eHow.com Video: How to Make Natural Cleaners for Shower Curtains

Anjie Cho July 23, 2014

Try using natural cleaners like white vinegar and peroxide to reduce the use of toxic cleaners in your bathroom and keep shower curtains and doors clean

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Video Transcript:

Hi, I'm Anjie Cho, and this is how to make natural cleaners for shower curtains. I think the most offensive and toxic cleaners are the conventional ones made for bathrooms. I'm going to share with you my favorite non-toxic natural cleaners for shower curtains and doors.

First, to get the soap scum and mildew off. White vinegar's excellent for this because its acidic properties can dissolve the soap scum. Spray undiluted white vinegar on your shower curtain and give it some time to work. Come back in an hour, then use a bristle brush to remove the soap scum.

Once your shower curtain or door is nice and clean, you need to keep it up. I love this anti-mildew shower bathtub spray made with hydrogen peroxide. Add a few drops of essential oil, I prefer eucalyptus, put it straight into the brown bottle. Screw a spray bottle top right on there.

By the way, the reason why hydrogen peroxide often comes in these opaque brown bottles is that it can break down quickly in sunlight. Keep the new spray in the shower and spray your curtains and doors after every use. It will help prevent mildew and mold from forming.

You can use easy to find household products like white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to make natural cleaners to keep your shower curtain or door clean and fresh.

by Anjie Cho

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eHow.com Video: How to Decorate A Room With Water Fountains and Plants

Anjie Cho July 2, 2014

Water fountains, available in a variety of styles and sizes, add beauty and harmony to a space while improving air quality and mood. Pair with plants for an ideal design.

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Video Transcript:

Hi, my name is Anjie Cho, and I would like to share with you tips on how to decorate a room with water fountains and plants. Since I’m a feng shui designer, I will also share with you the feng shui applications and meanings.

Water fountains are a great way to add beauty, sound, and humidity for a tranquil and harmonious space. The soothing sounds of water trickling can relax your mind and lower stress levels. The circulating water also releases negative ions which help to purify the air, just like with waterfalls and the ocean. The negative ions produced by the circulating water improve mood and feelings of well-being. The water also creates humidity that moistens the air for humans and for plants – it’s a natural humidifier.

There are different types of fountains that you can have in your home. There are floor fountains that are often tall – they sit on the floor. They are nice to locate next to a wall. There’s also wall-mounted fountains that you can hang on the wall. Be sure to get them installed by a professional with the correct tools and wall anchors, because the wall-mounted fountains can be really heavy.

What I have here is a tabletop fountain. It’s the smallest and easiest way to incorporate a fountain into a room. The tabletop fountains fit easily on a shelf, desk, side table, or anything with a horizontal surface near an electrical outlet. This one is made with resin, stones, and a black metal base. It’s in the shape of a lotus flower, which is a metaphor of beauty coming forth from any situation.

There’s also fountains made with different materials, such as stainless steel and copper. Stone and ceramics are also frequently found. And, sometimes they’re made of resin like this one, that it could be made to simulate different things like natural stone. The style depends upon the décor of your home. Some have lighting, others do not.

In feng shui, water fountains add the element of water to a space, which represents wealth, abundance, and cash flow. An ideal location is near an entry, which is said to stimulate cash to flow into your home from the outside. If used in this manner, it’s better to have a fountain that has a water flow up, and then down. If it’s directional, the flow should be into the home. That way, the wealth flows into your space and not out of your space.

Be sure to maintain them well – nothing’s worse than a fountain with funky water, algae, and slime. Many manufacturers suggest that you use only distilled water. Most tap water has minerals in it that will develop deposits on your fountain and clog the pump. If they do develop, scrub them as soon as they show up so they don’t become permanent. You can also add hydrogen peroxide to the water to inhibit the growth of algae, slime, and other microorganisms. It will keep everything running smoothly. Also, placing the fountain away from sunlight helps prevent algae growth. Never let the pump run dry, so be sure to check the water levels regularly. If it does run dry, it will shorten the life of the pump.

Finally, plants pair perfectly with fountains. The fountain provides negative ions, and the plants provide oxygen. The larger fountains can house plants within them. If you have a small fountain like this, it’s really beautiful to surround it with potted plants, and you can have stands to create a tiered effect.

I’m Anjie Cho, feng shui interior architect with Anjie Cho Architect, and founder of Holistic Spaces. And, this is has been how to decorate your room with water fountains and plants.

by Anjie Cho

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Space Clearing with Sage

Anjie Cho June 25, 2014

If you’ve ever heard the term “smudging” and it wasn’t in reference to mascara, you probably know what saging for space clearing is. Or at least that it exists. Smudging is not a feng shui term, and for our purposes, we will refer to it as saging, but essentially, they are one in the same. Saging dates back hundreds of years, and although it is known to have been present in many cultures, the most relevant and popular history of this practice comes from the American Indian. Native Americans utilized saging based on the idea that during this process, smoke attached itself to any negative energy, and when the smoke dissipated, any negative energy was taken along as well, thus clearing the room of these not-so-friendly vibes. Some research also makes a symbolic connection between the transformation of physical herbs into their spiritual form as smoke. The art of saging is still alive today and can be used for the feng shui practice of space clearing.

Though there are various types of sage, the most commonly used plant for the process of smudging is white sage, which often comes from California, and therefore is referred to as California White Sage. White sage can also be identified by its plant name, Salvia Apiana. Interestingly, the latin term “salvia” is actually derived from the term “to heal,” which serves as another testament to the history of saging. In addition to being most common, white sage is also the most recommended type for use in saging, although it is said that, provided it is dried, garden sage will also work. White sage is recommended, but for the most part, it is the intention behind this practice that grants the process its power. It is worth noting that whatever sage you choose to use, you should make sure it’s pure and organic, otherwise burning it and breathing in the smoke could be very dangerous.

Once you’ve collected the sage for your space clearing, there are specific steps to follow during the actual process.

Before doing anything else, it’s important to clear the space you intend to sage. Ensure that the area is physically clean and clear of clutter. Turn off all electronic devices within the space. Perhaps the most important aspect of saging is the idea of clearing your head and focusing on specific intentions.
Once your intention is set, light the sage, then slowly wave it about to extinguish the fire and produce smoke. If you have a sage stick, hold one end and light the other. If you have chosen to use loose sage, be sure to have a fireproof container near to hold the sage as it burns.
Once your sage is smoking, slowly move through your space to ensure that smoke reaches to all corners and places. Be sure to concentrate on specific areas where energy enters the room such as doorways and hallways, and take time to make sure closet and cabinet doors are open.
If you’ve been compelled to sage your space, you will likely know what area needs attention, so follow that feeling. You can also guide smoke in all four compass directions, to the heavens above, to the earth below, and within.
After you clear a space, make sure to fill it with positive intention!

Some suggest burning incense following the smudging, as sage is a masculine smell with yang features, and the femininity and yin of incense balance this out.

Finally, if possible try to obtain sustainably harvested materials. Do the best you can!

Saging is a great way to clear your space! Although it is not traditionally used in feng shui, it's another tool for creating your own holistic space.

by Anjie Cho