Preparing Your Home for Cooler Months Ahead

Local green cleaning expert shares tips on keeping warmer while staying green

Fall is fast approaching and most homeowners should start thinking about getting their houses ready for the cooler months. Our eco-friendly cleaning expert reminds owners to think green even as the leaves are changing.

“As the temperature gets cooler, we also feel rushed to ready our homes – and that often means using products that may not be very safe to us and to our planet,” says Susan Switalski, owner of EcoMaids in Fairfield, NJ. “With a little advanced planning, you can make your home very efficient and eco-friendly when buttoning up for the colder months.”

The North Jersey green cleaning professional shares a few suggestions to help keep warm while staying green:

*Heating up Since you’re going to be using your home heating systems a lot more during the fall and winter, now is a great time to make sure they’re ready to be efficient. Move furniture or any obstructions from vents, baseboard heaters, registers, and away from on the floor heaters or radiators so that air moves freely. And don’t forget to vacuum these areas to remove any dust or debris and to keep your heated home fresh.
*o Get the ice out. The green cleaner suggests using non-toxic de-icers on your driveway and other areas. Rock salt can contain traces of harmful chemicals and along with other chemical de-icers can also be harmful to pets. Instead, throw plain sand down on your driveway for the traction that you need.
* Keep it sealed. Check your roof for missing or broken shingles or tiles and replace them. Make sure your windows and doors seal properly and winterize as many screened areas into heavier glass areas as you can. Properly winterized windows should show no signs of condensation or icing on the inside when it gets colder. Fixing the roof, windows, and doors should do wonders towards keeping more heat in your house, while keeping your heating costs down.
* Drape it on. Most heat loss in your home occurs through and around the windows, draw your drapes, especially at night. If you can line your drapes with old bed sheets or other material, they’ll prove even more effective in cutting down on your heating costs. Plus you’re re-using material. In addition if your house has outer walls that are un-insulated try putting heavier furniture or wall hangings against them to retain heat inside.
* Make the switch. Replace your old light bulbs with Compact Florescent Lamps or with LED bulbs. Both alternatives are longer lasting than traditional light bulbs and use less energy. Winter means fewer hours of sunlight and more time indoors, so use light bulbs that last longer and are more energy efficient.
* Stay ventilated. Most people draft-proof their homes, yet forget they still need good ventilation. The green cleaner notes that chemical cleaning products and pollutants from un-flued heaters can accumulate in the indoor air. Besides ventilating, look into eco-friendly cleaning products like the ones used by EcoMaids, to limit the indoor air toxins in your home.
* Getting into (cheaper) hot water. Water heating is the third largest energy expense in an American home, typically accounting for about 13% of your utility bill which grows in the winter months. To use less, consider aerating faucets, which enhance spray while minimizing water usage, repair leaky faucets, and opt for showers over baths.

“I hope that some of my eco-friendly fall housekeeping tips will be useful” says Susan “and if your looking for a through green cleaning to freshen up your house before the cold air forces many of us indoors, then look no further than EcoMaids!”

EcoMaids provides high-quality green cleaning services in New Jersey using products and supplies that are safe for families, pets and the planet. Using all natural, non-toxic clean products and recyclable cleaning equipment, EcoMaids provides one-time, as well as weekly and bi-weekly cleanings for homes and offices. For more information - EcoMaids. or give us a call at (973) 582-6122.