Here’s a list of some toxic products, in no particular order, that you don’t need. And, once you read about them, you probably won’t want them either. Be aware that different homes may have different products that are more toxic than these. This is just a basic list of some of the most commonly purchased products that are almost entirely unnecessary, but pose significant risks.

1. Air fresheners: Most air fresheners mask odors with a synthetic fragrance or numb your sense of smell with chemical anesthetics. But, they do nothing to eliminate the source of the odor. Also, aerosol air fresheners spew out tiny droplets of chemicals that are easily inhaled into the lungs. Instead, ventilate well and choose natural deodorizers, such as zeolite or baking soda, which contain minerals that absorb odors. How to Freshen Indoor Air Naturally includes recipes for other homemade remedies. Plants are also helpful for purifying your indoor air.

2. Drain, oven and toilet bowl cleaners: Yes, three products instead of one, but they all fit under the category of cleaners – and these are the three nastiest. Corrosive or caustic cleaners, such as the lye and acids found in drain cleaners, oven cleaners and acid-based toilet bowl cleaners, are the most dangerous cleaning products because they burn skin, eyes and internal tissue easily.

* To clean extra-greasy ovens, mix together 1 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup of washing soda, then add enough water to make a paste; apply the paste to oven surfaces and let soak overnight. The next morning, lift off soda mixture and grime; and rinse surfaces well.
* Prevent clogged drains by using hair and food traps.
* To de-grease and sweeten sink and tub drains, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down drain followed by 1 cup vinegar; let bubble for 15 minutes; rinse with hot water. You might have to repeat the whole procedure more than once. This same mixture can be used prior to scrubbing your toilet bowl to deodorize and scour away grime.

3. Canned food: It’s probably shocking to find a food item on a toxic product list, but it’s no mistake. Food cans are lined with an epoxy resin that contains bisphenol-A (BPA). Most experts believe this is our main source of exposure to BPA, which has been linked to hormone disruption, obesity, heart disease, and much more. Eden Foods is currently the only company with BPA-free canned foods (other than the canned tomatoes, which they haven’t found an adequate substitute for given the acidity of the tomatoes). Opt for fresh, frozen, dried or jarred foods.

4. Dry-cleaning: Okay, it’s a service and not a product per se, but the chemical used to do it, perchloroethylene, has been linked to cancer as well as nervous system, kidney, liver and reproductive disorders. Even bringing dry-cleaned clothes home is risky. EPA studies have found that people who reported visiting a dry-cleaning shop showed twice as much perc in their breath, on average, as other people. EPA also found that levels of perc remained elevated in a home for as long as one week after placing newly dry-cleaned clothes in a closet. A Consumers Union study found that people who wear freshly dry-cleaned clothes, like a jacket and shirt, every week over a 40-year period, could inhale enough perc “to measurably increase their risk of cancer” – by as much as 150 times what is considered “negligible risk.” Try wet-cleaning, CO2 technology, or even hand-washing.

5.  Bottled water: Most people buy bottled water thinking they’re avoiding any contaminants that may be present in their tap water. For the most part, they’re wrong. Bottled water can be just as, or even more, contaminated than tap water. In fact, some bottled water IS tap water – just packaged (in plastic that can leach chemicals into the water) and over-priced. Also, from manufacture to disposal, bottled water creates an enormous amount of pollution – making our water even less drinkable. Do yourself and the world a favor and invest in a reusable stainless steel water bottle and a water filter.

6. Rubber duckies: How does such a cute toy end up on a toxic product list? When it’s made from PVC – the poison plastic. Banned in over 14 countries and the European Union, PVC, also known as vinyl, is still legally sold by U.S. retailers although it threatens environmental and consumer health at every stage of its product life cycle, according to the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice (CHEJ). When it’s in your home, PVC can leach phthalates (linked to hormone disruption) and lead (a potent neurotoxicant) – contaminating air, dust, and eventually you. Go PVC-free by reading packages and avoiding the #3 in the chasing arrows symbol (usually found on the bottom of a product). If a plastic is not labeled, call the manufacturer. 
7. Couch cushions: No, you needn’t get rid of all your cushions and consign yourself to a future of discomfort. Just avoid cushions, pillows, and anything with foam labeled as meeting California TB 117, as it is likely to contain toxic fire retardants. These chemicals migrate from the foam to dust to people. In animal research, these chemicals are associated with cancer, birth defects, thyroid disruption, reproductive and neurological disorders such as hyperactivity and mental retardation. Don’t worry about increasing your fire risk, data does not show that this standard has resulted in increased fire safety. Look for foam and cushions made with polyester, down, wool, or cotton as they are unlikely to contain toxic fire retardants.

