57 Ways - 50. Select Household Cleaners Wisely

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57 Ways To Protect Your Home Environment (and Yourself)

Caring for the Home Landscape

1. Aim for a healthy lawn rather than a perfect lawn
2. Cut the grass without gas
3. Prevent insect, disease, and weed problems in the garden
4. Identify fruits and vegetables that need fewer pesticides
5. Select native trees and shrubs that will thrive in your yard
6. Keep your tress healthy and safe
7. Plant “wild” in your backyard
8. Attract birds and butterflies to your backyard

Using Alternatives to Traditional Pesticides & Fertilizers - Where Practical

9. Scout for pests on the landscape
10. Consider microbial insecticides
11. Consider botanical insecticides & insecticidal soaps
12. Conserve beneficial insects
13. Monitor & control insects with traps
14. Use pest barriers in your garden
15. Solarize soil
16. Consider the potential of natural fertilizers

Using Chemicals on the Landscape - If Necessary

17. Know what to ask a lawn-care company and arborist
18. Understand pesticide toxicity
19. Read the pesticide label
20. Apply pesticides accurately and safely
21. Apply fertilizers accurately and safely

Storing & Disposing of Hazardous Chemicals

22. Store hazardous chemicals safely
23. Dispose of pesticides safely
24. Dispose of auto products safely
25. Dispose of paints and solvents safely
26. Dispose of adhesives, areosols, household cleaners & other hazardous waste safely

Managing Yard, Food & Other Household Waste

27. Reduce household waste
28. Recycle paper, glass, & aluminum
29. Reuse and respond
30. Recycle grass clippings
31. Create a compost pile
32. Use yard waste as mulch
33. Dispose of tree residues

Protecting Your Drinking Water

34. Know when & how to test your water
35. Test your water for coliform bacteria & nitrate 36. Test your water for pesticides - if necessary
37. Know the signs of contaminants in drinking water
38. Select effective water-treatment methods
39. Prevent contamination from septic systems
40. Know the pros & cons of bottled water

Protecting the Indoor Environment

41. Prevent contamination by lead
42. Test your home for radon
43. Reduce radon levels
44. Control dust, dust mites & other allergens
45. Reduce pollution from combustion equipment
46. Prevent contamination by formaldehyde and asbestos
47. Recognize tht it's not always necessary to control indoor insects
48. Select the right household pesticide
49. Control household pests with less toxic alternatives
50. Select household cleaners wisely

Conserving Energy & Water

51. Design new homes for energy effciency
52. Save energy in heating & cooling
53. Insulate & seal your home
54. Choose energy-efficient appliances
55. Save money & energy with compact fluorescent light bulbs
56. Use plants & other landscape tools to conserve energy
57. Conserve water in & around the home

50. Select Household Cleaners Wisely
	In the world of cleaning, “phosphates” became a dirty word in the 1970s because of their impact on the environment. Most manufacturers have gone to phosphate-free laundry detergents, although phosphate-free dishwashing detergents are not as common. So what concerns do household cleaners pose today? Pollutants come mainly from cleaning agents, waxes, polishes, spot and stain removers, and newly dry-cleaned garments. While there is no evidence that households are at risk from low levels of these pollutants, neither can we say there is no risk at all.
	Various household cleaners contain trace elements of heavy metals. Although household cleaning products are used in small quantities in each home, collectively they contribute substantially to the amount of heavy metals reaching wastewater treatment plants, making sludge disposal a problem for the plants.
	Safety is also a concern. Household cleaners vary greatly in their levels of toxicity. But some, such as oven cleaners and drain cleaners, are quite hazardous if not handled properly.
	What is a consumer to do? For the tougher jobs that ordinary soap and water cannot handle, select the least-toxic alternative that will do the job. Also, read the label to find out what precautions are called for. Follow instructions carefully and try to do the job with the least amount of product possible.
	To reduce the amount of heavy metals in wastewater, use liquid laundry detergents and liquid bleaches instead of powder. To improve indoor air quality, use cedar panels instead of mothballs, and air out your dry-cleaning outdoors when possible. Look for products that have replaced petroleum distillates with safer citrus-based solvents.
	Some people suggest that we return to using “natural” cleaners, such as vinegar, table salt, and lemon juice. But it’s important to realize that these products are also chemical compounds—natural chemicals, but chemicals nonetheless. If you decide you want to try other alternatives to commercial products, be sure you have some background information on them.