greenliving

reactions with one another. For exam- ple, combining bleach and ammonia creates deadly chloramine fumes.

Use less toxic products. Avoid prod-

ucts marked “Danger” and “Poison,” and reduce the use of those labeled “Caution.”

• Avoid products containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), especially if anyone in the home has asthma. Aerosol sprays, cleaners and disinfec- tants, moth repellents and air fresheners are likely to contain VOCs.

The Dirt on Cleaning

Choose to Have a Green, Clean, Toxin-free Home

by Erin Switalski

D

espite what our moth- ers told us,

a clean home isn’t always a healthy one. The laundry de- tergents, tub and tile sprays, air freshen- ers, drain cleaners and antibacterial soaps that promise “fresh and clean” may hide unseen and undisclosed dangers.

According to

Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), a national women’s environmental

The Environmental

Working Group’s analysis of 20 common cleaning products used in California schools found hundreds of airborne contaminants not listed as ingredients by manufacturers. A test that chose three green-certified classroom cleaners versus three common conventional cleaners cut the total number of air contaminants detected from 66 to 15.

organization, there are some 85,000 chemicals contained in products in the consumer marketplace, and only a frac- tion have been tested for their impact on human health. Labeling on cleaning products is not regulated, and not every manufacturer voluntarily discloses in-

40 Collier/Lee Counties

gredients. To safely power through household dirt and bacteria without using question- able chemicals, try WVE’s green clean- ing tips.

Use fewer prod-

ucts. An all-pur- pose cleaner can handle many clean- ing jobs around the house. It is not necessary to use a different prod- uct for each room (bathroom cleaner, kitchen cleaner,

etc.). Check out the National Geo-

graphic Green Guide list of all-purpose

cleaners at TheGreenGuide.com/buy-

ing-guide/all-purpose-cleaners.

Never mix products. Chemicals in

cleaning products can have dangerous

swfl.naturalawakeningsmag.com

• Avoid chemicals linked to repro- ductive harm. Products that contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as butoxyethanol and other glycol ethers include: all-purpose, glass, oven, tub/ tile, carpet and floor cleaners; degreas- ers; stain removers; floor strippers; and metal polishes. The surfactant alkyl phenol ethoxylate (APE) is found pri- marily in: laundry detergents; non-chlo- rine sanitizers; deodorizers; floor care products; and multi-purpose, carpet and toilet bowl cleaners.

• Seek products that have been certi- fied by an independent institution such as Green Seal (GreenSeal.org) or

EcoLogo (EcoLogo.org).

Avoid air fresheners. They contain

fragrances and other irritants associated with watery eyes, headaches, skin and respiratory irritations, asthma and al- lergic reactions. They may also contain VOCs and the known carcinogens, benzene and formaldehyde.

Reduce the use of disinfectants. Ex-

posure to antimicrobial chemicals has been linked to potential health impacts, and their overuse has contributed to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or “superbugs.”

Scientists agree that soap and water are effective for most routine cleaning jobs, and research has dem- onstrated that safer alternatives, such as vinegar and borax, have antibacte- rial properties. Two simple solutions to prevent bacteria growth on sponges and cloths are microwaving sponges for one minute and regularly laundering washcloths. Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64