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. 

Why Organic Green Cleaning is Better for Your and Your Health

Organic cleaning is all the buzz right now, but do you know why?  We know the information can be confusing, so we have gathered what you need to know to make the best decision possible for your home and family. 

Traditionally, green cleaning is defined as the process by which organic products—which are those made with ingredients that are not harmful to humans or the environment—are used to clean the home, office, or other areas. While green cleaning can include the purchase of commercially developed items, it can also include natural food based products that you make by yourself, that have been found to be effective at cleaning surfaces or removing stains. There has been a recent spike of interest lately in organic living, causing the commitment to “green cleaning” to dramatically increase in popularity. In fact, some experts suggest that up to half of the US population use some form of green cleaning technology on a regular basis.

Organic green cleaning is better for you and your health. Here's why: 

The Benefits of Green Cleaning

The benefits associated with green cleaning are numerous and varied. Specifically, green cleaning products have been found not only to be safe for individuals who use them on a daily basis, but also for the environment in which they are often released. In addition, green cleaning products can often be a cost-effective alternative to more expensive, traditional products. Finally, unlike some other products, green cleaning items are often multi-purpose, and can be used for a number of functions around the home or office.

The Toxic Chemical Dangers Associated with Cleaning Agents that aren't Organic

Just as there are a number of benefits associated with the use of organic cleaning agents, there are several risks linked to those which are not organic. For example, a significant amount of clinical research has found that the use of non-organic chemicals can lead to dramatic increases in the instances of cancer in both men and women in the United States. In addition, the use of these products can also increase the rates of allergic reactions and decrease immunity to these antigens. As more research into the field of non-organic cleaning products is done, further health links may be identified.

The Affordability of Organic Cleaners and Their Multi-Purpose Usage

In addition to offering decreased rates of toxin exposure, organic cleaners can also be quite cost effective. This is especially true for multi-purpose cleaners, which may serve two functions simultaneously. For example, baking soda can not only be effective at cleaning the inside of a washing machine, but may also increase the effectiveness of laundry detergents. In addition, vinegar and lemon juice can often clean and disinfect dirty surfaces at the same time.

Organic cleaning products are easier to find these days and the choices can remain daunting. So we've made it very simple for you by providing an extensive line of organic cleaning supplies made with only the best ingredients. Our featured item - one that has no real competitor - is our organic granite counter top cleaner! With natural conditioning agents, our cleaner will not only clean but restore and protect your beautiful granite counter tops!

Bayes is committed to the health of your home and family. Contact us today to find out more!

Ditching Chemicals? Discover the Incredible Cleaning Power of Lemons!

You know the old saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade"?  We are putting a twist on Bayes likes to keep it simple for you.  From our organic cleaners to simple remedies like the ones below, we have your health covered. 
things and say, "When life gives you lemons, use them to clean your house!" There's a lot of talk out there about natural cleaning and the toxicity of common house cleaning chemicals.  It can be overwhelming with all the options but

So if you're ready to ditch chemicals, discover the incredible cleaning power of lemons.

Odor Destroyer

Even garlic, fish, mothballs and that disgusting gunk in your garbage disposal can’t stand up to lemon juice’s odor-eliminating power. Use a cut lemon or fresh-squeezed lemon juice to remove bad smells from your refrigerator, cutting board, microwave or practically any other surface. You can even add it to the cooking water of stinky foods like cabbage, or just simmer lemon peel in water on the stovetop as a natural air freshener.

Glass Cleaner

Lemon juice will make hard water stains, debris and other marks on glass disappear. Use straight lemon juice on a sponge for tough jobs, or dilute a few tablespoons in a cup of water and spray it on. Wipe it off with newspaper for totally transparent windows (that might just kill a bird or two.)

Stain Remover

Sweat, mildew, berries, wine, oil – pretty much any substance that leaves a stain on fabric can be removed with good old lemon juice. Durable fabrics can be rubbed with a paste of lemon juice and salt while more delicate fabrics might require a gentler touch, saturating the stain with lemon juice and then washing it out.

Toilet Cleaner

When mixed with household borax (not the insecticide kind), lemon juice can remove even those stubborn rust stains from the toilet bowl. Make a paste of borax and lemon juice and apply it to the stain with a scrub brush or sponge. Let it sit for up to two hours, then scrub away. 

