Saturday, March 20, 2010

Household Cleaners

From www.TogetherGreen.org

Many household cleansers contain toxins and chemicals. They are linked to human health problems such as respiratory ailments, eye and skin irritation, and headaches. They can also lead to more serious reproductive issues and cancer. Cleansers carry toxins down the drain and put VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the air. Although there are no set environmental standards for household cleansers, and manufacturers are not required to list ingredients, it's worthwhile to seek out less harmful products.

Look for products with environmentally friendly ingredients instead of petroleum, phthalates, phosphates/EDTA, chlorine and antibacterial agents. Buy olive oil polishes, natural citrus oils (orange and lemon) for degreasers, and tea tree and eucalyptus for disinfectants (they'll freshen the air at the same time). Natural drain openers use digesting bacteria and enzymes to eat through clogs. Non-chlorine bleach uses oxygen to whiten and brighten clothes. You can make your own household cleansers with items on your kitchen shelves; a paste of baking soda and water is good for scouring, and diluted white vinegar can clean windows and kill bacteria, mold, and viruses.

www.togethergreen.org