I’ve found 7 plastic-free organic hand soaps for you that contain no toxic chemicals and come in paper packaging you can easily recycle. Why hand soaps? Because the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) say washing our hands with soap and water works better than hand sanitizer for killing the germs that cause Coronavirus, the flu, and other illnesses, like diarrhea and the common cold.

Why plastic-free? Because plastic trash is out of control!

And why organic? Because as good as soap is for fighting germs, too many soaps contain harmful toxic chemicals or come packaged in throwaway plastic.  The soaps listed below contain healthy ingredients that work – and don’t come in plastic!

7 Plastic-Free Organic Hand Soaps

Dr. Bronner’s

Zum

Tom’s of Maine

O Naturals

Makes 3 Organics

Ma’na Organix

Patchouli Soap

Here Are 7 Plastic-Free Organic Hand Soaps That Fight Coronavirus and the Flu

Dr. Bronner’s – Made with vegan ingredients and castile soap, but no synthetic preservatives or foaming agents. Packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Available unscented, or in peppermint, lavender, almond, eucalyptus, hemp rose, hemp tea tree, and hemp citrus. Fair Trade certified and Non GMO verified, too!

Zum – Made with goat’s milk, essential oils, and fresh citrus herbs. Minimal paper packaging that can be recycled. Available in variety sampler pack as well as individually. Look for it online but in Whole Foods, natural foods stores, and food co-ops, too.

Tom’s of Maine – 5 oz. bars, available in 6-packs; available in lavender, orange blossom, coconut oil, and other plant-based compounds (NOTE: May also be available in store in CVS, various supermarkets, Whole Foods, Target, etc.)

O Naturals – 100% natural organic ingredients, vegan, and infused with essential oils. Available in oatmeal & coffee, agave nectar & soy milk, coconut & shea butter, jojoba & tea tree, and rosemary & peppermint. PETA certified.

Makes 3 Organics – Made in Santa Barbara, CA with USDA certified organic ingredients, including coconut oil and shea butter. Packaged plastic-free in a recyclable paper box. Also available in orange blossom.

Ma’na Organix – This hemp oil based soap is infused with eucalyptus that both cleans and leaves your hands smelling fresh. Ma’na is also sulfate- and paraben-free, cruelty-free and vegan. It’s packaged in a minimal recyclable cardboard wrap. Available in lavender, peppermint, spearmint, and cinnamon vanilla cappuccino.

Patchouli Soap – In case you’re wondering, patchouli is a fast-growing shrub related to mint and lavender with an “earthy, sensuous” scent. Additional ingredients in this soap include olive, coconut, avocado and castor oil, cocoa butter and cocoa powder, water, and sodium hydroxide.

When Should You Wash Your Hands During the Coronavirus Pandemic?

After you have been in a public place and touched an item or surface that may have been touched by other people, like door handles, tables, gas pumps, shopping cars, or electronic cashier registers and screens

Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, because that’s how germs enter our bodies

Before, during and after preparing food, and before eating food

After going to the bathroom

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After shopping and packing and unpacking groceries

After opening mail

Remember to lather and scrub for 20 seconds. The CDC recommends people no longer shake hands with each other. If you somehow do shake hands with someone, wash your hands afterwards and before you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

NOTE: We may earn a small commission if you purchase a product through our link. It’s teeny tiny, so not enough to affect how we think, but helpful enough to keep us going. Thanks!

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When it comes to non-toxic wood floor care, people fail all the time – not because they don’t want to do the right thing, but because they don’t actually know what to do. We’ve collaborated with Luxury Flooring in the UK to raise awareness about the toxic chemicals in conventional wood floor cleaners and to share with you my top five secrets to non-toxic wood floor care, based on my experience caring for my own gorgeous wood floors. These “secrets” work equally well on hardwood and laminate flooring.

How NOT to Clean a Wood Floor

The challenge with cleaning a wood floor is to avoid any commercial cleaner that contains the following ingredients:

• synthetic or artificial fragrances
• ethanolamines
• detergent

Synthetic or artificial fragrances contain a wide variety of toxic chemicals that can cause breathing problems, headaches, itchy eyes, joint pain, flu-like symptoms and nausea.

