a good sweep and mop. Remember, babies spend a lot of time on the floor, even when they become toddlers and can walk. The floor is their playground so it’s crucial to keep it clean.
It’s also a good idea to give all surfaces a wipe down to avoid the build-up of dust. Additionally, give all toys a clean prior to handing them to a new baby and keep cleaning them regularly. Babies explore the world by putting everything in their mouths, so it’s crucial to keep their toys clean. Don’t forget about their bath toys. At least once a week, pop the bath toys into a tub of warm water with some mild dishwashing soap. Rinse well and let them dry before you pack any of them away.
It’s equally as important though, to make sure you’re using the right kind of cleaning products. Ditch the synthetic air fresheners and fragrance and use natural products. And remember, germs are spread by contact so it’s a good idea to wash your hands frequently.
bio-home have a wide range of products which are suitable for cleaning every possible area in the house. Find out more today!
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]]>The post What are the other uses of laundry detergent? appeared first on bio-home by Lam Soon.
]]>Kitchen and Bathroom Cleaner: Mix ¼ cup of liquid detergent with around 15-18 litres of water. Load a spray bottle with the solution and store the rest in a bucket to be used as refills. The detergent can absorb grease and can be applied on kitchen appliances, counter, stove, sinks, floors, bathrooms and more.
Natural Pest Repeller: Living in Singapore, or in most parts of South East Asia, means having to deal with unpleasant bugs and insects. Good news is that these creatures are repelled by soap in general. Your more dilute laundry solution (from point 1) can deter them if you spray them on the windows, floorboard, the cracks in the walls of your house – spots and corners in which they tend to appear. Keep these pests away from your potted plants by spraying the solution on the underside of the leaves.
Stain Remover: If there is an old stain on a piece of rug, carpet or furniture, mix a teaspoon of liquid laundry detergent with an average-sized cup of water. Transfer the concentrated solution into a spray bottle and spray at the specific spot. Wait a couple of minutes, let the solution seep through, and use an old toothbrush to remove the stain, followed by vacuuming away what is left.
Toys Cleaner: Knowing how children are, they can quickly change a new toy into a dirty mess. There are germs and strong chemicals that come into close contact with their skin, and at times, It is hence important to frequently wash their toys to avoid contamination due to poor hygiene. We can either use the same all-purpose spray, or wash the toys all at one go by soaking them into a basin or bathtub of warm water and adding half a cup of liquid laundry detergent. Allow the toys to soak, before rinsing and drying them thoroughly.
Weed and Moss Killer: Sprinkle some powdered detergent on the random moss and weeds that grow in the cracks of the walls of your home, in the driveway, wherever. You will notice that these wild plants will turn brown and wilt away, and you can sweep them away.
Bio-Home’s Laundry detergent is definitely your best tool for the purposes mentioned. It’s all about how we use our current household cleaning tools to make our lives simpler, easier and more effective than ever. Bio-home’s delicate laundry detergent is ideal for more delicate items of clothing with specially formulated biodegradable ingredients.
To see how best to use your laundry detergent, have a look at our laundry guide here.
The post What are the other uses of laundry detergent? appeared first on bio-home by Lam Soon.
]]>The post 20-minute house cleaning for family health appeared first on bio-home by Lam Soon.
]]>This will help prevent your kitchen from turning into a blob of mess! Washing dishes many times a day doesn’t seem like the most exciting thing to do, but it’s better than facing a stockpile of dirty plates and utensils at the end of the day. Same for emptying the trash bin as well – make it a point to clear it once in the morning, in the afternoon, and at night. Allowing it to pile up creates a distasteful sight and isn’t exactly hygienic either. bio-home’s Dishwashing Liquid would make your awesome companion throughout this routine!
Complete a little bit of your laundry each day so you wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by 50 pieces of garments, 200 towels and many pairs of smelly socks when the weekend comes. Remember to fold your dried laundry after coming home from work so they can go straight into your cupboards and drawers. Organisation is the key, and this can be a shared activity delegated to different members in the family. bio-home’s Laundry Detergent and Laundry Detergent Delicate are your most useful tools for this. For more tips and tricks regarding your laundry, visit our Complete Guide here.
Take stock of the contents in the refrigerator, keep it lean and uncluttered. Keep utensils and dried goods in their proper positions too. It definitely helps to systemise and classify food items according to their respective categories. Knowing where to reach out for to get the things we want in the kitchen is absolutely helpful for preparing a meal efficiently.
