Greener Spring & Summer Cleaning
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 | Comments Off
Ironically, spring/summer cleaning can be hazardous to your family’s health – and to the environment. Many common household cleaners contain alcohol, ammonia, bleach, formaldehyde and lye. Some of these ingredients have been linked with neurological, liver and kidney damage, asthma and cancer. Avoid them by making your own green cleaners. Here are some recipes for simple, effective cleaners:
*Window cleaner; add 2 ounces of vinegar to a quart of water in a spray bottle.
*Streak-free glass cleaner; Blend 2 ounces of vinegar, a spoonful of corn-starch and a quart of warm water. Apply with a sponge and wipe dry.
*Rust remover; Use vinegar to remove rust and other mineral deposites on nuts and bolts.
>> this just in;
C.A.R. Green Tip of the Week: Confused about plastics?
Experts have reached a consensus and recommend consumers avoid these varieties of plastics–identified by a triangle and number on the bottom of most containers–for the following reasons:
#3 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) commonly contains di-2-ehtylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), an endocrine disruptor and probable human carcinogen, as a softener.
#6 Polystyrene (PS) may leach styrene, a possible endocrine disruptor and human carcinogen, into water and food.
#7 Polycarbonate contains the hormone disruptor bisphenol-A, which can leach out as bottles age, are heated, or exposed to acidic solutions. Unfortunately, #7 is used in most baby bottles and five-gallon water jugs and in many reusable sports bottles.
