Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service
Thousands
of household products sold each year contain toxic ingredients.
Examples include drain cleaners, oven cleaners, pesticides,
and furniture polish. Used and disposed of properly, these
products add to the convenience and comfort of our lives.
However, if used improperly, these products can endanger our
health and the air quality in our homes. Disposed of improperly,
products containing toxic ingredients can contaminate our
land and pollute our water supplies.
Many
people think only of hazardous waste as that waste produced
in plants and factories. But every home has a supply of potentially
hazardous waste. The United States Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) defines a substance as hazardous if it is flammable,
can react or explode when mixed with other substances, is
corrosive, or is toxic. A number of products in kitchens,
bathrooms, basements, utility sheds, and workshops contain
caustic chemicals and solvents which can threaten family
health and/or damage the environment. The challenge for today's
consumer is to reduce the number of hazardous products in
the home. What can you do to meet this challenge?
Instead
of purchasing a different product to clean each surface in
your home, consider one or two products that will clean a
variety of surfaces. Selecting and using multipurpose cleaners
can reduce the number of cleaners you buy, decrease the number
of hazardous products in your home, and save you money. Read
and follow label directions.
Many
household products used for household cleaning, car care,
or yard care can be toxic, corrosive, flammable, or reactive.
All of these designations are considered hazardous. Any product
considered hazardous must be labeled with signal words regulated
by the federal government. The front label of the product
must include a warning and a description of the hazard. Signal
words are: "DANGER/ POISON," "WARNING," and "CAUTION." "Caution"
indicates the lowest level of toxicity and "Danger" the highest
level of toxicity.
In addition
to signal words, the product label must also include a statement
telling you how to avoid the hazard and how to use the product
safely. To reduce the danger of hazardous products in your
home, buy cleaners labeled "warning" or "caution" and pesticides
with "caution" on the label. These products are less harmful.
When
reading labels, do not be fooled by the words "nontoxic."
This is an advertising term. It has no regulatory definition
by the federal government so it can be used as the manufacturer
wishes. It is very important that you know as much as possible
about products before you use them, so that you can protect
yourself and your family. If a product label does not give
a list of ingredients or adequate instructions for its safe
use, choose another product.
The
old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,"
is true for cleaning and polishing. If soil is allowed to
accumulate, the task of removing it becomes more difficult.
Wiping spills when they occur can prevent stains and eliminate
the need for tough specialty cleaners, which often are more
toxic and more harmful to surfaces. For example, harsh abrasive
cleaners gradually scratch the finishes of sinks, bathtubs,
and other porcelain enamel surfaces, and chlorine bleach can
dull such finishes. Once the surface becomes scratched, it
will get dirty faster and stain deeper and become almost impossible
to clean and keep clean.
Wipe
away grease and spills in the oven after each use, or put
a liner on the oven bottom to catch spills and reduce the
need for an oven cleaner. Cover sink and shower drains with
a screen to keep out food scraps and hair. Do not pour grease
down the drain. Collect it in an empty can and put it in the
trash. These actions will reduce the need for a drain cleaner.
Open
windows to air out the house occasionally to avoid the use
of chemical air fresheners. Have an aggressive home maintenance
plan. This will reduce the need for some hazardous products.
For example, roaches and other insects are discouraged by
good housekeeping practices. Bathe pets frequently to eliminate
fleas.
One
way to get a safer product is to make it yourself. Homemade
products have definite advantages, but they also have disadvantages.
Be sure to consider the following:
What
do you gain by making your own products?
Economy:
Many of the ingredients are inexpensive, so you may save money
over time.
Storage
space: Many of the ingredients are common household products
you already have, and you can mix up small batches so that
you do not have to store many products.
Control
of the chemicals in your home: Since you mix them, you
decide the amount and type of chemicals in the cleaning products
you use.
Safety:
Homemade products generally have less toxic chemicals in them.
They are safer for you, the air in your home stays cleaner,
and disposal of these products is less dangerous.
What
are the problems related to homemade products?
Time:
Since homemade products may not be as strong as commercial
products, it may take more time for them to work. Time must
also be expended to make the product.
Human
energy: Since homemade products may not be as strong as
commercial products, you may have to scrub harder to get acceptable
cleaning results.
