Archive for November, 2011
Household product chemicals
A type of glycol ether is frequently found in popular cleaning products such as Windex Aerosol, Formula 409, Lemon Fresh Pine-Sol and Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner, says the report released today by Women’s Voices for the Earth, a Montana-based nonprofit working to eliminate or reduce toxic chemicals in the home.
It’s difficult for consumers to know whether their favorite cleaner contains the chemical because manufacturers aren’t required to list it on the label. Neither the state nor the federal government regulates indoor air pollution, for instance how the cleaners might degrade air inside a home.
The group wants to help people become aware of chemicals they might want to avoid.
Scientists say most people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors. Babies, elderly people and sick people spend almost all of their time inside.
The women’s research group pored through federally mandated Material Safety Data Sheets pertaining to household cleaning products. The data sheets, which are prepared by the manufacturers and are widely available online, contain information on chemicals used in products.
The group found that EGBE, also known as 2-butoxyethanol, was a common ingredient. It’s a colorless, biodegradable chemical with a fruity odor that acts as a degreaser.
Household Product You’ll Ever Need
I keep a big bottle of distilled vinegar on hand because it’s good for everything. Got an iron that’s spitting up chunky brown mineral deposits all over the blouse you need to wear for that interview? Pour some white vinegar and water into the iron, put that sucker on steam, and work it out. (Repeat with one full tank of water to rinse.) Have something that’s not colorfast? Before washing it for the first time, soak it in a sink full of water with 2-3 capsful of vinegar. Need to clean a cutting board or butcher block with something that’s not going to leech toxic chemicals into the wood? Sprinkle on some baking soda and salt, splash on your white vinegar, and scrub that baby while the mixture foams. (This is a version of the technique recommended by the lady from The Splendid Table. Trust her! Shit works.) Ever wonder what those overpriced bottles of “Salt Stain Remover” at the shoe repair store are made of? Vinegar and water.
Out of Windex? Sprinkle vinegar on some newspaper and go. Vinegar and salt on a rag shines anything made of chrome, brass, pewter, stainless steel, or copper. Vinegar in a bowl, zapped on high for a few minutes, de-food-splatters a microwave. Vinegar cleans mineral deposits on cookware and unclouds cloudy glasses. Vinegar makes your hair look nice. Vinegar soothes a sunburn. Vinegar de-greases anything. It kills germs, it kills mold, it kills odors. Pretty much the only thing you shouldn’t do with vinegar is use it on marble.