Homes Plus
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/493219
(StatePoint) — Do you know what ingre- dients are in the cleaning products you buy? Probably not, as there are no federal governmental regulations requiring com- panies to disclose their contents. But harsh chemicals can take their toll on the indoor air quality of your home, are harmful to the environment, and may irritate eyes and skin. So how can you learn more about the cleaning products you plan to purchase? Luckily, certain retailers are making it eas- ier for consumers to make informed deci- sions. For example, in 2011 Whole Foods Market introduced the Eco-Scale Rating System — the first household cleaner stan- dards offered by a retailer. This season, don't just spring clean your home; take stock of your cleaners and clean up your entire act. By opting for green cleaning products, you can help make your home a safer, healthier place. Here's how: ■ Do an audit: Take a look at the clean- ing products you own. Just because a brand or product is well known does not make it a healthy option. A quick Internet search can reveal the safety attributes of a product's ingredients — so long as the manufacturer has chosen to disclose ingredients. Toss anything problematic and make a shopping list of what you need to replace. ■ Full disclosure: Avoid cleaning prod- ucts that don't disclose what ingredients they use. Look for brands that make it easy for you to know what ingredients are being used in the product you're purchasing. ■ Be informed: Know what ingredients to avoid entirely, including but not limited to: formaldehyde, phosphates, phthalates and triclosan. They can still be found in cleaning products today. ■ Lock up: No matter the contents of your cleaners, it's good practice to keep them stored in a safe place, such as a locked cabinet at height level. Young children and pets should not be able to access your clean- ing products supply. ■ Do it yourself: A quick and easy way to know exactly what's in your cleaning products is to make them yourself. Luckily, only a few inexpensive ingredients are needed to make your own all-purpose cleaner. Simply mix one part water with one part vinegar, add a few drops of your favorite pure essential oil, and you have an all-purpose spray. Baking soda is another great cleaner that has a mild scrubbing power and helps combat odors. Commercial-grade cleaning supplies may be exposing your family to harmful ingre- dients. By learning more about the prod- ucts you use, you can green your spring- cleaning for a healthier home. APRIL 2015 HOMES PLUS 7 © 2014 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Coldwell Banker Previews International logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. jon@cb-elite.com www.JonSpheeris.com 175 E. Wisconsin Ave., Suite A ~ Oconomowoc, WI 53066 OCONOMOWOC LAKE - HEWITTS PT INCREDIBLE LAKE VIEWS 200' OF FRONTAGE $2,550,000 WATERTOWN - HILLSIDE DR 37 ACRE EQUINE FACILITY 31 STALLS AND INDOOR ARENA $1,399,000 HARTLAND - PINYON CT BRISTLECONE PINES ON THE 10th FAIRWAY $750,000 EAGLE - BITTERSWEET CT EAGLE SPRING LAKE ACCESS PRIVATE MASTER SUITE $388,000 OCONOMOWOC LAKE - HEWITTS PT INDOOR POOL - LAKE VIEWS HUGE MASTER SUITE $1,399,000 DELAFIELD - WOODGATE CT LAKESIDE CONSERVANCY NEIGHBORHOOD POOL/CLUBHOUSE $1,249,000 GENESEE - MESA TRAIL 40 ACRE EQUESTRIAN ESTATE 19 STALLS AND INDOOR ARENA $1,195,000 OCONOMOWOC LAKE - LAKE CLUB CIRCLE LAKE ACCESS - BOAT SLIP RESTORED VICTORIAN $967,000 243391001 INDOOR POOL 243591007 Determining if your spring cleaning products are safe Konstantin Yuganov /Fotolia.com Name-brand products are not a guarantee that your cleaning products are safe for your family and the environment.