| We've all been there - you had to do some grocery | | | | other chemicals that get poured down are because a |
| shopping and needed to buy all kinds of items for | | | | person lacks the understanding that not all products |
| your home. You get back and begin to put away | | | | are safe to be flushed down the sewer system. Still, |
| what you bought. As you start to unpack the | | | | the cleaning boosters and enzymes have a great |
| reusable shopping bags full of cleaning supplies, you | | | | effect that can alter how algae grows to reducing |
| start to look at that cabinet. What all is actually in | | | | the amount of oxygen found in water, all of this is |
| that cabinet? | | | | endangering the marine life. |
| As you look in the cabinet, you notice cleaners for | | | | What can be done to stop this kind of madness? |
| polishing wood, cleaners for your stainless steel | | | | Actually, it's providing people with the knowledge and |
| appliances, cleaners for the window/glass, carpets, | | | | education to make smart eco-friendly choices. For |
| drains, bathrooms; the list is endless. You admit to | | | | instance, home cleaning can be done with several |
| yourself that perhaps you like a clean house way too | | | | safe cleansers like alcohol, ammonia, bleach, |
| much and that you've got a soft spot for the high | | | | detergent, oil and soaps. Make sure not to mix these |
| tech cleaning gadgets but is any of it eco-friendly? | | | | chemicals since doing so can be deadly. |
| There are two things that municipal water systems | | | | When you're washing your clothes, there's no need |
| have to deal with everyday. These are: chemical and | | | | for harsh chemicals. Instead, wash your clothes with |
| organic waste. Of the two, the easiest one to | | | | a simple, mild detergent with some additional |
| contend with is the organic waste. Waste settles into | | | | chemicals. Be sure you use non-scented bleach to |
| tanks and the enzymes and natural bacteria do the | | | | wash your white clothes. When you have very |
| work. However, chemical waste must be dealt with | | | | stained clothes, you need to soak them in the |
| through the use of filters and the water has to be | | | | boosters. For instance, alcohol can be used to |
| monitored. Chemicals will need to be added back into | | | | remove grass and protein stains; best of all, it is |
| the water to counterbalance and kill the harmful | | | | biodegradable. Whenever you wash clothes, add |
| chemicals. Remember that cities won't purify water | | | | vinegar since it can deal with greasy clothes. Make |
| to drink; just purify it so that it can go into a lake or | | | | sure to have an equal solution of ammonia, vinegar |
| river. | | | | and water to clean your windows. To deal with |
| Many manufacturing and business places tend to | | | | wood and/or delicate surfaces, have a mild oil/soap |
| watch closely for chemical pollution; yet, the real | | | | solution. |
| issue isn't them... it's the homeowners. In one city | | | | The best way to know if a cleanser is un-eco-friendly |
| alone, there could be thousands (if not tens of | | | | is to look at the ingredients' list. If it lists anywhere |
| thousands) of people on the local water system. In | | | | from seven to 10 ingredients, choose another |
| other cities, there could be millions of folks on the big | | | | cleanser. Try to remember it's not just your reusable |
| city system. For that reason, it can be completely | | | | organic cotton bags that will make a difference on |
| impossible to manage what is getting flushed down | | | | the environment but what you choose to buy and |
| the drain system and toilet. Some things that get | | | | place in those reusable bags that will make the |
| poured down the drain are from a person's downright | | | | difference. |
| stupidity like car motor oil or antifreeze. However, | | | | |