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Chemical Free Cleaning Services

A Brief History of Toothpaste and How you can use it to Clean!

| Chemical Free Cleaning Services | Homemade Cleaning Recipes & Tips


The first known tooth cleaning formula was originally created by the Egyptians as long ago as 4 AD. The powder was made up of crushed rock salt, pepper, mint and dried iris flowers. The Egyptians used the powder to treat many of the same dental concerns we have today, such as cleaning and whitening teeth, gum health and maintaining all-round oral hygiene. However, this original formula was quite harsh and could cause bleeding of the gums, yet research into the cleaning agent proved it to be quite effective compared to other toothpastes and powders used as recently as a century ago.

There have been some weird and wonderful solutions throughout the ages for oral hygiene. Perhaps one of the most bizarre was a powder formed from ground ox hooves, ashes, burnt eggshells and pumice.

The Greeks had a preference for extremely abrasive cleaning agents and would add powdered bones and oysters to their recipes. By 1780, people were scrubbing their teeth with a cleaning powder made initially from burnt bread! Other strange ingredients in toothpastes have included bark, charcoal, chalk and betel nuts.

In 1824, a dentist named Peabody invented a formula that contained soap, as he believed this would add extra cleaning power to the paste. The soap obviously tasted extremely unpleasant and was later replaced.

It wasn’t until 1873 that the first commercially-produced toothpaste was released onto the market. It was manufactured by Colgate and sold in little glass jars. In 1892, Dr. Washington Sheffield placed the pastes into collapsible tubes, and other manufacturers soon followed suit.

The addition of fluoride happened in 1914, when it was believed that fluoride significantly decreased the number of cavities and halted tooth decay. In 1975, a range of natural herbal toothpastes became available as an alternative for people who did not agree with the addition of fluoride. These pastes were made up of plant extracts, essential oils such as peppermint, rosemary and myrrh, and are still being produced from many of the original ingredients.

Toothpaste today is an essential daily commodity for people throughout the world and has been an extremely successful and important invention to mankind.

Due to its mild abrasives and antibacterial agents, it is a powerful scrub for removing stains and dirt. Use only regular formulas in household cleaning, as gels, tartar control and whitening solutions may contain unwanted chemicals and harsh abrasives that will damage fragile surfaces such as silver. Toothpaste is mildly abrasive and the addition of antibacterial agents render it a potent stain fighter. It is particularly effective at polishing chrome taps and fixtures.

Note: Use standard herbal toothpaste and not gel formulas.

How To Vacuum Properly: The vavoom to vacuuming

| Chemical Free Cleaning Services | Homemade Cleaning Recipes & Tips


First, replace the large head with the small crevice edging head and clean the whole outer perimeter of the carpet or hardwood floor as this will eliminate the dark build-up of dirt and dust from gathering around the edge of the carpet and flooring. If this is not carried out regularly, dirt will collect here, forming a bold line of discolouration. Once this happens, it is very hard to remove. So, clean by the motto that ‘prevention is better (and so much easier!) than cure’.

Second, inspect underneath items that are difficult to move for precious objects that might have dropped on the floor, then apply the crevice and flat head attachments and clean under the furniture. Third, vacuum sofas, chairs and upholstery, remembering to clean under the cushions.

Last, vacuum all soft furnishings such as cushions, throws, lampshades, etc. Fragile and delicate fabrics unsuitable for vacuuming can be placed outside in the sunshine to be naturally dusted by the elements.

Now it is time to replace the main head and begin vacuuming the whole room. Always ensure that the head is adjusted correctly to the type of floor covering you are cleaning.

Starting from the farthest corner away from the door, move the vacuum from left to right and then forwards and backwards; this will ruffle the fibres of the carpet and dislodge trapped dirt and dust. Remember to vacuum slowly as this allows the brush head to penetrate and agitate the carpet fibres, freeing any stubborn dirt and grime. For a perfect finish every time, always work your way out of the room. To maintain flooring and ensure it is pristine and dust free, vacuum regularly (at least twice a week). This will halt the build-up of grime, dust mites and allergens. Address stains immediately to lift them out of the fibres quickly and easily.

I suggest using a home-made carpet freshener, and deodorising every second week to maintain your carpets’ freshness and cleanliness.

Spring Cleaning 2018: Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds, you can grow flowers or weeds!

| Chemical Free Cleaning Services | Health & Beauty


It’s that time of the year again when spring is in the air, winter’s on its way out, and you’ve realised your home is in dire need of a spruce up. However, Spring Cleaning isn’t just about sorting through things and getting rid of clutter. It’s also about taking stock of who you are, and how others see you. It’s a chance to redefine yourself, to change expectations, and to remember that it’s never too late to recapture who you were, or to aim for who you want to be.