These chemicals are very fine and quickly evaporate into the air as they dry after they’re applied.

Because you are usually bent right over the floor when you’re cleaning it, it’s easy to inhale them; it doesn’t take long to feel the side effects!

Ethanolamines include monoethanalomine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine. These are chemicals used in detergents and cleansers. They help clean up grime, but they’re known to cause skin and respiratory tract irritation and eye injuries.

Detergents often consist of harsh soaps and more synthetic fragrances. Because they’re so strong, they can wear away the finish on your floor as well as cause the same unhealthy reactions as synthetic fragrances.

My Top 5 Secrets to Non-Toxic Wood Floor Care

I installed beautiful sustainable cherry wood floors throughout my home. Here’s how I maintain them in a non-toxic way:

1) Wipe my feet and leave my shoes at the door.

The soles of our shoes collect a lot of dirt, sometimes small pebbles, the occasional bit of dog poo, and maybe chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides that have been applied to lawns and gardens. When I come into my home, I wipe my feet on a rug I can launder, and then take off my shoes before walking on my floor.

2) Regularly sweep floors with a micro-fiber broom.

I don’t vacuum my wood floors because I don’t want them to scratch. Instead, I use a broom that’s got a soft micro-fiber cloth on the bottom. The cloth glides over the floor and collects all dust and dirt. It leaves the floor shining even when it hasn’t been washed.

3) Clean up drips asap.

We all drip ice cream, spill coffee, and slosh cocktails. Any liquid that lands on a wood floor will soak into the floor and leave a stain unless it’s wiped up at once. Note that once the floor stains, it really can’t be cleaned up; this is particularly true if what you drop contains a little oil. Just clean up spills as soon as you notice them to be safe.

4) Spot clean.

Foods may not stain your floors, but they can crust over and make your floor look dirty. When you notice dried food or dirt, dampen a cloth and gently rub until the spot loosens and you can pick it up.

5) Clean with a non-toxic cleanser and a damp – NOT WET – mop.

NEVER clean a wood floor with a soaking wet mop. The water or liquid could end up damaging the floor. Instead use a non-toxic cleanser or make your own. Use a spray bottle to apply a light mist to a small section of the floor then mop up immediately. Follow by dry mopping your entire floor to make sure you leave no water or dirt behind.

NON-TOXIC WOOD FLOOR CLEANERS

Make Your Own

If you maintain your floor regularly by mopping it with a micro fiber cloth, doing spot cleans, and not walking all over it with your outdoor shoes, you shouldn’t need anything stronger than water, some vinegar and a very little bit of natural liquid dish soap to clean it up. Don’t use baking soda, borax or anything else that could scratch the floor’s surface.

Don’t worry about adding disinfectant and an antimicrobial product to your floor cleaner. Even if you have a toddler, the disinfectant won’t really make nearly as much difference as just keeping your floor clean of dirt and dust. Plus, pediatricians say it’s good for kids to be exposed to a little dirt and some germs – it helps them build up their resistance.

RECIPE & Tools

1 bucket or pail or large pot (this system pictured at the right has the mop and bucket all in one)

1 gallon warm water from the tap

1/2 cup distilled white vinegar (buy it cheap in your grocery store)

5 or so drops of organic liquid soap, like Dr. Bronner’s (the nice thing about Dr. Bronner’s is that it’s already scented with essential oils, like rose, lavender, peppermint, and almond)

1 wet mop that you can easily wring out

1 dry mop or dry towels

Combine the water, vinegar, and soap in the bucket. Add cupfuls to a spray bottle and spray a light mist on the floor. Quickly mop up and shine with dry towels. Or, dip the wet mop into the bucket and wring well so the mop is only damp, not wet.

Non-Toxic Wood Floor Cleaner to Buy

Environmental Working Group (EWG.org) has evaluated many of the floor cleansers on the market for the toxicity of their ingredients.

They look at the likelihood of the ingredients to trigger asthma or other respiratory difficulties or skin allergies and irritation.

They also consider the history of the ingredients relating to developmental and reproductive irregularities and cancer. Finally, how the chemicals remain in the environment, and whether they pollute groundwater or threaten birds, fish and other wildlife, is taken into consideration.

