Just how safe are your household cleaners? Are you sure that you and your family are not being exposed to harmful chemicals? This week’s tip is about Green housekeeping and learning about Green methods and options for cleaning.
There are currently no standards for the labeling on cleaning products or any requirements to disclose all ingredients. Additionally, unlike foods, the order of ingredients listed is not reflective of greatest amount to least amount. Many products on the market claim to be “natural”, “safe”, biodegradable”, and “eco-friendly” but are left unregulated. The terms are vague and can be left to interpretation Here are some ways to avoid false marketing claims and clean healthier.
• Look for the word “organic.”
Cleaning products that have the word organic on them are the only products that have passed Federal standards.
• Read the labels.
Avoid products containing the following harmful chemicals: Ammonia, butyl cellosolve, chlorine bleach, d-limonene, disinfectants, fragrances, hydrochloric and sulfuric acid, naptha, petroleum-based ingredients, phosphates, sodium hydroxide (lye), and diethenolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA).
• Make your own (non-toxic) cleaners.
Baking soda can be used to clean in the kitchen, to treat stains, and remove odors. White vinegar can be used to help kill germs, kill weeds, as well deodorize the home. Hydrogen peroxide can be used in place of bleach for stain removal and bleaching and killing of germs. Borax could be used to freshen laundry and cream of tartar can be used to remove stains in bathtubs/showers. Home made cleaning recipes can be found at greenerchoices.org and thegreenguide.com.
• Do the research to find healthier products before you get to the store.
Green Seal and the EPA’s Design for the Environment are two organizations identifying green household products. (Greenseal.org and epa.gov/dfe) Two of the most familiar brands I noted from the websites were the Green Works and Method cleaning products. I personally use Mrs. Meyers all-purpose cleaner; you dilute it and it last forever, cleans everything, and the lavender scent is refreshing.
This week’s Green tip is about conserving water. Did you know that your toilet is the single largest user of water in your home? Toilets account for approximately 40% of water use in homes. Here are three ways to save water and money from going down the toilet.
First, you can save water by placing a large river rock or a two-liter bottle filled with water in the back of your tank. This will keep your tank from filling all of the way with water and will still get the job done. Best of all it doesn’t cost much and is a quick fix.
Second, there is a product I found on the internet called the dual flush toilet conversion kit, sold by a company in Michigan for $30. It can be installed on most toilets and the company claims it can reduce water use by 42 gallons per day for a 4 person family, flushing 20 times a day. It works by allowing the user to turn the handle two different directions, one for a full flush and the other for just a rinse. http://www.dualflushkit.com/
Finally, one of the hottest trends in home remodels and building is to install a dual flush toilet. You can choose a large flush or a small flush depending on the need. They cost about $300 and can be purchased almost anywhere toilets are sold.
Toilets built before 1980 use approximately 6-7 gallons per flush, newer toilets use about 3.5 gallons and energy efficient toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush. I challenge you to think about how can you help to save water, our most precious natural resource, and save money by using less water this weekend. Calculate your water use at www.nwf.org/water/watercalculator.
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