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| Get Organized Now! |
When we think of green cleaning, often we think of products that we use in our kitchens and
bathrooms. But what about the products that live beyond our kitchens? We might use these products
less frequently than our floor cleaners or automatic dishwashing liquid - but when we do use them they
can have profound effects on our home environment and our planet at large.
I’m referring, of course, to what may be in your garage.
Below are a few commonly used products that are often forgotten in the greater scheme of a green
cleaning self-makeover, and that – unlike motor oil and antifreeze – you may not even think of as
being toxic. As you can see, these aren’t innocent bystanders.
Want to make a change? Here are some non-toxic, eco-savvy products to try.
I’ve only listed a few products and their replacements here, but chances are there’s an affordable,
ecological substitute for every toxic chemical you use in your home. It’s becoming easier and easier to
live conscientiously, and knowledge is the key to preserving your health and the health of the Earth.
bathrooms. But what about the products that live beyond our kitchens? We might use these products
less frequently than our floor cleaners or automatic dishwashing liquid - but when we do use them they
can have profound effects on our home environment and our planet at large.
I’m referring, of course, to what may be in your garage.
Below are a few commonly used products that are often forgotten in the greater scheme of a green
cleaning self-makeover, and that – unlike motor oil and antifreeze – you may not even think of as
being toxic. As you can see, these aren’t innocent bystanders.
- Auto Washes. Many car wash formulas are caustic, as they contain sodium hydroxide (lye), so
you’ll probably want to refrain from the teenage-movie-style water fight over the minivan. Many
ingredients are listed by the Household Products Database as “Trade Secrets” – which means
that the only testing they have undergone has been by the chemical companies which
manufacture them. Some auto washes also contain benzene derivatives like alkyl
benzenesulfonic acid. Benzene is a known human carcinogen according to the Department of
Health and Human Services, and has been linked especially to leukemia (read more at
healthdangers.com). Don’t forget, exposure to these products doesn’t begin and end with your
hands: when you rinse, polluted water flows into storm drains and soil, and ends up in our
groundwater. - Auto Waxes. These contain petroleum distillates, which are manufactured using crude oil.
Petroleum distillates, also known as mineral spirits (think turpentine and kerosene) were shown
in lab tests to increase tumor growth in mice. You can read the article on PubMed. - Ice Melt. These use potassium chloride or sodium chloride, which is routinely used as road salt.
In 2000 the ASPCA warned of the toxicity of road salt to pets, and recommends washing your
pets’ paws after walking on roads or sidewalks treated with ice melt (read more at dogtopics.
com). During the winter, these salts can end up in groundwater in massive amounts. And, they
can be damaging to lawns and landscaping. - Insect and Weed Killers. These bad boys use organophosphates and other harsh chemicals,
and they are truly poisonous. After all, wasps and hornets and ants and dandelions are made up
of millions of individual cells, just like us. At the core of things, we’re not all that much different:
carbon-based organic life forms. So when you’re spraying that hornet’s nest with toxic
insecticide, think about what else you may be killing. Poisons have a nasty way of spiraling up
the food chain. Agricultural insecticides and herbicides have been linked to cancer in farm workers
(read the article on PubMed).
Want to make a change? Here are some non-toxic, eco-savvy products to try.
- Auto Wash. Lucky Earth Waterless Car Wash not only is paraben and petroleum free, but it
saves water too! BioKleen makes a number of environmentally friendly cleaners for autos,
marine, bikes and RVs (not to be confused with Bi-O-Kleen, which produces non-toxic household
products) - Auto Wax. Again, BioKleen is the place to go, with loads of detailing products made to
professional standards. - Ice Melt. SafePaw Ice Melter is designed with the safety of pets and the environment in mind.
Earth Friendly Products Ice Melt is completely safe and works up to -13 degrees F. - Insect Killer. OrangeGuard Natural Insect Killer is certified for use in organic farming production,
and is safe to use around kids and pets. - Weed Killer. Good old white vinegar is good for everything, it seems. Spray those pesky weeds
growing in your driveway and walk with full-strength vinegar, let dry, and whisk weeds away
with a broom. Or, try this recipe: mix vinegar with equal parts natural liquid soap (like castile
soap) and gin (recipe from yardcare.com).
I’ve only listed a few products and their replacements here, but chances are there’s an affordable,
ecological substitute for every toxic chemical you use in your home. It’s becoming easier and easier to
live conscientiously, and knowledge is the key to preserving your health and the health of the Earth.
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| Green Cleaning: Beyond the Kitchen |