According to EWG’s analysis, here are the most effective, least toxic cleansers on the market:

Aunt Fannie’s Floor Cleaner Vinegar Wash Concentrate –

This concentrate comes in several fragrances that are derived from natural essential oils, including eucalyptus, fresh lime mint, lavender, and sweet mandarin.

Aunt Fannie’s contains no dyes, parabens, ammonia, formaldehyde, petroleum solvents, or other nasty chemicals.

It’s concentrated, so you mix a half cup of the solution with two gallons of water, which is probably enough to clean your entire floor. Put it in your own spray bottle to apply, or soak your mop in the solution, then wring out most of the moisture.

Martha Stewart Clean Wood Floor Cleaner –

99% plant and mineral-based, this cleaner contains no fragrances or colors, It comes in recyclable packaging.

NOTE: It may not be sold on Amazon, so look for it elsewhere online or wherever you buy cleaning supplies.

Truce Wood CleanerDIS

Truce is hypoallergenic, alcohol and phthalate free, and free of colors and SLS, as well.

It’s made with essential oils but otherwise is free of synthetic, pesticide, parabens, chlorine and petroleum.

Plus, it’s cruelty-free.

DISCLOSURE

This collaboration with Luxury Flooring allows us to bring you the expertise you need in order to live the greener life you want. Our editorial opinions remain our own.

Big Green Purse earns a teeny tiny commission on some purchases our community makes online. It’s not enough to affect our opinions in any way, but it does help us pay the bills. Thanks!

The post Do You Know These 5 Secrets to Non-Toxic Wood Floor Care? appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Getting and keeping healthy skin involves a lot more than washing your face. It’s about protecting your skin from the sun, dryness, dirt, cuts and scratches, rashes, and maybe even the wrong foods.

Though summertime puts a focus on the need for the right sunscreen, you really should focus on healthy skin all year long. Here are the best non-toxic ways to get healthy skin, some of which may surprise you.

1) Wear sunscreen in the winter as well as summer. Most of us consider sunscreen a summertime skin treatment. Not so. Our skin can suffer sun damage every month of the year, which is why doctors and skin care specialists recommend applying sunscreen every day.

Don’t miss this helpful post! ⇓

2) Give yourself a skin self-exam. These American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) videos show people how to spot skin cancer and give themselves a skin self-exam. Most family care doctors could spot an obvious unusual skin growth, but if you or your immediate family have a history of skin cancer, get a regular check-up by a dermatologist who can tell the difference between a harmless mole and something more serious.

3) Moisturize acne-prone skin. It seems counter-intuitive to add moisture if you think your skin is already oily. But when acne-prone skin gets dry, it overproduces oil to compensate and that leads to even more acne. Ironically, acne treatments can often leave skin dry.  Use a “sandwiching” technique to apply an oil-free moisturizer before and after acne treatment. If you use a face mask, make it one that moisturizes, not dries skin out.

4) Turn down the shower temp and keep it short. A hot shower might feel great at the time, but the hotter the water, the drier your skin may feel afterwards. Keep temps warm rather than hot, and keep your shower short. Get in, soap up, get out. You’ll save energy and water, too.

5) Moisturize when you’re still wet. Don’t completely dry your body when you get out of the shower or a bath. Adding lotion to skin when it’s still damp rather than completely dry amps up the moisture quotient. Give moisturizer at least 2 minutes to work its magic before adding anything on top of it.

6) Replace tanning salons with non toxic but fake tanning solutions. Like the sun, tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkled skin, warns AAD. If you want the tan look, try a spray-on tanning product or use bronzer and blush. With winter coming (or having arrived in many parts of the country), take advantage of lowered expectations for a “sun glow” and break free of the notion that “tan is glam” altogether. Look for brands free of parabens, oxybenzone, diaolidinyl urea and DMDM hydrantoin, which can release formaldehyde as they break down.

7) Drink more water. “Drinking water is one of the best things you can do to keep your skin in shape,” reports WebMD. “It keeps your skin moist – and that makes fine lines and wrinkles less noticeable.” The group says that water helps cells absorb nutrients and shed toxins, too. The common advice is to drink 8 glasses of water a day, but you can get by with less if your diet includes fruits, vegetables, juices and tea.