8. Perfume and cologne: Colognes and perfumes may make us more attractive. But mixed in with the colors and scents are a wide variety of unattractive chemicals. Perfumes and fragrances can consist of hundreds of chemicals. Testing of Calvin Klein’s Eternity by an independent lab, commissioned by Environmental Health Network (EHN), revealed that the perfume contained over 800 compounds. Among the chemicals of concern is diethyl phthalate (DEP) that is absorbed through the skin and can accumulate in human fat tissue. Phthalates are suspected carcinogens and hormone disruptors that are increasingly being linked to reproductive disorders.

It’s not so simple to avoid phthalates by switching products because they are rarely listed on product ingredient labels. Phthalates are claimed as a part of trade secret formulas, and are exempt from federal labeling requirements. Find out if products you currently use contain phthalates and find safer ones on Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Searchable Product Guide website.

9. Oil-based paints and finishes: There are 300 toxic chemicals and 150 carcinogens potentially present in oil-based paint, according to a John Hopkins University study. Still interested in coating your walls and furniture with this gunk? I hope not. Look for water-based options – ideally those that are low- or no-VOC. You could also explore natural finishes like milk paint and vegetable or wax based wood finishes.

by HealthyChild.org

2. Scrub and sanitize bathrooms and kitchen at least once a week

3. Vacuum rugs and wash floors at least twice a week

4. Freshen up rooms by changing pillows and décor seasonally

5. Be sure to clean behind and under things at least every other week

6. Pull out those appliances and clean vents and air conditioners 2x/year

7. Go through closets and toy rooms and give away unused items 2x/year

8. Re-organize the attic, basement, office and cupboards once a year. Consider using a Feng Shui professional to help arrange things proactively

 9. Turn off the TV, put on some soothing music, light candles and set a new mood

10. Be sure to get those windows washed inside and out to let the light and love in!

 Appliance Cleaning With Vinegar:

1.)      Microwave: Tired of those awful stains in your microwave? You can clean them off with vinegar. Put a half cup of water and half a cup of white distilled vinegar in a microwave safe container like a Pyrex® measuring cup. Boil it in the microwave. Be cautious as the mixture is hot, so wear gloves, and then wipe the surfaces clean with a natural sponge or micro fiber cloth. Also removes odor.

2.)      Get rid of Mineral Deposits in Coffee Makers
Fill the water reservoir with 1 cup or more of white distilled vinegar and run it through a whole cycle. Run it once or twice more with plain water to rinse clean. (Check the owners’ manual first.) Another quick tip to clean the coffee pot when it is not in use is to put an inch high layer of ice cubes and pour the vinegar into the pot until is covers all the ice.  Swirl the mixture around the pot and it will loosen the coffee stains from the sides.  Sponge clean and rinse.

3.)      Cleaning Your Computer:  Vacuum, that’s right, vacuum your computer screen and keyboard with the bristle nozzle attachment (make sure your computer is off).  When you are finished take a damp COTTON cloth (to avoid static) and give it a light spritz of a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water from your spray bottle onto the damp cloth.  Wipe down your screen, keyboard, mouse, cables and desktop too.

 What Vinegar Can Do In Your Car:

1. Clean the car’s interior with a mix of vinegar and water, equal parts.
2. Polish the chrome with a cotton cloth on the outside.
3. Put a bowl of vinegar in your car overnight to remove odor.
4. In the winter, coat your automobile’s windows with vinegar. It will prevent frost.
5. It also works as a windshield cleaner.
6. Spray a mix of equal parts water and vinegar on any road salt stains on the carpet. Blot with towel.

