Back to school also means back to sharing germs! According to a recent study, nearly 22 million school days are lost each year due to the common cold and flu. So it is natural that there is a concern about germs.
Seventh Generation is sharing tips from a familiar name for many of us, Dr. Alan Green, who is a best selling author and pediatrician. Dr. Greene suggests taking the following precautions:
Optimize the immune system
Reap the benefits of probiotics like those found in yogurt. A recent study showed that children who received enough probiotics daily throughout the cold and flu season had a significant reduction in the number of illnesses they had and, when they did get sick, the symptoms were both milder and didn’t last as long.- Be sure your child is getting plenty of vitamin D from the sun, from food, or from a supplement. (I was amazed to find out I had a Vitamin D deficiency as I thought I was pretty healthy! So now I’m taking a super supplement to help get my levels stabilized!)
- Build a strong foundation. Good food, good sleep, and good physical activity all help the immune system to flourish.
Be wise about reducing unnecessary exposure to harmful germs
- Teach children the key times to clean their hands in the classroom. The most important times include after sneezing, coughing or using the restroom, upon leaving “high-risk” places (recess, naptime, play stations) and before meals or snacks.
- Sixty percent of teachers surveyed said that they request that parents donate disinfecting wipes to the classroom. Seventh Generation’s disinfecting wipes kill 99.99% of germs naturally using the active ingredient thyme, a component of thyme oil which is derived from the herb thyme.
- Stress the importance of not touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Demonstrate to your children how to cover their mouth and nose for every cough and sneeze. This simple maneuver has spectacular results in decreasing the spread of viruses and bacteria floating about the room, waiting to be inhaled.
The Seventh Generation Wipes are probably my favorite item as they are so handy to have in the bathroom and aren’t packed full of unnecessary chemicals like other brands. I think the paper towels and tissues are a little too stiff for my liking.
Would you like to try these for yourself?
Seventh Generation through My Blog Spark has provided me an additional Seventh Generation “Back-to-School” kit for one lucky Bargain Briana reader! It will include (1) Seventh Generation backpack, (2) Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes, disinfecting multi-surface spray cleaner, facial tissue, and paper towel.
How to Win?
You can enter up to 5 times with the following methods:
1. Leave a comment with how you keep your house clean during the school year!
2. Become a Facebook Liker of Bargain Briana and Seventh Generation on Facebook.
3. Tweet the following on Twitter:
@bargainbriana is giving away a @SeventhGen Back to School Cleaning Kit http://bit.ly/c8RzZD #myblogspark
4. Subscribe to my free newsletter via email or RSS. You must confirm your email subscription for it to be a valid entry. If you are already a subscriber, leave a comment letting me know you are already subscribed.
5. Place BargainBriana.com on your blogroll or place the Bargain Briana button on your sidebar.
Please leave a comment for each additional entry.
Giveaway ends 8/17 /2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Winner will be chosen by random. Be sure bargainbriana@gmail.com is in your safe sender list as you don’t want to miss the email if you are the chosen winner. If winner doesn’t respond to my email within 48 hours, I will pick another winner. U.S. Entries only.
Seventh Generation through My Blog Spark provided this giveaway and products to giveaway in order for me to facilitate this review. Post was written 100% by me and was not edited by the sponsor. Read more on my Disclosure Policy.
Want to win more? Enter to win the rest of my current giveaways!
I use clorox wipes religously
I use rubbing alcohol to clean the areas most likely to pick up cold and flu germs.
The only way to keep the house clean is to stay organized and make sure to clear spaces every day. If clutter is allowed to build up, it multiplies and takes over.
kimbly at g mail dot com
use all natural purpose cleaner ty.
I keeep my house clean a little bit at a time. I make the kids pick up after themselves and I do the same. Instead of trying to clean everything at once, I will clean a counter one day, a floor the next, etc. It works quite well.
After my kids leave for school, I do a whirlwind cleaning job then head off to work.
I try to keep on top of little messes so they don’t become big messes. Thanks for the giveaway!
I insist the kids must always pick up after themselves especially during the school year.
I clean while the kids are at school and then do touch up cleaning after they’ve gone to bed. Thanks for the contest!
http://twitter.com/slehan/status/21430358658
I subscribe via e-mail!
I clean up messes as soon as they happen!
The same way I do all the rest of the year. Thanks for the contest.
We (try) to keep the house clean with individual laundry baskets for everyone that backpacks, shoes, etc can be thrown in at the end of the day.