8) Eat more beets. Antioxidants are the compounds found in colorful fruits and vegetables that appear to play an important role in slowing and preventing the kind of “free-radical” damage that can cause cancer. Skip the chips and eat berries, tomatoes, apricots, beets, squash, spinach, sweet potatoes and other colorful foods instead.

9) Skimp on perfume, scented lotions and products made with toxic ingredients. Fragrances in perfume and skin-care products can cause the collagen in the skin to break down, leading to allergic reactions, acne and skin rash. Plus, commercial lotions and moisturizers may contain ingredients like formaldehyde or nickel sulfate, power powerful chemical preservatives. Some botanical ingredients may cause problems as well, especially Tolu balsam, which can trigger additional sensitivities to cinnamon oil, lemon oil, orange peel or oil of cloves. Find the simplest, cleanest moisturizer that works for you, and stick with it. I personally use organic coconut oil for almost all my skin needs. It is light, effective and harmless.

10) Stay away from poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. The key word here is “poison.” These plants can cause severe and painful skin rashes that, at their worst, may need to be treated with steroids. Most people think poison ivy and its cousins are only a threat in summer, but that’s not so. My daughter got a terrible poison ivy rash one winter when she brushed up against a tree that was covered with poison ivy vines. If you do encounter poison ivy, scrub your skin immediately, including under your fingernails and avoid using your hands to spread the rash to other parts of your body after you scratch or itch. Wash clothes, gloves, shoelaces and tools that came in touch with poison ivy, as the urushiol compound that is so toxic in the plant can remain potent for years.

11) Bandage booboos. If you get scraped up, don’t wait to clean out the dirt. Wash the wound well with warm water and soap, and bandage if warranted. There’s no need to use something like hydrogen peroxide or iodine for most minor injuries. On the other hand, ignoring them could lead to a serious infection and potentially scars. If you can’t use an adhesive strip or butterfly tape to hold a minor cut together, see your doctor as soon as possible. The sooner you get stitches, the faster the wound will heal, and you’ll increase the likelihood that any scarring will be less noticeable.

The post The Best 11 Non-Toxic Ways to Get Healthy Skin appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Why does it matter? Here’s the lowdown.

Many shampoos contain a potent cocktail of chemicals that include synthetic fragrances, phthalates, antibacterial agents, dyes and colorings. None of these ingredients are good for either you or the planet.

Χ – Synthetic fragrances and phthalates – Phthalates are essentially industrial compounds. They’re used to soften plastic, but also to help suspend the oily substances that give perfume their smell. They’re added to hairsprays, lubricants, wood finishers, nail polish, and yes, shampoo.

One single exposure to phthalates won’t cause trouble.

But multiple exposures over time, even at very low doses, have been linked to problems in fetal development.

Women who are pregnant and exposed to phthalates frequently and over time may give birth to baby boys whose genitals are deformed.

Phthalates are also linked to premature breast development in young girls and low sperm count in men.

Χ – Antibacterial agents – Ingredients like triclosan are often added to shampoo to “fight germs” or “kill bacteria.” But many public health officials worry that triclosan actually contributes to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

Plus, triclosan gets into our streams, rivers and lakes when it is in our shampoo and then washes down the drain.

Researchers have found that antibacterial compounds like triclosan can interfere with the development of tadpoles into frogs and cause other mutations that could threaten the survival of birds, fish and other animals that live on or around our waters.

Check out “5 Ways Triclosan is Wrong” here.

Χ – Dyes and colorings – I’m not sure what the appeal of having a pink or purple or green shampoo is.

Those dyes and colorings are usually derived from chemicals that have been linked to cancer, ADHD, and various allergies.

Natural dyes derived from blueberry juice concentrate, carrot juice, paprika, grape skin extract, beet juice and other plants are a much better alternative.

What Do You Want in a Non-Toxic Shampoo?

