The Hot and Cold on croup!

I have something to talk about that to me is a bit of a breakthrough..it is about croup and the use of a cold-air humidifier verses the traditional hot air steamy humidifier. 

Croup for us with our young son occurred usually in winter time, came on without any warning signs like even a cough, would be worse if they stayed out after 4 in the afternoon weather, would last about 4 days (3rd night being the worst) and was one of the scariest thing that ever happened to us as a parent. 

We would sit in the hot steamy shower with our son who was basically turning cold, clammy and on one occasion nearly blue...we would call 000...trying to stay calm and waiting desperately for the ambo men to arrive to save our boy...it brings me to tears just thinking about it. The rest of the night was spent in the children's hospital with our child bouncing off the walls(because of the adrenalin they gave him to help him breathe)...but we didnt care..he was alive and breathing OK!!!

I have had two kids who have suffered from croup...my son (who is now 8) had 4 episodes that resulted in trips by ambulance to the emergency department and the need for days of predmix and adrenaline...he had a strider that was one of the most impressive the ambulance officers had ever heard (A STRIDER is what they call the sound of them when they breathe..sounds like a sea-lion barking!!) And yehhhh for having freakishly unusual medical things happen to us as a family!!!) He has since grown out of it...thank god!!! 

Last winter my now 3 year old had her first episode and it freaked me out...apparently boys are more prone to it than girls ..so I was a little disapointed that she has copped it too. We approached it the same way we had approached our son's...however ,we always make sure we have REDIPRED in the house just in case. I also started questioning the whole hot air humidifier...afterall we had the ambulance officers telling us to take them out into the cold night air instead of sitting in the hot steamy shower.


Apparently alot of croup cases resolve themselves as the child is taken out into the cold, moist night air to hospital. A friend of mine also recently told me that it had been suggested to them that a cold icypole was a great suggestion by their hospital.

In my kitchen...also doubles as an air freshner

This winter, as soon as we had one night of croup with my youngest, I started running the portable NATURE DIRECT cold air humidifer I had bought for my asthma sufferer (my eldest child). 

I feel alot safer with it in her room (with the old VICKS one I was using...I used to do the WHAT IFS...what if she knocks it over, what if she burns herself, what if it runs dry and starts a fire, what if it leaves the walls running with water and makes the mould in her little room worse...) 

The air purifier at nightime..it has a nightlight feature that my kids LOVE

The old hot air humidifer I was using (its not sitting on my front porch)

We now dont have to worry about any of those WHAT IFS...I havent had any other occurances yet...they may come...but I feel alot more confident now that we are doing the best we can to limit the episodes.

I admit, when I first saw the cold air humidifer I grabbed one...originally not for the croup..but for the congested 10 year old I have who suffers from asthma , eczema and allergies (it is not only a cold-air humidifer BUT it is also an ionizer that purifies your air...here is a link for more detailed info 
http://www.naturedirect.com.au/enviroair.html
http://www.naturedirect.com.au/enviro_facts.html

BUT after reading a fair few online articles I now understand better why cold air humidifers are the way to go..and I have the confidence to be rid of the old VICKS steamer and replace it with my Nature Direct one. In fact this month I am planning to purchase another so I can make the most of Nature DIrect's "host a demo" deal...and that is the god honest truth (especially after all my research this weekend)

Finally today I had an interesting email with an adult croup sufferer inquiring about our humidifers....she has been told that " cold steam is better for croup but she has found it hard to find". I am so thrilled that I am selling a state of the art product...and one that I am trialing and using at home..and can proudly say "it is so good that I use it for my own family and believe that it will benefit yours"

If you are interested in purchasing one please email me on tumblemonkey@optusnet.com.au and I can get one to you in time for the winter croup season!!!

**obviously I am not a doctor...only a mother of 3 (2 of which have croup)...so I in no way am suggesting you replace doctors advice with mine...but please consider my experiences when you are planning your attack

Something smells fishy!!!

