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2torial #0858:
Learn2 Cut
Down on Toxic Household Cleaners
(continued)
 Replace solvents
Solvents are any substance that dissolves
another substance. They are usually corrosive,
reactive, toxic and flammable. Turpentine is an
example, as is fingernail polish remover and
furniture stripper. A note on disposal: no toxic
solvent should ever be poured down a drain or
toilet--this type of chemical will leach into the
local water supply with alarming speed. Call your
local waste management or recycling center for
details on how and where to dispose of these
materials.
- Use water-based paints. If you can
possibly avoid oil-based paints, you'll save
yourself a lot of exposure to solvents like
paint thinner or mineral spirits, which are
easily absorbed by your skin.
- To soften a hardened paintbrush, soak
it in undiluted white vinegar, then rinse well
with warm water and dry it. Would you like to
avoid this situation entirely? If you're
applying multiple coats of paint and waiting
several hours between coats, wrap your brush or
roller in plastic cling wrap and put it in cool
dark place (but away from food). You'll save the
work of cleaning the brush, and you'll reduce
the use of a solvent.
- A bit of toothpaste squeezed onto a clean
cloth will remove a child's crayon marks
from walls. Wrap your finger in the cloth, and
rub it against the "art work" until it's all
erased; then rinse the area off with clear
water. On clothing, rub the toothpaste into the
crayoned area, then let it sit and wash it as
usual. Hint: If you have a young artist at your
home, keep a tube of inexpensive white
toothpaste on hand for these creative times. It
works very well and it's quite inexpensive.
- For the sticky residue that labels
leave on glass, china and metals, rub the area
with undiluted white vinegar. If it's really
stubborn, try heating up the vinegar, but don't
heat it so much that it'll scald your hand.
Alcohol, like gin or vodka, will also remove
price tags in a pinch (it can also make for
happy work, but watch it).
 Step
7
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