I’m an rss subscriber
I use disinfecting wipes regularly! They are a quick and simple way to make sure the house is clean and germs are in check.
I am already a subscriber to your e-mail newsletter. Thanks!
I keep my house clean during the school year by using the wipes as much as possible. Makes cleaning simpler and quick and easy fo the kids to help!
I subscribe via RSS
I try to clean one thing every day, so wipe down bathroom counter and sink one day, then straighten and clean the kitchen counters the next. That way it doesn’t feel so overwhelming to do everything at once.
I try to pick up or clean at least one thing everytime I see it or look at it. It’s like eating the elephant a bite at a time. Not that it always works, but I try!
emai subscriber
jan_ackerson at yahoo dot com
fb fan of bargain briana and seventh generation.
jan_ackerson at yahoo dot com
I keep my house clean during the school year by doing a room a day.
jan_ackerson at yahoo dot com
I use Lysol wipes quite often.
Actually I don’t worry about it so much during the week, but on Saturday morning everyone pitches in and cleans before anything else.
subscribe to feed via google reader
http://twitter.com/kngmckellar/status/21407566335
tweet
Facebook Liker of Bargain Briana and Seventh Generation on Facebook- gloria mckellar
I wipe down bathroom faucets with cleaner and dust and vacuum regularly.
I follow your blog through Google Reader
I keep my house clean by having the kids help me.. Each child has a chore and is expected to help me keep our house clean.
blogroll’d http://simplydab.blogspot.com/
I’m an email subscriber.
I tweeted http://twitter.com/simplydab/status/21404683424
I follow you both on Facebook.
Disinfecting wipes in all rooms of the house (a bit overkill perhaps, but if something comes up it’s easier if they’re already there), plus the car, and at work. If I keep up with the little things as they come up, it makes regular cleaning sooo much easier.
I subscribe to your blog’s rss feed thru google reader.
I have a daily cleaning schedule so I make sure each room is cleaned either once or twice a week.
I try to sanitize high traffic areas.
subscribe
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
like both on fb
amydelong
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
we use lots of lysol wipes and i clean every day!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
I SUBSCRIBED TO YOUR E-MAIL
I TRY TO CLEAN AT LEAST ONE ROOM THOROUGHLY DAILY AND THE OTHERS JUST HIT AND MISS
We try and do a little bit everyday rather than letting things go and having a major cleaning needed.
I have a chore schedule that I try to stay on that allows me to focus on small areas each day so I do not get overwhelmed.
‘Two hands in, two hands out’ basically everyone as they move through the house pick up anything that doesn’t belong where it is and takes it wherever they are going.
Pick up as soon as you mess up as you wont feel like doing it later.
added you to my blogroll
http://jessilyn82.blogspot.com/
email subscriber
jessibear19(at)aol(dot)com
tweet
https://twitter.com/Jessilyn82/status/21386723149
We use a lot of hand sanitizer around here!
I have the kids help me with chores to keep the house clean.
here is my tweet
http://twitter.com/rosidentevil/status/21374800069
I like you both on FaceBook (Louis Here) :)
frequent smaller clean ups help me in the long run
I sub to email
I keep the food clean and teachthem to wash their hands
I keep the house clean by taking 15 minutes before bed to pick up really fast.
RSS feed on Google
FB friends forever
tweeted @niclemons
I liek to clean the bathroom and kitchen daily with 3 boys. When done daily not hard each time.
By cleaning up messes as soon as they happen… and by making people clean after themselves.
I clean a little bit every day as I go along! Then weekends I hit it with the cleaning supplies. It works on a daily basis!
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/SewMuchStuff/status/21363689214
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
Your button is on my blog
http://sewmuchmorestuff.blogspot.com
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
I subscribe via google reader (RSS)
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
I like you both on Facebook (Erin E)
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
I keep the house clean during the school year by making sure the countertops are kept clean and wiped down. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
I try to clean as we go..
I am a facebook fan as well as an email subscriber.
clean as you go
I follow by email
I try to do a little a day to keep up on it.
I try to wash at least 2 loads of laundry and a load of dishes daily. Sweeping the floors daily is a must too-yuck.
mommieseatsoggycereal at gmail dot com
i subscribe to your emails
i am a fan of Bargain Briana and Seventh Generation on facebook.
we use lots of clorox wipes and lysol and hand sanitizer
I like to keep hand sanitizer in the bathroom and kitchen. It comes in handy to have it in places most used. I already follow on facebook and subscribe to the email. I would love to try the Seventh Generation products. Thanks.
