Cleaning References and Helpful Links
Located in the End Notes of the Easy Green Cleaning book all the exact references used in the book are listed.
These are some additional helpful links and references to help and inspire you on your journey.
For ways to get involved and other helpful links visit the 10 Ways to Get Involved and Inspire Change page.
The book that started it all!
101 Home Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide is the first book I read on the subject that started me on my journey to green cleaning and it is one I still highly recommend! Especially if you would like to learn more ways hydrogen peroxide can be used as a safe alternative in your home.
Documentaries that are Worth Watching!
Consider inviting friends and doing a movie night or screening party with one or more of these documentaries.
Stink! Is a wonderful documentary created by John Whelan a single father that wanted to figure out why a toxic smell was coming from pajamas he just bought for his daughters. When he couldn’t get an answer he conducts a full-out investigation and takes us along for the ride! This documentary is available to rent or purchase on Amazon.com.
In the documentary Unacceptable Levels filmmaker and father Ed Brown takes us on a journey of examining chemical exposure in our everyday lives and what the possible repercussions are. It tells the story of how the chemical revolution brought us to where we are today. This documentary is available for free with a Gaia TV trial.
Narrated by Sean Penn The Human Experiment shows the thousands of untested chemicals in our everyday products and how we have become the guinea pigs in a human experiment to see what their effects really are. It dives into the laws behind these chemicals and why they are so hard to regulate. This documentary is currently available for free as well on Netflix.
Chemerical is a fun documentary that not only brings light to the chemicals used in everyday cleaning and personal care products but also follows a family’s journey as they start to make the switch to a chemical free home. You can watch this documentary for free with Amazon Prime.
Search your Current Cleaning Products for Toxicity Ratings
You can conduct a search of the cleaning products you are currently using or ones you are considering purchasing by using the EWG Product Search. Just enter the name of the product or individual ingredient into the search bar and it will show the toxicity rating as well as different cautions with the products.
Learn How to Recycle and Properly Dispose of Hazardous Waste
Simply search Earth911 and enter in what you would like to recycle and your zip code to find the best way to recycle different items in your area. You can also check out their recycling search guide.
Recycle Nation and How2Recycle are also good reference websites for how and where to recycle in your area.
Check out the EPA’s Website on Household Hazardous Waste to learn more on how to properly dispose of Hazardous items. You can also do an online search of how to properly dispose of hazardous waste and the name of your city. Some city’s offer pickup services, community drop-off’s or even mail in services for household hazardous waste.
Doing a search on Earth 911 can also help you find proper disposal solutions for hazardous waste items as well just type in the hazardous waste type and zip code.
Examples of Household Hazardous Waste
- Paints and Stains – Check into local recycling programs for used paint otherwise bring or call in for hazardous waste disposal.
- Household Cleaners – This includes everything from drain cleaners to air fresheners and of course anything contain chlorine or ammonia. If you have a conventional cleaning products chances are it needs to be disposed of as Household Hazardous Waste.
- Automotive Products – This category includes oil, antifreeze, fluids, oil filters, gasoline, car polish and wax. All needs to be properly disposed of as hazardous waste.
- Garden Chemicals – These include pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer and insecticides.
- Batteries – Include home and vehicle batteries. Most automotive places will take car batteries. Certain hardware stores and electronic stores recycle batteries for household use. I recommend doing a search on battery type and location.
- Electronics – Some electronic stores including most Best Buy locations have great electronic recycling programs.
- Compact Florescent Lightbulbs (CFL’s) – These are very toxic to you and the environment store them so they are protected so they do not break. A lot of home improvement stores offer disposal programs for these. Next time opt for energy saving LED bulbs to keep the dangers of CFL’s out of your home. In addition any other items containing mercury like thermometers and thermostats need to be disposed of the same way without breaking.
- Pharmaceuticals – Never dispose of medications by flushing or pouring down the drain. Contact your local pharmacies or drugstores to see if they offer a disposal program. Some grocery stores offer them as well.
Learn more about Fluoride Dangers
Watch this short and very well done 20 minute documentary about Fluoride being added to our drinking water called Our Daily Dose by Jeremy Seifert. Make sure you pass it along!
Learn the top 50 Reasons to Oppose Fluoridation of our water supply.
Watch a short video on 10 Facts About Fluoride.
Microfiber Pollution
Learn more about what microfiber pollution is and why you should care by watching a short video called The Story of Microfibers.
Learn 15 Ways To Stop Microfiber Pollution Now.
These are the Current Solutions for Microfiber Pollution
I recommend everyone gets one of these into their homes to do their part in helping the problem.
Lint LUV-R Washing Machine Discharge Filter by Environmental Enhancements
Filtrol 160 Lint Filter by wexco
Guppy Friend Laundry Bag designed to catch microfibers
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
Washington Post article on the bizarre way the U.S. regulates chemicals
New York Times article on Why the E.P.A. has shifted on Toxic Chemicals
Scientific American article on the New Toxic Chemical Bill
Atlantic article on the 2016 TSCA changes
Article on America’s fight against toxic chemicals
Wikipedia description Toxic Substances Control Act
Essential Oils
Powerful Antibacterial Essential Oils
This updated version of the Essential Oils Guide: Safety and Uses contains helpful links to articles that discuss the safe use of essential oils when pregnant, around kids and pets as well as other important links for essential use.
Green Dry Cleaning
Learn more about what Green Dry Cleaning is.
Learn more about what to look for when looking for a Green Dry Cleaner.
Green Your Dry Cleaning Routine: This article shows when it is a good idea to take your garments to the dry clean vs when it is better to choose at home DIY options.
Clean Air Plants
NASA Clean Air Study List of Air Filtering Plants
Still not sure which plants to pick? This article includes over 35 plants for the home and office, along with the best plant qualities, preferred conditions and toxicity info.
Natural Pest Control
Using Diatomaceous Earth as a Natural Pesticide