Fortunately, many caring and concerned companies are producing plant-based shampoos that are:

√ free of toxic chemicals

√ cruelty-free – not tested on animals

√ vegan

√ biodegradable – not in 10,000 years, but in a relatively short period of time.

Non-toxic shampoo ingredients could include:

• Jojoba and quinoa proteins to strengthen and fortify hair follicles
• Organic coconut oil to moisturize
• Chamomile, calendula and aloe for conditioning
• Sweet orange vanilla, lavender, grapefruit or another citrus fruit for a light and fresh fragrance
• Other fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers – plant-based ingredients, oils and fragrances that are easy on the planet as well as your body!

Some non-toxic shampoos I’ve tried and like include:

Honest Company Shampoo & Body Wash

Jason Restorative Biotin Shampoo

Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Shampoo

Many new year’s resolutions are tough to keep. Switching to non-toxic shampoo should be a breeze!

Happy New Year!

NOTE: Posts like this one are sponsored by companies whose products and missions we support. Our editorial opinions remain our own, and we never recommend a product or service that doesn’t meet our environmental, health, and safety standards. In addition, we encourage you to shop locally. But if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we invite you to use our Amazon store. We will earn a tiny commission on your purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you.

The post Start the New Year Using Non-Toxic Shampoo appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Air pollution at work due to fragrances your colleagues wear has become almost as big an issue as secondhand smoke used to be.

Both are about indoor air quality and public health. Secondhand smoke affects the lungs and can cause cancer.

Synthetic chemicals like those found in perfume affect the nervous system and can cause debilitating headaches, nausea, joint pain and respiratory discomfort.

These conditions are magnified for people suffering from multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) — symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, congestion, sore throat, chest pain, diarrhea and breathing problems — which can all be linked to contact with low levels of chemicals such as those in perfume at work.

“Fragrance is a known respiratory irritant and neurological toxin,” writes researcher Christy De Vader of Loyola University of Maryland.

“For many people, such as those exposed to asthma, exposure to perfume can pose serious health risks such as migraines, nausea, tightening of the throat, and respiratory impairment.”

If you already suffer from hay fever and asthma, smelling synthetic fragrance can make it worse.[/box]

How Perfume at Work Makes Us Sick

The fragrances used in most commercial perfumes and aftershave lotions are actually made up of chemical compounds, many derived from petroleum or coal tar.

Over the past 50 years, notes Loyola’s De Vader, 80-90 percent of fragrances have been synthesized from petroleum.

They may also contain acetone, phenol, toluene, benzyl acetate and limonene, toxic chemicals that have been linked to a whole host of human illnesses.

The fragrance industry uses over 4,000 chemical ingredients to make their products and over 80 percent of these chemicals have not been tested for their toxicity, reported the Canadian Union of Postal Workers in their 2003 Health and Safety Bulletin.

Even if you choose unscented products, they may still contain fragrances that could trigger a rash or allergic reaction, Prevention magazine reported in August, 2001. “Unscented” products could actually contain other chemicals that block unpleasant ingredient odors.

And if your coworkers aren’t using perfume, cologne or aftershave, they could still be applying lotions, hairspray, deodorant and even sunscreen infused with synthetic fragrances. For those who are particularly chemically sensitive, even that can be too much.

Some companies are taking matters into their own hands and putting policies in place that restrict employees from coming to work smelling of any kind of fragrance.

Click here to learn about 16 surprising things that may be polluting the air in your home or workplace.

√  Talk with your human resources department. If necessary, provide a note from your doctor explaining how your sensitivity to fragrance is affecting your health and work performance.

√  Ask to remove fragranced products such as deodorant, hair spray, aftershave or perfume in restrooms, or get them replaced with products that are truly fragrance-free.

√  Install air purifiers, or put a small fan on your desk to keep air circulating. You may also need to wear a respirator mask.

√  Ask employees to voluntarily limit use of fragranced products if your workplace won’t institute a policy.

√  Work from home as much as possible.

