The 3 Most Important Things You Need to Protect Your Home and Sanity During the Holidays!

Thanksgiving is at your door, along with relatives, friends and the beginning of the Christmas season. You can’t run or hide. It’s everywhere. Amidst the chaos though, we want to remind you to be well equipped in the keeping of your home. The holidays tend to do a number on your home - causing more stress than necessary and robbing you of the joy of the season. We don’t want that.

So we have come up with a quick list of our “best of’s”... the products that will keep you sane, save you time and help you feel a lot better about the big and little messes that are bound to show up along the holiday path.

Remember, Bayes is dedicated to creating organic cleaning products that are environmentally friendly without compromising the quality of work delivered. This means, every time you clean, you are not getting bombarded with toxic chemicals in your lungs or on your skin… and the earth is spared the danger as well. Not bad, right?

First of all, we’d like to recommend our newest product addition, the Stainless Steel Cleaner. For any of you that have stainless steel appliances, you know how sleek, modern and elegant they are. But boy, when they get liquid drips or fingerprints on them, they sure do lose that flair! Not only does this Stainless Steel Cleaner clean those surfaces, but also leaves a protective layer on them; so you’re cleaning less. Good news, right?

Next on the list, is the Red Wine Stain Remover. Now you can eat, drink and be merry without losing your flow if a spill happens. Great for table fabrics, furniture and carpets. This powerful cleaner gets out the darkest stains including red wine, juices and even blood. Oh yes. Pour a glass and celebrate. This one’s a keeper.

Can you think of any reasons to have a Fabric Protectant on hand? We can. When you think of how many people will be sitting on chairs, couches and around your home, dirty shoes, winter weather, delicious sticky desserts and home movie nights, your furniture is about to endure a lot of abuse and stain risk. So don’t go there. This protectant repels both oil and water damage, giving you peace of mind when you kind friend surprises you and brings her new dog to the Christmas party and she fancies your favorite spot on the couch.

Don’t let life throw surprises at your home. The holidays can be a time of chaos but don’t fight it; embrace it well. This is a beautiful time to enjoy togetherness, giving, receiving and gratitude, right? You simply need to be prepared.

We’ve done our part to get you ready, now it’s your turn to enjoy the benefits. No more stressing. Kick your feet back and let the power of Bayes do the work for you.

Save Time on Cleaning and Get the Kids Involved with Easy Family Friendly Tips!

You run a busy home full of children and getting things done is not an option. Why put more work on your plate than is necessary? Use your house cleaning needs to teach some very valuable lessons to the younger members of your home and get them involved. Remember, you can use any of Bayes Cleaning Products, because they’re organic, environmentally and safe around children. (Same ingestion warnings apply, so smaller kids will still need supervision of course!)

Save Time on Cleaning and Get the Kids Involved with Easy Family Friendly Tips!

For Toddlers & Preschoolers

• Fetch diapers.

• Gather up toys and help them find their homes.
• Put dirty clothes in the bin.

• Help take clean clothes from the dryer and put them in a bin.

• Help pick up stray books and magazines - or even ask them to help stack them nicely.
• Dust surface tops.

• Help set the table; arrange spoons on napkins.

For the Kindergarteners

*all the above plus:

• Pull blankets across bed - first step to learning to make it

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

• Clear table and place dirty dishes on the kitchen counter.

• Help unload the bigger tools from the dishwasher.

• Fill the pet's water dish.

• Take backpack from the car into the house.

• You spray the table and counters and they wipe them down.

Ages Six to Nine:

*all the above plus:

• Sort, fold and put away towels - great for hand/eye coordination.

• Feed pets.

• Exercise pets and clean up their ‘mess’.

• Clean pets' bowls and cages.

• Help make breakfast.

• Do simple cooking tasks such as rinsing or peeling 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:

• Prepare and pour beverages for meals.

• Help hand-wash and dry dishes.

