Items that can Increase Indoor

Air Pollution:

Household Cleaning Products

• Dish washing liquid, Drain cleaner
• Laundry detergent, Tub & shower cleaner
• Toilet bowl cleaner, Antibacterial sprays
• Oven Cleaners, Bleach

Miscellaneous Products that Contain Phthalates:

• Fingernail Polish, Cosmetics
• Vinyl Shower Curtains, Soft Plastic Toys
• Pesticide Products
• Ant & Roach Killers (sprays,"hotels", etc.), Flea & Tick products (collars, powders, sprays.)
• Insect sprays (mosquito repellent, wasp sprays)

Products that Emit Volatile Organic Compounds

• Air Fresheners
• Paints, Solvents
• Dry-cleaned Fabrics, Aerosol sprays
• Adhesives (glue, etc), Stain-resistant furniture & carpeting

Garden/Plant Products

• Fertilizers, Herbicides
• Gas for Lawnmowers, Lawn "Weed & Feed" Products
• Weed Killers, Grass Eliminators

Items Containng PVC (#3 stamped)

• Fire Resistant Products that Contain PBDEs
• (upholstered furniture), Mattresses
• Carpet, Computers & TV Housings

Make a Green Clean Kit

You can make a green cleaning kit to use around your house. All you need is the following ingredients and our recipes to make your own green cleansers.

• A bucket
• Spray bottle
• Rag or scrubber

Bon Ami, Vinegar and Baking soda OR  a less Toxic manufactured cleaner.

Eliminate what you don’t need or want anymore by taking it to a household hazardous waste facility or replacing it with a less toxic alternative after it has been used up.

Buy the Least Toxic Product and Use it Correctly

If elbow grease and making your own green cleaners isn’t enough, take these steps when buying household cleaners:

• Avoid products marked “Poison” or “Danger.” These words indicate the highest level of hazard, under federal law.
• Be careful with products marked “Caution” or “Warning,” which carry moderate hazard.
• Always read labels and follow the directions.
• Never mix cleaning products, such as those containing chlorine with those containing ammonia.

Take the "Green" Approach to Cleaning

Don’t over clean
Most areas of your home--even bathroom surfaces--do not need to be disinfected to prevent illness.
The kitchen is the exception. Use very hot water and soap (or a very mild bleach  solution) after every use to clean:

• Food preparation surfaces
• Utensils
• Cleaning rags
• Sponges

Many common household items can emit chemicals into your home, creating indoor air pollution that can often be worse than outdoor air pollution. Even if you don’t use harsh cleaning chemicals or pesticides very often, just storing them under your sink can create an unhealthy level of chemical air pollution in your home.