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Giving Thanks this Holiday Season

As the cool summer foliage has fully matured into warm autumn leaves, it’s hard to believe winter is almost here. But before the traditional end of year caroling begins, November is the perfect time to gather with family and friends to reflect on all the things that we have to be thankful for. Ha-Ra believes it is important to take stock in our surroundings and show thanks for our environment. Home to a range of powerful, environmentally sound, all natural cleaning components, Ha-Ra would like to list a few things that we have to be thankful for this November:

Clean water

Depending on where one is from, or where one resides, clean water is not necessarily a given. Nearly one in eight people on this planet do not have access to safe, clean water, while the average person in the developing world will use 400 liters of water a day. Being that over the next twenty years, human beings will use 40% more water than they do now, Ha-Ra asks you to think carefully about your water consumption.

One way to modify water usage would be to take advantage of Ha-Ra Saponella Blue Pearls, to keep your dishes and your laundry clean while keeping your water bill and water usage low. Ha-Ra Saponella Blue Pearls is a concentrated laundry and dishwashing detergent made with natural soap stone and soap roots that is also highly biodegradable. Since one bucket will last about 150 laundry wash cycles, or 250 dishwasher loads, less cleaning agent will be needed and less water will be used. Free of chlorine compounds and corrosives, bleach, phosphates, and foam regulators, Ha-Ra Saponella Blue Pearls will be as easy on your wallet as it is on the environment.

Clean air

Being that self-driving fleets, hydrogen fleets, and ethanol fleets are quickly becoming viable modes of transportation and delivery, traditional fossil fuels will hopefully contribute less and less pollution on this planet. One way you can personally help is by taking advantage of public transportation. For areas that don’t have a sustainable public transportation system, please think about purchasing an automobile that runs on an alternative fuel source. Electric cars have become much more affordable in recent years, and with a multitude of designs, they are as sleek and fashionable as they are good for the environment.

To keep your electric car looking brand new for years to come please consider the Ha-Ra Starter Kit, which consists of the Ha-Ra Protective Formula, the Ha-Ra Nano Hedgehog Cloth, and the Ha-Ra Star Cloth. The Nano Hedgehog Cloth is the ideal cloth for high-powered cleaning and cuts through the toughest dirt and grease with ease. The Ha-Ra Star Cloth is a super absorbent cleaning and polishing cloth that works like a chamois for streak free cleaning of smooth surfaces. This is perfect for use throughout your car on windows, glass, mirrors, and more. With both handmade in Germany, the high-quality fiber will last for years to come, if the care instructions are followed properly.

Clean land

Repurposing truly embodies recycling and keeps waste away from landfills while more often than not also helping out a person in need. For instance, instead of a stained or marred outfit being simply being thrown away it is highly suggested this is reused by donating to an organization. Electronic waste is an even better example. Televisions, mobile phones, computers; all of these are made up of parts that can be and should be disposed of properly. However, if you’re looking to upgrade your tech and there is nothing wrong with that which you currently have, instead of tossing out these items please consider donating to a family in need.

One way to recycle wisely is to keep use of household cleaners on the low, with the Ha-Ra Protective Formula. This highly environmentally friendly formula, helps with the cleaning process, protects the cleaned surface, and protects and maintains your Ha-Ra cleaning fibers at the same time. One to two bottles last for an entire year and will put less stress on the environment than chemicals and other cleaning products. Produced from raw materials taken from vegetable extracts, palm oil and plants, the protective formula is the cornerstone and crown jewel in Ha-Ra’s cleaning component family.

 

Keeping loved ones in mind during the Thanksgiving holiday is second nature. Ha-Ra asks that you do just as well to keep the earth in mind and stay thankful for everything we have as a species. From one corner of the globe to another, we are truly blessed to live among such natural beauty and we owe it to ourselves, to our ancestors, and most importantly to our descendants to try and keep this planet as pristine as possible for many years to come. Please enjoy your holiday season, and share the full Ha-Ra line of environmentally safe cleaning products, with you, your loved ones, and the whole world!

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Making a Clean Start

This year, there have been an unprecedented number of catastrophes across the nation, as well as the world. At Ha-Ra, we would like to offer our sincere condolences and heart felt apologies to everyone that has been struck by calamity. There are no words to describe what can occur to our lives and belongings when struck by these events, but we would like to offer a few suggestions with how to approach your house after a fire or a flood. We are not trying to make light and know that in the face of any major tragedy that what matters most is everyone’s health and safety.

