November 3rd- Voting Day. After you vote, come over to my house for a Green Cleaning Workshop 6-8pm. Free. Family and friends all welcome. Serving light snacks & hot cider. Hope to see you there! Cindy
O. By the way....Happy Halloween!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
IMPORTANT: Septic System Summary
During workshops we talk about septic system health, (which is not unlike human health in that it is mostly a matter of prevention and maintenance through proper use). People with septic systems (most of Maine) have to be diligent about what they flush or put down the drain. (Actually, people on public systems should be too...) We've had our system pumped and inspected recently. Here are a few great points raised by the people who did it, when I pressed them for the top stressors that are put on the systems:
1. Never flush cigarette butts (the filters can and do plug up critical pathways to the leachfield)
2. or those 'wipe and flush' medicated cloths (which say on the box they are flushable, but aren't) or diapers or anything other than 'pee, poop & toilet paper
3. Avoid anti-bacterial products, chlorine bleach, and even biological products made for 'breaking down solids'. Talk to a septic system professional. If you have your system pumped regularly (on a schedule appropriate for its size and usage) and maintained properly, it is built to do the job without intervention. Bacteria is in the world for a reason. It does the 'biological breakdown' without chemical additions.
4. Never flush or put prescription or over the counter drugs down the drain. Out of sight out of mind doesn't mean out of existence. Whatever we 'rid' ourselves of simply goes elsewhere.
5. Never pour grease, oil, butter or viscous liquids into a drain or toilet. ESPECIALLY not fats that are solid at room temperature. They had horror stories of inches thick solid fat that floated to the top and solidified in the tank, obviously causing it's ruin.
6. And this one is poignant too. Never put dry powder laundry detergent into the washing machine. Especially when cleaning in cold water. What happens is- it doesn't liquify, but remains solid crystals that can accumulate in the system, causing a crust, that 'snowballs.' One fellow said he had to chisel it off in one system, it was hard as cement (which is what he first thought it was!)
Instead, blend it with hot water until completely dissolved. And avoid petro-chemical cleaners,(which contain petroleum and chemicals (petroleum is a thick, viscous liquid and chemicals are harmful to the environment).
1. Never flush cigarette butts (the filters can and do plug up critical pathways to the leachfield)
2. or those 'wipe and flush' medicated cloths (which say on the box they are flushable, but aren't) or diapers or anything other than 'pee, poop & toilet paper
3. Avoid anti-bacterial products, chlorine bleach, and even biological products made for 'breaking down solids'. Talk to a septic system professional. If you have your system pumped regularly (on a schedule appropriate for its size and usage) and maintained properly, it is built to do the job without intervention. Bacteria is in the world for a reason. It does the 'biological breakdown' without chemical additions.
4. Never flush or put prescription or over the counter drugs down the drain. Out of sight out of mind doesn't mean out of existence. Whatever we 'rid' ourselves of simply goes elsewhere.
5. Never pour grease, oil, butter or viscous liquids into a drain or toilet. ESPECIALLY not fats that are solid at room temperature. They had horror stories of inches thick solid fat that floated to the top and solidified in the tank, obviously causing it's ruin.
6. And this one is poignant too. Never put dry powder laundry detergent into the washing machine. Especially when cleaning in cold water. What happens is- it doesn't liquify, but remains solid crystals that can accumulate in the system, causing a crust, that 'snowballs.' One fellow said he had to chisel it off in one system, it was hard as cement (which is what he first thought it was!)
Instead, blend it with hot water until completely dissolved. And avoid petro-chemical cleaners,(which contain petroleum and chemicals (petroleum is a thick, viscous liquid and chemicals are harmful to the environment).
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Even Free GC Workshops Can Cancel
wooo-hooo....with 4 blogs to keep up with it's no wonder I haven't had a chance to update this one in a while. (Truth be told, I haven't updated the others either). This summer I continue my herbal studies, exploring which herbs are best for disinfecting, antibacterial, and insect repelling. By infusing thyme (the same herb that flavors meat and fish is also a powerful disinfectant) in hot water and vinegar, you'll have a great, natural disinfecting cleaner without the chemicals. Plus it smells wonderful. I feel blessed to have a big patch of spreading lemon thyme in my garden. (oh my darlin' oh my darlin' oh my DARLIN' Lemon Thyme.....)