• Make lunches for school.

• Unload the dishwasher.

• Disinfect kitchen and bathroom counter tops.
• Sweep floors and mop.
• Fully clean bathrooms.

Ages 14-17

*all the above plus:

• Prepare meals.
• Babysit, pick up and drop off.
• Tutor younger children.

At Bayes, we want the best for your family! 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 family cleaning tips?

Cleaning Tips for Less Stress and More Flow in Your Day

We all want to have a clean house. Whether it's to get ready for company or simply to feel at peace in our living space, keeping a clean house is high on the priority list. However, this can be quite daunting as the expectations from others and ourselves can feel like a lot of pressure. While you do deserve to have a clean house, it's also important not to loose your sanity in the process. From us to you, we'd like to share a few cleaning tips for less stress and more flow to your day.

Who are you cleaning for?

Not many are clued into this but it's important to say it. Make sure you're cleaning because you want it that way. So much stress happens as we as a culture, clean to meet the expectations of others. While it's important to clean, it's more important that you're doing it out of desire, rather than out of needing to please others. 

One thing at a time.  

This first step is the simplest and best way to start reducing your stress, and you can start immediately. Clear your desk  or list of things to do that can distract you. Pick one thing to work on. Do only that. Remove distractions such as phones and email notifications while you’re working on that project. If you’re going to do email, do only that. This takes practice, and you’ll get urges to do other things. Just keep practicing and you’ll get better at it.

Simplify your time. 

A hectic schedule is a major cause of high stress. Simplify by reducing the number of commitments in your life to just the essential ones. Learn to say no to the rest — and slowly get out of commitments that aren’t beneficial to you. Schedule only a few important things each day, and put space between them. Get out of meetings when they aren’t absolutely essential. Leave room for down time and fun.

Keep Calm.

What do you enjoy that calms you down? For many people, it can be the “get moving” activity discussed above. But it could also be taking a nap, or a bath, or reading. Other people are calmed by housework or gardening. Some people like to meditate, pray or take a nature walk. Find your calming activity and really try to do it each day.

De-clutter and clean.

Take 20-30 minutes and just go through a room, getting rid of stuff you don’t use or need anymore. Look around at anything that’s cluttering up a room, and get rid of it or find a better place for it. Find an area of the home and deep clean it - set to a timer. When you're done, you'll have a peaceful, clear environment for work, play, and living. 

Choose one small project each morning and each afternoon.

When you make a list of priorities, you can choose the top things to do at the start and close of each day. Then the rest of the day is available for either leisure or maintenance. 

Bayes knows you don't need more things to do on your plate, which is why we suggest making things you DO have to do, simple, healthy and enjoyable.  This is the mission behind our organic cleaning products. We keep things real and good because you deserve it! 

The Dangerous Household Items that In Your Home and How to Avoid Them!

You may not know it but there are many dangerous poisons lurking in some of your most commonly used household items. In America, we consume so many products without ever knowing what the real ingredients are. At Bayes, we don't think that's fair to you, and is why we decided to produce our own line of home essentials to help you clean and protect your home in the safest way possible.  

But in the meantime, it's important for you to be aware of the dangerous household items in your home and how you can avoid them. Thanks to Every Day Health for putting the below list together!

1. Plastic food containers

Ever wonder why clear plastic containers turn cloudy after running through the dishwasher a few times? Plastic breaks down over time, and this breakdown can release dangerous chemicals into your food. Many plastic containers are made from chemicals including phthalates, which act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).  Switch to glass containers.

2. Prepared foods in plastic containers

You don’t necessarily have to toss these, but don’t heat them up in the plastic. Heating plastic can release chemicals that seep into your food. It’s well worth your time to take a few extra seconds to transfer prepared foods into a glass container before heating them in the microwave.

3. Nonstick pans

Many nonstick pans contain trace amounts of a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. The pans’ non-stick lining can scratch or chip off into your food. Instead, use cast iron or stainless steel cookware, and natural, non-stick sprays such as olive oil.

