GENERAL CAUTIONARY NOTES

STORE CLEANING PRODUCTS SAFELY OUT OF CHILDRENS' REACH

Watch out for chemicals in the home. These include household cleaners, drugs, toiletries, cosmetics, toxic glues and solvents. Keep them out of the reach of children. Buy or make non-toxic, unscented household cleaners using our Recipes for Safer Cleaners and look for low-VOC (volatile organic compounds), less-toxic home furnishings and paints.

http://healthychild.org/live-healthy/checklist/protect_your_childrens_health/

MANY COMMERCIAL CLEANING PRODUCTS INCLUDE HARMFUL INGREDIENTS

Many cleaning products include ingredients that are harmful to people and the environment. Choosing less toxic cleaners does not need to be expensive. Using ingredients that are in most people’s cupboards already can be safe, inexpensive and effective for cleaning. They are easy to make. http://natural-products.suite101.com/article.cfm/nontoxic_cleaning_recipes_for_a_safe_home

DANGEROUS INGREDIENTS ARE USUALLY NOT LISTED ON COMMERCIAL CLEANING PRODUCT LABELS

Cleaning products can contain many dangerous chemicals, which are usually not listed on the labels. One of the easiest ways to protect your family from harm is to stop using cleaning products found in stores and start making your own. In fact, it's easy, far less expensive and just as effective. Most ingredients for homemade cleaners can be found in your kitchen. http://healthychild.org/resources/article/recipes_for_safer_cleaners/

EVERYDAY ITEMS CAN SUBSTITUTE EFFECTIVELY FOR CONVENTIONAL CLEANERS

You don't need Windex, Lysol, or Drano when everyday items can substitute for conventional cleaners, which often contain toxins that damage your health, as well as the environment. For example, sodium hydrochlorite (commonly known as bleach) is found in Drano. Sodium hydrochlorite is an unclassifiable carcinogen according to the World Health Organization. So if you use Drano and then flush it down the pipes, its toxins eventually end up in our waterways, the very ones that feed our faucets. http://healthychild.org/resources/article/make_your_own_household_cleaners/