Home Made Natural Cleaning Products

Baking Soda:

Baking soda works as a mild abrasive, helping to gently scrub things that need to be scrubbed, but not scratched. Baking soda also works well to remove smelly odors, making it a prime candidate for a bathroom and kitchen cleaner. Baking soda also works to removes stains, and can be used to help soften laundry.

Borax:

Borax is a laundry booster that can be used in a few different ways around the house. Borax is actually a natural mineral, but can be an irritant on skin, and shouldn't be ingested. Borax can be used as a stain remover and a substitute for bleach. Borax can also be used to repel insects, although care should be used around pets and small children.

Castile Soap:

Castile soap is an oil based soap, that can be used to clean almost anything in your home. Diluted liquid castile soap can be used as an all-purpose cleaner.Liquid castile soap is an excellent degreaser.

Cornstarch:

Cornstarch can be used as a starching solution for clothing. Cornstarch also absorbs oils and greases, making it a great help in the laundry room or for stains on countertops.

Essential Oils:

Essential oils help add a pleasing scent to homemade cleaning solutions. Be careful when using essential oils. A little goes a long way. There are people with high sensitivities to essential oil fragrances.

Lemons and Lemon Juice:

Lemons can be great for scrubbing copper bottom pots. The juice works to clean and shine the pans. Lemon juice is a natural bleach, especially when combined with the sun. Lemon juice is a natural degreaser, which comes in handy with dishes.

Salt:

Salt is an abrasive solution for scrubbing. Use salt to get rid of rust and mildew. Salt also works to help polish copper and silver.

Toothpaste:

Toothpaste works as a very mild abrasive, similar to soft scrubbing gel solutions. Toothpaste can be used to clean silver. It can also be used to remove stains on white clothing, tennis shoes, and in many other places where a light scrubbing is needed.

Vinegar:

Vinegar can be used as a fabric softener in the rinse cycle of your washing machine. Vinegar makes a great all-purpose cleaner. Mopping with vinegar is an inexpensive way to keep your floors clean. Vinegar is a great stain remover. Vinegar carefully combined with baking soda, makes a great foaming toilet cleaner.

Hydrogen Peroxide:

Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a disinfectant. It also is one of the most effective blood stain removers.

With all of these ingredients, be careful about mixing cleaners together. Use new clean bottles. Follow storage guidelines for cleaners. Rinse thoroughly, and always follow instructions.

Why Shop Locally

In case you needed some reaons: Here is our top 7. Enjoy!

1. Your spending will boost the local economy &  housing

Research on spending by local authorities shows that for every $1 spent with a small or medium-sized business $0.63 stayed in the local economy, compared to $0.40 with a larger business.

Did you know that streets populated with thriving independent businesses have been shown to boost the price of nearby homes. So in a way, shopping local is an investment in your investment. Cool

2. It is the ethical & the healthy choice

Buying out-of-season produce, like strawberries in December, lowers your eco-credentials. As does eating turkey and carrots that have been flown halfway round the world or wrapped in layers of plastic. When you shop at local butchers, bakers, farm shops and green grocers, it is likely that a decent percentage of the produce has had a short field-to-fork journey. Along with supporting local farmers, it means the food is likely to contain more nutrients and have less packaging.

3. They sell quirky, one-off gifts

Independent shops often stock items which are made locally and aren't available elsewhere: buy a dress by a fledgling designer and there is little chance of turning up to the office Christmas party wearing the same as someone else.

When it comes to gifts, quirky one-off items are a major plus of independent shops. Give your niece or nephew a handmade toy and at least it won't be identical to everything they already have.

Local shops also support local artists and designers, food producers and growers, so you're buying products absolutely unique to your area.

4. You will be supporting Canadian entrepreneurs

Artisan markets help foster the talents of the next generation of Canadian designers and retailers. There is a constant turnover of new products, and sellers listen to customers' demands. If a certain pie filling is popular, for example, a pie company will respond to that and quickly supply more of them – and you can suggest things too, so you can even have a bit of influence over the products on sale.

5. You can help build communities

Bookshops, cafes and craft shops often drum up custom by hosting events, from book groups to knitting clubs and children's events. If the businesses are not supported, the local groups tend to disappear too.

Markets also often give space to community groups and social enterprises, says Ellie Gill, campaign manager at Love Your Local Market. "Markets can have a community value, as there is often a social purpose to stalls – they can be public spaces as well as retail outlets."

6. You might get a better deal or some good advice

Local bakers throw in extra bagels for regulars; grocers give informal 10% discounts; and market stall holders are prepared to negotiate on prices. Independent retailers can use their discretion to reward regular custom, and it can mean you get discounts on the items you actually want to buy, rather than being tempted by multi-buy offers in the big chains.

7. You can see it and try before you buy

Major retailers have the advantage of economies of scale and can afford to slash prices and offer reduced costs. However, it's easy to waste money on products you end up not actually liking. When you buy it local you can see touch and smell it, literally. 

Local products can be sampled, easily returned and as in the case with Glass Doctor North Vancouver, comes with a satisfaction guarantee. 

Spring Break 2014 - Camps & Activities for Kids on the North Shore

All schools will be closed from Monday, March 17 through Friday, March 28, 2014.  So what will your kids be doing? Need a camp to send them to, or are you looking for some family fun? We have a complete list of links for both. Enjoy!