___________________________
Last Sunday I scheduled a free Green Cleaning Workshop at my house in the early evening, for family and friends who haven't had a chance to come to a class at a local Adult Ed program. But no one was able to come to that one either...summer is too busy! Might try again in the fall. Also, had been scheduled to teach a workshop on Frye Island this coming Monday, which got cancelled due to low enrollment. "They'd rather golf if the sun is shining," explained the coordinator. Summer in Maine is short, intense, and activity filled. If you or someone you know would like to come to a fall GC workshop let me know and I'll add you to the 'invite' email list. Meanwhile, enjoy your summer days and live each and every moment fully. Be well, C Anne
___________________________
Last Sunday I scheduled a free Green Cleaning Workshop at my house in the early evening, for family and friends who haven't had a chance to come to a class at a local Adult Ed program. But no one was able to come to that one either...summer is too busy! Might try again in the fall. Also, had been scheduled to teach a workshop on Frye Island this coming Monday, which got cancelled due to low enrollment. "They'd rather golf if the sun is shining," explained the coordinator. Summer in Maine is short, intense, and activity filled. If you or someone you know would like to come to a fall GC workshop let me know and I'll add you to the 'invite' email list. Meanwhile, enjoy your summer days and live each and every moment fully. Be well, C Anne
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tick Talk
Speaking of being 'green' if you are out in the world on this gorgeous day, be mindful of ticks and check yourself and/or your children for ticks after being out in the green (grass, fields, brush, lawns, etc) This time of year is the active 'dog tick' season, but 'deer tick' are possible anytime too. These are the two most common 'tick types' in Maine. (which has up to 14 species of ticks- not all of them bother humans- so most don't get a lot of press).
Dog ticks have silvery-whitish markings; like streaks (male) or horseshoe shaped (female). Deer ticks are dark with no light markings. Nymphs are tiny but adults are similar sized to dog ticks, so can be mistaken for one. Deer ticks are the notorious ones for potentially carrying Lyme Disease bacterium.
BITE PREVENTION is the BEST DEFENSE.
Interestingly, the same prevention measures for ticks apply to mosquitos too, another disease carrying biter. Only female mosquitos bite.
2 great info sites:
http://www.mmcri.org/lyme/ (about ticks in Maine)
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/_lyme/ (about ticks and mosquitos in Maine)
Dog ticks have silvery-whitish markings; like streaks (male) or horseshoe shaped (female). Deer ticks are dark with no light markings. Nymphs are tiny but adults are similar sized to dog ticks, so can be mistaken for one. Deer ticks are the notorious ones for potentially carrying Lyme Disease bacterium.
BITE PREVENTION is the BEST DEFENSE.
Interestingly, the same prevention measures for ticks apply to mosquitos too, another disease carrying biter. Only female mosquitos bite.
2 great info sites:
http://www.mmcri.org/lyme/ (about ticks in Maine)
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/_lyme/ (about ticks and mosquitos in Maine)
Authentic Greening
There is a difference between sincere greening and greening because it is a popular trend. Beware of companies that are using 'the green revolution' as a marketing ploy to sell you stuff you don't need. Buying what is not necessary is not green, whether the product is 'toxic' or not. It's capitalist and opportunistic-meant to make money instead of reducing consumption. Plus in unregulated industries (ie, the cleaners industry) 'non-toxic' is a meaningless term for the most part. It is poorly defined and open to situational interpretation.
Just because a product has green in its name (like Simple Green; Green Works, etc) does not mean it's green, a term that has no regulated meaning either. A company that puts green in a product name might be using a marketing ploy, unless they third party certify what they mean by the word.
Rule of thumb: The more heavily advertised or promoted (such as 'end aisle displays' in stores), a product is, the bigger the company and more money behind it. To me that means: beware.
It, like dreams, are not what they seem.
If you are in Southern Maine, enjoy this incredibly, mind-blowingingly (along with the wind), and remarkably gorgeous (and truly GREEN) day. Life really IS good. C Anne
Just because a product has green in its name (like Simple Green; Green Works, etc) does not mean it's green, a term that has no regulated meaning either. A company that puts green in a product name might be using a marketing ploy, unless they third party certify what they mean by the word.
Rule of thumb: The more heavily advertised or promoted (such as 'end aisle displays' in stores), a product is, the bigger the company and more money behind it. To me that means: beware.
It, like dreams, are not what they seem.
If you are in Southern Maine, enjoy this incredibly, mind-blowingingly (along with the wind), and remarkably gorgeous (and truly GREEN) day. Life really IS good. C Anne
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
What We Can Do Without
People have replaced personal experience and hands on knowledge (ie, learn by doing) with store bought solutions to everyday living. Corporations create perceived need where there isn't any. It leads to the constant 'new and improved' products that continually bombard the media.
Most people have no idea how few cleaners and cleaning paraphenalia they actually need. There are two things that can discipline you along this line. One is learning what is actually in all those cleaners (-they shouldn't even be called cleaners. they are actually polluters, contaminating your home instead of cleaning it).
The other thing that can limit the accumulation of cleaners and supplies is a lack of income. If you don't have it to spend, you don't 'spend it to have'.
When I was layed off I had to go into a conservative money mode. It was the best teacher to learn what I actually do need and what can easily be lived without- like, for example, most cleaners. I clean my house, automobile and (even) myself with very few things. This is good knowledge! It isn't the knowledge corporations want you to have. That alone should make people stand up and pay attention.