Cleaning
results: Homemade products may not clean as well as the
commercial products you have been using. If you have used
harsh cleaners on surfaces over a long period of time, the
surface may be scratched. You will probably need strong chemicals
to clean stains on such surfaces.
Safety:
While it is true that most homemade products are made from
harmless products generally found in the kitchen or bathroom,
it is possible to create dangerous homemade products if incompatible
products are mixed together. One should never mix chlorine
bleach and ammonia, for example, as harmful fumes can result.
If you
decide to make your own cleaners, you must use and store them
safely. While the ingredients in homemade cleaners are safer,
they are not all non-toxic. Keep these guidelines in mind:
Be
careful what chemicals you mix. Some chemicals, such as chlorine
bleach and ammonia, produce a very toxic gas if they are
mixed together.
Do
not mix more than a month's supply at a time. The chemicals
may lose their effectiveness.
Mix
solutions in a well-ventilated area.
Store
all cleaning solutions out of reach of children.
Store
solutions in unused, store-bought contain-ers. Use permanent
containers that are kept in a permanent location. Never put
them in old food containers. They may interact with residue
from the original contents or they may be mistaken for food
or beverage.
Label
containers carefully. This is especially important if other
people in your home clean or have access to the cleaners.
Sometimes
there are no satisfactory alternatives to hazardous household
products. However, you can still reduce the risks to your
family and your environment by making wise buying decisions
and by handling products properly. This will help reduce
hazardous waste problems. Here are some tips for selection,
use, and storage:
When
Buying:
- Read
labels. Make sure the product will do what you want and that
you will feel safe using it. If ingredients are not listed,
choose another product.
- Select
the least hazardous product. Let the signal words danger/poison,
warning or caution, be your guide.
- Buy
only as much as you need and use it up in a short period of
time.
- Carefully
consider the product and its use. Will an aerosol, pump spray,
powder, liquid, or solid form be the best alternative?
- Choose
water-based paint, glue, shoe polish, and similar products
rather than solvent-based products.
When
Using:
- Read
the directions and follow them. Using more of a product does
not mean you will get better results.
- Wear
protective equipment, such as rubber gloves, as recommended
by the manufacturer.
- Handle
products carefully to avoid spills. Keep the container closed
tightly when it is not being used to avoid fumes and spills.
- Use
products in well-ventilated areas. When working indoors, open
windows and use a fan to circulate the air toward the outside.
Take plenty of fresh-air breaks.
- Do
not eat, drink, or smoke while using hazardous products.
Traces of chemicals can be carried from hand to mouth.
- Do
not mix products unless directions say that you can do so
safely. Even different brands of the same product may contain
incompatible ingredients.
- If
you are pregnant, avoid exposure to toxic chemicals. Many
toxic products have not been tested for their effects on an
unborn infant.
- Do
not wear soft contact lenses when working with solvents and
pesticides. They can absorb and hold chemicals next to your
eyes.
- Carefully
and tightly seal products when you finish. Escaping fumes
can be harmful and you will avoid spills.
- Use
common sense.
When
Storing:
Follow
label directions.
Leave
the products in their original container with the original
label attached.
Never
store hazardous products in food or beverage containers.
Make
sure lids and caps are tightly sealed.
Store
hazardous products on high shelves or in locked cabinets out
of reach of children and animals.
Store
incompatible products separately. Keep flammable products
away from corrosive products.
Store
volatile products, those that warn of vapors and fumes, in
a well-ventilated area.
Keep
containers dry to prevent rusting.
Store
rags used with flammable products, such as furniture stripper
and paint remover, in sealed, marked containers.
Keep
flammable products away from heat, sparks, or sources of ignition.
Know
where flammable materials are located in your home and how
to extinguish them. Keep a fire extinguisher or materials
to control fires where you can get to them quickly and easily.
Never
store hazardous products in the same area as food.
There
are several ways you can reduce the amount of hazardous product
in your home and protect the environment.
- Buy
and use multipurpose cleaners.
- Buy
the least harmful product. Read labels.
- Wipe
up spills when they happen. Reducing the number of hazardous
products you buy reduces the sources of household hazardous
waste later. Wise buying decisions and good management practices
can reduce the hazards in our homes, in the air we breathe,
and in the water we drink.
