SPRING GREENING AND CLEANING AROUND THE HOME

Goals for a green home:

1. Make your home safe, healthy, and comfortable

2. Organize—what to do with the stuff

3. Clean “green”—products and recipes

4. Green your lawn and garden

Make your home safe, healthy, and comfortable—big ideas:

The Quiz1. Name at least 3 things the fire department

suggests you should have for your home.2. What is the colorless, odorless gas that is

the second leading cause of lung cancer?3. From what two sources are you most likely

to find lead if your home was built prior to 1978?

4. Why can a leaky faucet be a health hazard?5. Are levels of pollutants usually higher inside

or outside your home?

From the fire department—What You Should Know

FYI—a fire grows exponentially—every second counts. Get out and call the fire department.

FYI—the blacker the smoke, the more toxic—building materials today are highly toxic and burn faster than in the past.

Fire causes more death and property destruction in the US than natural disasters every year.

The kitchen, laundry room (dryer—better to line-dry!), and garage are likely places for a fire.

What the fire department says:Prevention Is KEY

Have a clean and clutter-free house. Clean the lint from your dryer’s lint screen after

every use (possibly with toothbrush). Clean the dryer pipe and chamber at least once a year.

Stop using an appliance that is not functioning properly.

Only use an extension cord for short-term use—3 days max.

Have a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) in “damp” environments such as the bathroom and basement. Avoid using appliances underneath cabinets and watch your candles.

What the fire department says:Smoke Alarms

You should have the appropriate number of smoke detectors for your home—inside every bedroom & at least 1 on the first floor; the basement, garage, laundry room, attic, and any other “isolated” spots are recommended.

Ideally smoke alarms should be interconnected.

Check the batteries 2 times a year and replace at least 1 time a year.

Replace the alarm when necessary (10 years).

The alarm should be UL listed.

What the fire department says:Fire Extinguishers

You should have a minimum of 2 fire extinguishers—more is highly recommended.

Bigger is better as long as you can handle it—typical sizes are 2 ½ lbs. or 5 lbs.

Generally you should have an ABC extinguisher. Place the extinguisher for the kitchen away from

the stove—across the room in a low cupboard. Keeping an extinguisher in the garage and your

car is a good idea. For questions contact your local fire department.

What the fire department says:Escape Route and Meeting Place Be sure to have a preplanned escape

route—you should have 2 ways out of every room/area of your home. Consider having a ladder for second story rooms.

DO NOT GRAB STUFF—GET OUT ASAP! Have a designated meeting place

outside. Practice—do your own fire drills.

What the fire department says:More Suggestions

Every home should have a carbon monoxide detector—anything that produces a flame can potentially cause the buildup of CO.

Sprinkler systems are worth it: “Wet can be dried, burnt can’t be revived.”

A fire blanket is useful for putting out minor fires (i.e. on the stovetop) or for putting around someone whose clothes have caught fire.

A note from the fire chief- “I spoke with you at length regarding the

problems firefighters face today from the effects of “lightweight construction.”  Fires are simply burning hotter, faster, producing a much more deadly mix of toxic smoke  and collapsing in minutes, often with no warning.  This recipe makes it very difficult for the fire service to effect rescues and extinguish fires once the fire has a chance to burn uncontrolled for as few as three or four minutes.  Even fully career staffed fire departments aren’t arriving on-scene for a few minutes and that is after the fire is discovered, reported and dispatched, all of which may take a couple to several minutes.”

The colorless, odorless gas--Radon

Radon Facts It’s estimated that radon is responsible for

20,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from

the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils.

Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home via cracks or holes in the foundation.

Radon can build up in any home—new or old, well-sealed or drafty, with or without basements.

Radon can enter a home through well water.

More Radon Facts Radon levels can vary greatly from house to

house. Every home in PA should be checked for radon. The DEP suggests you first check for radon using

a short-term test (2 days to 90 days)—(price at a local hardware store is $10.99 + $30 for lab analysis).