Most people have no idea how few cleaners and cleaning paraphenalia they actually need. There are two things that can discipline you along this line. One is learning what is actually in all those cleaners (-they shouldn't even be called cleaners. they are actually polluters, contaminating your home instead of cleaning it).
The other thing that can limit the accumulation of cleaners and supplies is a lack of income. If you don't have it to spend, you don't 'spend it to have'.
When I was layed off I had to go into a conservative money mode. It was the best teacher to learn what I actually do need and what can easily be lived without- like, for example, most cleaners. I clean my house, automobile and (even) myself with very few things. This is good knowledge! It isn't the knowledge corporations want you to have. That alone should make people stand up and pay attention.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Why Buy Industrial Solvents To Clean A Pan?
Store bought cleaners are unnecessarily harsh-designed to handle 'tough dirt and grease' in hard water conditions. Sorry, but how often are you dealing with that, unless your a mechanic? If you routinely maintain your home, it isn't contaminated with 'tough dirt and grease,' only the occasional cooking pan is. And that only if you allow it to dry and harden on. At me mum's for Mother's Day yesterday she grilled shish kabob in a broiler pan. The moisture from the veggies and marinating sauce really baked onto the pan. We simply soaked it in the sink with vinegar and baking soda while we ate. After the meal, even that pan was pretty easy to clean without resorting to industrial solvents to do it!
Fact is, most homes can be very effectively cleaned with mild cleaners. There are countries where cleaning 'supplies' aren't a $2 billion dollar a year industry. We are misinformed when told third world societies are 'backwards.' What does that really mean, anyway? Are 'forwards' countries like America better? Ones that are destroying life with their excessive manufacturing of things with the purpose only being to sell more stuff? C Anne
Fact is, most homes can be very effectively cleaned with mild cleaners. There are countries where cleaning 'supplies' aren't a $2 billion dollar a year industry. We are misinformed when told third world societies are 'backwards.' What does that really mean, anyway? Are 'forwards' countries like America better? Ones that are destroying life with their excessive manufacturing of things with the purpose only being to sell more stuff? C Anne
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Fabric Softeners & Dryer Sheets
Most people want fresh smelling, soft clothes. They are wonderful to put on and wear! How we get them fresh and soft determines our level of contribution to toxic build up in the environment.
Most people wash clothes using detergents, fabric softeners & dryer sheets- all of which load the environment with toxins while leaving harmful, slow releasing residues behind in the clothing.
To remedy this, buy or make clothing made from natural fibers; such as (organically grown) cotton (conventionally grown cotton is one of the most heavily damaging crops grown, due to the heavy fertilizer & pesticide use), wool, hemp, bamboo, jute, etc.
If you wear artificial or synthetic fibers (polyester, rayon, acetate, olefin, nylon,etc.), you will have a problem with smell (i think fake clothes stink) and static cling. Water needs 'softening' only if you live in an area with mineral-rich (aka 'hard') water. Such water is a challenge because the surface tension of the water molecules are harder to pierce, so residues can remain that leave your laundered clothes feeling unsoft. (so- know your water!) If it needs softening, use one of the following:
20 Mule Team Borax- does double duty- as a laundry booster and as a water softener. Use in wash and/or rinse cycles.
Glycerin - Mix 1 part glycerin to 16 parts water. Add a quarter cup to rinse cycle.
Vinegar - is a water softener. Add a half cup to rinse cycle.
If you want fresh smelling clothes-do your best to get access to a clothesline; for sun and wind dried clothes are the best 'scenting agents' you can get. If that isn't feasible, try the following:
Some people put essential oils (botanically derived essenses) in the rinse cycle. This imparts a scent (that you choose) to clothes. But if you then machine dry them, the scent evaporates. So, instead, hang the scented clothes to dry. Or, fill a spray bottle with distilled water, adding a few drops of essential oil. Shake and use as an ironing spray. Or, press clothes, then spray them with the scented water. Scent will linger nicely.
Then, inhale deeply, knowing you can do so without damaging your lungs. Thanks for nixing the fabric softeners and dryer sheets and going 'au naturale'.
C. Anne
Most people wash clothes using detergents, fabric softeners & dryer sheets- all of which load the environment with toxins while leaving harmful, slow releasing residues behind in the clothing.
To remedy this, buy or make clothing made from natural fibers; such as (organically grown) cotton (conventionally grown cotton is one of the most heavily damaging crops grown, due to the heavy fertilizer & pesticide use), wool, hemp, bamboo, jute, etc.
If you wear artificial or synthetic fibers (polyester, rayon, acetate, olefin, nylon,etc.), you will have a problem with smell (i think fake clothes stink) and static cling. Water needs 'softening' only if you live in an area with mineral-rich (aka 'hard') water. Such water is a challenge because the surface tension of the water molecules are harder to pierce, so residues can remain that leave your laundered clothes feeling unsoft. (so- know your water!) If it needs softening, use one of the following:
20 Mule Team Borax- does double duty- as a laundry booster and as a water softener. Use in wash and/or rinse cycles.
Glycerin - Mix 1 part glycerin to 16 parts water. Add a quarter cup to rinse cycle.
