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Greetings!
Aaaaacho! The dust in your house can sure make you sneeze. But did you know that a dust-free home can actually be just as problematic for your allergies? Find out why in this month's back-to-school newsletter. Our feature article is dedicated to helping you cut through the dust -- and clean -- to reduce the symptoms of allergy sufferers in your home for once and for all. Also be sure to check out our Reader's Mailbag, for lots more tips and tricks when using cleaning cloths -- a topic we covered in July's newsletter. Do you have an idea or question for the Clean Team? Please send me your emails at jeff@thecleanteam.com. I love to hear from you! | |
Achoo! Is your home too clean??
For those of  you who live with allergy sufferers, you know how important it is to dust, vacuum and mop regularly. In fact, for some of you, removing pollen, dust, pet hair and other allergy triggers may have become the bane of your cleaning existence! But did you know that all your cleaning may actually be increasing the risk of an allergy or asthma attack?
That's because it isn't just the dust that's making people sneeze -- it's the chemical sprays. In fact, young children exposed to those sprays and cleaners have a significantly increased risk of developing allergies or asthma later in life. The reason is two-fold:
Reason 1: "Dirty" Cleaners
The air inside our homes and offices is three to 70 times more polluted than the air outside, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. A big culprit in this pollution is off-gassing from the volatile organic compounds found in cleaning products. Children are particularly vulnerable, since they touch everything -- and then put their hands into their mouth, absorbing all these harmful compounds directly into their lungs, skin and digestive systems.
According to the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, some of the biggest culprits are glass cleaners, furniture cleaners, and air fresheners. A recent study showed that using these sprays as infrequently as once a week could produce symptoms of asthma in previously asymptomatic adults. So just imagine what it's doing to our young ones' developing respiratory systems!
Simply put, many of today's cleaning products are 'dirtier' than the mess they are meant to clean! A simple solution is to use environmentally-safe (and kid-safe) cleaners. For some of you, this may mean mixing up your own cleaners with grocery store ingredients such as baking soda and vinegar.
But for those of you who prefer a commercial, but still just as safe, glass cleaner, the Clean Team's Blue Juice is the perfect solution. Unlike conventional glass sprays, Blue Juice is odor-free and all-natural, so no worries about triggering an asthma attack-or worse.
Reason 2: Hygiene Hypothesis
A too-clean environment -- particularly one that has been rubbed down with anti-bacterial sprays and wipes -- can actually hamper a child's immune system. Known as the "hygiene hypothesis", the argument goes that exposure to germs is actually essential to building one's immune system -- the first line of defense against allergies and asthma.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology recently reported a study in which children who went to daycare were 35 percent less likely to develop allergies and asthma later in life than those who stayed at home -- where, presumably, they were exposed to less germs and infection.
Does this hypothesis justify going on a complete cleaning strike? Unfortunately, no! But it does suggest a different approach to cleaning. Ditch those anti-bacterial sprays, soaps and wipes in favor of hard-working, but natural, cleaners like The Clean Team's Red Juice. Our top-selling all-purpose solution is biodegradable and non-toxic. There are no petroleum solvents, just all-natural ingredients like seaweed, soybean extracts and palm kernels. It gives you just the right ingredients to allow you to more safely clean!
So what's your prescription for allergy and asthma symptoms? Simple: a little less cleaning -- and a lot less chemicals.
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Reader Mailbag
Letters From Our Readers
In July, we told you about the Clean Team's cleaning cloths -- our favorite green, reusable solution to cleaning just about anything, from windows and mirrors to counters and tubs. We asked you to share your favorite cleaning cloths:
As I live in the Netherlands and was reading your book some years ago, I tried to find all the stuff I needed to apply your speed cleaning system locally. So I came up with 100% cotton diapers, from HEMA (a particular Dutch brand known for it's quality and fair price), I still use them today and they sound like they work like your 100% cotton napkins. They still hold up with my son (who loves to use them as well) and husband!
-- Angelique Bouwman, professional organizer, theater-manager, mum and wife
I use my kids old muslin nappies, which are brilliant. They are very absorbent and lint free. I also use microfiber cloths and 'e-cloths' which are big over here.
-- Pauline Mcmullan, a reader in the U.K.
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September Special Save 25% on Pet Oops!
Use Pet Oops directly on your carpets, upholstery, hard surfaces, and the laundry. You can depend on its ravenous properties to eat through clogged drains and freshen up the insides of trashcans. Use anywhere an organic substance is causing a stain, mess, or odor.
Pet Oops contains cultures of organisms that are harmless to you, but deadly on organic stains. Its powerful organisms literally consume organic stains to eliminate both the stain and the odor. (Catalog 28, page 21)
Regular Price $9.95 September Special only $7.46
Item #1208S or 149 PERCS. To receive the discount, just make sure that you have selected item #1208S in your basket ... and the savings are yours to enjoy!
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Thanks for reading us this month! Come visit us on the web at www.thecleanteam.com. Of course, we still welcome your phone calls (1-800-238-2996) or a FAX (1-209-223-7994).
Sincerely,
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Jeff Campbell
The Clean Team Catalog |
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