I use natural and save cleaning products like Seventh Generation!
I have your main button in my left sidebar: http://asahmlookingforadeal.blogspot.com/
I’m an email subscriber, coriwestphal at msn dot com.
Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/21289273402
I like both on FB: Cori Eckstrom Westphal
I make sure my kids clean up toys and their bathroom every night before bed. That way things don’t get backed up! And I plan as much as I can the night before, that way we’re not rushing. When we rush, we leave a trail of mess!
I am a subscriber
kat_1982us at yahoo.com
I am a fan on FB tobykatiesexton
kat_1982us at yahoo.com
My little guy has a medical disorder and he gets sick easy because of it. So I am constantly cleaning and looking for the best products that are the safest for my family.
I have already subscribed. I am telling you because of the 7th generation giveaway. thanks for the invite to win
I’m a facebook liker :)
I definitely try to use lysol wipes, especially at school! I’m always afraid I’m bringing the little ones’ germs home with me, lots of hand sanitizer and soap!
RSS subscriber
handwashing, definitely
I like you on Facebook.
I also tweeted out at @staceywalker2
I’m going to try to remember to use santizers in the house this year.
I also like 7th gen on Facebook
I like you on Facebook!
I’m a feed subscriber
Bargain Brianna Fan too :)
Seventh Generation Fn on FB :)
Email subscriber
Like you both on FB
I help keep my house clean by using disinfecting wipes
I’m an RSS sbscriber – thanks!~
By just keeping on top of it – constantly!
Rules about doing your own dishes!
I wipe down bathroom surfaces daily and encourage everyone to wash their hands frequently!
I tweeted about this great giveaway!
http://twitter.com/PearlMom/status/21078201785
I am an email subscriber!
I keep the house clean by keeping things put away!
rss subscriber!
I’m a teacher so during the school year I change my clothes and wash my hands as soon as I get home in order to keep germs shared between school and home to a minimum.
I subscirbe via Google Reader to your blog.
I’m not a very clean person! Our family sure could use this 7th generation kit to keep the house clean!
I tweeted about giveaway
I like seventh generation on facebook
I like you on facebook
I am a email subscriber
We always clean as we go because if left it seems to just get out of control.
Hand sanitizer is our best friend :)
we use alot of wipes to sanitize everything and alot of soap for hands
I try to keep the kitchen and bathrooms to a strict onces per week good deep clean to limite the germs.
Subscribe via RSS.
http://twitter.com/HappyMomC/status/21059102849
Facebook Liker of Bargain Briana and Seventh Generation
I clean as I go instead of waiting for a day to do it…that way, cleaning is not too overwhelming!
I tweeted as @bmom76
http://twitter.com/bmom76/status/21053145021
I am an email subscriber.
We use wipes like crazy. We also have a chore chart, everyone cleans a little every day.
I LOVE their disinfectant wipes!
I receive your emails through feedburner! :) (AND LOVE THEM!)
I like 7th Gen on FB!
I like BB on FB!
I subscribe with google reader
tweet
http://twitter.com/marymccannon/status/21037780970
I like you both on facebook!
We use a lot of lysol and hand sanitizer!
I like Bargain Briana and Seventh Generation on Facebook
I subscribe through a reader.
I’m all about the disinfectant wipes!
I subscribe to your e-mail.
I like BB and SG on FB.
I clean our most touched items everyday.
email subscriber
Well I have to vaccum everyday (3 Cats)LOL! I always do a quick wipedown in the kitchen and bathroom daily. Everyone has a basket to do their nitely pickup before bed. Once a week a complete clean of house and everyone pitches in to help.
I try to concentrate on one area of the house each day and just do residual cleaning in the other areas daily.
I subscribe via email.
Clean bathroom counter and toilet while boys are in tub.
We do cleaning on the weekends.
Bargain Briana is on my blogroll.
My man and I chit chat about the day while we clean up and do laundry after supper. We get to spend time together and get things done on weeknights so we can enjoy the weekend.
i’m already a subscriber
To keep my house clean during the school year, we do lots of handwashing and cleaning doorknobs with sanitizer.
I tweeted (@bafee1205)
I’m a FB fan of BB and Seventh Gen
You’re on my blogroll
I’m an email subscriber
I subscribe via email.