Vinegar - is a water softener. Add a half cup to rinse cycle.
If you want fresh smelling clothes-do your best to get access to a clothesline; for sun and wind dried clothes are the best 'scenting agents' you can get. If that isn't feasible, try the following:
Some people put essential oils (botanically derived essenses) in the rinse cycle. This imparts a scent (that you choose) to clothes. But if you then machine dry them, the scent evaporates. So, instead, hang the scented clothes to dry. Or, fill a spray bottle with distilled water, adding a few drops of essential oil. Shake and use as an ironing spray. Or, press clothes, then spray them with the scented water. Scent will linger nicely.
Then, inhale deeply, knowing you can do so without damaging your lungs. Thanks for nixing the fabric softeners and dryer sheets and going 'au naturale'.
C. Anne
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Spring Cleaning
Recently my daughter washed her bedroom walls, floors, furniture and windows. Even as she was cleaning the house smelled incredibly wonderful. What did she use? 1/4 cup borax in a gallon of warm water with a few drops of Lime Essential Oil (EO) with a drop of Pine Needle EO. The windows she just washed with a warm water/vinegar mix. A few days later, during a damp, rainy day, her room smelled subtley of the Lime-Pine. Nice! Clean. Sharp. Fresh.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Fossil Plastic?
RENEW REBUILD & REPURPOSE can be added to the 3 R's (reduce, reuse, recycle).
More people are becoming aware of the swirling mass of plastic stuff that carousel's around in the Pacific Ocean, in a vortex created by spiraling ocean currents (called the 'Pacific, or Eastern Garbage Patch- there is also a western one, between Hawaii & Japan). These 'patches of floating debris' are created wherever the currents act on the waters in a vortex.
BOTTOM LINE: Every piece of plastic trash we create is destined to one of these fates: 1. landfilled (limits biodegradability of items buried beneath other items) 2. incinerated (causing pollution in the form of burned stuff) 3. recycled (less than 5% of total amounts) or 4. it is making its way into a waterway; via storm drain, stream, river, and ultimately ends up in the ocean.
Maybe reclaiming this 'trash' will become a 'treasure' one day; just as decomposing dinosaurs currently fuel our motorized and mechanized lives. While doing so the unintended consequence is accelerating pollution and depletion. So, it is not unlikely to imagine a day when someone will find the huge amounts of plastic waste a resource. To be alchemized to who knows, maybe fuel or building materials. The stuff exists. It got made. Not by nature but by mankind. Nature can't use it. We better find a way to.
Most plastic currently being made isn't even made with a 'second or multi-life' purpose. It is made as 'one time use then dispose.' We are coming to regret the term 'dispose' since our sheer numbers make an excess of everything, with the intent to sell as much as possible to as many people as possible, hence, doing business for profit rather than for the good of all.
Every 'cure' for our waste creating addiction has problems. About recycling Paul Hawkens writes,"All the recycling in the world doesn’t change the fact that doing business in the latter part of the 20th century is an energy intensive endeavor that gulps up resources. "
Resources that are finite. Or non-biodegradable, if you factor in the longevity of manufactured plastic. It is this material that will become a raw material, like we treat fossil fuel as. Imagine. Fossil Plastic. But reclaiming and converting it to something else may well prove to be an 'energy intensive endeavor' prohibitively gulping up resources that won't exist in the volume needed to be successful.
For today, in our little lives, we are tasked to think more responsibly about what we buy, use and (especially) eventually throw away. Repurposing as much as we can.
Renew and rebuild instead of replace.
We will begin to re-appreciate the lost trades; SHOE SHINE & REPAIR; Knife & Scissor Sharpeners and Repairers; SoapMakers; Weavers, BeeKeepers and Village Elders (this group being us and we have limited skills to pass on in this way. Ironically, it will be the next generation who will have to gain and pass such skills on to us. Cobblers unite!!
Peace, Cindy
More people are becoming aware of the swirling mass of plastic stuff that carousel's around in the Pacific Ocean, in a vortex created by spiraling ocean currents (called the 'Pacific, or Eastern Garbage Patch- there is also a western one, between Hawaii & Japan). These 'patches of floating debris' are created wherever the currents act on the waters in a vortex.
BOTTOM LINE: Every piece of plastic trash we create is destined to one of these fates: 1. landfilled (limits biodegradability of items buried beneath other items) 2. incinerated (causing pollution in the form of burned stuff) 3. recycled (less than 5% of total amounts) or 4. it is making its way into a waterway; via storm drain, stream, river, and ultimately ends up in the ocean.