Artists for Kids' Day Camps.  We offer full-day art-based camps during Spring Break and the Summer Break for early elementary school-aged students, Kindergarten to Grade 2, and Grade 2 to 4.

Norgate's Spring Break Camp.  Looking for something to keep the kids busy, happy, engaged, and active during Spring Break?  Norgate's Spring Break Camp is just the thing!  For kids aged 5 to 12 (children are placed in age-appropriate groups).

More Spring Break Camps and Activities

4Cats Arts Studio - Spring Camps

Atlantis Programs and Pedalheads - British Columbia Bike Camp Schedule

Bilingual Spring Break Camp in North Vancouver

Bricks 4 Kidz

Camp Jubilee - Spring Break Camp

Canlan Ice Sports - Sports Camps

Cypress Mountain Youth Camps

Dynamic Dan Camps 2014 - Basketball and Volleyball

The Edge Climbing Centre

Endless Biking

Grouse Mountain

Mount Seymour - Spring Camps

North Shore Winter Club Spring Break Program Guide

North Vancouver Community Arts Council - Spring Break Art Camps

North Vancouver Football Club - Spring Break Camp

North Vancouver Recreation Commission Programs - Day Camps

Seymour Golf and Country Club

West Vancouver Soccer Club - Spring Break Camps

West Vancouver Recreation - Spring Break Programming

Build Your Own Spring Break Camp

Beatty Biodiversity Museum at UBC

Britannia Mine Museum

Burnaby Village Museum and Carousel

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre

Lynn Canyon Park and Suspension Bridge

Maplewood Farm

Museum of Anthropology at UBC

North Vancouver City Public Library

North Vancouver District Public Library

North Vancouver Recreation Commission

Science World

Vancouver Art Gallery

Vancouver Aquarium

Vancouver Chinatown

How Efficient Are Your Windows?

Windows provide our homes with light, warmth, and ventilation, but they can also negatively impact a home's energy efficiency. You can reduce energy costs by installing energy-efficient windows in your home. If your budget is tight, energy efficiency improvements to existing windows can also help.

Heating and cooling costs can be affected just based on the type of windows you have. If you have an older home and new windows were never an upgrade, it may make more sense to get new windows instead of just trying to improve upon the existing windows. New windows will lower heating and cooling costs, eventually covering the initial cost.

Storm windows can reduce the amount of air leaking out and remove drafts. Weather-stripping and caulking around windows and doors can assist in this as well.  Weather-stripping is designed for things that move such as doors and windows that open. Use caulk where gaps exist.

Another way to improve the efficiency of your windows is to select different options with regards to curtains and blinds. Window treatments can help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Often Energy Star approved windows can eve be zoned for your area you know they can withstand the climate you may regularly endure. When properly selected and installed, energy-efficient windows can help minimize your heating and cooling costs.

Energy efficient windows not only reduce home energy costs and drafts but can reduce noise and help increase light in the home.  Don’t forget about skylights and doors as well. Window replacement in skylights can help reduce condensation that builds up in older models.

If you would like to have a home audit done to see if your windows are energy efficient, or letting your money leak out the door, give us a call! 604-984-4527

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Family Day Fun on the North Shore

BC Family Day - February 10th 2014 

What is happening on the North Shore:

Want to make the most of what your local rec centre has to offer? Check out the listing of family friendly events planned just for Family Day here at our local North-Shore Recreation centres:

• West Vancouver Community Center
• North Vancouver Recreation Commission

Hit the slopes! Grab your skis or snow board and get out there. Find all the BC ski-deals here: http://www.cwsaa.org/marketing/bc-family-day.html or check out what's happening on our local hills below:

• Cypress
• Grouse
• Seymour

Maplewood Farm will be open to celebrate BC’s first Family Day. The popluar pony rides will be back for the day! For pony will take children on trips around the farm (Cost $5). The pony rides are are first-come, first served. The farm will be open on Monday, February 10th from 10am to 4pm.

What is happening Across the Bridge:

Robson Square is hosting a free skate for Family Day: http://www.robsonsquare.com/

The Vancouver Art Gallery is offering free admissions for children 12 and under, it’s a great way to experience art in BC: http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/events_and_programs/calendar_of_events.html

BATH SAFETY TIPS by Glass Doctor NorthVancouver

Stay with her. It is recommended that children 4 and under always have a parent or caregiver present when they are near water, including the tub. Accidents can happen in an instant. 

Prevent slips. Young children do not have the coordination or strength to hold steady if they lose their balance. Affix a slip-resistant plastic mat that suctions to the bottom of the tub and make sure the throw rug outside the tub does not slide when stepped on. Consider installing a grab bar for kids to hold onto when stepping in and out of the bath. 

Test the temperature. Always wait until the tub is finished filling up before placing your child in the water, as the temperature can change. Set your home's water heater to deliver water no hotter than 120 degrees to lower the risk of scalding. If you don't have control over the heater, buy an anti-scald device that attaches to the faucet.

Beware of sharp edges. Use a rubber cover for the faucet head and drape a towel over metal rails for shower doors when your child is in the bath. Make sure any glass shower doors are made of shatter-proof glass. Avoid bath toys with hard edges or points that could be hazardous if your child falls onto them.