Easy Tips for Green Living at Home and On the Go.

The world is changing fast and in order to keep up, we need to know how to care for it. Bayes has made an entire line of cleaning supplies to help do our part in supporting you on your path to more environmentally friendly living.  Aside from that, we want to share with you some very helpful and easy tips to living in a more conscious way, both at home and on the go. 

Learn to Compost. Most people throw out old food and scraps from the table and never give it a second thought. But when you have a composting system in your backyard, you can turn those old food scraps into fertilizer or even a material that can help repair damaged parts of your lawn. You can also include lawn clippings and leaves in your composting system to create a comprehensive source of organic material. You can create a compost pile in your backyard, or you can invest in a more advanced composting system that will create the materials you need for your lawn and garden.

Conserve Energy. There are many things you can do to conserve energy in your home. Always be sure to turn off lights and appliances when they are not in use. Invest in new doors and windows when the old ones have become drafty and unable to help regulate the temperature of your home. If your home appliances are 10 years old or older, then replace them with more energy-efficient models. You may also want to think about adding alternative energy sources such as solar panels and windmills. These alternative energy sources will reduce your reliance on electricity that is generated using fossil fuels, and it will also help to lower your monthly energy bills.

Choose to Reuse. Whether work, are a student or have a family, one of the best things you can do is to prepare ahead of time and pack your own organic lunch. Along with that, choose to invest in reusable, BPA free containers and utensils. This will not only save you money but reduce the waste of paper and plastic bags and flatware. This is an especially simple option that makes a big difference. 

Start Recycling. Recycling in the home starts with finding out where you can take old newspapers and cardboard in your community to get it processed into new products. Many communities have recycling programs that make it easy for residents to put their old paper and cardboard to good use. If your community does not have an official paper recycling program, then check with a local church or civic group to see if they are running one. You can also recycle old plastic and glass food containers or reuse them by washing them out and using them as storage containers around the house. Before you throw anything out in your home, make sure that you cannot find another use for it and reduce the amount of garbage that goes into your local landfill.

Use Less Water. In some parts of the world, there are water conservation laws that dictate how residents of those areas can use water. But everyone should be conscious of water conservation and preserve the water we have. Instead of allowing rainwater to flow into the ground, you can develop a rainwater collection system and use it to water your garden or your lawn. This saves you money by allowing you to water your landscaping without using your house spigot. You can save the dishwater from when you do the dishes and use that to water the lawn or clean up accessories around the home. Conserve water and you will save money and help your community.

Use Organic Cleaning Supplies. Sometimes being green at home is not about saving money. Sometimes it is about using supplies that are safe for the environment and safe for the family. For example, home cleaning supplies that use harsh chemicals can get into the water table around your home and contaminate your property. Those harsh cleaning supplies can also leave behind a residue that can get on the hands of your children and possibly cause disease. Instead of using those harsh cleaning chemicals, you should use more environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. There are many different kinds of cleaning solutions you can make from household items that have no dangerous chemicals at all. By learning to make our own safe cleaning solutions at home, you are teaching your children a skill that they can use when they grow up to save the environment and keep their children safe as well.

This is where Bayes comes in.  We know that you have a lot of options for better green living, and we want to make sure it's as simple as possible. This is why we developed our line of organic cleaning products. We want you and your home to be as healthy as possible. Stop by today and see what we have made for you!

The Most Important SAFE, NATURAL and AFFORDABLE Cleaning Supplies Every Kitchen Should Have

You want to keep your kitchen clean without the toxic chemicals, but do you know what's really necessary and what's a waste of money? Bayes knows all about keeping a green kitchen clean, and we want to make sure you are properly stocked with the most important cleaning needs, from pre-made to DIY. 

Want that reassurance that you're cleaning with the best and safest products out there? 