Radon levels can vary day to day and season to season so follow up with a long-term test.

Radon levels can usually be lowered for about $800-$2,500.

?s—Contact the Radon Division: 1-800-23RADON.

Lead—Where is it?

In your paint—According to the EPA, the greatest exposure to lead is swallowing or breathing in lead paint chips and dust. Lead paint was banned in 1978.

In your water—Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures, and solder, but “lead-free” plumbing may contain up to 8% lead. Brass or chrome-plated brass faucets/fixtures can leach significant amounts of lead into water, especially hot water.

Lead—Where else is it? Soil—Always remove shoes upon entering

your home. Old painted toys and furniture. New imported toys—stay alert to recalls. See the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list at www.cpsc.gov. Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or

lead-glazed pottery. Some garden hoses—When buying a hose

check the packaging to see if it contains lead (this could in be very small print).

Lead—Why is it so bad?

According to the EPA, childhood lead poisoning remains a major environmental health problem in the U.S.

Lead can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, learning and behavior problems such as hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems, and headaches.

Adults may suffer from reproductive problems, high blood pressure and hypertension, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, and muscle and joint pain.

Lead—What to do about it Clean floors, window sills and frames, and

other surfaces weekly. Be sure to thoroughly rinse your cleaning tool (i.e. sponge, rag, mop).

Clean up paint chips immediately. Wash children’s hands often—especially

before eating and naps. Keep play areas clean. Wash pacifiers, toys,

and stuffed animals regularly. To help block the storage of lead in your

child’s body, serve meals that are low in fat and high in calcium and iron, including dairy products and green vegetables.

Lead—What else you can do

If you suspect lead in your water, let the tap run for 1-2 minutes on cold before using it for drinking or cooking if the water has been off and sitting in the pipes for six hours or more. Note—pregnant women should take extra caution.

Test your water—($10.99 at a local hardware store + $30 for lab analysis fee).

See the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) International website for water filtration information: www.nsf.org.

To remove lead paint you should hire a certified lead “abatement” contractor.

Have your children’s blood checked for lead.

Leaking faucets and pipes-

can be health hazards because they lead to water damage that can promote mold and mildew growth affecting indoor air quality.

Mold—it’s not just fuzzy green stuff

It is possible to develop allergies to mold and experience cold-like symptoms.

Some mold spores can go deeply into the lungs and cause serious illness.

Mold—Where to look for it Basements and crawlspaces—Consider a

dehumidifier. Any leaks or spills—Check inside the cabinets

under your sinks. The shower—Soap scum is a nutrient source

for mold growth. Use a fan vented to outside.

The laundry room—Make sure the dryer is properly vented and don’t let wet clothes or towels pile up.

The kitchen—Cooking spatters and grease film on walls can be nutrient sources for mold. Use the exhaust fan when cooking.

Mold—What to do about it Prevent it: keep your home clean and dry. Where mold has already started (or is likely to start

due to flooding) you will also need to disinfect the area. This is a time to use bleach. Follow directions on the label or see below—don’t use more than necessary. (Never mix bleach and ammonia together!)

You can use a solution of 1 cup bleach, 1 tablespoon of detergent, and 1 gallon of water for removing mold. Keep surfaces wet for about 10 minutes, then rinse well with water.

Use a toothbrush to clean grout. If your shower curtain is washable and shows signs of

mold, add in bleach with the detergent according to directions.

For large or unreachable areas, hire a professional.

Water in the home Everyone should be concerned about water

consumption in the home. Water consumption uses a lot of energy. Leaks can add up—water-wise and $$$.

Check sink pipes for signs of leaks and corrosion. Place a cup under faucets to see if they catch

water when the faucet is turned off. To check for toilet leaks, put a few drops of food

coloring in the tank. If the water in the bowl turns color before a flush, you have a leak.

Still unsure?—Check your water meter before and after a 3 hour period when no water is being used.

Water-Saving Tips

Use a low-flow shower head. Check your showerhead’s efficiency by placing a 1 gallon bucket under its stream—if it fills in less than 30 seconds, get a new showerhead.