The fridge from the outside...nice huh!!

'

OKay so you all should know by now that I am not only making and selling the worlds most wonderful dryerballs that save you money and time...but I am now distributing NATURE DIRECT(loved it so much at home...and was raving about it so much on tumblemonkey that I decided to give it a go) AND as you know through my reviews ...I often test run products to see just how well they really work...for me a product can be non-toxic BUT it has to get the job done the first time too...no double handling for this little chicken!!! And for me at the moment ...it is fast becoming all about efficency and getting the job done right..the first time..

So yesterday I washed my fridge...it was getting to the point that even my kids were complaining that it was a bit smelly (we always have garlic sausages or something from my croatian father-in-law...thanks Zeljko...I promise i am not complaining!!)

Usually I have to literally set aside an hour or so to do this job...and I hate it..I fill the sink with hot soapy water and then pull it all apart one shelf at a time...I then sometimes wash down with vanilla essence..or do the hot water and essence..or even lemon juice thing to get rid of odours (which to be honest still hang around no matter what I use...

This is the crime scene...

Wine spilt last week...which got me thinking it was time to clean!!

Bottom shelf...oh okay..it has been like this for a bout a month!!!

The mouthguard...sprayed it on, left it for 5 minutes ..tadaaaa!!!!

But this time I grabbed my tough guy microfibre and my spray and wipe and went to work..didnt pull anything shelves out or battle with the crisper like I usually do..I just sprayed and wiped..literally..i went over the shelves with a spray of the enivromist and all the smells are gone...clean..buffed and wonderfull...no smelly wiff when you open the door...and there is alot to say about a the fact that there are no toxic chemicals being on the shelves that  store the main bulk of all our families food...

Yes I could have done it with bicarb and vinegar (and had to deal with that annoying powdery residue)..but you know what I havent got the time at the moment...I am sooo busy with tumblemonkey dryerballs and NATURE DIRECT I would rather get it done quickly and move on!!!

Now as said I am selling the stuff...but I will not suffer fools...and if it wasnt doing the job..I would not choose to review it...Enviromist is one of the most excting products in the range from Nature DIrect...I used it to sanitize my 10 year old daughter's mouthguard ( my youngest daughter who is sick decided to try it on for size)..I also sprayed it on the bed and pillows to freshen them up (I usually use BOSISTOS), I sanitized the bread board...and also sprayed it into the  container that housed the spicey garlic sausages...man is that smelly!!) 

To Mop or not to mop... that is the question! Nature Direct Mop

NATURE DIRECT

To set the scene..I am not a mop person..I dont tend to wash my floors..and after damaging the wooden floorboards with a steam mop..I am really pretty unexcited about cleaning my floor. I sweep (have stopped vacuuming in a big way because at first the vacuum broke, but then once fixed I think it was actually making my husband and daughters asthma/allergic reactions worse.They seemed to have an episode around the time I had vacuumed. Mopping seems to collect sooo much more dust...I cannot believe how much I picked up the first time I mopped the house...where was it all hiding???I tell you what...Grandma was onto something with this cleaning method (except she didnt have microfibre like we do)!

So I got a chance to try the NATURE DIRECT Mop system...for a good week...I don't have the glass cleaning head (which seems like a fabulous idea in summer and for my huge double hung windows...and even maybe the car? 

I did try the mop in my spa bath but I think the glass cleaner head would be much more suited)  I have the microfibre head (of which you get 2 with the system) and some of the SUPER STRENGTH CONCENTRATE (of which you only need 5ml per bucket)

Giving it a whirl in my spa (pardon the pun)

The mop system comes with a heap of products included that all make the process a breeze...the most exciting inclusion with the pack I reckon is the 'tough guy' microfibre cloth..which happens to be my favourite microfibre amongst all the microfibres I have at home....including mits....it is just a great size, feels tough enough to do anything, I like the dark grey colour because it doesnt show stains and it is nearly 1/4 of the price of the more expensive microfibres)

When I first heard that it was more than $100... I was a little crest fallen and so determined to not buy it that I actually thought...I WILL TRY THE MOP, WRITE AN HONEST REVIEW...BUT I WILL NOT BE BUYING IT. I was not going to spend that much money on a mop...but things have changed...and I realised the buy the mop meant I was getting so much more.

