Green home resolutions
Kicking off the new year with a home detox is a great way to take action on your resolution for a healthier lifestyle. Here are a few ways you can get started!
Many items found in our homes, such as insulation, paint, cleaners, chemicals in carpets, and countless other household goods can actually harm our health and the environment
Start by looking around the house for old paint, cleaners, pesticides or other products that you no longer need, then click YOUR Environment waste navigator to find out how and where you can dispose of them safely. Sending chemicals to landfill or even pouring small amounts down drains can pollute creeks and rivers, lowering water quality and harming plants and animals.
Next, look into healthy and green alternatives to these harsh chemicals. For example, mixing water with white vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice gives you an effective all-purpose cleaner that won’t harm you or the planet. Or seek out some of the many “green cleaning” products that have hit the market in recent years. Also avoid indoor pesticide use and chemical-based carpet cleaning.
Chemicals can also be found in other parts of the home where you might least expect them. Plastic food storage containers can break down and leach chemicals into food when microwaved. Reusable glass ones with lids are a safer way to hold your leftovers and reduce waste. Another source of chemicals can be the clothes on your back. Dry cleaning clothes uses a chemical —perchloroethylene (PERC) — that has been linked to cancer and a number of other health problems. So dry-clean as few items as possible, look for an environmentally-friendly cleaner and air out cleaned items in a garage or other space before wearing or hanging in your closet.