Leave the tedious vacuuming and deep-cleaning for the weekend. Surface-clean kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom spaces to ensure that our home areas are in spick and span condition daily. Letting dust accumulate on our furniture, for example, can also irritate our respiratory functions. Try bio-home’s Kitchen Cleaner and Multi-Surface Cleaner for the best results!
Most activities shouldn’t exceed 20 minutes combined. It is easy, nonetheless, to be distracted by our phone messages, calls, emails, whatever you name it in the home. Set a timer for 20 minutes so we aim to be efficient in our everyday household cleaning, without spending too much time on it.
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]]>The post What is a good eco-friendly kitchen cleaner? appeared first on bio-home by Lam Soon.
]]>An eco-friendly kitchen cleaner is bio-degradable, phosphate-free and formulated with plant-derived cleaning agents, making it safe for the environment and our health. While it keeps kitchen surfaces clean, polished and sparkling, its formula should be non-abrasive and should not affect the surfaces that it is applied on. Ideally, its container can be reused or recycled, which helps in preventing wastage and creating a more sustainable, eco-friendly environment.
bio-home’s Kitchen Cleaner magically fulfills all the criteria for the eco-friendly kitchen cleaner we all need in our homes! It is made from non-toxic, biodegradable, 100% plant-based active ingredients that remove tough grease and grime stains effectively in your kitchen areas.
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]]>The post Does laundry detergent contribute to acne? appeared first on bio-home by Lam Soon.
]]>Unless we have sensitive skin, we often do not pay attention to the laundry detergent that we use. Most people grab something accessible and affordable off the shelves, without considering the quality and ingredients of the detergent. However, we should realise that the residue of our laundry detergent adheres to our clothes, our towels, our bedsheets and many other fabrics which come in contact with our skin every day. Hence, there is a high chance that the redness and inflammation of acne is contributed by the laundry detergent that we use.
If you are prone to acne, do check out hypoallergenic laundry detergents such as bio-home’s Laundry Detergent. It is free of harsh chemicals, restores our skin’s natural moisture barrier with its pH-neutral formula and biodegradable, 100% plant-based active ingredients. It is also available in phthalates-free fragrance – hyacinth and nectarine, to minimise redness and inflammation on acne-erupted skin.
Don’t forget to allow yourself sufficient time to observe significant improvements in your skin’s condition. It may take up to a couple of weeks for that, but start taking the necessary steps to keep acne at bay!
To discover some interesting facts about bio-home’s laundry detergent, click here.
The post Does laundry detergent contribute to acne? appeared first on bio-home by Lam Soon.
]]>The post How to choose the right laundry detergent for baby clothes? appeared first on bio-home by Lam Soon.
]]>Residues from laundry detergents can be trapped within the fibres of clothes of babies, which are in constant contact with their skin. When the clothes become moist, these residues re-activate and trigger an allergic reaction on the baby’s skin. It is thus especially important to choose the right laundry detergent that is mild and minimal in its composition. For example, bio-home’s Laundry Detergent’s non-toxic, pH-neutral formula, removes all these risks that typical laundry detergents pose. To provide extra care to your baby’s skin, we recommend bio-home’s Laundry Detergent Delicate, which contains an additional ingredient, Silk Protein, to hydrate and moisturise the skin.
Hence, the first step is to pick a detergent free of substances that could potentially be skin irritants, which are found in most mainstream detergents. Avoid those that contain fragrances and ingredients like phenols (endocrine disrupters like BPA), optical brighteners (benzene), industrial enzymes and bleach. Although they help to optimise the sheen and cleanliness of clothes, they do more much harm than good to the skin health of your baby.
On a more secondary note, the detergent must be effective in removing stubborn spots and stains. It is probably every parent’s nightmare, but it is unavoidable to have the clothes of their little ones covered in milk, food sauces, saliva… you name it. If the detergent cannot perform its primary function of cleaning and clearing dirt, it is useless no matter how gentle, “natural” and dermatologically friendly it is.
Essentially, using the right laundry detergent for babies certainly helps to improve their overall comfort and well-being. We recommend choosing bio-home’s Laundry Detergent, which is made from biodegradable, 100% plant-based and available in phthalates-free fragrance – Hyacinth and Nectarine. Alternatively, bio-home’s Laundry Detergent Delicate delivers even more desired results, with its Silk Protein ingredient, which has excellent moisture retention properties, locking moisture up to 10,000 times its weight and giving your baby’s clothes with super-comfort softness.
For a lot more information about laundry, visit our Complete Guide and make sure you’re up to date with the essentials.
The post How to choose the right laundry detergent for baby clothes? appeared first on bio-home by Lam Soon.
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