Maybe reclaiming this 'trash' will become a 'treasure' one day; just as decomposing dinosaurs currently fuel our motorized and mechanized lives. While doing so the unintended consequence is accelerating pollution and depletion. So, it is not unlikely to imagine a day when someone will find the huge amounts of plastic waste a resource. To be alchemized to who knows, maybe fuel or building materials. The stuff exists. It got made. Not by nature but by mankind. Nature can't use it. We better find a way to.
Most plastic currently being made isn't even made with a 'second or multi-life' purpose. It is made as 'one time use then dispose.' We are coming to regret the term 'dispose' since our sheer numbers make an excess of everything, with the intent to sell as much as possible to as many people as possible, hence, doing business for profit rather than for the good of all.
Every 'cure' for our waste creating addiction has problems. About recycling Paul Hawkens writes,"All the recycling in the world doesn’t change the fact that doing business in the latter part of the 20th century is an energy intensive endeavor that gulps up resources. "
Resources that are finite. Or non-biodegradable, if you factor in the longevity of manufactured plastic. It is this material that will become a raw material, like we treat fossil fuel as. Imagine. Fossil Plastic. But reclaiming and converting it to something else may well prove to be an 'energy intensive endeavor' prohibitively gulping up resources that won't exist in the volume needed to be successful.
For today, in our little lives, we are tasked to think more responsibly about what we buy, use and (especially) eventually throw away. Repurposing as much as we can.
Renew and rebuild instead of replace.
We will begin to re-appreciate the lost trades; SHOE SHINE & REPAIR; Knife & Scissor Sharpeners and Repairers; SoapMakers; Weavers, BeeKeepers and Village Elders (this group being us and we have limited skills to pass on in this way. Ironically, it will be the next generation who will have to gain and pass such skills on to us. Cobblers unite!!
Peace, Cindy
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Great Bleach Debate-or- Read between the lines carefully (entry2)
The label on Clorox bleach lists under 'active ingredients': sodium hypochlorite 6.0%; other ingredients 94.0%; total 100%. In parenthesis is says (yields 5.7% available chlorine).
However, the bracketed statement is more interesting because the Clorox website plainly states that 'It's wrong to call household bleach chlorine bleach because it has an entirely different chemistry.'
Well, we non-scientists and plain speaking people would like to know: Which is correct- Is Clorox bleach 'chlorine bleach' or is it not? You can't put on the label that it is 5.7% chlorine and then negate it on your website.
For those still unsure and wondering if they should or shouldn't use Clorox bleach, here is another thing to ponder. It is rated a potential hazard of: DANGER: CORROSIVE. But about corrosiveness, the website says the following:
Clorox® bleach does not damage equipment and surfaces. The majority of Clorox® bleach products contain anticorrosion agents and, when used as directed, are safe for use on a variety of hard, nonporous surfaces, including stainless steel, plastics, glazed ceramics, glass, porcelain and other materials. Use bleach with confidence to clean and disinfect countertops, floors, toilets, sinks, trash cans, keyboards, phones, light switches and desks.
Anti-corrosive ingredients? Notice what is absent from the website- no explanation as to what bleach does to soft, porous surfaces. IE, walls, some furniture, fabric, your skin, your eyes. Everyone has had a hole burned into a favorite article of clothing because of 'spot treating' with bleach. It's corrosive. Period. Reason enough to not use it.
However, the bracketed statement is more interesting because the Clorox website plainly states that 'It's wrong to call household bleach chlorine bleach because it has an entirely different chemistry.'
Well, we non-scientists and plain speaking people would like to know: Which is correct- Is Clorox bleach 'chlorine bleach' or is it not? You can't put on the label that it is 5.7% chlorine and then negate it on your website.
For those still unsure and wondering if they should or shouldn't use Clorox bleach, here is another thing to ponder. It is rated a potential hazard of: DANGER: CORROSIVE. But about corrosiveness, the website says the following:
Clorox® bleach does not damage equipment and surfaces. The majority of Clorox® bleach products contain anticorrosion agents and, when used as directed, are safe for use on a variety of hard, nonporous surfaces, including stainless steel, plastics, glazed ceramics, glass, porcelain and other materials. Use bleach with confidence to clean and disinfect countertops, floors, toilets, sinks, trash cans, keyboards, phones, light switches and desks.
Anti-corrosive ingredients? Notice what is absent from the website- no explanation as to what bleach does to soft, porous surfaces. IE, walls, some furniture, fabric, your skin, your eyes. Everyone has had a hole burned into a favorite article of clothing because of 'spot treating' with bleach. It's corrosive. Period. Reason enough to not use it.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Soda Blasting
In my Home Clean Home cleaning classes we start out acknowledging the first three ingredients in natural cleaning (all free, by the way!). Sun. Air. Water.
I recently came across this statement: 'Improved technologies will continue to improve and impact the cleaning industry.' One tough cleaning job is that of cleaning national monuments. Did you know they clean the Statue of Liberty with baking soda?