Here at Natures Army, it is our mission that everyone should enjoy the experience of a safe, chemical-free, non toxic cleaning service, and that no one should be exposed to the hidden dangers of harmful everyday commodities in their homes and environments. As a specialist chemical free cleaning company, we ensure that all of our services meet with the highest standards of quality and hygiene.

Click here to explore all our natural & green Cleaning recipes or contact us for a quote. 

Peppermint toilet fizzie

| Chemical Free Cleaning Services | Homemade Cleaning Recipes & Tips

Many toilet cleaning products on the market today contain bleach and a host of additional undesirable chemicals extremely hazardous to people and harmful to our environment and waterways. These peppermint toilet fizzies are a breath of fresh air. An easy, non-toxic approach to sanitise your toilet, simply pop one in the toilet bowl after flushing and leave.

Ingredients
10 tablespoons baking soda
4 tablespoons powdered citric acid
25 drops peppermint essential oil
1 tablespoon 3% hydrogen peroxide
½ teaspoon white vinegar
Filtered/distilled water
Silicone ice cube tray/moulds

Method
Mix the baking soda and citric acid in a bowl until fully combined using the back of a fork to break down any lumps. Add the peppermint oil and stir well. In a separate bowl, blend the hydrogen peroxide and vinegar and very slowly, drop by drop, combine the liquid mixture to the dry mixture, stirring after each drop. Don’t add too much liquid because the fizzies will not fizz when added to the toilet bowl. The mixture should bind together and remain quite dry. To test if the consistency is right, press a small amount of mixture into one of the moulds and press it down firmly; it should pop out of the mould easily and hold its shape. If the fizzy crumbles, add a few more drops of hydrogen peroxide and test again until you reach the desired result. Spoon the fizzies into the moulds or ice cube trays and press down firmly. Pop in a warm place to set and dry thoroughly overnight. Once dried, transfer the fizzies to an airtight glass jar and store in the bathroom cupboard. Label them clearly so they don’t get mistaken for sweet treats.

Uses
Pop one of these little wonders into the toilet bowl for an extra deep clean, and to keep your toilet sparkling and smelling minty fresh.

Not so fantastic plastic

| Chemical Free Cleaning Services


In today’s throwaway society, plastics are everywhere: building materials, clothes, toys, food and drinks cans, drinking bottles, cling films and storage containers. Unfortunately, plastics are bad news for humankind and our environment. Constructed from numerous chemicals, such as bisphenol-A, more commonly known as BPA’s, polyvinyl chlorine (PVC), polystyrene and polycarbonate, these highly unstable chemicals are linked to obesity, thyroid and hormonal problems, heart disease, cancer and other diseases, and can leach potentially dangerous carcinogens into our food and water, especially when heated or frozen. Therefore, it is important to treat these containers and packagings with extreme caution; never heat food in them, or use them in microwaves, dishwashers or freezers.

Always try to avoid plastics where food and drink are concerned, especially if marked with the number 3, 6 or 7, as they more than likely contain BPA’s and PVC’s. To limit exposure, avoid non-BPA free canned foods since the inside of most conventional cans are lined with BPA’s; a wiser option is to consume fresh or frozen alternatives. Where possible, purchase food and drink packaged in glass, paper or cardboard, and invariably store food and drinks in glass or food-grade stainless steel storage containers and bottles. Additional plastics to avoid are plastic trays containing meats and fish; ask your butcher or fishmonger to wrap the produce in plain paper or a brown paper bag instead. Other plastic items to be mindful of are babies’ teething rings, babies’ bottles, sippy cups and children’s toys marked with a number 3 or “PVC.” Furthermore, check your shower curtain to ensure it is not PVC; if it is, replace it with a safer option such as cotton.
Plastic codes deciphered

1 = Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)2 = High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
4 = Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
5 = Polypropylene (PP)
Use these plastics labelled 1, 2, 4 or 5 carefully and sparingly if at all, but preferably for dry goods only.
3 = Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
6 = Polystyrene (PS)
7 = Others – Such as Polycarbonate BPA and BPS
Avoid using plastics labelled 3 or 6 wherever possible. Unfortunately, the truth is there are very few, if any, really safe plastics so it is best to avoid them at all costs.
Be very wary of the category 7 as even the BPA-free plastics may still contain bisphenol S (BPS), which is a known hormone-disrupting chemical.