Kill The Mold:
Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.

Cleaning Towels:

Get rid of mildew in towels: Detergent traps mildew within the fibers of your towels.  To help eliminate this mildew, wash the towels in the warmest water possible and substitute the detergent with vinegar.  Repeat once.

Blood on Clothes:

Pour hydrogen peroxide on blood and rinse with cold water. If some blood remains, repeat.

Glitter on Clothing:

That new sparkly shirt shedding glitter all over the place? Spray with aerosol hair spray to make it stay put. Wash separately from other clothes, or at least wash it inside out if you must wash with other articles of clothing. 

Gum on Clothing:

Use egg whites to remove gum on clothing. Brush egg white onto gum with a toothbrush. Let sit for 15 minutes and then launder on the items normally. 

 Grease Stains:

Sprinkle a generous amount of cornstarch or baby powder over the grease stain when it occurs, allow it to sit for a couple of minutes, then brush the powder off. The powder absorbs the grease and it brushes off with the powder.

Lipstick:

Use petroleum jelly for removing lipstick stains. Another possibility is to rub in a little vegetable shortening and then launder as normal. 

 Dryer Tip:

Include a few tennis balls (new) in each dryer cycle. The tennis balls not only cut drying time by 25% – 50%, but also fluff the clothes to a delicate softness, and towels with be especially fluffy.

Mistake #1: Choosing a cleaning service that is not a member of the Association of Residential Cleaning Services International. (ARCSI). ARCSI is the only National Professional Association of Owners of Residential Cleaning Services. Membership in this organization demonstrates a commitment to the ethical standards of ARCSI and the most professional services possible.

ARCSI members are dedicated to improving the standards of work and services in the home cleaning industry. By choosing an ARCSI member you are selecting a company that is dedicated to being the best in the nation.

Teresa Ward, owner of Teresa’s Family Cleaning, has been a member since ARCSI was founded in 2004. In 2007, she was elected to the ARCSI Board of Directors.

Mistake #2: Choosing a cleaning service based on the lowest price. Low price can present you with two problems:

1) Low price can be the bait that attracts your phone call, but once the cleaner gets into your home, she pressures you into added services and thus a higher price.

2) Extremely low prices tend to be offered by individual cleaners who may have no insurance, are not bonded, have not been screened for background checks and typically do not have funds to replace an item they damage in your home.

Mistake #3: Choosing a service that is not owner operated. Having the owner of the company involved increases accountability and ownership on the part of all employees.

Mistake #4: Choosing a cleaning service without asking if the company does personality testing or criminal background checks. The costly investment of personality testing and criminal background checks is only made by cleaning services that are serious about protecting their customers. Cleaning services that perform these forms of screening have a higher caliber of employees working in your home.

Mistake #5: Choosing a cleaning service that pays their cleaning technicians by commission. Ask whether the service pays its employees by the hour. It has been determined that you receive consistent, thorough cleanings when the cleaning technicians are paid an hourly wage.

Mistake #6: Choosing a cleaning service without being crystal clear about your expectations and determining that the service is comprehensive enough to meet all your needs. For example, ask these questions:

• After the first cleaning, how often do you want to be cleaned on an ongoing basis?
• Does the company offer the frequency or flexibility you desire? Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or the option to just call in for an appointment?
• What equipment, supplies and cleaning solutions does the company provide?
• If you are allergic to certain chemicals or if you have medical/health issues, does the company offer green cleaning chemicals?
• Does the company offer guaranteed satisfaction?
• Does the company offer other services, such as organizing, power washing, dry cleaning, etc.?

Start The Year Off With A Clean Slate!

Or how about a clean and more organized home?  How can you do this every day, 365 days a year?  Well you probably can’t so we’ve listed some tips (365 of them) to try and help you tackle the everyday cleaning jobs, as well as the special occasions, starting with of course, those holiday decorations!