I make guests take their shoes off at the door and leave them in the entryway, so they don’t track in dirt and germs. It makes a difference!
Have a place for everything, with all the stuff that comes home each day from school. That way I can clean surfaces as needed every day without having to move stuff around.
I subscribe to your newsletter via email.
I am an RSS subscriber
like Seventh Generation and Bargain Briana on facebook
I have a cleaning schedule.
email subscriber
tweeted
http://twitter.com/lmurley2000/status/21013777607
like both on facebook-lmurley2000
i do one thing daily, dust one day, vacuum one day, wash mirrors one day
I subscribe via email.
Staying on top of things and I like to use green products or homemade cleaners as well.
bargain Briana email subscriber
Follow you on twitter @wildorchids09 and tweeted http://twitter.com/WildOrchids09/status/21010218802
i tweeted about the giveaway heres the link
http://twitter.com/mamw123
Like Bargain Briana and Seventh Generation on FB C.J. Jennings
I keep the high traffic areas like the kitchen, livingroom bathroom and other crevices like door handles the phone and the remote clean by disinfecting with wipes and spray every other day! I also keep my home shoe free to reduce pesticides and let major rooms like the kitchen and living air out naturally by raising the window wide open a couple times a week before the weather starts getting colder
i am an email subscriber to you
i am a facebook fan of urs and 7th generation
we use lysol and/or clorox wipes, hand soap and sanatizer, making sure that its antibactieral stuff!
I’m an email subscriber.
I try to do a little bit of cleaning each day and finish whatever needs to be done on the weekends.
One thing I like to do especially during the cold/flu season is hand each of the kids a disenfecting wipe and have them help wipe down all the door knobs, light switches, remotes, and so on. They have fun doing it and it gets surfaces I don’t always think about clean again.
I subscribe to your emails.
I just try to wipe the surfaces down with disinfectant daily.
E-mail subscriber
I wake up before everyone else to cook breakfast, while cooking, I sweep the floors!
Aaaand I’m an email subscriber.
Fingers crossed!
I’m also a “liker” on facebook.
I try my best to keep my dorm in good order most of the time, but if things get out of hand, I take at least one afternoon per week to do things like dust and vacuum.
Facebook Liker of Seventh Generation.
Facebook Liker of Bargain Briana.
E-mail subscriber to Bargain Briana.
I try to clean and neaten every morning.
We do the following around our house: Use Kleenex Hand Towels instead of reg. cloth towels, Use Lysol Automatic Soap Dispenser instead of soap, Wipe down everything with santizer daily and vaccum.
We use a lot of antibacterial products.
Little bits at a time! If you are heading to the bedrooms, grab something that belongs that way. If you are going to the kitchen, bring along all dirty dishes you find on your way. This principle was drilled into me early on when I was a busperson/waiter, it is called “Two hands in, Two hands out” or in other words, your hands should always be full. This works all year round too!
I am already an email subscriber!
I tweeted about this giveaway on Twitter!
I like both pages on Facebook!
I always start the school year with some new organizational toy; a new set of storage bins, a new desk organizer, something. It helps keep us all motivated about keeping things neat and tidy.
I subscribe to your email!
I’ve found that if I clean up right after I do something it helps out immensly. I also clean as i go so that i don’t have to spend hours on a weekend just trying to straighten up the house.
I willdo a little housework each day so weekends don’t have to be spent cleaning
I like both on facebook.
I subscribe to your newsletter via email.
I follow you via Google Reader!
I like Bargain Briana on Facebook!
I ‘liked’ Bargain Briana and Seventh Generation on Facebook.
I like Seventh Generation on Facebook!
I spray down counters with Seventh Generation and use their wipes for door knobs, remotes, etc!
I use disinfectant wipes on my counters, bathrooms and door handles to help keep my home germ free.
I subscribe via RRS feed.
I subscrive via google reader
Disinfecting wipes are my go-to item! They’re easy and they do the job right.
I love the disinfecting wipes and would love to try Seventh Generation’s product!
I subscribe to your feed!
by using my husband to do it. seriously, we use disinfecting wipes on kitchen counter tops daily.
I use disinecting wipes everywhere! I have some in the kitchen and the bathrooms all the time!
I’m a feed subscriber.
I’m a little extreme; in the door from school, clothes in the washer, kid in the bath.
I liked Seventh Generation and Bargain Briana on FB
I keep my house clean by encouraging lots of good old fashioned hand washing.
