Project Glow 2010: Green Cleaning

Mrs. Meyers basil scented products are my absolute favorite

Creating a clean zen home is the first thing I want to tackle in the new year and in honor of Project Glow 2010. It is where the heart is after all. I moved into a great apartment in Brooklyn a little over a year ago, but have yet to realize its full potential as I have a hefty amount of decluttering and organizing to do. When I moved in, the apartment was not as clean as I expected, so my landlords gave me the go-ahead to hire someone for a serious deep cleaning. I took this opportunity to try out a green cleaning service, and on someone else’s dime no less (score!). After looking into all of the local green cleaning options, I decided to go with Ms. Green-Clean. Ms. Green-Clean is owned by Cori Morenberg, who is described on her website as, “a high energy, compulsive-obsessive, with a degree in Botany, a passion for nature and art, and a penchant for cleaning. She truly enjoys cleaning and transforming homes using pure essential oils and non-toxic, environmentally-safe cleaning agents not tested on animals.” Ms. Green-Clean had me at compulsive-obsessive.

After my first green cleaning with Ms Green clean in 2009 I showed of my zen pad with a holiday party

Yes, I was committed to the green approach and products used by all of NYC’s green cleaners, but what really excited me about Ms. Green-Clean was the fact that I believed she would get everything really really really clean. When I read that Cori and her associates actually wash floors by hand, because they believe that’s the only way they can really get them clean, I knew this was the green cleaner for me. Within a few days of contacting her, Cori sent out one of her personally trained cleaners and the service fully lived up to expectations. My green cleaner Sarah was here for about 8 hours, and my house smelled amazing when she left.

Fast forward to 2010 and my home is once again in need of some love. When I began strategizing my way to feng shui, I decided that I would commit to decluttering and picking up on my own, and then to invite Ms. Green-Clean back to make my apartment shine. When I talked to Cori last week about my cleaning needs, it dawned on me that her services are actually perfect for my holistic mamas as they prepare for their new arrivals.

I am passionate about sharing information with holistic mamas and creating a truly useful resource list of healthy green products and services, so I asked Cori if she would be willing to answer a few questions and she graciously agreed. Not only did Cori tell me more about Ms. Green-Clean, but she also offered some great green cleaning tips so that DIYers, people on a budget, and non-New Yorkers can benefit from her wisdom. I hope you enjoy the interview and that this information adds to your glowey new year!

How did you get into the green cleaning business?

Cori Morenberg is Ms. Green Clean

Strangely, I was on an assignment as a freelance writer for a weekly paper when the seed of the idea was planted. I interviewed a person who had just started a green cleaning business and I thought to myself what a great idea it was. I’m a person who likes a lot of independence and to be my own boss, and also I have a background in science and environmental-related work, so it melded a few parts of me. It wasn’t until a year or more later, though, that I pursued the idea and conceived of Ms. Green-Clean.

What makes your cleaning green?

Cleaning green is pretty easy days with all the information and commercial products out there, anyone can do it. We fill our cleaning bags with some or all of these essentials depending on job details: baking soda and/or Bon Ami non-abrasive cleanser, Citra-Solv, a milder all purpose like Ecover’s or Mrs. Meyers, a basic, very mild wood soap, a selection of essential oils, and lots of reusable microfiber and cotton cloths. All of the products are derived from natural, plant, or mineral ingredients, are earth-friendly and non-polluting, and are cruelty free and not tested on animals.

I love all of the greenness, but tell me more about the cleanness.

We specialize in deep-cleaning, really kind of old fashioned, European-mama cleaning. It’s very athletic work. We don’t visit on a weekly or bi-weekly visit. I feel most people don’t need our services that often. We’re not there to fluff towels and swish feather dusters. We’re often red faced, sweating and a bit out of breath. We get down on our hands and knees to clean floors. We crawl under furniture to get at corners and hidden spaces, move pieces that we’re able to safely, pick up cushions to clean underneath. We make sure your refrigerator and oven are wiped out, and we do the insides of windows. The list goes on and on and is really particular to the clients’ home when it comes down to it. You really have to experience it to completely get it. Many of our clients do have someone else clean their home more regularly and then they have us in twice per year or quarterly. They’re always surprised and we are always very pleased to find lots of dirt and grime on these visits!

It seems to me that your service would be perfect for someone preparing for baby. Do you do much of that?

Yes! Ms. Green-Clean has many expectant parents as clients, and more specifically expectant parents who are moving into new homes that have had construction work done that creates a lot of fine dust throughout, and that they are very concerned about getting rid of before they bring the new baby home.

Not everyone can afford to have someone else provide the gift of clean. Would you be willing to share a few green cleaning tips for the DIYers out there?

Sure. My favorite way to clean the older enameled sinks that many New Yorkers have is to first rinse it out, then sprinkle baking soda, and to the baking soda add a capful of Citra-Solv orange oil all purpose cleaner. With your sponge, scrub away for a few minutes to get rid of all the stains in the abraded surface. It’s like going for a teeth-whitening! Very satisfying. Another easy one is to add one or two drops of peppermint essential oil to a microfiber cloth for dusting. Not only do you get your dusting done, but you give your home a little aromatherapy treatment at the same time and it creates a spa-like feel. Peppermint has antiseptic properties that make it a great oil to keep in your cleaning arsenal. It’s also said to combat fatigue and depression, as well as aid concentration. Not too many cleaners from the grocery store can claim that!

Do you go all over the city?

Yes, we serve Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, anywhere that the MTA subway will get us to easily. We don’t work in Staten Island.

With castile soap and bucket in hand? How does that work?

That’s one more way we’re green. We travel by subway, bike or foot. It’s pretty easy to carry the products and tools we use in one bag.

Have some green cleaning tips of your own? Please share them in the comments. And if you are in need of a good cleaning too and are in the market for some great green products check out the HDNYC Store section “products: green cleaning,” or your local health food stores and Whole Foods. Want recipes to DIY your own vegan, green, eco-friendly cleaning products for half the price of the store bought ones?  Check out this fantastic article full of green cleaning recipes from the always green and fabulous Girlie Girl Army.

By the by, Ms. Green-Clean was named “Best Cleaning Service” by New York Magazine in 2008. I love that New York Magazine recognized a green cleaner! For more info about Cori and Ms. Green-Clean visit her online www.msgreenclean.com.