You make not like cleaning your house, but we all know that it has to be done. Did you know that cleaning your house may be hazardous to your health? Learn how to make sure your chores are more beneficial than harmful.

Consider these facts, from the World Watch Institute:

• According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality is two to five times more polluted than the air outside, mainly because of household cleaners and pesticides.
  
• The US Poison Control Center reported in 2000 that household cleaners were responsible for 10% of all calls involving toxic exposures. Of these, almost two-thirds of the calls involved children.
  
• In 2002, 66% of US streams sampled by the US Geological Survey contained disinfectants.

Many traditional household cleaners contain toxins and harsh chemicals that can be harmful if inhaled and can irritate the skin and eyes. Some cleaners recommend working in a well-ventilated area while others warn to keep them out of reach of children. This is serious stuff! If you're like me, you want your house to be clean, but you don’t want to have to wear a HAZMAT suit to clean it. I certainly don't want to endanger the environment, either. Thankfully, there are several methods we can use to reduce toxic exposure in the home and maintain a healthy environment. Here are some steps to consider:

• Prominently display the number to the National Poison Control Center in your home: 1-800-222-1222. Young children can easily mistake household cleaners for juice.
  
• Get into the habit of reading labels on cleaning products. Look for these signal words: Caution, Warning, Danger and Poison. Products listing these kinds of signal words contain ingredients harmful to you and the environment. As an alternative, when choosing a cleaner, look for plant-derived cleaning agents made from materials such as citrus, pine, or coconut. Not only are those products biodegradable and less toxic, but they are also made from sustainable ingredients. It is also worth noting that most eco-friendly or natural cleaner manufacturers will disclose all of their ingredients, something that commercial cleaner manufacturers rarely do as the law does not require them to do so.
  
• Regard dirt as dirt. Manufacturers of commercial household cleaners try to convince us that different rooms in our homes require different cleaners. Using a multi-purpose cleaner will reduce the amount of toxins in your home and will save you money.
  
• Remember: You live in a house, not a hospital. Disinfectants are a waste of money and many contain toxins and highly caustic chemicals. The EPA classifies disinfectants as pesticides because they kill microbes. Washing your hands with soap and water will effectively prevent disease. Keeping your cutting boards clean will also keep you healthy. Many chefs recommend having separate cutting boards for meat, vegetables and cheeses to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
  
• Properly dispose of household cleaners. Many household cleaners are classified as hazardous waste, due to the potential hazardous ingredients they contain. Examples include drain cleaners, bleach, toilet cleaners, oven cleaners, disinfectants, aerosols, ammonia and any item that includes the signal words above.

By following these simple steps, you'll keep your home looking great and you and your family feeling safe and healthy.

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Ingredients:

• Household cleaners
• Soap and water

Caring Time:

• 20 Minutes (just to do a quick inventory)

Cost:

• A few dollars for your cleaning products

Results:

• Clean house
• Healthier family
• Better environment