Here Are the Most Important SAFE, NATURAL and AFFORDABLE Cleaning Supplies Every Kitchen Should Have

• Bayes Organic Granite Counter Cleaner(of course!)
• a small caddy or container 
• sponges
• dish cloths and dish towels
• white vinegar
• castile soap (bar and liquid)  – you can find the little travel sized castile soap in the travel section at Target.
• spray bottles
• metal tins
• essential oils
• baking soda
• epsom salts
• twine, tape or ribbon for cute wrapping and details
• a personalized card with a description/instruction for each made item

Making a special cleaning kit of organic materials is such a smart idea for anyone interested in boosting their health and quality of life. Once your kit is created, you always know where to find everything and can be easily on top of keeping each need in stock! Bayes supports your green living choices with our own selection of organic cleaning supplies. Visit us and see what we have for you!

The Best Green Cleaning Tools No Kitchen Should Be Without!

Having a toxin free home is important to your health, which is why you choose cleaning products that are organic and free of dangerous chemicals. But why stop there? The tools you use to clean your kitchen are just as important to keep an eye on as the ingredients your home is cleaned with.  At Bayes, we provide organic home cleaning supplies and we proudly support those that are committed with us, to caring for the health of our homes and lives. 

We wanted to share this great information from Mother Earth Living and hope you enjoy it as much as we did! 

From all of us to your home, here are the best green cleaning tools no kitchen should be without!

We do our best to avoid hazardous household cleaners, but what about the integrity of the tools we use to clean our homes? Unfortunately, most of them are cheap, disposable pieces of plastic manufactured with no regard for the health of our homes or our planet. Next time you find yourself in need of a cleaning tool, opt for one of these more health-conscious and eco-friendly choices.

No (Plastic) Scrubs 

If you haven’t done it already, make the switch to biodegradable sponges and scrubbers. Conventional neon-colored sponges are made of oil-based, landfill-clogging plastic. Cellulose sponges, on the other hand, are made of compostable plant-based materials, and are available unbleached and undyed. Twist Loofah Sponge and TwistScour Pads, $1 to $5.

Tip: Toss sponges in the dishwasher or a pot of boiling water to disinfect.

Helping Hands 

All-natural homemade cleaners are great alternatives to common chemical-laden varieties, but even natural ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide and essential oils can be irritating. Open windows to ventilate rooms while you clean, and wear gloves. If You Care Household Gloves are made from Forest Stewardship Council-certified latex, and the rubber harvesters receive a fair wage. If You CareHousehold Gloves, $3;

Tip: To make your own hand exfoliant, mix two tablespoons olive oil with kosher salt in the palms of your hands and rub.

Dust Buster 

Does your vacuum suck (in the pejorative sense)? If you have pets, large area rugs or wall-to-wall carpeting, consider investing in an energy-efficient vacuum with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters pick up tiny particulates—dust mites, pet dander and other allergy triggers—that other vacuums leave behind. We like bagless models (less waste) with lifetime washable filters. Dyson DC24 All Floors, $400.

Tip: Empty canisters or change bags outside—and do it often.

Paper Trail 

Paper manufacturing is the third-largest user of fossil fuels worldwide. Curb your consumption by replacing paper towels with an arsenal of reusable dish cloths. Stash dirty rags in a bin under the sink until it’s time to do the wash, but make sure they’ve had a chance to dry out first to avoid mold. Full Circle Tidy organic cotton dish cloths, three for $6.

Tip: Repurpose old clothes and towels as cleaning rags.

Clean Sweep 

Streamline your collection of brooms, mops and floor-cleaning gadgets into one space-saving, sustainable workhorse. The Cradle to Cradle-certified eclipse collection includes a pole made from 30 percent recycled aluminum with three interchangeable heads: broom (made from recycled soda bottles), mop (made from 30 percent soy) and microfiber duster (traps dust without chemicals). eclipse collection, $8 to $30.

Tip: For a natural floor cleaner that smells great, combine ¼ cup white vinegar with 10 drops lemon oil and 4 drops oregano oil in a bucket of water. (thanks Mother Earth News!)

