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2torial #0858:
Learn2 Cut
Down on Toxic Household Cleaners
(continued)
 Buy commercial products wisely
Some substances are toxic but are occasionally
necessary, and there are no alternative
substitutes. Although it's difficult to eliminate
every toxic chemical in your home, you can reduce
their numbers and minimize the hazards.
- Natural food stores and companies who sell
their own brands of cleaners directly to
consumers generally have a good selection of
less toxic products. Shop around to find the
products that best suit your needs (you can even
find suppliers online).
- Try using pure soap rather than
detergents--the latter are derived from
non-renewable petroleum products. Soaps are
animal- or plant-based compounds. Laundry and
dishwashing soaps are good examples of this
category.
- Read the labels. Make sure that the
product will do what you want and that you'll
feel safe using it. Understand what the
compounds can do for you and to you (and to your
family, pets, etc.) (See Step 1 for more
details.)
- Buy only as much toxic substance as you need
and use it up in a short period of time. If
there's anything left over, give it to a friend,
a school (drama departments can always find a
use for paints) or a business. If you can't give
it away, dispose of it in the proper
manner--which usually entails disposing of
it in a harzardous disposal facility. To find
out the location of one nearest you, call the
local dump: they've probably been making
referrals for a long time.
- Buy multi-purpose cleaners. This
reduces the numbers of cleaners you use and
therefore the amounts of toxic chemicals in your
home. You don't really need a different product
to clean every surface in your home. But do heed
when the product says it isn't right for some
surfaces.
- Paint is paint--there isn't a replacement
for it. But if you choose water-based
paint rather than oil-based, you won't need
a solvent for cleanup. If you don't mind subtle
colors, consider milk paint--yes, it's
actually made with milk! This was an
all-but-dead product a few years ago, but
afficionados of a that "old-timey" look have
brought it back in a big way.
- Avoid aerosol products if you can
help it. Try buying cleaners in bulk-concentrate
form, and use them in reusable pump
sprays--you'll save yourself a lot of money.
 Step
12
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