To be even more conservative take Navy showers.

Install an ultra low flush (ULF) toilet. Until then, use a brick in your tank.

To be super-cool ultra conservative, collect your bath water (scoop it into a larger bucket), and use this “gray-water” to flush the toilet. Dump the water directly into the bowl until its contents go down and the water level is refilled.

More H20-Saving Tips Attach a low-flow aerator to your kitchen

faucet—you won’t lose water pressure. Look for one with a flow rate of 2.2 gallons per minute or less.

Use the dishwasher. Don’t pre-rinse and be sure it’s full. Use an earth-friendly detergent.

Don’t use your toilet as a wastebasket or a burial ground for bugs—flush only when necessary.

Avoid using the garbage disposal as much as possible. And use cold water when running it.

Catch the cold water from a faucet while you’re waiting for it to get hot.

Buying a new H2O-using appliance? Always look for the WaterSense label.

Products with the label: Perform as well or better than their less

efficient counterparts. Are 20 percent more water efficient than

average products in that category. Realize water savings on a national level. Provide measurable water savings results. Achieve water efficiency through several

technology options. Are effectively differentiated by the WaterSense label. Obtain independent, third-party certification.

Pollutants in the home—Indoor Air Quality

According to Sierra Club’s Green Life, research has shown indoor air quality is often up to 100% worse than outdoor air quality even in big cities. Among the culprits are the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from paints, carpets, furniture, and cabinets.

What’s up with VOCs? More immediate symptoms that can be

caused by exposure to VOCs include nausea, eye irritation, dizziness, and headaches.

Some organics are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.

Many VOCs in coatings and adhesives contribute to the formation of smog by combining with chemicals in the outside air, so using products with fewer VOCs helps everyone breathe easier.

A word about paint+ Choose paints, stains, sealants, caulks, and adhesives

with the lowest possible emissions of VOCs. These release the most gases when wet, but even when dry to the touch, they may keep releasing gases possibly for years. Meanwhile your upholstery, carpets, and drapes act like sponges, absorbing VOCs and releasing them over time.

Most major paint companies now offer at least one low-VOC paint, usually a water-based latex. ($4+ per gallon)

Paints and other coatings dubbed “natural” are usually made mostly from plant- and mineral-based ingredients rather than petrochemicals. But they aren’t necessarily low in VOCs.

Make sure the recommended products are truly low VOC and not merely “VOC compliant”. Green Seal’s rule of thumb for interior paints and primers: VOCs shouldn’t exceed 50 grams per liter for flat paint and 150 grams per liter for non-flat paint.

How to improve indoor air quality Open windows—especially when painting or cleaning. Leave your shoes at the door. Shoes track in all kinds

of stuff—pesticides, road oil, gunk. Get rid of wall-to-wall carpet, especially if you suffer

from allergies. Synthetic carpets not only emit VOCs, they also play host to dust and dust mites, pet dander, soot, pollen, odors, fleas, and lots of other stuff.

Vacuum and dust regularly. Apply low- or zero-VOC clear sealants over particle board and other pressed wood products to seal in formaldehyde.

Dust—Beyond Bunnies Vacuum frequently, ideally with a HEPA

(high efficiency particulate air) filter. It can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm).

Dust with a rag (microfiber cloth) that picks up dust—may need to be damp.

Use a pillow cover designed as a dust mite barrier. If your pillow folds in half and stays that way, time for a new pillow.

Where to dust/vacuum Ceiling fans—before you turn them on! Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors—

spider webs and dust can limit their effectiveness.

Light fixtures—dust buildup on light bulbs and lamp shades can limit output and require you to use more lights than needed.

Refrigerator/freezer coils— clean monthly to keep your fridge working efficiently.

A note on refrigerators/freezers

Leave space between the refrigerator/freezer and the wall to allow air to circulate around the coils.