When you are buying this mop you are buying a quick simple solution to cleaning your floors...no more of this getting the bucket and trying to jam the rectangular shaped mophead into a round bucket. No more taking the microfibre head on and off of the mop everytime you use it (this is what my mum has been doing...she is now buying one of these too!!) You just fill the bucket to the recommended height, pour in 5ml of the Superstrength and away you go....and when you are finished you just click off the head to wash in the machine (Note: You will need a laundry bag to stop the microfibre collecting more dirt when it is in your washing machine...that thing will collect anything it touches!!!)

So lets talk mechanics first.

The handle is lightweight..made from aluminium..so even my mum can push it down to spin using one hand with ease. The handle can be left to spin..or anchored so it won't spin...but I like the fact that it moves with me when I am swishing the mop from side to side...and it is one extra step I dont need! 

Here is the scoopy bit you can settle your foot into

The bucket has a great scoopy bit where you can put your foot to push it around...so you don't have to lift it every time (although the white handle is very robust and you feel like it could lift triple the weight) You don't need a lot of water in the bucket ...so you can easily move it without straining your back.

Getting into the corners with the round head works really well!

The round head gets into the corners with ease..I thought this might be its downfall..but I think it takes corners even better than a square mop...the longer microfibre fingers reach right in and scoop out all the dirt. 

Life it off the floor and it will double as a really effective broom for sweeping up the big bits first!

I love the longer fibres as you can hold it slightly above the ground and swish it like a broom t to collect all the larger bits and pieces (like the old footy cards, leggo and hair ties)...sweep them into a corner and then start mopping.

Click it with your foot and it will swivel down so you can get under things like couches and tables

I love that you can click it down with your foot...so it will reach under tables and chairs easily...I hate under my kitchen table...it is always dirty and getting the vacuum in or the broom is awkward..this mop seemed to do it with ease! (it almost does away with the need for my ENYO stick (which is one of my favourite finds of the year)

Hard sticky bits just squirt the SUPERSTRENGTH, leave it for a few minutes then mop away

It wont move stickers...but hey...I can cope with that as long as my floorboards are protected (poor old things...they have been traumatised by my steam mop!!)

Here is the SUPERSTRENGTH in action

It doesnt pick up stickers like a steam mop does..but as I have said the steam mop has really done a number on my floor so I am happy to use a fingernail for this one. When you come across hard sticky bits just squirt the SuperStrength on to the sticky bits ...let it sit there for a few minutes penetrating and then mop a little harder to mop it away. 

The one big thing I have learn about microfibre is that it will HOLD the dirt till it is washed in warm water...so microfibre mops are the only way to fly in my book.

The other fantastic benefit of using this mop is that you dont have to evacuate your home for 2 hours while the floors dry...or stand in the corner that you have mopped yourself into OR dance around the room with an old towel balancing like a monkey..the floor drys really quickly because of the swishy salad spinner effect of the bucket and the cleverness of microfibre. I did find the tiles dry a little slower...I guess that depends upon your tiles...but certainly still alot quicker than the traditional mops.

I have tried the cheaper SABCO, and at first, for the price, I was sure that was the one for me. BUT having a bucket to fit the mop, that removes all the excess water seems necessary now...and all the extra product that come with the mop make it well worth the price. 

Microfibre Cloths Rule!