Bayes is happy to give you the tips to better living. That's why we like to make it simple for you!  Bayes was created through the inspiration of nature's organic uses and the people's need for ease and dependability, like that in our Organic Granite Counter Top Cleaner! Use these and many others, to make your home a healthier one! From our homes to yours, Have a Happy New Year!

Give the Usable Gift of Organic Cleaning Supplies as a DIY Kit - Here's How!

Give the usable gift of green cleaning supplies for Christmas by putting together your favorites tools and products (in your price range).  Give a handful of ingredients that are needed to make some of your favorite recipes.  Put all the items in a cute container and you will have the perfect hostess, Christmas gift or other holiday or birthday gift.  This even makes a simple thank you gift if you have a friend that enjoys home keeping!

Gather together some of your favorite items to clean with and put together a unique and personal gift this holiday season!  Here are some of our most recommended ideas:

• 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 a wonderfully thoughtful gift for anyone interested in boosting their health and quality of life.  Bayes supports your green living choices with our own selection of organic cleaning supplies. Visit us and see what we have for you!

3 Elegant Tips for DIY Holiday and Christmas Decor

Decorating for the holidays can be a fun and
enjoyable event that the whole family can be apart of. What you need are ideas on how to do it yourself, but have it turn out classy and high quality. Escape the need to use cheap dollar store products and think outside the box for your holiday and Christmas Decor. Here are some tips for Bayes, to you!


The Focal Point
If your tree is the center of attention already, then why not also make it your room's focal point? Capture that picture-perfect moment with elegance and color in you presentation. You can line gifts around the base of the tree and keep the wrapping monochromatic, minimal, and consistent. Shades of pink will easily steal the attention of onlookers! 

Elegant Upon Entry

All great decorating stories start at the entry way. Remember the holiday color palette is yours to play with! Stick to the traditional color scheme or mix it up. Try being inspired by precious metals and the snowy whites of winter. There’s something so inviting about the combination of warm greens, silver, and whites. Use a combination of ribbon, garland, and pine cones and even mardi gras beads along doorways, hand rails and staircases for an entry way holiday color pop! 

Light the Mantel
A white or wooden mantel is an open and ready canvas for holiday decor.  Choose berry wreaths with wreaths of other natural materials such as birch, money tree branches or the likes.  Then place glass votives with tea light candles along them for a wintery warm and inviting glow! 


We hope you are having a lot of fun preparing for the coming holiday. At Bayes, we look to serve you well with our organic cleaning supplies, specifically, our top selling organic granite counter top cleaner! Please get in touch with us for your green giving needs! 

Happy Holidays!

Save Money with These Creative and Frugal Christmas Shopping Ideas!

Christmas shopping is in full swing and if you're like us, you don't want to spend your savings. One way to be green as a family is not to spend on unnecessary items. But you don't want to sacrifice the quality of your giving as well.  Below, are a few tips to saving money while adding genuine heart to your holiday giving. 

Be the Gift: Depending on your skill set, you can offer coupons for your services.  And if you feel that's too slight, offer a menu for them to choose from - or even consecutive services, like housecleaning, massage or hair cuts. You'll get to give a gift without spending any cash, your receiver gets to save money and you've not only given a service, but also your time, which is far more valuable.  It’s a win-win for both.  Another idea is to give a child in your life a gift certificate to spend the day together.  You can then spend that time going to a park, bike riding, or numerous other things that are light on the pocketbook but full of great memories.

Get Organized: Be organized about your Christmas shopping; write down who you need to buy for, and how much you’ll spend on each person.  Then, stick to that number.  Make a commitment to yourself that you won’t go over budget.  If you start shopping early, hunt for the deals, and incorporate creative giving, you’ll be able to get a lot more for that budget number too. 

Be a Deal Hunter: Does your family always go out to eat for Christmas?  Maybe you or someone else in your family could host a potluck instead.  Have to travel to see family?  How about driving or taking the bus instead of flying?  Or maybe you could fly out to see family after the holidays and get a cheaper ticket price.  Knowing the best tips for getting the cheapest flights can save you hundreds of dollars. 