Clean drip trays to prevent mold growth. Put an outdoor thermometer inside the

fridge to make sure it is 34-38 degrees F to keep food fresh without wasting energy. (Freezer should be 0 degrees F.)

If your refrigerator 12+ years old, it’s probably time to replace it. Look for the Energy Star label. Recycle the old one!

A note on filters Air filters can help with some air quality

problems, but they are by no means a cure-all.

Clean or replace your heating and cooling system air filters—it’s quick and easy and will save your system from working harder than it should.

Clean, efficient fans and filters on dehumidifiers, furnaces, refrigerators, and other appliances allow them to function efficiently and can reduce air moisture and minimize particulate pollution in your house.

Plants—the “green” purifiers

From Sierra Club’s Green Home: “According to a study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), plants can be used indoors to purify the air and improve indoor air quality.  Green foliage absorbs carbon dioxide and removes formaldehyde and VOCs”.

For an average home of under 2,000 square feet, the study recommends using at least 15 samples of a good variety of these common houseplants to help improve air quality. They also recommend that the plants be grown in six inch containers or larger.

The Top Plants

1. Philodendron scandens `oxycardium', heartleaf philodendron 2. Philodendron domesticum, elephant ear philodendron 3. Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana', cornstalk dracaena 4. Hedera helix, English ivy 5. Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant 6. Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig', Janet Craig dracaena 7. Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii', Warneck dracaena 8. Ficus benjamina, weeping fig 9. Epipiremnum aureum, golden pothos 10. Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa', peace lily 11. Philodendron selloum, selloum philodendron 12. Aglaonema modestum, Chinese evergreen 13. Chamaedorea sefritzii, bamboo or reed palm 14. Sansevieria trifasciata, snake plant 15. Dracaena marginata , red-edged dracaena

Plant points

Go for variety— English ivy, gerbera daisies, pot mums, peace lily,

bamboo palm, and Mother-in-law's Tongue were found to be the best plants for treating air contaminated with Benzene.

The peace lily, gerbera daisy, and bamboo palm were very effective in treating Trichloroethylene.

The bamboo palm, Mother-in-law's tongue, dracaena warneckei, peace lily, dracaena marginata, golden pothos, and green spider plant worked well for filtering Formaldehyde.

Consider kids and pets—make sure to avoid poisonous varieties.

Make your home safe, healthy, and comfortable—last points

Trust your nose. If a product smells bad, don’t bring it into your house. But beware of heavily perfumed–fragranced products that are often used to mask chemical odors.

Make sure the door between the garage and your home seals completely, and keep weather stripping in good repair.

Check your home’s sump pump to ensure it is functioning properly.

Be sure air vents between the indoors and the outside aren’t blocked by snow, leaves, dirt, or other debris, depending on the season.

Organize—what to do with the stuff: The Quiz

1. True or false—You can stop credit card offers from cluttering your mail—and save paper!

2. How can you stop telemarketers for 5 years at a time?

3. What does LCSWMA stand for?

4. What is Earth911.com?

5. What government agency regulates ingredients in cosmetics?

Organize—Stop the junk from getting into your home

To stop junk mail check out: www.newdream.org/junkmail* www.dmachoice.org

To stop catalogs (or get ones you want)—go to: www.catalogchoice.org

To stop (or get) credit card solicitations go to: www.optoutprescreen.com

To stop telemarketers (and save your sanity) go to: www.donotcall.gov

To stop bills (via snail mail) switch to online bill payments and save 6.6 lbs. of paper + stamps

Organize—tips to deal with and manage the stuff

Set obtainable goals for yourself—i.e. "Today I will organize one shelf in my bathroom closet."

Set aside 15-20 minutes every day, no matter what, and work on one aspect of what needs to be done. It WILL add up! For longer projects, schedule it on a calendar.

Know your personality type when it comes to crossing off your to-do list. Do you do the smaller tasks first to cross off more items on your list, or do you start with the biggest task to get it out of the way?