Encourage your employer to follow the lead of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. They’ve had a fragrance-free policy in effect since 2009 that not only includes perfume at work, but also:

⇒ Incense, candles, or reed diffusers

⇒ Fragrance-emitting devices of any kind

⇒ Wall-mounted devices, similar to fragrance-emitting devices, that operate automatically or by pushing a button to dispense deodorizers or disinfectants

⇒ Potpourri

⇒ Plug-in or spray air fresheners

⇒ Urinal or toilet blocks

⇒ Other fragranced deodorizer/re-odorizer products

Further, “Personal care products (e.g., colognes, perfumes, essential oils, scented skin and hair products) should not be applied at or near actual workstations, restrooms, or anywhere in CDC-owned or leased buildings.”

CDC also encourages employees to be as fragrance-free as possible when they arrive in the workplace.

“Fragrance is not appropriate for a professional work environment, and the use of some products with fragrance may be detrimental to the health of workers with chemical sensitivities, allergies, asthma, and chronic headaches/migraines,” the organization says on its website.

“Employees should avoid scented detergents and fabric softeners on clothes worn to the office. Many fragrance-free personal care and laundry products are easily available and provide safer alternatives.”

Has your employer put a fragrance-free policy in place? If not, send a copy of the American Lung Association policy and encourage other employees to limit perfume use.

The post Is Perfume at Work Making You Sick? appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Most deodorant stinks.

Not because it doesn’t keep YOU from stinking. It stinks because it contains nasty chemicals you just shouldn’t put on your body. That’s why Via Nature Natural Deodorant is such a breath of fresh air – literally. It’s also why we’ve partnered with them to bring you this expert information about the chemicals found in a lot of deodorants, plus the chance to get some of their great products for free. Read on!

Deodorants Are A Drug!

Believe it or not, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies deodorants as a drug, thanks to the various chemicals they contain:

Conventional antiperspirants often use aluminum compounds to create pore plugs that stop the flow of sweat.

Synthetic fragrances – chemical compounds that may be phthalate-based hormone disruptors – are used to mask odors.

Some deodorants and antiperspirants also contain triclosan, a pesticide that studies have shown compromises the immune system.

Why does Via Nature Natural Deodorant get a Thumbs Up?

We love Via Nature deodorants because they contain no:

√ Aluminum compounds

√ Parabens

√ Phthalates

√ Artificial fragrances

√ Sulfates

√ Synthetic dyes

√ Triclosan

√ Petrochemicals

Plus, they’re vegan and not tested on animals, either.

Get it fragrance-free or choose from among the three unisex scents derived from essential oils – Rosemary Sandalwood, Sweet Orange Lemongrass, and Lavender Eucalyptus. And no, Via Nature won’t break the bank. The roll-on version is only $5.99. You can also get a stick version for $6.99, or a spray at $7.49.

Try It for Free!

You’re probably thinking that you should give this a try, and you should. But you can try Via Nature Natural Deodorant for free by entering your email address below (we promise you will not get spammed!). If you’re one of the first 30 Big Green Purse readers to do so, Via Nature will send you a full-size deodorant in the style and scent of your choice. PLUS: You’ll also be entered to win a $250 gift basket of Via Nature products, which include hand and body lotions and various wonderful skin care oils. Once you enter, please share on Facebook and Twitter, too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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We spend 90% of our time indoors – where the air is 2x – 5x more polluted than outdoor air. Shouldn’t the air we breathe indoors be as clean as possible? You bet, especially given how sick tainted indoor air can make us. In this previous post, we reviewed the top 16 causes of indoor air pollution. But what’s important is to fix the problem, which is why we’re focusing here on indoor air pollution solutions.

Fortunately, the solutions we’re suggesting are pretty easy actions, many of which you can take yourself and at an affordable price. But the truth is, if you’re suffering from indoor air pollution, you really can’t afford NOT to act. Hopefully this guide will make it a little easier for you.

Indoor Air Pollution Solutions

1) Test for Radon & Mold – It is easy to spot moldy build-up in your bathroom or around a drain. It is black or spotty and is hard to get rid of when it’s dark and damp. But mold can also build up inside an air conditioning system, where it’s difficult to see. Radon, meanwhile, can get into your home through cracks in your foundation or fissures in your walls. As a matter of course, have your home HVAC system inspected annually to maintain top performance. The inspector can test for mold at that time. As for radon, the U.S. EPA recommends starting here to find a qualified inspector who can also recommend mitigation if necessary. Home radon testing kits are also available online and in hardware stores.