So from what I understand microfiber is actually synthetic fibers...it is like flys legs...lots of tiny little sticks sticking out. Unlike ordinary cleaning products, that only move or push dirt and dust from one point to another, microfiber cleaning products lift the dirt from the surface and store the particles in the cloth until it is washed. When it is placed in a warm to hot wash, the fiber opens up and releases the dirt into the water. After a few years these little sticks snap off or get damaged and don’t work as well...this is why you should be careful when laundering your microfiber. Also after a few years you need to replace them as the little sticks snap off and all you are basically pushing around is plastic...the microfibers no longer catch as much as their surface is damaged.  

AND not all microfibers have been created equal… I now have an ENYO, A NORWEX, A NATURE DIRECT, a SABCO and even some of the cheap no name brand ones...and I have to say there is a difference.

My collection of microfiber and cleaning products I do love having a huge range of them… I now have a glass cleaner and a bathtub cleaner in both laundrys and in my kitchen I have a few that i can just grab and use then throw into the wash again. I have a few ENYO mitts...and yes they are lovely colored and work really well...I really don't LOVE the mitt thing...it gets wet then sloppy on my hand and in my opinion, when comparing them all...they work no better than my NATURE DIRECT Tough Guy...which is nearly 1/3 of the price. Nature Direct have a wonderful, reasonably priced quality microfiber range that are well worth the purchase...it is amazing what you can clean with a microfiber and a bottle of SPRAY & Wipe (a non-toxic one of course)...it leaves a clean, streak free surface with no chemical residue or smell...just as easily as a bottle of toxic chemical spray & wipe and a sponge.

Great quality Norwex microfibre cloths  (especially the antibacterial one)

One of the most amazing microfiber product finds I have found is my NORWEX antibacterial for my face… apparently this is the only microfiber on the market that has silver built into it that kills the bacteria in its tracks...you have to be gentle and not overscrub... I have Rosacea ...and have done the 6 months of antibiotics and cream… only to have it return after a few weeks of stopping... so after using this microfiber I then use the NORWEX crystal deoderant (yes on my nose/face)… and I would say my rosacea on a good day is now 2/10 (as apposed to 8/10)...try it...I am amazed!!!

The ENYO Stick Another one of my wonderful microfiber finds is the ENYO 'stick' that cleans under my cupboards, dishwashers...down the side of the fridge and the walls...I have managed to score a secondhand ENYO one of these in really good nick .... and I love this one...but again I got it secondhand and never had to pay full price! Apparently SABCO do one of these as well...but they don’t last the distance like ENYO

Cleaning out the drink bottles

One job I cannot do without a microfiber now is washing inside the grimy water bottles ...I have lost soo many in the dishwasher...warped by the heat...or used hot boiling water and vinegar and a bottle brush...HARD WORK for nothing... one quick wipe with the microfiber and all the grime is gone!!! Microfiber are also great for cleaning fruit and vegies.

I find the rules of microfiber a little weird to come to terms with...although they are wonderful .... you cannot use them everywhere...like in the kitchen sink...not with food....unless you wash them straight away… or ever in the toilet or rubbish bins...but for grimy surfaces (like bathtubs and bathroom sinks)...kitchen benches and tables, marked walls they are great… even with a bit of water...hang them up to dry and they will last for ages. I haven’t had the official microfiber lesson...but I think this covers it.

My favorite microfiber...the Nature Direct
Tough Guy

So in summary I reckon you should pay for a good one (like a Nature Direct) to use as your first thing to grab in a cleaning emergency...and then buy some cheaper ones to leave in all the wet areas of your home...like SABCO from the supermarket...or even a bag of them from Bunnings. 

A SABCO 3 pack I got from
the $2 shop

Let your kids have access to them (and a good safe, non-toxic cleaning product)..and everyone is a winner!

Nature Direct Glass Cleaner

PRODUCT REVIEW

So I havent done one of these in a while...to be honest I have settled into a lovely easy cleaning system using Nature Direct...which is why i want to talk about the GREEN GLASS CLEANER...it comes as a concentrate and you make it up...as per most of the Nature Direct products. 