I subscribe to your RSS feed
I vacuum (almost) everyday and use wipes in the bathroom
I have a 2 year old so we don’t have to worry about him bringing home germs but I work as a nurse in a hospital so I am exposed and my husband works in a college dorm so he is exposed. We try to wipe down everything at least once a day and do frequent laundry! Lots of handwashing!!
I wipe everything down with a sanitizing wipe daily to keep the germs down.
I pay special attention to community items–such as the faucet handles and telephones.
You’re on my blogroll!
RSS subscriber.
I tweeted about this giveaway also.
I ‘Like’ Bargain Briana and Seventh Generation on Facebook.
We do laundry daily.
I am an email subscriber as well as a liker of both on FB:)
I don’t do anything different during the school year than I would do any other time, but I always make sure to clean up right away and don’t leave messes all over. I do an all over good cleaning once a week too. I so far have loved all the Seventh Generation products that I have used. They have a good scent too!!
**WINNER**
I clean the counters every time after I use them!
Doing dishes that I can’t put in the dishwasher by hand right after dinner.
I subscribe to your blog!
RSS subscriber
mearley1979 at gmail dot com
I try to clean as I go, the little things that can be done within 1 or 2 minutes like gathering dirty laundry, cleaning an area of the counter that I got dirty, or throwing away a spoiled jar of pickles!
I like both BB and SG on FB
mearley1979 at gmail dot com
I keep my house clean by washing the counters and doing dishes as I cook dinner.
mearley1979 at gmail dot com
I like BB on fb.
I like 7th Generation
I have an obsession with light switches and doorknobs/handles, I always clean them.
I subscribe to your free newsletter via email.
I shared your site with my friends :)
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i already am a “liker” of you and seventh generation :)
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My daughter will be starting 1st Grade :) this year and since i have to get a job & put my 3 yo into (family run) daycare, im assuming this school year will be the easiest year to keep the house clean :) We wash our hands all the time here, i love the clorox wipes, im excited to try these products :)
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I subscribe to your email.
I keep a bottle of hand sanitizer on the kitchen counter and on the kids bathroom counter. They are more likely to use it if it’s in plain sight.
I like you on FB and Seventh Generation.
I sanitize the doorknobs.
We use hand sanitizer often during the day while out and at home.
I tweeted (nleighs)
I use alot of papertowels and spray cleaner! Probably quicker and better for the environment to use the wipes you are discussing!!
I am an email subscriber! : )
I liked Seventh Avenue on facebook.
I like you on facebook.
We homeschool so keeping the house clean is a special challenge. I have a list of daily/weekly chores that makes it easier. We have 5 minute “turbo clean” sessions, we pick up everything and organize until the timer goes off.
I try to keep my home clean during the school year by sanitizing EVERYTHING weekly.
I subscribe through google reader.
I try to vacuum daily, spot clean the bathroom every day, and then do regular weekly cleaning one day a week. It doesn’t take long if I keep after it every day.
I tweeted!! http://twitter.com/CouponClipNMama
After the girls go to bed I spend some time cleaning/sanitizing. It is nice and quiet then and I can focus!
i’m constantly picking something up & i have a weekly list of must do’s and what hasn’t been done by sunday gets done then.
I am an email subscriber.
I’m a Facebook liker of Bargain Briana and Seventh Generation..
wipe down countertops and sweep daily. love love love the 7th Gen toilet bowl cleaner…works better than anything else!
I like Seventh Generation on FB.
School just started for us this week. I have found in the past 4 days that it is much easier to keep the house clean when the 4 older kids are at school and I only have the 2 little ones home. I found that cleaning up right after meals saves me a lot of headache later in the day. Otherwise I am cleaning the kitchen and trying to make meals at the same time. Also I’ve been using nap time to get a good pick up of the whole house before school gets out. Then I have the kids help do a quick pick up right before daddy gets home from work so it looks nice for him. My house has never looked better. lol :D
I like you on FB.
I’m an email subscriber. :)
Spend 15 minutes at night organizing for the next morning.
Email subscriber of yours.
tweeted
http://twitter.com/winsome6/status/20969953020
I do laundry almost every day and sanitize faucets daily, as I have time.
I’m a Facebook Liker of Bargain Briana and Seventh Generation on Facebook.
I try to change the hand towels daily and sanitize areas on a regular basis, but the most important thing I’ve found is to clean as you go instead of waiting till everything is overwhelming.