Here are a few recommendations on how Ha-Ra’s line of powerful, environmentally sound cleaning products might help you in your time of need:

 

Cleaning up after a Fire

Depending on the size and scope of the fire, make sure to consult the fire marshal before even checking the interior of your house. Once inside, check for gas leaks by odor and by sound. Be careful to note any ceiling, wall, or floor damage, as you carefully walk through the house. Use fans to help promote circulation; open windows if you live in a moderate temperature, and use a dehumidifier, with windows closed, if you live in a humid climate.

To address soot, which is quite oily, try a shop vacuum (never use an upright vacuum or a brush; it will only grind the soot deeper). You can remove smoke odor from fabric by adding one to two cups vinegar of vinegar per load, and then washing it the next day. We suggest Ha-Ra Saponella Blue Pearls, a concentrated laundry detergent, to help lighten your load. Made with natural soap stone and soap roots, it’s biodegradable and long lasting (one bucket lasts for about 150 wash cycles). Free of chlorine and corrosives, the soaps are made from renewable plant sources.

Additionally, consult a professional about thermal fogging which helps neutralize smoke odor, which can be trapped in duct work for much longer after the fire itself.

 

Cleaning up after a Flood

Make sure that all electric and gas services are completely off before entering your house. Use safe, purified water and food from appropriate locations until it is safe to use tap water. Remove all furniture, bedding, and carpeting outside of the house. We suggest flooded carpets and rugs are replaced within two days, and to dry the affected subfloors as quickly as possible. All upholstered furniture and mattresses tainted by the flood need to be thrown away. Solid wood, metal and plastic furniture may be cleaned and restored.

To help aid with this, try the Ha-Ra Starter Kit, which includes the Ha-Ra Protective Formula, the Ha-Ra Nano Hedgehog Cloth, and the Ha-Ra Star Cloth. The Ha-Ra Protective Formula, produced from raw plant materials, protects the cleaned surface as well as your Ha-Ra cleaning fibers. As one to two bottles last an entire year, it puts less stress on the environment than other cleaning products. The Nano Hedgehog is ideal for high-powered cleaning in kitchen and bathroom and cuts through the toughest dirt and grease with ease. The Ha-Ra Star Cloth is a super absorbent cleaning and polishing cloth that works like a chamois.

Also, make sure to open flooded walls to prevent mold and structural decay. Speed dry with dehumidifiers and fans and leave the walls open until they have thoroughly dried, which could take quite some time after the flood occurred.

 

There are a number of disasters both natural and man-made that can change lives in an instant. Ha-Ra would like to remind you that what matters most are those in your lives, family and friends and those that you hold dear. Your possessions mean a great deal, but your health and safety mean the most of all. Please keep Ha-Ra in mind whenever you have a question on how to keep your materials clean while at the same time keep an eye on the well-being of the environment.

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Marco? Ha-Ra! Cleaning your Pool & Patio

No matter where you’re at as this summer comes to an end; relaxing domestic or working international, soaking up the sun with a vacation or sleeping in late with a staycation, the fading heat surely had you diving headfirst into a pool. Ha-Ra would like to suggest some environmentally safe and pocketbook friendly ways to help you with pool and patio care as you pack up for fall. Whether hosting a weekend long, raucous bash for college roomies or helping organize a serene, backyard brunch for grandma and grandpa, here are a few quick tips to help keep that patio area looking practically pristine:

Cleaning the Pool:

Make sure to skim daily or, at the least, weekly while in use. Run a vacuum regularly to gather debris on the bottom, and check the filter and water circulation / pH. Shock treatments can help the water just as much as the Ha-Ra Green Glove can help clean the lip, sides, and bottom of any pool. Engineered to clean tough surfaces, this glove works well on hard-to-clean things / places while protecting your hand at the same time. Paired with the Ha-Ra Protective Formula, made from raw plant materials, your pool surfaces will remain just as protected as they are clean and so will the Green Glove cleaning fibers. Less than two bottles of the Protective Formula last a whole year, which puts less stress on a budget, pool water, and the environment.

