Health Savings Accounts Faq

We are constantly exposed to a variety of chemicals - they are in our food, our amenities, our building materials and furnishings throughout. In fact, consumer products account for our greater exposure to toxic chemicals, many of which have been linked to health problems. So how can we reduce our exposure to these harmful substances? Well, one easy solution is to take a look at the cabinet chemicals that are under our sink: household cleaning products are full of compounds that are not good for us or our environment. The transition to low-impact solutions is safe and easy to do. If you are considering selling your home, a green approach to cleaning can make your home more attractive to people with allergies, asthma and other health problems. And you can breathe easier knowing that you contribute to a healthy environment for your family and future generations.

When it comes to reading labels, cleaning products can be can be very confusing. Some ingredients do not list at all, or only the list of active ingredients, but they contain harmful substances inert unlabeled. And the labels can be misleading - for example, "biodegradable" may seem a good choice, but the materials can bio-degrade into more harmful substances in the environment.

So how can you say what are the best option cleaning solutions? There are easy things to look for on a label: "nontoxic," "water based" or "made with vegetables, a list of the ingredients are easy to understand (many products do not list all ingredients ) and "phosphate free" (better for the environment-phosphate result in a more-proliferation of algae that is harmful to fish). There are product lines effective nontoxic available - brands such as Seventh Generation and Nature Clean, for example.

Perhaps a better way to reduce your chemical dependency, which could also save you money, is to make your own products using common household ingredients like lemon, white vinegar and baking soda. For example, water can be combined with vinegar or lemon juice to make a glass cleaner safe physical (polish with newspaper to avoid streaks). Most commercial window cleaners are a mixture of ammonia and water (and are not always required to bear the warning poison that you see on a bottle of ammonia). When switching to a natural product, you may need alcohol to remove residue left by commercial window cleaners.

Chlorine and ammonia are very toxic chemicals that can be irritating to humans and cause problems in the environment. A safer alternative to bleach is hydrogen peroxide, which decomposes into oxygen and water. Add it to the laundry to whiten whites and brighten colors. It can also be used for surface disinfection: application, wait two minutes and wipe.

One way to reduce clutter under your sink, you save money and reduce your exposure to chemicals is to exchange your specialty products for a non-toxic or multifunction all-purpose cleaner. Again, you can find them in stores, or make your own mixture of 1 / 2 cup of pure soap in 4 liters of hot water. Add two tablespoons of lemon juice to cut grease.

commercial air fresheners contain a number of known toxins, and can be particularly irritating to people with respiratory problems like asthma and allergies. If you are considering selling your home, you should consider when preparing a show. For people with chemical sensitivity, a strong chemical smell can make them feel bad. Do not unnecessarily lose potential buyers. Banish odor with baking soda in your refrigerator, garbage and litter trays. Put in small bowls of white vinegar or baking soda to absorb odors. Burn scented candles, essential oil or a blend of essential oils with water in a diffuser to add a nice natural scent of a room, or trying to boil a pot of cinnamon sticks and clove on.