Hammer,
Marie S. Alternatives That are Relatively Free of Toxic Effects,
HE 3149. Gainesville, Florida: University of Florida. 1988.
Hammett,
Wilma. Reducing Hazardous Products In The Home, HE-368-2.
Raleigh, North Carolina: North Carolina State University.
1992. Prepared by: Joyce H. Christenbury, CFCS, Extension
Family Resource Management Specialist
All-purpose
Cleaner I
4 tablespoons baking soda
1 quart warm water
Dissolve baking soda in warm water. Apply with
a sponge. Rinse with clear water.
All-purpose
Cleaner II
Apply baking soda to a damp sponge. Rinse with
clear water.
All-purpose Cleaner III
1 tablespoon ammonia*
1 tablespoon liquid detergent
1 pint water (2 cups)
Mix ingredients and put in spray bottle. Spray on surface.
Wipe. Rinse with clear water.
*Ammonia is a toxic ingredient. Handle it with care and
store it safely.
Window
and Mirror Cleaner I
4 tablespoons ammonia*
1 quart warm water
Mix ingredients and put in spray bottle. Spray on surface.
Wipe.
*Ammonia is a toxic ingredient. Handle it with care and
store it safely.
Window
and Mirror Cleaner II
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 quart warm water
Mix ingredients and put in spray bottle. Spray on surface.
Wipe.
Drain Opener*
Use a plunger (plumber's helper). It may take a number of
plunges to unclog the drain.
*Do not
use this method if you have used a commercial drain opener and
it may still be present in the drain.
Drain
Cleaner and Opener
Use a flexible metal snake. The mechanical snake may be purchased
or rented. Thread it down the clogged drain, and you will
be able to push the clog away.
Furniture
Cleaner and Polish I
3 cups olive oil
1 cup vinegar
Mix together until well blended. Use a clean, soft cloth to
apply to the furniture.
Furniture
Cleaner and Polish II
Wet a washcloth. Wring out as much water as possible. Wipe
furniture surface with damp washcloth. Dry immediately with
a clean, soft, dry cloth. (You can remove sticky fingerprints
and dust safely from wood surfaces using this method, but
furniture with an oil finish needs an oil-based cleaner.)
Lime
and Mineral Deposit Remover
Soak paper towels in vinegar. Apply the paper towels to the
lime deposits. Leave them on for approximately one hour. The
deposits will be softened and can be removed easily.
Aluminum
Cleaner
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
1 quart water
To clean aluminum cookware, combine ingredients in cookware.
Bring solution to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Wash and
dry as usual.
Brass
Cleaner I
Lemon juice
Baking soda
Make a paste about the consistency of toothpaste. Rub onto
brass with a soft cloth. Rinse with water and dry.
Brass
Cleaner II
Lemon juice
Cream of tarter
Make a paste about the consistency of toothpaste. Apply to
surface, leave on for five minutes. Wash with warm water.
Dry with a soft cloth.
Chrome
and Stainless Steel Cleaner
Dip soft cloth in undiluted white vinegar. Wipe surface.
Oven
Cleaner I
Baking soda
Very fine steel wool
Sprinkle water on oven surface. Apply baking soda. Rub using
very fine steel wool. Wipe off scum with a damp sponge. Rinse
well and dry.
Oven
Cleaner II
While oven is still warm, sprinkle water on the spill, then
sprinkle salt on it. When the oven cools down, scrape the
spill away and wash the area clean.
Toilet
Bowl Cleaner I
Baking soda
Vinegar
Sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl. Add vinegar. Scour
with a toilet brush.
Toilet
Bowl Cleaner II
Pour 1/2 cup liquid chlorine bleach* into toilet bowl. Let
stand for 30 to 45 minutes. Scrub with a toilet brush. Flush.
*Do not mix chlorine bleach with vinegar, toilet bowl cleaner,
or ammonia. Chlorine bleach is a toxic ingredient. Handle
it with care and store it safely.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
The
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its
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Clemson
University Cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture
and South Carolina Counties. Issued in Furtherance of Cooperative
Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of
May 8 and June 30, 1914
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