As published in the Lafayette Today newspaper.
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This is a famous time of year to embark on a little “spring cleaning.” But, our valiant cleaning efforts can actually make our homes less safe and less healthy. Most of the conventional cleaning products that we all grew up with are petroleum-based and have toxic ingredients, yet are applied everywhere in our homes: on countertops, furniture, floors, windows, tubs, etc. If we took inventory at the average American home we’d find 63 synthetic chemical products, adding up to about 10 gallons of harmful chemicals. Because of that and other toxic sources, the EPA has found that indoor air pollution can be up to 100 times higher than outdoor air pollution. So, this month we’re providing tips to “green your cleaning” and give your home a fresh beginning.
Clean With Reusable Wipes and Scrubbers - Spring cleaning doesn't have to result in a trash can full of used paper towels. Doesn’t it seem a waste to use a tree for a single-use item? Well how’s this: If every household in the United States replaced one roll of virgin-fiber paper towels with 100 percent recycled paper towels, we could save 1.4 million trees. And remember that used paper towels can be added to your green yard waste in Lamorinda (unbleached are best). Better yet is to use reusable cloth rags and scrub brushes whenever possible. You can make cleaning rags out of old clothes. Natural sponges include those made of wood-pulp cellulose.
Use Natural Air Fresheners - A clean house is often associated with a "fresh" smell, so it's ironic that synthetic air fresheners could be contaminating homes with phthalates or formaldehyde. It is not uncommon for the air inside a home or office to be more toxic than the air outside (sometimes up to 100 times more toxic). To really freshen up a room, try opening the windows first. Keeping windows open as often as possible allows fresh air in and keeps toxins flowing out. This is especially important when cleaning your home. Next, invest in houseplants. They are good for filtering interior air--pretty much any broad green leaf plant will do. Some favorite choices include: the peace lily, spider plant, golden pothos, mother-in-law's tongue, bamboo palm, ficus, pot mum, and gerbera daisy. To add a pleasant scent, try boiling cinnamon, cloves, or any other herbs you have a fondness for.
Try a Green House Cleaning Service - For people that don’t have the time to clean their own homes, fortunately there are an increasing number of green cleaning services out there to help get things spic and span. If you can’t find one in your area (or their rates are outlandish), call around until you find a service willing to use the products and methods you specify.
Recyce Unwanted Items - After you've purged your closets (recycling everything, of course) and dusted off your shelves, set the stage for a cleaner, greener year. Use spring cleaning as an excuse to organize and drop off all of your household hazardous waste, old electronics, old shoes, old batteries and a wide range of other things that can be recycled and not dumped in the garbage.
To learn more tips for reducing your environmental impact and to read success stories written by your neighbors, visit www.sustainablelafayette.net
link to PDF of Lafayette Today that
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