11.09.07
How to Reduce Common Household Chemical Pollution at Home
I’m becoming increasingly agitated by the sheer load of common household chemicals sitting around my house. Until recently I didn’t understand that many of these products are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which constantly emit small amounts of chemical vapor into the air. One at a time these might not be so bad, but these vapors, taken together, can produce a staggering amount of chemical exposure. Far more than is necessary or safe, especially for smaller bodies like children or pets. Indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air, and some scientists believe there’s a connection with increased cancer rates in industrialized nations versus more agrarian countries. There are many types of indoor pollution from biologic (pet dander, mites, bacteria, etc.) to chemical like pesticides to introduced soot like chimney and candle pollutants. In this post, we’ll deal with how to get a handle on spiraling stashes of cleaning products, one of the prime offenders.
First, centralize (segregate) all your cleaning products in one place to sort through and then store. I chose the garage to get them out of the house. If you’re in an apartment and have access to a storage unit, why not place your infrequently used chemicals there? Otherwise compensate for in-home storage by purging products and seeking out natural alternatives for some common cleaners. You’ll probably have lots of duplicates (I find buying glass cleaner is like mayonnaise – it’s one of those things I always think I’m out of). I also discovered I had multiple types of the same cleaner, each craftily designed for a slightly different use. Here’s my count:
- Carpet cleaner (2 types)
- Carpet stain remover
- Upholstery cleaner
- Glass cleaner (3)
- Countertop cleaner
- Tub & tile cleaner (2)
- Oven cleaner
- Lime/water deposit remover
- Silver polish
- Chrome & stainless polish
- Toilet bowl cleaner (2)
- Lemon & orange oil wood cleaner (4)
- Disinfectant cleaner (2)
- Floor cleaner, general
- Hardwood floor cleaner
- Bleach soft scrub (2)
- Dusting cleaner (2)
- Drain declogger (2)
- Steamer cleaner solution
- X-O odor neutralizer (all-natural = OK)
That’s 31 different containers, containing mildly hazardous to potentially fatal-if-inhaled or ingested chemical cocktails! Is this necessary? Must I really have two different types of frothy bubbles to handle my soap scum? (I also have Soap Scum cleaner). Nor does this list contain other chemicals such as laundry detergent, bleach, stain treatment, chemical coated dryer sheets, dishwashing detergent, nail polish remover, etc. Do you have paint in the house? Pesticides to handle the roaches? Wood stripper? Candles? Incense? All of these affect your air quality. Are you getting the picture?
Sort through your products and be tough about discarding multiples. Remember your goal is to reduce the concentration of emissions so duplicate items needlessly increase your risk. While you’re at it, root out old paint, strippers and combustible products. Almost every city has hazardous waste collection drop-off. If your paint gallon only has a little paint left, put it in a mason jar for touchups and discard the metal can properly.
Healthy Cleaning
Ironically many huge companies that make the big brand cleaners actually use natural essential oils because there’s simply nothing better than oils like pine or orange for powerful cleaning. The problem is, they don’t stop there but add other chemicals to make these cleaners more efficient or extend their shelf life.
Many of these cleaning products exist simply for convenience. Did you know that 2 natural ingredients will do 90% of your household cleaning?
A gallon jug of white vinegar is nature’s wonder cleaner. The second is baking soda. Between these two products, you can do most home cleaning tasks including glass cleaning, tub & shower, soap scum, mildew, floors, shining sinks, oven and appliance cleaning, scouring, toilets, mineral deposits in showerheads and faucets, even drain cleaning. The vinegar smell goes away quickly. And straight vinegar kills 99% of bacteria.
Scrubbing paste: 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 teaspoon vinegar. Use to clean oven, microwave, stove.
Toilets: Use undiluted vinegar – it’s acidic and great on rings. Flush and before water rises, scrub down with vinegar.
Shining sinks: use straight vinegar on a sponge, rinse thoroughly.
Floors: Diluted vinegar works wonderfully on hardwood and tile (just make sure it’s diluted – undiluted vinegar can eat at grout). Mix a bucket of water with 1/4 cup vinegar. For a really dirty floor, add a couple drops of dishwashing liquid or the juice of a whole lemon.
Silver cleaner: mix 1 teaspoon of water with 3 teaspoons of baking soda.
Glass & Shower: 5 cups water, 1 cup vinegar
Laundry: Instead of fabric softener AND to get rid of lint sticking to darks, add 1/2 cup vinegar to your rinse cycle.
Drain Declog: Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda in your drain. Follow with 1 cup of vinegar. Let them froth for 5 minutes then follow by flushing drain with hot water.
Furniture polish: 1/2 cup olive oil with 1/2 cup lemon or orange juice (squeeze direct from fruit).
I mentioned candles and incense earlier. I didn’t realize that my precious candles can introduce far more than good scents into the air. At a minimum they produce soot, but also potential carcinogens like benzene, tolulene, and formaldehyde. Choose beeswax or soy candles which are cleaner burning than petroleum based candles with cotton wicks (no metal wire inside). Avoid “long burning” candles which frequently contain additives.
Good article on candle issues:
