How can you tell when something is clean?

Our generation has learned to associate the smell of bleach or other chemical ingredients with being clean. Unfortunately, these chemical cleaners also release toxic compounds that can actually create health risks for you, your children, and your pets. Even after being used, typical chemical cleaners can leave unhealthy residues around your house on the surfaces you’ve cleaned.

Consider this: The average home has 63 different chemical products, which adds up to about 10 gallons of toxic chemicals under your sink and in your garage. Of the approximately 17,000 different chemicals used in these products, less than a third have been tested for their impact on human health and the environment.

That said, many common ingredients have known health effects. For instance, bleach, lye, and ammonia are all known to be severe irritants to eyes, lungs, and skin. Lesser known common ingredients like triethanolamine  (TEA) or Diethanolamine  (DEA) can affect our hormone balances. Many typical household cleaners even contain petroleum-derived ingredients such as formaldehyde.

So how can you tell if your chemical cleaner is safe?

Since cleaning product manufacturers aren’t required to list all of their ingredients, this can be a difficult task. Cleaners may advertise “fragrances” or their “antibacterial” or “disinfectant” properties, but these terms are often just a catch-all to hide risky ingredients. Cleaners may also advertise their product as “non-toxic”, “natural” or “environmentally-friendly”, but these are unregulated terms that don’t require independent verification.

So what can you look for?

Read the label, and look for safety warnings like “Poison,” “Danger,” “Warning,” or “Caution.” These terms let you know that ingredients can pose health or safety concerns. If the label doesn’t list all of the ingredients, or you’re not sure whether a particular ingredient is hazardous, you can request a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Though the MSDS is not always available to the public, it would contain the key information on any of the more toxic ingredients or formulations used. As a further resource, you can also search for safety information on specific products or ingredients with the Household Products Database (http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/index.htm). This online library lists the potential health effects of over 2,000 ingredients and 6,000 products.

One of the best choices you can make is simply to eliminate chemical cleaners from your home, and to choose environmentally-friendly cleaning solutions with ingredients that are known to be safe. Making sure that you have the information you need to make informed product choices is a key step in protecting the health of you and your family.

Our next blog post in this Green Cleaning series will discuss eco-friendly cleaning options, including more information on what to look for when selecting a cleaner.

Green Irene Eco-Consultant Gwen Brady from Framingham, MA recently put the Ionator through its paces in her home. Here are some excerpts from her review:

I am cheap and exceedingly skeptical. Before I could get behind this for my clients I needed to know that it was up to the job of scouring my admittedly less-than-clean home. That it would tackle whatever germs my girls/pets/raw chicken left on the counters and sinks. And that I wasn’t getting hosed financially. In short – Does it work. Amazingly yes – I give the Ionator a HUGE thumbs up. Here’s why.

Test 1: Bathroom mirror covered with normal fingerprints and added bonus of smeared glitter Chapstick. Incumbant: Vinegar/alcohol based glass cleaner by Seaside Naturals. Hubby evaluator did not know which panel was cleaned with which product. Results: The Ionator wiped the mirror down with significantly less liquid, and was streak free. Hubby said the Ionator panel was much cleaner. Winner: Ionator

Test 2: Kid’s sink. Incumbant: Clorox Greenworks multi-purpose cleaner. The Ionator was up to the task and quickly cleaned the countertops. It did take slightly more effort on stuck-on toothpaste than the Greenworks, however when cleaned off left no residue. The Ionator did an outstanding job on the chrome faucets – high marks for immediate streak free shine. Winner: Ionator

Test 3: Kitchen counter. Incumbant: Arm & Hammer multi-purpose cleaner. Once again the Ionator cleaned up vs. the traditional cleaner (pun intended). Our counters are dark and any smudges/streaks are easily visible. Ionator left no streaks or residue.

Test 4: Stainless steel refrigerator, glass top stove. Incumbant: Method Steel for Real, Arm & Hammer cleaner (stove top). The Ionator did a fantastic job on the stainless – super shine! It did take more than one swipe, however so did the Steel for Real. Did not do quite as good a job on food splatters on the stove: A&H better at dried tomato sauce/took less scrubbing. Winner: Ionator – stainless, A&H – stove top.

Test 5: my face. Incumbant – N/A (sorry, not gonna do it, even with the greenest stuff in my aresenal). The best thing – It’s just water. That’s all. I let a 5 year old play housekeeper with it. No harm to her, the dog, the cat, to her sister, to mommy.

Bottom Line: The Ionator outperformed my conventional cleaners in almost every test. The exceptions were spills that are dried on/ require more scrubbing. For these a traditional de-greaser/enzymatic cleaner or scrub worked better.

To read the full article visit Gwen’s blog at: http://greensaversma.wordpress.com/2010/07/27/road-test-activion-ionator-hom/

Three words…Simple. Smart. Sustainable. The ionator HOM is a powerful appliance that cleans without chemicals by converting ordinary tap water into ionized water, a dirt-removing, bacteria-killing agent.

Skeptical? We were too, but we at Green Irene have seen this work with our own eyes, and we have studied the independent test results. This product is amazing: it’s as effective as popular chemical cleaners, and it works on almost any surface!

It’s also virtually the only cleaning and sanitizing product in the world without a chemical-related health warning label. When used as directed the ionator kills or removes more than 99.9% of harmful germs without the use of chemicals, including H1N1 virus, E-Coli, and Staph. Sanitizing occurs in 6 seconds (versus 10 minutes for the leading concentrated commercial cleaners).

Here’s how it works:

Water can take many forms depending on how you treat it. Freeze it and it becomes ice. Heat it and it becomes steam. Now, the ionator HOM uses ingenious technology to give water a tiny electrical charge. The water then becomes ionized, which makes it a powerful cleaner and sanitizer. The technology driving the ionator products has been used for decades in food processing plants, four-star restaurants, and large hotels.

It’s the ultimate non-toxic cleaning solution. Since it’s just water, you can spray it where your kids and pets eat, play, and sleep. You can even spray a pacifier or fruit, and you can spray your kids too! You heard it from me first…Just like every home now has a vacuum cleaner, every home will have an ionator HOM.

It won’t replace every cleaner in your house; you’ll still need some toxic-free cleaners for the toughest cleaning jobs, but it’s great for everyday cleaning and sanitizing. It will eliminate the repeated expense of buying general purpose cleaning chemicals, saving you hundreds of dollars each year.

Plus, it’s such a cool-looking handheld appliance that the whole family will want to help with cleaning!

Rosamaria Caballero
The Original Green Irene Eco-Consultant

P.S. – I love that it’s endorsed by Bill Nye, The Science Guy.

Activeion Ionator HOM Designed for quick and easy cleaning around your home, in your car, or at your office. Use it to clean glass, stainless steel, natural stone (such as granite or marble), tubs, showers, sinks, finished wood floors and surfaces, carpet spots, fabrics, and more!

Heavy Metal: Plastic vs. Metal Water Bottles

A friend of mine recently asked some good questions about water bottles:

Are the Green Irene water bottles all metal or do they have a plastic coating inside? And what is the benefit of metal? I know it will cut down on the production of plastic bottles, which helps the environment, but is there a health reason for using metal over plastic? Doesn’t metal have downfalls?

Many of you probably have similar questions, so I thought I’d share the information with you:

Stainless steel bottles are safe and the most environmentally-friendly option. Green Irene water bottles are made from 304-grade stainless steel – the best quality and considered food grade. Plus, they have been tested for lead.

The interior of our stainless steel bottles are not coated with epoxy resin or any other coating. Stainless steel does not need to be coated with any protective material as stainless steel is inert (meaning it doesn’t react or leach). Aluminum bottles (such as some Sigg bottles), where the water sits in the aluminum, must be coated for protection. Stainless steel is recyclable.