We talk a lot about baking soda in class. It's the most basic of 'scrubbing powder' ingredients. It cleans and deodorizes. But torch lady herself? Wow. Apparently there is a high power pressurized applicator that is used to concentrate the baking soda blast on the monuments surface. The process is also used to safely clean boat hulls and is an eco-friendly way to remove even graffitti from city buildings!
And a German company patented the application process to use high-pressure washers to apply only hot water to clean and it safely and successfully cleaned Mount Rushmore of lichen, algae, moss and other organic stains.
I guess if they can clean the Statue of Liberty, boat hulls and graffitti with hot water and baking soda, then we shouldn't need more than that to clean our humble homes!
C. Anne
I recently came across this statement: 'Improved technologies will continue to improve and impact the cleaning industry.' One tough cleaning job is that of cleaning national monuments. Did you know they clean the Statue of Liberty with baking soda?
We talk a lot about baking soda in class. It's the most basic of 'scrubbing powder' ingredients. It cleans and deodorizes. But torch lady herself? Wow. Apparently there is a high power pressurized applicator that is used to concentrate the baking soda blast on the monuments surface. The process is also used to safely clean boat hulls and is an eco-friendly way to remove even graffitti from city buildings!
And a German company patented the application process to use high-pressure washers to apply only hot water to clean and it safely and successfully cleaned Mount Rushmore of lichen, algae, moss and other organic stains.
I guess if they can clean the Statue of Liberty, boat hulls and graffitti with hot water and baking soda, then we shouldn't need more than that to clean our humble homes!
C. Anne
The Great Bleach Debate
Bleach. I am in the middle of researching a bleach issue. I do not promote its use. It is an eye, lung and skin irritant.
Clorox promotes the idea that household bleach biodegrades 'mostly harmlessly to salt water.' It is the 'mostly' we have to concern ourselves with. More specifically, the rest of it beyond the mostly. The 3 to 6% that doesn't break down harmlessly and what impact that has.
Bleach is a highly unstable product. It has a very short shelf life. People over use it. It is a mis-conception that you can 'clean with bleach.' You cannot. It is not a cleaner. Yet you go to Clorox website and there it is- they say to 'clean and disinfect' with it.
Bleach is a bacteria killer, but only under specific conditions, applied a certain way, with time and surface variables taken into consideration. What you have to ask is: is it really necessary to kill all that bacteria? We are a germophobic society. Our best defense against microorganisms is a healthy immune system and reasonable and regular cleaning practices.
Seeking to kill something off always leads to worse consequences. "Never seen no miracle of science, that didn't end up with something worse" is a line from a Police song.
Clorox website says household bleach isn't chlorine bleach. I am pasting what it says:
'There is no free chlorine in household bleach. It's wrong to call household bleach chlorine bleach because it has an entirely different chemistry. Household bleach is derived from sodium chloride - common table salt. Clorox purchases chlorine and makes household bleach by bubbling the chlorine into a solution of water and sodium hydroxide. During this process, all of the chlorine is converted to a sodium hypochlorite solution.
The issue I am researching is: How harmful is bleach? I have read about it extensively. Everyone (should) know(s) that to mix bleach with other substances-for example ammonia- is dangerous, courting disaster. It creates toxic gases that can be fatal. I have read that even vinegar (as an acid) should not be mixed with household bleach for the same reason, ie, it helps release chlorinated gases.'
Just today, however, I come across an online source that promotes mixing bleach and vinegar. http://news.bio-medicine.org/biology-news-3/Vinegar-increases-killing-power-of-bleach-8067-1/ huh?!? What is up with that? It must be one way or the other, it can't be both.
So, I have written and sent an email inquiry to a state source to see if they can help sort this out for me.
This is what makes it hard for people to know what to do. The inconsistency.
I will update the blog as soon as I get an answer.
C Anne
Clorox promotes the idea that household bleach biodegrades 'mostly harmlessly to salt water.' It is the 'mostly' we have to concern ourselves with. More specifically, the rest of it beyond the mostly. The 3 to 6% that doesn't break down harmlessly and what impact that has.
Bleach is a highly unstable product. It has a very short shelf life. People over use it. It is a mis-conception that you can 'clean with bleach.' You cannot. It is not a cleaner. Yet you go to Clorox website and there it is- they say to 'clean and disinfect' with it.
Bleach is a bacteria killer, but only under specific conditions, applied a certain way, with time and surface variables taken into consideration. What you have to ask is: is it really necessary to kill all that bacteria? We are a germophobic society. Our best defense against microorganisms is a healthy immune system and reasonable and regular cleaning practices.
Seeking to kill something off always leads to worse consequences. "Never seen no miracle of science, that didn't end up with something worse" is a line from a Police song.
Clorox website says household bleach isn't chlorine bleach. I am pasting what it says:
'There is no free chlorine in household bleach. It's wrong to call household bleach chlorine bleach because it has an entirely different chemistry. Household bleach is derived from sodium chloride - common table salt. Clorox purchases chlorine and makes household bleach by bubbling the chlorine into a solution of water and sodium hydroxide. During this process, all of the chlorine is converted to a sodium hypochlorite solution.