Bayes loves to be part of your home's health! From our organic granite counter top cleaner to many other products, we hope you enjoy what we have made to make your lives healthier, cleaner and much better!

Simple Daily Chores for Kids at Any Age and Stage!

Your goal is to clean home, and we fully support that!  But cleaning a house is too much fo

one person and most agree that the jobs should be delegated out to the whole family; children included. Children who learn to take part in household responsibilities at a young age learn helpful habits that they can take with them into their adulthood as well. But determining what jobs a child can do, isn't always an easy task. So we've decided to share with you some simple daily chores for kids at any age! Of course, keep in mind, that a more mature 8 year old may be ready for some more 'older kid' responsibilities, and a less mature 12 year old, may need to stick to the 9 year old jobs.

Two and Under:

• Get diaper.

• Put toys in bins or drawers.

• Put dirty clothes in hamper (if the top is low enough).

• Help take clean clothes from the dryer.

• Help pick up stray books and magazines.

• Help set the table.

• Hang up towel (on hook).

Three to Five: 

*all the above jobs plus:

• Pull comforter up over bed.

• Put toys and games (and all their pieces) in the proper boxes or bins.

• Place dirty dishes on the kitchen counter.

• Help unload the dishwasher.

• Fill the pet's water dish.

• Take backpack from the car into the house.

• Make the bed.

Ages Six to Nine:

*all the above plus:

• Hang up towels.

• Decide which clothes are dirty and which can be re-worn.

• Feed pets.

• Exercise pets.

• Clean pets' bowls and cages.

• Help make breakfast.

• Do simple cooking tasks such as rinsing vegetables.

• Take out trash and recycling, and remove compostable material.

• Pick up trash in car and empty car trash bag.

Ages 10-13

*all the above plus:

• Pour beverages for meals.

• Help hand-wash dishes.

• Make lunch for school.

• Unload the dishwasher.

• Disinfect kitchen and bathroom counter tops.

Ages 14-17
*all the above plus: 

• Prepare meals.

• Clean coffeemaker.

[ www.clean-organized-family-home.com ]

At Bayes, we want your family as healthy as can be! A healthy family cleans together and chooses healthy cleaning supplies as well, like our Organic Granite Cleaner for kitchen counters! We hope you get the most out of these tips and would love to hear from you as well!  What are your favorite cleaning tips for green families? 

Easy Tips to Make Your Cleaning Routine More Green!

We all want a cleaner and healthier home and while many people are intimidated by cleaning in general, there are simple ways to ensure that your home is a cleaner and fresher place to live.  

Here to make your cleaning more enjoyable, here are some easy tips to make your cleaning routine more green. 

BETTER AIR QUALITY
It's surprisingly common to find that the air inside the home is more toxic than the air outside. It's because the toxins and substances that insulate homes (which is a good thing) are strong and being off gassed on a general basis. Keeping windows open as often as possible allows fresh air in and keeps toxins flowing out. This is especially important when cleaning your home.

BAKING SODA CLEAN
Baking soda not only removes those strange smells coming from your fridge, it's also a great odor-eliminator for your carpet. Just sprinkle on a little baking soda to soak up some of those odors and then vacuum it up.

NATURAL AIR FRESHENERS
Skip the store-bought air fresheners and instead try boiling cinnamon, cloves, or any other herbs you have a fondness for. Fresh chocolate chip cookies also have been known to create a friendly aroma. Also, plants may not make your house smell different but are good for filtering interior air--pretty much any broad green leaf plant will do. Peace Lilies are a favorite choice.

LEAVE IT AT THE DOOR
Imagine what's on your shoes at the end of the day. Everything from car oil, antifreeze, animal waste, pollution, pollen, (and who knows what else) into the house is especially common for kids and other critters that spend time on floor level. Keep the sidewalk out of your home with a good doormat and a shoeless house policy. Many green buildings now include entryway track-off systems as a means of maintaining a healthy interior environment. Less dirt also means less sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming, which means less work, water, energy, and fewer chemicals. You can do it!

GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS
As the health and environmental impacts of conventional cleaning products become more thoroughly understood, more and more brands of healthy, green, and effective cleaning products have started hitting the market and competing for that coveted place of honor under your sink. Many of these products are non-toxic, biodegradable, and made from renewable resources (not petroleum). 

Bayes decided to go into business out of a desire to meet the need that so many people are asking to be filled.  Our cleaning products are organic, non-toxic and gentle on the spaces in your homes. We encourage you to make small steps to big change in your home as you make your cleaning routine more green. 

Great Household Ways to Save Water

Conserving water is important, and many people are just now learning that. The surface of the earth is 75% water, however only 1% is available to us as humans for use. Water is a limited resource and, as the population of the world continues to grow, conserving water in any way possible is now more important than ever. There are several great household ways to save water that everyone can learn from and incorporate into their everyday life.

Ways To Save Water in the Household  
Make sure the tap is always turned off when not in use: This is perhaps the most well known water conservation tip. Whenever the kitchen sink, bathroom facet, and shower taps are not in use, they should always be turned all the way. This includes letting the water run while you brush your teeth. According to a study done by the United States Geological Survey, if one faucet in one home drips one drop of water every minute, it can use over 5 gallons of water every day. The water that is leaking is completed wasted. It is an easy fix to make our sure faucets are always turned completely off, and it plays a big part in conserving one of our most limited, but also demanded resources.

Take Showers instead of baths: It is estimated that one shower uses around 10 to 25 gallons of water. On the contrary, an average sized bath which can hold just about 70 gallons of water! For an everyday routine, taking showers conserves much more water than running a bath. As an added bonus, taking a bath can be reserved for special occasions or when you're desperately in need of some alone time to lie back, light some candles and relax.

Water Your Plants and Lawn in the morning: Many people do not realize that watering plants and the lawn in the morning uses much less water than doing the same in the middle of the day. Due to the higher temperature, when plants and lawns are watered in the afternoon, a large amount of the water being used evaporates before it sinks into the roots.
Using a nozzle attachment on the hose versus a continuously running hose also limits the amount of water being used because when the plants aren't being watered, the hose isn't on.

Wash Your Car With Waterless, Organic Cleaning Products: Many cleaning companies have now released fantastic waterless car washes and sprays that eliminate the need for the traditional hose and bucket of soapy water. It takes an estimated 100 gallons of water to wash a car with a continuously running hose. Not only can a waterless washes or sprays cut down on the amount of water that would otherwise be wasted, but it also will help save a significant amount of money on the monthly water bill.
In such a critical time to save as much water as possible, it's important to find out as many simple water saving alternatives as you can to help out. By following these four easy tips, everyone can make their household a much greener place, a much cheaper place, and conserve our most important resource.

The Benefits of Organic Cleaning

The phrase “organic cleaning” gets thrown around a lot, but what exactly constitutes organic cleaning? Green, or organic, cleaning is simply cleaning your house with toxin free cleaning products; free from chemicals that can harm yourself and your family. Organic cleaning products can be made on your own or purchased from a store. One of organic cleaning products best features is that they are held to much higher standards than traditional cleaning supplies. In addition, they are much better for your home and for the environment.

Benefits of Organic Cleaning Products

Better for the environment: Using organic cleaning supplies is a great way of preserving the environment as well as the world for future generations. The use of non organic cleaning supplies has runoff containing dangerous chemicals that, when drained, go into the ocean and can wreak havoc on the ocean life and their eco system. The chemicals contain phosphates which act as water softeners. When these minerals go down into the various drains they can actually increase the growth rate of algae and can pollute the water for the fish and others living in the ocean. Non organic cleaning supplies also often contain chlorine which can contain irritants to various sea animals and can stay in the environment for many years. Finally, many organic cleaning products come in biodegradable bottles and containers. This is opposite to non organic products, whose containers are not biodegradable and rot in landfills for hundreds of years.