Why stay away from plastic?

* Plastic is made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource that largely comes from non-domestic sources.
* Plastic is photo-degradable, not biodegradable, which means it takes 700+ years to degrade in a landfill.
* Plastic can leach harmful chemicals when heated (as in a microwave, dishwasher or hot car).
* Plastic #1 (as in store-bought water) is recyclable, but only about 20% are. That means 80 out of every 100 bottles are discarded.
* Plastic #7 (other) is the code assigned to any plastic that does not fit into the other six rather well-defined categories of material. It includes two main types, but probably the best known (or infamous) type of #7 plastic is polycarbonate, because of the controversy surrounding Bisphenol-A (BPA). Also, #7 is hard to recycle.
* Many reusable plastic bottles are too big for a lunch box.

To see Green Irene’s selection of water bottles, visit: www.GreenIrene.com/CincyDaytonEllen and click on the “Shop Green Irene” tab, then go to the “Recycling and Waste Reduction” product category. Bottles are available in a variety of colors (including an array of choices for the twistable sports cap),  and they can come with or without the Green Irene logo.

Ellen Hall
Green Irene Eco-Consultant
513-932-7304
ellen.cincydayton@greenirene.com
www.greenirene.com/CincyDaytonEllen

Proper septic tank or field maintenance is crucial. If a septic system is not regularly maintained, it could back up and overflow. This leads to a costly, unpleasant clean-up process.

Unfortunately, many conventional septic tank maintenance systems use harsh chemicals that can be harmful to you and the environment. These chemicals destroy the beneficial, naturally occurring bacteria that help to breakdown waste in your septic system, and they can also enter the groundwater around your home.

We’re happy to announce the addition of an all-natural treatment for your septic system!

Meadow Springs All-Natural Septic System Treatment Meadow Springs Septic treatment uses all-natural yeast and enzymes to “feed” the bacteria that break down solid waste in your septic system. The result is a system that requires less pumping without any supplementary bacteria like Rid-X or harsh chemical additives. Think of it as green fuel for an efficient septic system!

If you have a septic tank or septic field, share your comments below on how you maintain your system!

Rosamaria Caballero
The Original Green Irene Eco-Consultant

We’re happy to announce the addition of new products for your furry friends! These new items are in-stock and ready to ship.

Dog Shampoo This all natural gentle dog shampoo provides calm, soothing bath time experience.  Our blend of pure essential oils nourishes your dogs coat leaving it clean, shiny and invigorated without the harsh chemicals. The mild cleansing agents are gentle and do not contain any detergents.

Biodegradable Dog Waste Bags Our Dog Waste Bags hold the distinction of being the first biodegradable and compostable “plastic” pooper bags in the world.  The waste and the bag can be thrown in your backyard compost, where both items can decompose naturally; the waste and bag can be buried, where micro-organisms will quickly eat both; the waste and bag can be set at curbside with other yard waste where communities collect biodegradable waste for composting.

Rosamaria Caballero
The Original Green Irene Eco-Consultant

Meadow Springs’ all-natural septic tank maintenance system offers the perfect solution for homeowners seeking an alternative to conventional septic tank maintenance. This product can break down nearly 70% of solid waste with active yeast, natural enzymes and yeast nutrients, rather than the harsh chemicals found in the leading septic maintenance products. You’ll soon be able to buy a 6 month supply of Meadow Springs from your local eco-consultant.  And, Meadow Springs is also partnering with Green Irene to present the “Win A Green Home Makeover” Sweepstakes.

ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN 1 OF 25 GREEN HOME MAKEOVERS!

There is no purchase necessary to enter. On the contest entry form, please specify that you are visiting from greenirene.com. Check out Green Irene’s website to learn more about our $99 Green Home Makeover. Also have a look at our recent blog post featuring tips for septic tank maintenance.

