Green cleaning involves using environmentally friendly products over products that contain harsh chemicals. Before you toss out your chemical cleaners, try to find out when a toxic waste recycling day will be held in your community. According to the Planet Green website, putting toxic cleaners in your trash may allow it to end up back in your water supply.
Size
Florida's Department of Environmental Protection website states that on average, 63 chemical products can be found in each home in the United States. It is estimated that each home has about 10 gallons of synthetic chemicals stored. In 2007, there were over 200,000 logged calls to poison control centers where an individual had been exposed to chemicals found in household cleaners.
Types
The Environmental Protection Agency states that indoor pollution levels may be as high as 100 times outdoor levels and the pollution is caused in part by household cleaners. Household cleaning products contain dangerous chemicals, such as glycol ethers, denatured ethanol and formaldehyde. Glycol ethers can cause reproductive issues, denatured ethanol is linked to central nervous system problems and formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, according to the Inhabitat website.
Prevention/Solution
Natural and green cleaning agents can be found around your home. Some examples include vinegar, lemon juice, mineral oil and baking soda. Vinegar neutralizes odors and can clean stone and glass surfaces. Lemon juice deodorizes and can remove stains out of fabrics. Mineral oil may be used as a furniture polish, while baking soda cleans and polishes metal and plastic surfaces. When buying cleaners, look for products labeled "green." They should not contain any toxic ingredients, such as petroleum and formaldehyde, and instead contain cleaning agents like borax and grain alcohol.
Considerations
Instead of using paper towels, clean with a reusable and washable towel or rag. According to Florida's Department of Environmental Protection website, 3,000 tons of paper towels are sent to the landfill each day. It is estimated that each family saves about $100 yearly by using rags and towels to clean instead of paper towels.
Warning
Most dry cleaners use a cleaning agent called perchloroethylene, also known as perc. This cleaning agent is toxic to humans, according to the Planet Green website. If you do happen to get clothes dry cleaned using this agent, the clothes should first be aired out. Alternative green dry cleaning methods typically use carbon dioxide to clean clothes. Before you drop off your clothing to the dry cleaners, ask which method the establishment uses.
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