Cleaning the Patio:

Make sure you prep your patio area with Ha-Ra Kalkex. The natural, odorless, citric-infused, acid-based decalcifying agent dissolves completely and easily in water and is 100% biodegradable. Kalkex works wonders on cement, on tile, and can help provide easy removal of calcium deposits from patio areas. Partner Kalkex with the Ha-Ra Scrub Cloth to loosen and collect any mineral build-up. The Scrub Cloth cleans the dirtiest areas of your house and yard that your family can throw at it. The Scrub Cloths patent-protected ultra-fibers will last for years if care instructions are followed, and they are handmade in Germany. Ha-Ra products will also help bring sunshine to your pocket book as they save over 95% on other, chemical-laden cleaners.

Cleaning the Accessories:

There are many places and things that go along with an outdoor pool and patio area. There’s no better way to keep them all spotless than with the Ha-Ra Kitchen Kit. Yes, a Kitchen Kit: The Nano Hedgehog Cloth is great for high-powered cleaning. Cutting through the toughest dirt and grease, a grimy grill is practically no match. The Viva Ultra Cloth retains water, dissolves and picks up grease and dirt, and easily releases it when rinsed. There isn’t a muddied piece of patio furniture that could survive that onslaught. The Sapphire Cloth is recommended for bench tops, hard-wearing cabinets, outdoor refrigerators, and shelving. And last but not least, the Star Cloth is a super absorbent cleaning and polishing cloth that will leave a streak free clean across all windows letting you look in on your house or look out and admire your sparkling clean pool and patio area.

 

With the dog days of summer no longer just a glimmer on the horizon, Ha-Ra wishes you nothing but the best as we transition from summer into fall. Work to stay safe in the remaining sun, protect your skin just as much as you will your home surfaces, and stay hydrated as well and as often as you keep your house spotless. Ha-Ra would like to welcome you back to the blog to check out upcoming tips on using our entire family of environmentally safe cleaning products, which will help your bank account as much as it will the rest of your living areas!

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Land of the Clean, Home of the Brave

Alongside summer baseball games and freshly baked apple pie, hosting a fourth of July celebration is a time-honored tradition cherished by citizens all over the country, as well as the world. Ha-Ra, backed by an entire line of environmentally safe cleaning products, would like to help dispel some of the stress inherent with helping everyone have a wonderful fourth. Whether for a small group of work associates or for the entire neighborhood, keep these quick tips in mind to help keep the mood of the party up and your eventual cleaning duties down:

Planning the Party:

Adult Beverages – Being the middle of the summer, no matter where you’re at, the weather is most likely going to be warm. Everyone will want to stay nice and cool with an iced beverage, and a great number of people may choose to partake in alcoholic beverages. The key here is to make sure everyone drinks responsibly, that adult beverages stay out of the hands of minors, and that clean up entails proper recycling. Make sure cans and bottles are rinsed out with water and are properly separated when moving on to a recycling center!

Grill / Bonfire / Fire pit – Whether enjoying hotdogs or T-bones, s’mores or shortcakes, food on the fourth doesn’t get serious until the grill is lit. Help prep with the Ha-Ra Ultra Glove, crafted with patent protected fibers that effectively use water without relying on the use of chemicals. One side of the glove has Ultra fibers for stubborn dirt and grease, and the other side has Viva fibers for picking up that grime and releasing it easily. When there is an exceptionally messy grill in question, the Ha-Ra Protective Formula is a highly environmentally friendly cleaning agent that can help with the process. Protecting the surface being cleaned and the Ha-Ra fibers doing the cleaning, it is extremely efficient and 100% biodegradable. Less than two bottles will last longer than an entire year and as it is produced from raw vegetable extracts, palm oil, & plants, it’s healthier for the environment than other potentially toxic, store bought cleaning detergents.

Assessing the Aftermath:

Fireworks – Perhaps nothing is more synonymous with celebrating the fourth of July than safely and respectfully setting off fireworks. Though beautiful and awe-inspiring even the safest of fireworks have hazardous materials inside of them that can be dangerous to people and the environment. After the finale has wowed your guests, it’s best to let the fireworks sit and cool off. From there, douse them with water then sweep the debris with a broom into a bucket with sand or water. Once you are sure the fireworks are spent, they can then be discarded in the trash.