Nature Direct Glass Cleaner & Polisher

I have one bottle...and have only used about half of it so far (and that was at least 3 months ago)...I was a little sceptical about the need for it when I was already getting the SPRAY & WIPE product...in fact I didnt actually buy it the first time...it was given to me...and I have tried to prove myself right on several occasions when cleaning windows, glass splashbacks, mirrors etc. I start with the spray and wipe and it does an ok job...but it is true...the Glass Cleaner just does a better job at leaving a clear streak free surface...so much so that I am a bit worried about the kids running through one of our big glass doors out onto the deck it is so darn clean. I am also finding it cuts through the grease on my glass splashback behind the cooktop...I tried everything to keep that clean...bicarb and vinegar, metho, and all the chemical spray and wipes..but this is just a single spray and wipe with a microfibre (I am using the Tough guy for everything)..and it wipes away all the grease and any thicker stickier buts...love it...I am sitting here admiring it as I write this review.

Definitely add it to your wish list if you have lots of screens, windows, glass mirrors or french doors...and the best bit is the job it does on my stainless steel fridge (tried to take a pic but it wouldnt do the final job justice) 

I will be buying this one when I re-order!

Our journey into toxic free pastures

My daughter has always had eczema...and a couple of years ago she started developing asthma symptoms. The same winter my husband was given an inhaler and so too was my 2 year old daughter...I was a wreck...now the eczema had been horrible but asthma scared me and it could be life threatening!!!
I looked around and I had done all the things the experts had suggested...I had changed the linen and clothing to cotton, removed all the dusty things, vacuumed weekly, tried food restriction diets...but the one thing I realized I had been overlooking was all the chemicals we were using in our cleaning and on our bodies. 

read this wonderful resource that steps you through the possible chemicals you are exposing your child to ..all the images on this post have been borrowed from this article
http://children.webmd.com/environmental-exposure-head2toe/default.htm

I became so interested in it I immediately wanted to remove the chemicals I was washing or clothes with which kind of lead me to making and selling wool felt dryer balls...this in turn lead me to setting up my facebook page www.facebook.com/tumblemonkeyhandmade where I have been on this journey of discovery. I also found (and sell) soapnuts that are wonderfu,l natural multipurpose berries that when used, can completely remove the detergents from the clothes washing part of the cleaning...amongst many other applications.


But I was still using the PineO'cleans, Bleaches, Domestos, Glen20s to get rid of those microsopic bugs we are taught to fear and keep our house clean. I had been missing the fact that by soaking my house in all these chemicals I had been actually contributing to the poor air quality and health and well being of my family. 

The moment the penny dropped I started remembering my girlfriends home...whenever I walked into her place it always looked and smelt clean..but not clean like mine..not the PineOClean and domestos smelling clean...really clean and fresh. She had told me about Nature Direct...but to be perfectly honest when I first heard about it I wasn't ready to change...I didn't think I needed to. But here I was...now I needing something that was going to keep my home clean without chemicals...but it had to work..and be reasonably easy to incorporate into my lifestyle...with 3 kids there is not an awful lot of time to be redoing things. I decided to find out a little more about Nature Direct without spending a fortune... that is when I was introduced via Facebook to Danielle and she offered to come around and show me and my mum the products...no strings...
And I have now been using Nature Direct as the only real cleaning products in my home for a good 6 months...yes I still have the bicarbs and the vinegar moments but to be honest they are hard work...and with Nature Direct there is literally a replacement for everything..Domestos for the toilet cleaner, and rubbish bin, Spray & Wipe for the kitchen, Glen 20 for smells and odours...

I have also replaced all my soaps with wonderful products from EcoStore and am flirting with soapnut liquid recipes for this and shampoo alternatives...but I would like to do a post solely on body products so I will leave that for next time.