4. Air fresheners

I never allow artificial air fresheners in my home. Anything you breathe in eventually ends up in your bloodstream. Plug-in scents or synthetically scented candles many contain chemicals called phthalates, which have been linked to reproductive problems. Instead, choose candles made with essential oils and fresh flowers to scent your home. Also,  try using baking soda and white vinegar as odor absorbers.

5. Perfumes

The one-word ingredient “perfume” can translate to a product containing upwards of 300 chemical ingredients. (Perfume companies won’t release lists of exact ingredients for fear of divulging secrets to their competitors.) Avoid perfumes and colognes or switch to products that are scented with natural oils.

6. Fabric and upholstery protection sprays

Stain blockers essentially create an invisible plastic barrier over your furniture. This plastic will eventually wear off and be released into your home environment. Instead, simply clean stains as necessary rather than trying to prevent them.

7. Cleaning products

Check the labels of cleaning products for chemical ingredients such as phthalates and chemical surfactants. These ingredients are not only dangerous to your home, but to your skin and lungs too!

Bayes products are organic and 100% eco-friendly and work not only just as well, but far better and without coating your home in toxins. Be sure to check out our website for our full product line. You deserve to have the best and that's what Bayes is known for! 

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 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!

Does Choosing Organic Cleaning Products Really Make a Difference? Find Out Now!

There's a lot of discussion around whether or not people should use chemical or organic ingredients in cleaning. We want to help clear it up for you. We at Bayes, had the same concern years back and did our own research and is why we have chosen to use only organic ingredients in our cleaning products. 

We say that choosing to use organic cleaning products DOES in fact, make a difference and here's why: 

Organic Cleaning Products Are Safer for Your Health

One of the main benefits of using organic cleaning products is that they are much safer for your health than traditional cleansers. Because these products contain natural ingredients, they do not pose the same health risks and potential for allergic reactions as other common cleaners. Many cleaning products can contribute to cancer, respiratory problems, reproductive abnormalities, allergic reactions, and behavioral problems. However, green cleaning products use ingredients such as isopropyl alcohol, citrus oils, and vinegar, which clean just as well as the ingredients found in other cleansers but without many of the harmful side effects.

Organic Cleaning Products Are Safer for the Environment

In addition to being safer for your health, organic cleaners are also much safer for the environment, as they do not contain the toxic chemicals found in traditional household cleansers. Unlike standard cleaners that can poison the air and water, organic cleaning products have extremely low toxicity, low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, and are extremely biodegradable. These cleansers not only improve indoor air quality by reducing the number of harmful chemicals released into the air, but can also reduce water and outdoor air pollution. In addition, green cleaners are extremely easy to dispose of, since you do not have to follow special instructions to prevent them from harming soil and water supplies.

Our organic cleaning products are an excellent option for homeowners that want to protect both the environment and their health. While such cleaners may require a bit more of an initial investment than standard household cleansers, the benefits you receive by protecting both yourself and your environment ultimately make this worthwhile. Bayes is dedicated to your health and we are happy you've chosen to take steps toward your self care.

Kill Germs Naturally With These Simple Tips To a Cleaner and Healthier Home!

With the cold and flus abundantly filling the air this season, it's more important than ever to make sure your home is well cleaned and germ free.  However, instead of reaching for common cleaners filled with bleach and toxic carcinogens, reach for more natural and safe solutions.  We at Bayes want the best for your family's health, which is why we've created our line of organic cleaning supplies; so you can clean with peace of mind. Please enjoy your path to greener cleaning with these simple tips to a cleaner and healthier home.

CLEAN THE AIR
Having more toxic air indoors than outside is surprisingly common. The reason, is 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.


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.

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.

SHOES OFF PLEASE
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 was born 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. 

Give Your Kitchen an Eco Makeover With These Easy 7 Steps!

