Spring is almost here and many will be freshening things up by cleaning their house inside and out.
But when you’re cleaning, some things can be hazardous to your health – and to the environment.
Many common household cleaners contain alcohol, ammonia, bleach, formaldehyde and lye — substances that can cause nausea, vomiting, inflammation and burning of the eyes and throat. Some of these ingredients have been linked with neurological, liver, and kidney damage, and asthma and even cancer.
Shelley Green, owner of The Green Corner Store, 15th and Main Streets, Little Rock, offers a few tips to keep in mind when buying and using cleaning products:
- Read the labels of the cleaning products you are looking at buying carefully to make an informed environmental decision.
- Use less. Part of greening your cleaning routine is to reduce the number of cleaning products you use. Despite marketing claims made by some manufacturers of conventional cleaners, it isn’t always necessary to use a different product for each cleaning task in your home. For example, an eco-friendly antibacterial product will kill germs in the bathroom, as well as the ones in the kitchen. Likewise, a green product made to clean wood floors is likely suitable for wood furniture and paneling.
- Make your own. Believe it or not, some of the greenest cleaners are the ones you make yourself. Click here for a few great DIY green cleaning recipes.
The Green Corner Store has a selection of earth friendly cleaning products from Dr. Bronner’s and Better Life. The staff can help you pick out what you need to keep your house clean and green!