Better for your family: Many parents have high priority in keeping their families safe. One way to do so is by purchasing organic cleaning supplies. Some non organic cleaning supplies contain chemicals in the ingredients that can cause skin and eye irritation. This can be extremely harmful to children and even adults. When you use these cleaning supplies, these chemicals remain on the surfaces all around your home. These toxins can make your family sick and can reduce the immune system of anyone who comes into contact with them. Organic cleaning supplies provide a healthier alternative to traditional cleaning supplies and will not contain harmful solvents that damage the body.

Where to Order Organic Cleaning Products?

There are many online stores and companies that are dedicated to providing healthier alternatives to everyday cleaning products you and your household will use. These products often do not cost more than regular cleaning supplies you purchase from the grocery store. However, they are completely non-toxic cleaners and can prevent sickness in your home.

By using organic products, you will be helping keep your children and family as safe as possible. In addition, you will protect the environment from the thousands of harmful byproducts that regular products contain. Organic cleaning supplies are usually not much more expensive than regular cleaning supplies. However, the numerous benefits far outweigh the little added expense.

Make Your Own Non-Toxic Organic Cleaners With These Affordable Ingredients

You naturally want your family to be healthy and safe so it's understandable that you'd want to avoid toxic household cleaners.  But you need affordable and simple options that make you feel happy about your toxin free choices.  This can be hard, with the hype that companies are jumping on with organic products, inspiring them to spike their prices. We don't think that's fair to your or your family, which is why we both price our products affordably and also provide helpful ideas that you can use to keep your home and family enjoying optimum clean health! 

Below, we want to share with you some simple organic and safe ingredients, found in your home or kitchen, that you can easily make your own non-toxic cleaning supplies from. 

Top Ingredients:

Vinegar

White vinegar is effective at dissolving grease and makes a great surface cleaner in the kitchen and bathroom. Vinegar works well because of its acidic nature and antibacterial effect. Japanese research found that the bactericidal activity of vinegar increased as the temperature of its solution increased, underscoring the need for double benefit of warm cleaning solutions. Mix 1 cup of vinegar with water in a bucket or spray bottle and use it to clean windows and mirrors to toilets and floors.

Baking Soda

Baking soda deodorizes and has an abrasive quality that out shines toxic, powdered cleansers. Use on surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen to remove stains or even clean the inside of a messy oven. Adding salt can provide a boost in scrubbing power.

Lemon Juice

The inclusion of lemon in many commercially available cleaning products is one rare area where they got it right! Lemon juice kills mold, cuts through grease, and leaves a streak-free shine. The applied food science laboratory in Lincoln Nebraska examined the ability for lemon oil to inhibit mold growth by applying a coating of lemon juice and vinegar to roast beef. This was found to support prevention of spore germination and outgrowth. Combine lemon juice with vinegar or olive oil to make compound cleaning products that work harder and provide a natural scent.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide has a bubbling action that is amazing with hard-to-clean situations. Fill a spray bottle with a HP and water mixture, keep it near the laundry area as it can be a great spot cleaner.

Olive Oil

Polishing wood with with olive oil and lemon juice moisturizes it and provides amazing shine with a fresh scent. Blend 1 cup of olive oil and 1/2 cup of lemon juice in a spray bottle, mist onto a soft cloth and polish wood furniture the natural way.                                                                              (reposted with gratitude from the Global Healing Center) 

Cleaning with organic products not only protects your family's health but also furthers the health of the environment and it only takes a few small changes. By buying these low-cost organic ingredients, you save money while improving your life and the quality of the lives around you! 

Or, you can check out the non toxic line of clearners offered by Bayes, including their amazing granite counter top rejuvenator.  Stop by Bayes for the top Counter Cleaner available!!