Healthy Home Products

We use cleaners and bug killers in our homes to make them healthy, right? Not necessarily! Manufacturers are not required to list all toxic ingredients on the labels, so we could be putting our health at risk when we clean. The danger is greatest while we are using the products, but can also linger for days in the air. Watch out for these warnings:

DANGER or POISON - means that less than 1 teaspoon could be deadly
WARNING - means 1 teaspoon to 1 ounce could be life threatening
CAUTION - means more than 1 ounce could cause life threatening symptoms

Consider using environmentally safe, natural cleaners instead. This will protect your family’s health as well as protecting the air we breathe and water we drink.

You can get rid of unwanted pests without using dangerous chemicals. Try a natural approach:
• Seal food in plastic containers . . . starve the critters
• Don’t leave water standing. . .all bugs need water to live
• Flypaper, mousetraps and roach motels trap pests without toxins
• Sprinkle boric acid and pepper on the back edge of cupboard shelves and along the base of crawl space walls
• Spray a mix of water and soap on the leaves of household plants
• Be patient. . .natural methods are slower, but last longer
• If you must use chemicals, choose products specific to the pest you want to eliminate
• Read the labels & follow all the directions

Poisons vs. Alternatives

The average American home has many gallons of toxic chemical s, mostly cleaners containing chlorine bleach and petroleum-based chemical s, that could be replaced by natural product s . Try some of these alternatives :
VINEGAR- Mix with water for glass, tile, porcelain, counter tops ; mix with oil for furniture polish; softens water .
BAKING SODA- Cleans, deodorizes, removes stains and softens fabrics ; scour pots & pans, tubs & sinks .
LEMON JUICE- Cuts grease, removes perspiration and other stains from clothing, deordorizes ; bleach alternative.

Recycling

Reduce
Obviously if we use less , we won’t use up our resources as quickly, and we won’t generate so much trash. Because source reduction actually lessens the amount of waste in the firs t place, it is the best way to control waste, and goes a long way toward protecting the environment .
• Buy products in bulk.
• Buy products with less packaging.
• Repair broken items instead of buying new ones.
• Buy products that last longer
• Use e-mail!
• Cut back on disposable and one-time use products.
• Compost yard and kitchen waste.
These steps will not only save money and resources, they will reduce the pollution needed to manufacture the products in the first place.

Reuse
We can save money by reusing items for second time, or for another purpose. Try some of these ideas:
• Donate used clothing and other items to charity
• Use the backside of used paper for scratch pads
• Reuse plastic containers for storage
• Use refillable pens & pencils
• Save & reuse wrapping paper, boxes, and packing materials

REUSING is preferable to recycling because the item does not need to be reprocessed before it can be used again.

Recycle
Curbside pickup and Dropsites:
plastic containers
glass jars & bottles
steel & aluminum cans
newspaper
junk mail & magazines
office paper
brown paper bags
At special centers:
batteries & tires
used motor oil
clothing
scrap metals & appliances
used electronics
corrugated cardboard
polyurethane foam padding

Why Bother?
Saves natural resources
Saves energy
Reduces pollution of waste
Reduces costs

COMMUNITIES- reduce cost of collecting & processing trash
BUSINESSES- less packaging means lower manufacturing costs
CONSUMERS- we buy less, throw less away, and save on taxes

Sustainable Living

Sustainable choices are those that consider human well-being, environmental health, and economic prosperity. Each of us can create a healthier home by making simple and sensible choices as we go about our everyday lives. As a result, we can make a positive impact in our community and the world.

At the GreenHouse, we have made thoughtful decisions about all the products we’ve used in renovating the house, including how we will use less water, power, and other resources, and create less waste for disposal. Through our actions we can live more “gently on the earth”, and enjoy the benefits of sustainability: comfort, efficiency, durability, and health.

Healthy Living Steps for Home and Community:
Select Products with Less Packaging.
• Buy unpackaged fruits and vegetables
• Buy items in bulk, such as toilet paper

Buy from Locally-Owned Businesses
• Shop at local Farmer’s Market
• Support local retailers
• Community co-op involvement

Buy Products Made from Recycled Materials
• Household paper products
• Plastic and glass containers
• Building materials

Use Non-toxic Cleaning & Household Products
• Read labels for environmentally friendly ingredients
• Use natural products when possible

Drive Smart & Reduce Gas Usage up to 30%.
• Live near your job, take the bus, walk, bicycle or carpool
• Maintain your vehicle, drive steadily at the speed limit, avoid idling and reduce air conditioning usage
• Drive a smaller vehicle

Purchase Organic Foods & Agricultural Products.
• Research shows these foods are healthier for you
• Reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals and pesticides
• Visit your local Farmer’s Market

Build Your Community

Get together with your neighbors for fun and to work on projects to improve your neighborhood:
• Community Garden Projects
• Neighborhood Cook-outs/ Pot-Luck Meals
• Adopt-a-Highway
• Neighborhood Watch
• Clean City Sweep