| What are the most effective environmentally-friendly household cleaning products? |
| There are a number of green cleansers available today. These products are made without the petrochemicals, chlorine, phosphates and other toxins that are contained in many common cleaning products. For a fairly comprehensive list of ecological cleansers. |
| It is also possible to make your own cleansers with a few simple ingredients such as vinegar and baking soda. Studies have shown that a 5% solution of vinegar kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses). Two tablespoons of vinegar can be dissolved in two cups of water to create a basic household cleanser. For many great tips on homemade cleansers. |
| Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of products used in the home and school. This has prompted New York to become the first state to institute green cleaning legislation requiring all schools and government agencies to use environmentally benign cleansers. Read more. |
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| Is it ok to put Chinese delivery soup tubs, the plastic tpperware like containers some deli meat comes in and other similar containers in a dishwasher repeatedly or will they eventually “go bad” from the pressure and heat? |
| You’re certainly doing the right thing by reusing as much as you can, but you are wise to have health concerns about plastic. Hot liquid and scrubbing can cause the plastic surface to degrade, with possible health implications. There are several types of plastic, each the subject of environmental and/or health issues. |
| Plastics are organized into six general categories. A triangle enclosed number from 1 to 7 can be found on the bottom of many plastic containers. Types 1, 2, 4 and 5 are generally considered to be the safer plastics. Plastic type 3, PVC, contains pthalates, ingredients which make the plastic flexible, but are known to be carcinogenic. Styrene, a suspected endocrine disruptor as well as a possible carcinogen, is a component of type 6, polystyrene. Plastic type 7 contains the hormone disrupter bisphenol A. |
| Hot foods or liquids can cause plastics to leach or give off bits of component materials. Scrubbing vigorously or scraping the food from a plastic container with a utensil can cause particles to leach. |
| Since plastic is a pliant material, small scrapes and indentations occur easily and can become a breeding ground for bacteria from embedded food or liquid. Much as I hate to see more plastic added to the waste stream, many experts recommend that you err on the side of caution and not reuse these items. Recycle what is allowable under your local regulations. Glass or ceramic containers are a better alternative for food storage, lasting indefinitely and posing no health threats. Glass is readily recyclable, which is not the case with many types of plastic. |