2) Fix Water Leaks – You may be able to fix water leaks yourself by replacing a washer in a faucet or taping a pipe. If that doesn’t do the trick, call in a plumber. Many plumbing companies offer monthly service specials that will help you save a few bucks on the visit, but even if they don’t, you’ll end up saving money on your water bill in the long run once you have the drip fixed.

3) Repair Gas Leaks – If you suspect a gas leak from your stove or furnace, call your gas company immediately and they’ll send someone out to check your appliances and keep you safe. At the very least, install a carbon monoxide detector in your home to alert you if the gas reaches dangerous levels. Most smoke alarms these days also include a carbon monoxide detector. They’re inexpensive to buy and easy to install.

4) Install Air Filter Systems & Replace Filters Regularly – Air filters trap dust before it has a chance to circulate around your interior living space. But they need to be changed regularly in order to do their job. Get to know how to change the filters on your HVAC system and air exchange vents in your home. The filters are very inexpensive and easy to change out yourself.

5) Ventilate Your Bathrooms – Keep air circulating your bathrooms to prevent moisture and mold build-up. If you have windows, crack them open, especially when someone is taking a shower or bath. Install a ceiling or wall fan to help the space dry out more quickly.

6) Avoid Cleaning Products Filled with Artificial Fragrances – Forget so-called air fresheners and spray cleaners that rely on synthetic fragrances and phthalates, which mask orders rather than get rid of them. Instead, find the source of the bad odor and dispose of it. Simmer a pot of water and some cinnamon sticks, cloves and lemon to freshen up the smell of a room. Or here’s a unique idea: open a window and let in fresh air. Especially during winter months when our houses are all closed up, rooms can start to smell a little stale. Open a window for a few minutes and let a brisk breeze do what no artificial fragrances can – actually freshen the air. And remember, you can clean pretty much everything in your home with baking soda, water, vinegar, fragrance-free liquid detergent, and some lemon juice.

7) Skip Synthetic Perfumes, Deodorants, and Personal Sprays – Like cleaning products, personal care products may be filled with chemicals that hang around in the air and make us feel ill rather than pep us up. If you want a little perfume, dab some plant-based essential oil behind your ears or on your wrists. You can find lavender, jasmine, rose, and any number of other flower-based fragrances to choose from. Look for fragrance-free roll-on deodorants, too.

8) Make Your Home Tobacco Smoke-Free – No one should smoke inside your home. No one. If you and your guests must smoke, do it outdoors, out of consideration for any children or others who should not or don’t want to be subjected to your second-hand smoke.

9) Use No- and Low-VOC Paints – Pretty much any color paint you would want to use is now available from many paint companies in a no- or low-VOC option. Remember, the VOCs are what give you the headaches, nausea and sometimes even flu-like symptoms. Why put yourself through that when a no- or low-VOC option is so easily available?

10) Wash Bedding Frequently – If you or family members are susceptible to dust mites, you may find that you need to wash your bedding every week in hot water. Of course, you may do this as a matter of course, anyway. But it’s highly recommended to control dust mite build-up.

11) Place Floor Mats Outside Your Home Entry Points or Right Inside the Door, and Take Off Shoes Upon Entry – Our shoes track in all manner of pollutants, from basic dirt to pesticides that someone might have sprayed on their lawn. Keep them from contaminating your living space by wiping your shoes before you enter your home, and taking your shoes off once you get inside the door. Keep a pair of slippers near the door so it becomes habit to slip off your shoes as soon as you come in.

12) Clean Up After Your Pet – In addition to cleaning up any accidents your pet might have, make sure you vacuum regularly to pull up fur that’s been shed and dirt your pets might have brought into the home from outside. I keep a cloth by my door to wipe off the pets’ paws when they come in, especially if it’s been raining outside.

13) Leave Asbestos Alone – If you think your shingles or tiles might be made from asbestos, leave them alone if they are in good shape. However, if you are renovating or the tiles are deteriorating and they have to be removed, hire a licensed contractor to do the job. Asbestos if very dangerous and your should not work with it under any circumstances.