It's important to have an eco friendly living space and the kitchen is a great place to start! 

We spend so much time and energy use in the kitchen, so giving your kitchen an eco makeover will actually make a significant difference in your contribution to the environment and your health! 

Here are your 7 easy steps:

Switch to all eco-friendly cleaners and detergents

For dishwashing detergents, switch to ones that are phosphate-free, or make your own solutions using common household items such as lemon juice and baking soda for cleaning the sink and other parts of the kitchen. You can put it in a spray bottle filled with water. Stop by Bayes, as well for our organic cleaning line, including our granite counter top cleaner and conditioner! Making your own eco friendly cleaning supplies or buying them from a supplier is easy to do and well worth the time and investment! 

Audit your units and equipment.

Auditing your units and appliances will not only help you save energy and money - it can also help you get rid of appliances and gadgets that you no longer need. Lean toward products that are made of eco-friendly materials. Support companies that produce kitchenware and products such as cutting boards and food storage containers that are made from totally recycled materials. Cabinets and other kitchen units can also be replaced with more durable ones so they can last longer and can often be found at recycling centers for home improvement.

Go for high energy rating appliances.

If you are considering replacing certain appliances like refrigerators, it is always better to consider the A++-G European Energy Label rating system. Other low energy efficiency rated white goods may be cheaper, but they consume large amounts of electricity. This means that although you save money by purchasing cheap white goods, you’ll end up spending a relatively higher amount in the long run because of high electric consumption. If you don’t want to buy new one, you can either insulate it on the sides or regularly clean the coils at the back so you can keep your refrigerator’s energy consumption to the least amount.

You can also explore other low-energy units such as eco kettles, which boil only the water you need and keep the rest in a tank so it can be used later. It also has the ability to heat water in three different temperatures. So if you need warm water for your herbal tea, you don’t need to waste energy by heating the water to 100°C.

Recondition your oven

Experts suggest the use of convection ovens over conventional ovens. It is due to their ability to circulate the heated air around the food being cooked which takes shorter time and reducing required temperature which tantamount to low energy consumption. On the average, you’ll drop your energy use by about 20%.

Compost and recycle

Another great way to achieve a green kitchen is to make use of a composting and recycling bin. Kitchens can be designed or redesigned in a way that gives it access to a garden compost bin. This way, leftover food can be re-used as fertilizer.

Planning your meals can also help in reducing waste by keeping you from buying food you won’t eat. You can also plan to use leftovers in cooking different food recipes.

Reduce plastic and unnecessary packaging 

Instead of using plastic cling wrap and re-sealable bags to store and cover food, you can use lidded containers. You can also try using reusable plastic containers as long as they are not made of harmful chemicals. In this case, refrain from using plastics labeled with recycling codes 3 – 7 as they are less stable. Rather, consider the use of glass jars instead of plastic containers. Gallon-size jars are also great for storing bulk items. Aside from its reusability, it also won’t allow chemicals to leach into your food.

Use dishtowels instead of paper towels

Try to use cloth towels as much as possible. They are inexpensive, washable, and has less carbon footprint.

Eat more vegetables

Another easy way to make a kitchen more eco-friendly is to try vegetarian food a little more often. Raising livestock has more destructive impact on the environment than putting up a garden with plants and grains. Besides, all the leftover food can be buried in the compost pit you can use for your garden.

Put some plants inside your kitchen

Plants make homes more cozy and inviting. Not only do plants beautify your kitchen, plants also help regulate carbon emissions from your cooking stove. You can also plant culinary herbs in the windowsill!

In the end, what’s more fulfilling than staying in a clean and environmental-friendly space? Achieving this is now totally possible as you can explore several options to go green. Giving your kitchen an eco makeover certainly takes time, effort and investment, but is totally worth it in the end, both for you and the world! Stop by Bayes and join us in our commitment to a healthier, cleaner kitchen!