Invest in Health: Without our health, we are nothing!  Invest in a the health of a loved one! Buy them a wholesale membership for a nutritional supplement or essential oils company - allowing them wholesale access to the therapeutic products the love and enjoy! 

Give Clean: Green families do well to pass on the gift of clean!  Create your own cleaning supplies for your loved ones, made of natural, organic ingredients, or buy direct from Bayes. The toxic ingredients in conventional household cleaners are wreaking havoc on our health, and it's time we take more control of our health (and the health of the environment) with organic cleaning supplies. Easy to make and more affordable to buy than you may think.

Christmas shopping doesn’t have to put a dent in your savings, and it doesn’t have to be a stressful event.  With a little planning and preparation, it can even be fun. 

From all of us at Bayes, happy holiday shopping! 

Have You Stopped To Find Out If Your Christmas Tree Has Been Sprayed With Pesticides?

Picking out a Christmas tree is a favorite tradition this time of year. The whole family will likely be involved and have a different opinion about just how big to go! Should it have soft or prickly needles? Is it the right shape? Everyone will have an opinion, but finally you’ll all agree on the perfect one. 

Even if you are a family committed to green living, it's easy to forget to consider whether or not your tree has been grown organically. Don't worry, that's normal. Of the 24.5 million real Christmas trees purchased in the U.S. every year, only 1 percent are grown organically. That doesn’t give you very good odds for finding an organic one. And, it likely means the tree in your living room was sprayed with pesticides. Do you really want to breathe that in? 

Christmas trees and pesticides

Conventional growers spray a variety of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides on Christmas trees throughout their long life cycle. (It takes a typical Christmas tree 5 to 10 years to grow to maturity!) Many of the pesticides approved for use by the Environmental Protection Agency on your Christmas tree have been linked to cancer, hormonal disruption, neurotoxicity, organ damage, reproductive/birth defects, asthma, and more, according to Beyond Pesticides, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting public health and the environment.

The big but here though is that with zero studies on the effects, there’s no real way to know if residue from pesticides can harm you. Still, for those of us who try to live an organic lifestyle, it would be nice to find a tree that hasn’t been sprayed with chemicals.

Turns out, that’s quite the challenge. Most trees you see at big box stores, city lots or big garden centers are conventionally grown. The majority of the trees have been shipped from big plantations in Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Washington State, New York or Virginia.

Finding an organic Christmas tree

If you want to find an organic Christmas tree, your best bet is to check with a local grower. Ask how the tree was raised. If you look at tree farms where you can cut your own tree and farmers markets, you’ll also be more likely to find a sustainably-grown tree. Here are a few more resources to help you find an organic Christmas tree:

Beyond PesticidesThis nonprofit group provides some sources for organically-grown Christmas trees as well as up to date information about pesticides.

Green Promise
This website provides a list of organic Christmas tree farms by state.

Local HarvestFind farmers markets, family farms, CSAs and farm stands in your area. Local Harvest also lists sources for organic wreaths.

Bonus: If you do score an organic tree, it likely won’t have been sheared into the conical shape that’s the industry standard for Christmas trees today. Yours might have a more old-fashioned look, with imperfect branches and a more relaxed frame. There’s something quite nice about that though, wouldn’t you say?

Benefits of a real tree

Don’t worry if you already bought a conventional Christmas tree. Real trees (even non-organic ones) are at least a better choice than artificial trees. Real Christmas trees are often grown on land that isn’t suitable for other crops. And while it may seem like an artificial tree is the most sustainable choice because you can use it longer, the average family uses an artificial tree for only six to nine years before throwing it away, where it sits in a landfill and pollutes the environment. If you do have a real tree, don’t forget to reuse it after Christmas. We have some great ideas to reuse your Christmas tree. Most cities also offer curbside pickup for recycling Christmas trees. (Thank you, Organic Authority, for your wealth of information!)

We at Bayes, are committed to your health, which is why we try to keep you properly informed, for your health and the health of those in your homes.  That's also why we've developed our extensive line of organic cleaning supplies, which happen to make great holiday gifts; like our granite counter top cleaner! We are confident that you will find fabulous gifts and a great tree for your green home this Christmas season!  

Happy Holidays!