I’m a city girl, but I stayed at a B&B in Maine this summer and saw the septic field gurgling out back. Anything that breaks down more quickly, and doesnt release chemicals into the ground well is a good green choice. That’s why Green Irene is going to be offering an all-natural septic maintenance system from Meadow Springs. Talk to your eco-consultant about purchasing a six month supply of this effective, nontoxic product. Meadow Springs and Green Irene are also offering “Win A Green Home Makeover” Sweepstakes! Enter today for a chance to be one of the 25 lucky winners to receive a Green Home Makeover with your local Green Irene Eco-Consultant. 

Proper septic tank or field maintenance is crucial. If a septic system is not regularly maintained, it could back up and overflow. This leads to a costly, unpleasant clean-up process. Unfortunately, many conventional septic tank maintenance systems use harsh chemicals that can be harmful to you and the environment. These chemicals also destroy the beneficial, naturally-occurring bacteria that help to breakdown waste in your septic system. The natural solution offered by Green Irene uses yeast to promote good septic health. Just 10 oz dose every month is enough to maintain your system. 

Beyond using a natural septic tank product, there are other ways to make sure your septic system works properly.

• Never flush coffee grounds or filters, paper towels, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, facial tissues, cat litter, or cigarette butts. These items can clog your septic tank in less time than you might imagine.
• Use aerators on faucets and flow-reducer nozzles on showers to help minimize water consumption. Your local eco-consultant can show you a wide range of low flow shower heads and other ways to drastically reduce your water consumption. That means less waste in your in septic system.
• A garbage disposal can double the amount of solids added to a septic tank. Choose a top-of-the-line disposal that grinds food into tiny particles that are easier for a septic system to digest.
• Avoid root damage by keeping trees at least 100 feet from the septic system.

Rosamaria Caballero
The Original Green Irene Eco-Consultant
rosamaria.caballero@greenirene.com

Whenever I go grocery shopping, I’m overwhelmed by the number of labels appearing on food products. Is my “natural, sustainably-grown” apple better or worse than an apple with the USDA Organic seal? 

It’s not always clear, but you should know that claims like “natural,” “sustainably-grown,” and “environmentally-friendly” have no agreed upon legal definition. Companies that use these types of terms without providing supporting information are likely trying to greenwash their conventional products. Products that are independently certified are generally more trustworthy. Certified labels for food products include Fair Trade Certified, Marine Stewardship Council, Rainforest Alliance, Food Alliance, and more. But the most widely-used label is the USDA Organic label, pictured left. Despite the labels popularity, many people don’t know exactly what the label signifies. Here’s a summary:

• “Organic” means that the food was grown without the use of synthetic chemicals. Organic meat and dairy products come from cows that are hormone-free. Organic meat also comes from animals whose feed did not contain pesticides. 
• Products that display the seal are made with at least 95% organic ingredients by weight.
• The remaining 5% of ingredients can come from any substance on the USDA’s list of approved, non-organic substances. These include some food colorings, casings for sausages, and other ingredients.

The exact value of organic food remains a controversial subject. Some organic advocates argue that permitting non-organic substances in “organic” food undermines the value of the label. This movement often talks about the need to “go beyond organic.” Despite the flaws of organic agriculture, it is a reliable way to reduce the amount of pesticides on your food. A study by Consumer Reports found that more than 90% of conventionally-grown crops had noticeable pesticide residues, and many crops have multiple residues. Buying organic reduced pesticide exposure by around 75%. Other studies have found that children who eat an organic diet have considerably lower levels of pesticides in their bodies than children who eat a conventional diet. Buying organic also reduces the amount of pesticides in environment. Americans use about 1 billion pounds of synthetic pesticides a year. Pesticide exposure contributes to higher rates of cancer and other diseases in farm communities. Pesticide run-off can enter the watershed, harming aquatic life and impairing drinking water. For all these reasons, buying organic food whenever possible is a way of protecting the environment and your health.

- Green Irene

To find out more about this and other topics, contact your local eco-consultant.