The issue I am researching is: How harmful is bleach? I have read about it extensively. Everyone (should) know(s) that to mix bleach with other substances-for example ammonia- is dangerous, courting disaster. It creates toxic gases that can be fatal. I have read that even vinegar (as an acid) should not be mixed with household bleach for the same reason, ie, it helps release chlorinated gases.'
Just today, however, I come across an online source that promotes mixing bleach and vinegar. http://news.bio-medicine.org/biology-news-3/Vinegar-increases-killing-power-of-bleach-8067-1/ huh?!? What is up with that? It must be one way or the other, it can't be both.
So, I have written and sent an email inquiry to a state source to see if they can help sort this out for me.
This is what makes it hard for people to know what to do. The inconsistency.
I will update the blog as soon as I get an answer.
C Anne
Friday, March 27, 2009
Recalls- It's not just about nostalgia
Another reason to avoid buying heavy duty 'cleaners' is product recalls, which are manufacturing failures. The volumes of products we mass produce staggers the imagination. Some people say that, in comparison, the number of recalls is small. And that it is part of doing business. Those people should try to remember that it is someone's skin, someone's eyes, someone's health and someone's home at risk from fire or exposure.
The fact is that all this chemical stuff sold as 'cleaners' and 'scenter's and all their excessive, non-reusable packaging is wasteful and unnecessary. We need to stop this. To stop creating products that are polluting, toxic, dangerous and unnecessary.
Here is a sampling of some products, volumes and recall reasons.
1. 24,000 'Cabot Deck Cleaner' products-the ingredients can react with the metal foil packaging, releasing heat and chlorine gas (!), posing a fire and inhalation hazard.
2. 50,000 cans of Easy-Off oven cleaner- due to improperly attached valve assembly, contents can spew out, risking chemical burns to skin and eyes. Yowch!
3. Three products, totally 761,000 items, ranging from Aerosol Foam Cleaner, Wood Cleaner, Deck Cleaner all recalled for defective cans/containers.
4. Zep brand Drain Cleaner- 1.1 million (!) bottles can leak- IMAGINE-Drain Cleaner leaking out, onto your skin/eyes. Coming into potential contact with children. Or pets. Or your sinks and shelves. Three reports of human contact resulted. 13 of property damage. And that's just what the CPSC had on file at the time of this report.
5. 2.5 million (!) Glade Plug In Scented Oil - potentially misassembled during manufacture, posing fire risk.
*All this information and more is on the consumer product safety website for your viewing pleasure (or horror): http://www.cpsc.gov/ Thanks for reading. C. Anne
The fact is that all this chemical stuff sold as 'cleaners' and 'scenter's and all their excessive, non-reusable packaging is wasteful and unnecessary. We need to stop this. To stop creating products that are polluting, toxic, dangerous and unnecessary.
Here is a sampling of some products, volumes and recall reasons.
1. 24,000 'Cabot Deck Cleaner' products-the ingredients can react with the metal foil packaging, releasing heat and chlorine gas (!), posing a fire and inhalation hazard.
2. 50,000 cans of Easy-Off oven cleaner- due to improperly attached valve assembly, contents can spew out, risking chemical burns to skin and eyes. Yowch!
3. Three products, totally 761,000 items, ranging from Aerosol Foam Cleaner, Wood Cleaner, Deck Cleaner all recalled for defective cans/containers.
4. Zep brand Drain Cleaner- 1.1 million (!) bottles can leak- IMAGINE-Drain Cleaner leaking out, onto your skin/eyes. Coming into potential contact with children. Or pets. Or your sinks and shelves. Three reports of human contact resulted. 13 of property damage. And that's just what the CPSC had on file at the time of this report.
5. 2.5 million (!) Glade Plug In Scented Oil - potentially misassembled during manufacture, posing fire risk.
*All this information and more is on the consumer product safety website for your viewing pleasure (or horror): http://www.cpsc.gov/ Thanks for reading. C. Anne
Pharmaceutical Pollution
It is an emerging problem. Pharmaceuticals contaminating water supplies. These include prescribed drugs; OTC(over the counter) medications; pet drugs prescribed by a vet; etc. They get into the environment in 1 of 2 ways: 1. They are ingested. Some medications are only partially metabolized; then the body excretes the unused portion, which is flushed into the sewer or septic system. 2. Until recently the recommended disposal method for Unused, Outdated, Unwanted and Unneeded pills, liquids, gels, powders, etc. was 'flush it down the toilet or sink.' The logic was it would then stay out of the hands of at risk, unintended users.
The over-prescribed meds are polluting water. So are personal care products. The chemicals and preservatives are also showing up in water.