Floors & Foyers / Windows & Doors – All the smoke accumulated by fireworks and bonfires will potentially leave their mark on doors, windows, and entryways. Say goodbye to those stains with the Ha-Ra Vario Window Cleaning Kit. It includes the 12.6″ Ha-Ra Window Cleaner, the Ha-Ra Green Glove (for window frames), Ha-Ra Star Cloth (for a streak-free surface), and the Ha-Ra Rollfix (for the Ha-Ra Protective Formula) to use the proper amount of Protective Formula with every use. Hand made in Germany out of high quality materials, this kit will continue cleaning for years, as long as care instructions are followed. Put a halt to all the entryway grit with the Ha-Ra Floor Kit. The Ha-Ra Floor Express Perfect Handle has 40% more cleaning power than conventional mops due to the patented 6-chamber system where pressure gets applied evenly to the Ha-Ra floor fibers. This includes for the Ha-Ra Yellow Dry Pad, ideal for sweeping, and the Nano Gold Soft Pad, ideal for people with allergies as the pad will not release dust until beaten.

Whether your celebration lasts for only a couple of hours on the big day itself or is the talk of the town and takes place from one weekend to another, Ha-Ra hopes that you and your loved ones are able to have a joyous, reflective, Happy Fourth of July, this year and all following. Next time, we will identify other staple summer activities, and how to have a safe, fun, and clean pool patio area. Please make sure to responsibly celebrate and enjoy each other’s company, our environment and the lovely weather, and all activities you have lined up this Independence Day!

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Help Dad Unwind This Father’s Day

Selfless. Tireless. Relentless. There are plenty of ways to describe the number one guy in everyone’s life – Daddy Dearest. However, ‘well-rested’ usually isn’t in that lexicon. For the man who is consistently on the go, mid-June offers the perfect time for him to relax and regroup. With an entire family of items specifically engineered to take care of your cleaning needs while staying mindful of the environment, Ha-Ra feels a kinship with your devoted patriarch. Here are a number of suggestions on how to help him unwind this upcoming Father’s Day weekend:

One, if by Air:

A lesser utilized mode of air transportation that is no less fun than any other method to travel through the clouds is getting dad a hot-air balloon ride. Depending on the location and on the weather, someone can schedule an approximate hour-long trip for between $100 and $300 per person. And what better way to help dad see everything from that bird’s eye view than with a good set of Aviators. Ranging from $30 to $300, make sure to keep those specs sparkling with Ha-Ra’s Eyeglass Cloth. For use with eyeglasses or binoculars, and even on electronic screens for smart phones, tablets, and more, there’s no water needed to keep those surfaces shimmering. Removing finger prints, grease, and dust, Ha-Ra’s Eyeglass Cloth with give dad that twenty-twenty while up in the air and long after he’s come back down to the ground.

Two, if by Sea:

Whether dad sometimes slips off with a minnow of a jet ski or can always be found cruising with a shark of a speedboat, summer signifies time on the water. Take the weekend to treat dad to some fishing, big sport or little pond, some death defying water acrobatics, water skiing or parasailing, or just relax on the beach, taking in some sun or crushing a high-octane workout. Regardless of the method or the location, make sure to stay hydrated and responsible with a packed, top of the line cooler. With a price tag upwards of $400, you’ll want to make sure that cooler stays spotless with the Ha-Ra Mach6 Glove. For use on most all surfaces, the Mach6 is 100% polyamide fiber; the white is tightly woven for high capillary action and the blue and white mottled fiber is a combination of fibers, to help remove stubborn dirt and release it with ease.

Three… sure, three, if by Land:

Dune buggies, go-karts, motorcycles, classic hot-rods – most dads have given them all up. Proudly. The mini-van is now their preferred means of travel. Able to transport baseball teams in a single trip, dad has helped the crew get to where it needs to go and has long since said goodbye to his need for speed. Renew this with a drive-along with a professional racing instructor for as low as $100 or a full solo experience behind the wheel of a professional racing car coming in around $500. Depending on how fast takes those turns he might just need a Ha-Ra Natura Cloth to tidy up the dash. Ideal for damp dusting, the cloth can be used for cabinets, furniture, doors, and glass surfaces. The polyester fiber cleans and moisturizes; the cotton fabric absorbs the water and dirt. This combination of fibers saves time and reduces cleaning and polishing to one step.

From brand new fathers of infants to multi-generational heads of households, dad is sure to smile with whatever goodwill you send his way this summer. Just make sure that regardless of what path you choose, you let him know how much you love him and appreciate the life lessons he has sent your way. Ha-Ra appreciates the men and women across this country helping to raise their children and their families into wonderful members of society. Please follow the Ha-Ra blog for updates on all of our cleaning projects, and our thoughts and suggestions on how everyone can help keep our earth healthy, our wallets full, and our lives so fresh and so clean!