Tip #1 – Holiday Decorations (Apply these tips for ALL Holidays)

If you’re like me, you get your holiday decorations arranged just the way you want them, a year passes, and then you have no memory of where that wreath went or what shelf you used for your favorite candle. Problem solved! Prior to taking down your decorations this year, take photos of them all. You have a couple of different options with your photos: print them and store with each specific decoration or create a folder on your computer to house the images. Either way, next year’s decorating will go that much quicker!

Tip #2 – Holiday Lights

Who enjoys untangling their Christmas lights each year? NOT ME! Now that all the presents are unwrapped, you probably find yourself with a few extra cardboard boxes lying around your house. (And if you’re lucky, you got a gift from Crate & Barrel so you have a good quality cardboard box.) The amount of lights you have will determine how many “pieces” of your box you will need…you may want or need to use the top flaps, sides and bottom flaps. After you have carefully cut apart your box, make a small slit in either the top or bottom of one cardboard piece. As you begin to take down your lights, first tuck the end of the cord into the slit you made and wrap the string of lights around the cardboard. Continue to wrap the lights until you have filled the piece of cardboard. You can either make a second slit for the other end of your lights, or simply tuck the cord underneath the wrapped lights. Depending on how much of your box is left, you can even drop your wrapped cords into the box for easy storage.

This same strategy can be used for any of your holiday or seasonal lights.

Tip #3 – Dusty Holiday Decorations?

Use a vacuum to clean larger decorations.

Did your holiday decorations collect a little dust while on display? No problem. Use either an air compressor or a can of compressed air (great for those small, delicate pieces). For some of your larger items, like your tree or wreaths, you may need to use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment and use the bristled nozzle. Whichever method you use, hold the item far enough away to prevent and damage and keep an eye on small and delicate pieces attached to your decorations. If you do the cleaning now, everything will be ready to go for next Christmas and decorating will be that much more enjoyable.

Tip #4 – Organize Your Decorations By Theme.

As you build your collection of Christmas decorations, take care to organize them in a way that makes it easy to find when the next holiday season rolls around.

Practically all large department and/or home hardware stores sell a multitude of storage options. Look for durable and heavy plastic containers that have different compartments or at least enough room to store your Christmas tree decorations without squishing them.

Organize each box using all of the decorations you would use for that particular theme and make sure to write in permanent marker (on the side of the box where it’s clearly visible) exactly what is in the container, including the colors and objects (i.e. a wreath, beaded garland, tinsel, etc.). Next year, instead of having to sift through a pile of mismatched Christmas decorations, you’ll only have to pull your desired theme off the shelf.

Tip #5 How to Pack Away Decorations

As you pack away decorations, keep an eye out for broken items. Either repair them or throw them out before storing them for the year.

If you have similar decorations in various parts of the house – lighted garland for the mantle and stairways, for example – label each strand with its location. Knowing whether it belongs on the front door or the back stairs can make your life much easier next year.

Tip #6 Protect Your Decorations From Damage

Ensure that decorations are clean and dry before you put them in storage. You’ll avoid a big mess by making sure items are in good condition as you put them away. Pay particular attention to items that have been exposed to the elements outdoors.

If you store items in a shed or basement, don’t put them directly on the ground – especially if these locations are prone to flooding. Keeping them even six inches off the ground will help them last longer, and it’s an essential step if you’re storing in cardboard boxes.

Tip#7 Preparing For Next Year

Make a note of any damaged or missing items or anything you’d simply like to replace or add for the next year. An easy-to-see reminder will be much better than discovering you need to run to the store when you’re knee deep in decorations the following year!

If you like to hit the post-holiday bargains, make your purchases before putting away your decorations. This will allow you to place the items in with the existing items so they will be easy to locate and use the following year. 

 © 2009 Teresa’s Family Cleaning — All Rights Reserved.

Want to use this article in your newsletter, blog or web site? You have my blessing so long as you include the following complete blurb with it (including links).

Teresa’s Family Cleaning suggests you take these 3 easy steps before we enter your home in order to make our cleaning more efficient:

1. Pick up all loose papers – mail, newspaper, kid’s homework. Place in proper places/file.
2. Pick up clothes and laundry. Put away all in closets/drawers or in laundry basket.
3. Have children pick up toys, games, books, stuffed animals. Place in toy chest or baskets.