Contaminants remain in the sewage treatment plants (STP's) by-product: sludge. STP's are not designed to handle extracting “emerging contaminants” such as these. From antacids to antidepressants; steroids to antibiotics. The concern is that many of these drugs have the potential of interfering with hormone production. Chemicals with this effect are called endocrine disrupters and are attracting the attention of water quality scientists.
So, rather than despair, we need to think this through and take actions. Be Pro-active.
ACTION 1: Increasingly communities are starting campaigns to educate people not to flush medications in the sewer or septic. Spread the word. Have these conversations with others who might not be aware of the extent of this problem.
ACTION 2: Communities are organizing Pharmaceutical Collection Days (much like 'Hazardous Waste Collection Days) *This would be an ideal service project for a local community oriented service group. Talk to elected officials in your community about organizing this.
What is done with the collected substances? There is a definite process to collecting, sorting, accounting for, and disposing of collected materials. They are special handled and delivered to a waste treatment plant with the capacity to incinerate them at very high temperatures.
ACTION 3: What to do with unused, outdated, unwanted pharmaceuticals if there is no collection process in your area? First, this is an emerging problem that few communities have dealt with. You can either: 1. store the drugs in a locked, secure location until a collection process is implemented. 2. mix prescribed drugs with dirt or coffee grounds, wrap in newspaper, and throw out with household trash*. (*NOTE: I think this option is only for communities where it is known that collected trash is incinerated. Otherwise, drugs sent to landfills continue the contamination cycle, leaching into groundwater there.)
ACTION 4: Rather than continually dealing with the aftermath of our chemical-saturated society, we should be examining why there is a massive (and growing) amount of prescriptions being written and filled; but then they're going unused and unwanted. What are we doing?
Why are we being over-medicated? It is leading to unintended medicating, as people drink water tainted by cholesterol drugs, pain meds, heart meds, cold and flu meds, etc. etc. etc. Yuk!
Personal Care Products are also a huge industry. Cosmetics, fragrances. Much of it contaminated with chemicals, preservatives, pesticides. Much of it leaching into the environment. Going green also means going lean. Cutting out the excess.
Be well. Don't despair. We can't do anything about what we don't know. But we can take action on what we are learning. Thank you for whatever you do to help alleviate this problem.
Here's a couple of articles to read more about this issue,
or just search 'pharmaceuticals in water'
http://ag.arizona.edu/AZWATER/awr/july00/feature1.htm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23503485/
The over-prescribed meds are polluting water. So are personal care products. The chemicals and preservatives are also showing up in water.
Contaminants remain in the sewage treatment plants (STP's) by-product: sludge. STP's are not designed to handle extracting “emerging contaminants” such as these. From antacids to antidepressants; steroids to antibiotics. The concern is that many of these drugs have the potential of interfering with hormone production. Chemicals with this effect are called endocrine disrupters and are attracting the attention of water quality scientists.
So, rather than despair, we need to think this through and take actions. Be Pro-active.
ACTION 1: Increasingly communities are starting campaigns to educate people not to flush medications in the sewer or septic. Spread the word. Have these conversations with others who might not be aware of the extent of this problem.
ACTION 2: Communities are organizing Pharmaceutical Collection Days (much like 'Hazardous Waste Collection Days) *This would be an ideal service project for a local community oriented service group. Talk to elected officials in your community about organizing this.
What is done with the collected substances? There is a definite process to collecting, sorting, accounting for, and disposing of collected materials. They are special handled and delivered to a waste treatment plant with the capacity to incinerate them at very high temperatures.
ACTION 3: What to do with unused, outdated, unwanted pharmaceuticals if there is no collection process in your area? First, this is an emerging problem that few communities have dealt with. You can either: 1. store the drugs in a locked, secure location until a collection process is implemented. 2. mix prescribed drugs with dirt or coffee grounds, wrap in newspaper, and throw out with household trash*. (*NOTE: I think this option is only for communities where it is known that collected trash is incinerated. Otherwise, drugs sent to landfills continue the contamination cycle, leaching into groundwater there.)
ACTION 4: Rather than continually dealing with the aftermath of our chemical-saturated society, we should be examining why there is a massive (and growing) amount of prescriptions being written and filled; but then they're going unused and unwanted. What are we doing?
Why are we being over-medicated? It is leading to unintended medicating, as people drink water tainted by cholesterol drugs, pain meds, heart meds, cold and flu meds, etc. etc. etc. Yuk!
Personal Care Products are also a huge industry. Cosmetics, fragrances. Much of it contaminated with chemicals, preservatives, pesticides. Much of it leaching into the environment. Going green also means going lean. Cutting out the excess.
Be well. Don't despair. We can't do anything about what we don't know. But we can take action on what we are learning. Thank you for whatever you do to help alleviate this problem.
Here's a couple of articles to read more about this issue,
or just search 'pharmaceuticals in water'
http://ag.arizona.edu/AZWATER/awr/july00/feature1.htm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23503485/
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