14) Hire a Professional to Remove Lead Paint – Because lead paint chips and peels, it is dangerous to have around. Ingesting lead causes birth defects, developmental delays, and many serious health problems that can be easily avoided by getting rid of the offending lead. It is essential to hire a professional who can capture the contaminated paint and dust as they are being removed. This is one of those fixes that does cost some money, but it is crucial to do this job correctly.

15) Reduce Wall-to-Wall Carpeting if Possible – Most carpeting is a trap for dirt, dust, and pollutants we and our pets track in from outdoors. Plus, cleaning wall-to-wall carpeting often involves strong chemicals infused with synthetic fragrances that can give us headaches and otherwise make us feel ill at ease. If it is possible to replace wall-to-wall carpeting with wood flooring and area rugs you can easily clean, go for it! If not, carpeting really needs to be vacuumed at least once a week, and cleaned with water-based, fragrance-free, non-toxic cleansers.

Many thanks to AirFilterBuy.com, our sponsors for this very useful and informative post. For more information, and to see a complete infographic about both the causes of and solutions to indoor air pollution, stop in here.

The post Indoor Air Pollution Solutions: 15 Affordable Actions To Help You Breathe Clean Air appeared first on Big Green Purse.

What is it?
Bon Ami’s Cleanser is made from sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate (limestone), and feldspar.  The mildly abrasive limestone and feldspar cleanse without scratching, while the sodium carbonate conditions hard water. To use, just wet the surface you want to clean, sprinkle on the Bon Ami powder, and wipe with a wet sponge. I use Bon Ami on everything from kitchen countertops to living room walls to the bathtub (though not on windows or mirrors). You can also use it to shine appliances and clean outdoor furniture.

What I like:  Bon Ami contains no chlorine, dye, perfume, bleach, or phosphorus.  Because the product is free of unhealthy additives it is especially appealing to people who suffer from chemical sensitivities.  Not only is the cleanser itself biodegradable, but the packaging consists of more than 75% recycled material, including 60% post-consumer waste.

What could be improved? Hmmm. I’m thinking…

Product comparison:

Baking Soda – Fragrance-free baking soda is a terrific environmental alternative to Bon Ami. Since it doesn’t have quite as much scouring power, I often use baking soda on my kitchen counter, but Bon Ami to clean the toilet or work out a stubborn ring around the tub. Baking soda and Bon Ami together can clean almost any surface in your house except for glass and polished wood.

Colgate-Palmolive’s Ajax Powder Cleanser uses sodium carbonate but also trichloroisocyanuric acid, a bleaching agent, and synthetic fragrances.  On Colgate’s Material Safety Data Sheet  for the product, the “Safety Phrase” category reads, “Avoid release to the environment.”  This concern is likely due to the water-polluting effects of the trichloroisocyanuric acid.

Procter & Gamble’s Comet, made with sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione dehydrate, has been shown to be highly toxic for aquatic animals.  Comet does use recycled material in its packaging, which contains at least 75% recycled material, minimum 50% post-consumer.  The product is also free of phosphorus, like Bon Ami.

Soft Scrub with Bleach Cleanser is a liquid alternative to these all-purpose, non-scratching powders.  Its micro-abrasive formula is comprised of chemical components like bleach, lauramine oxide, sodium hydroxide, myristamine oxide, and potassium iodide.  The product also contains synthetic fragrances which may cause an allergic reaction in some people.  The plastic container Soft Scrub comes in is made of #2 recyclable HDPE.

Price comparison:

A 32 ounce box of generic brand Baking Soda cost me $1.19 at my local grocery store.
A 14 ounce can of Bon Ami costs only $1.39.
A 21 ounce can of Ajax Oxygen Bleach Cleanser costs $1.49.
A 21 ounce can of Comet Powder Cleanser costs $2.09.
A 24 ounce bottle of Soft Scrub with Bleach costs $4.19.

How many purses?  Three. Bon Ami is cheap, effective, non-toxic, and cleans everything except wood and glass.

Research by Katie Kelleher.

The post Environmental In-Box: Bon Ami Cleanser appeared first on Big Green Purse.