| "The Homebuyer's Friend" |
| Certified InspectorMember of National Association of Certified Home Inspectors Member of International Association of Certified Home Inspectors |
| JW Home Inspections, Inc. Hilton Head Island, SC 843-681-7545 |
Copyright© JW Home Inspections, Inc. 2009
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| John M. Wickline |
| South Carolina Home Inspection License #374 |
| South Carolina Home Inspection License #374 |
| JW Home Inspections, Inc. I am proud to be a part of the Greening of the Planet. I hope this information helps you to create a "Greener" and safer life. The information below is only a portion of what is available on the Internet, however the information below should be easy to implement. I encourage you to check my website periodically for updates. Thanks. John |
| Clean your Home with Green Products (chemicals to avoid and some Green cleaners you can make). |
 | Triclosan is a disinfectant used in anti-bacterial type | |
| products. This chemical may stay on surfaces after cleaning, allowing for resistant bacteria to grow. It will also form chloroform when exposed to chlorinated water (chloroform is a suspected human carcinogen. Hydrogen peroxide, hot soapy water, or vinegar are replacements. | ||
| To dissolve soil, Glycol ethers are commonly used. | |
| This chemical irritates eyes, lungs, nose and throat. If absorbed by the skin, may cause nerve damage. Water or eucalyptus oil are replacements. | ||
| Chlorine is a common disinfectant, and causes skin | |
| and lung irritation, and is lethal if ingested. Replace chlorine with borax, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, tea tree oil. | ||
| Ammonia is popular as a grease cutter, however it | |
| has been proven to cause asthma. Replace it with vinegar. | ||
| monoethanolamine (MEA) is a surfactant (makes | |
| water wetter to help cleaners dissolve grime) with respiratory and asthma interactions. Replace this chemical with surfactants made from plants, (corn soy, or coconut). | ||
| alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) are surfactants that | |
| will multiply breast cancer cells in test tubes (they disrupt hormones and behave as estrogen within the body). Replace this chemical with surfactants made from plants, (corn soy, or coconut). | ||
| Phthalates are found in fragrances and are another | |
| hormone disruptor, with links to obesity and hypothyroidism. May also retard reproductive development in male babies. Replacements are plant oils (essential oils) as well as baking soda and borax for deodorizers. |
Note that all of the above chemicals have undesirable
effects on the environment, as well as your own safety.
Wastewater plants receive the chemicals from your drains,
and usually cannot remove all of them, thus they are
transported to waterways where they impact wildlife (impact
of these chemicals on wildlife is far more serious than the
impact on humans).
Do It Yourself (DIY) Cleaners to make:
| All Purpose Cleaner: 1/2 cup borax to one gallon of | |
| water. | ||
| Glass Cleaner: 1/4 cup white vinegar combined with 2 | |
| cups water (or more). |
safely clean.
| Note that fragrance may be added with a touch of | |
| lemon juice or several drops of essential oils | ||
| Lemon juice cuts grease | |
| An effective mold killer can be made with tea tree oil | |
| Lavender oil can be used for a natural disinfectant |
Commercial Green Cleaners:
Numerous manufacturers are making Green products.
cleaners.
| Look at the labels to ensure there are no | |
| petrochemicals, no chlorine, and no ammonia. Also check to ensure chemicals listed above are not in the product. | ||
| Look for independent certifications: Cradle to Cradle; | |
| EPA"s Design for the Environment program; Green Seal. | ||
| Try to find products that list all ingredients (green | |
| cleaners will typically list every single ingredient). Plant based ingredients are generally better for the environment and your health. |
Thanks and Safe Cleaning
| Performing Home Inspections Villa Inspections Maintenance Inspections Warranty Inspections Foreclosure Inspections since 1998. Serving The Low Country of South Carolina Hilton Head Bluffton Sun City Beaufort Hardeeville Ridgeland Callawassie Daufuskie Island |