It may be helpful to know your “Clutter Type” (and then invest in therapy). (See Cut the Clutter and Stow the Stuff edited by Lori Baird). The main types are: the Collector, the Concealer, the Accumulator, and the Tosser.

Organize—tackle the clutter

Start by making a master list of every room in your home that needs attention and what the function of the room should be. As you tackle the room get rid of anything that does not fit the function.

As you are working in each room, have 4 bins with you for immediate action. Items to keep (relocate in the home) Items to donate/sell Items to recycle Items to trash

Organize—keep tackling the clutter

At the end of every organizing session deal with the bins. Put items to keep in their proper places. Empty the trash bin. Put appropriate recyclables in your official

recycle bin. For items that can be recycled, but not from the curb, keep these in the temporary bin, but take action once the bin is full.

For the bin of items that can be donated or sold, take action on this once the bin is full.

Recycling Find out exactly what can and cannot go in your

curbside recycle bin. (You may need to remove caps from bottles. Plastics that are #s 1 & 2, but are not bottles may not be accepted. Etc.)

When in doubt of what to do with your recyclables, check www.earth911.org.

Or, in Lancaster County you can also check out LCSWMA (Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority) online at www.lcswma.org. They are located at 1299 Harrisburg Pike, phone # 717-397-9968, email info@lcswma.org.

The Household Hazardous Waste Facility at LCSWMA is open M-F 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. and Sat. 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Check the website to see “What You Can Recycle & Where”.

Back to organizing—things to do now

Go through your clothes so you know what you have (so you don’t buy duplicates). Donate/sell anything you don’t wear anymore.

Schedule organizing/cleaning/ household to-dos—i.e. Put on your calendar when you need to vacuum your refrigerator coils, when you will practice a fire drill, etc.

Check your medicine cabinets and throw out expired meds and old make-up.

To safely dispose of meds From the LCSWMA website—The Office of

National Drug Control Policy has issued guidelines for the proper disposal of prescription drugs: Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription

drugs out of their original containers. Mix prescription drugs with an undesirable

substance, like used coffee grounds or kitty litter, and put them in impermeable, nondescript containers, such as empty cans with secure lids or sealable bags, to further ensure the drugs are not used or accidentally ingested by children and pets.

Throw the repackaged drugs in the trash. Do not flush prescription drugs down the toilet

unless the label or information specifies to do so.

A note about personal care products—BEWARE!

At The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics website (www.safecosmetics.org) you can find detailed answers to questions regarding personal care products. Here are a few shortened versions: ?: “Doesn’t the government certify that personal care products are

safe and healthy before they can be sold to consumers?” A: “No. Major loopholes in federal law allow the $50 billion cosmetics industry to put unlimited amounts of chemicals into personal care products with no required testing, no required monitoring of health effects, and inadequate labeling requirements.”

?: “I don’t wear very much make-up, so I’m probably safe, right?” A: “Unfortunately, that is not a safe assumption, because we’re talking about more than make-up. Even baby bubble bath can contain toxic chemicals!”

?: “Are our products affecting wildlife, rivers and streams?” A: “A growing number of studies targeting what are known as "PPCPs" — pharmaceuticals and personal care products — are finding our personal care product ingredients in rivers and streams across the country. And some ingredients have been linked to impacts on wildlife;”.

A bit more on “beauty” From Sierra Club’s Green Home: “Most personal care

products are eventually washed down the drain. But wastewater treatment plants do not remove them. They are sent coursing through our rivers and streams, and ultimately our oceans. In the process, they poison aquatic animals and ecosystems.”

“Many beauty products use polyethylene beads to provide scrubbing action. Unfortunately these little plastic particles are too small to be filtered out by sewage treatment plants and go straight to surface waters and to our oceans where they could be mistaken for zooplankton and poison our marine life.”

Check your products on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com, or www.goodguide.com to “find healthy, green, ethical products according to scientific ratings.”

Back again to organizing—final thoughts

“Using what you already have is the best way to keep excess to a minimum!!!”—i.e. food, office supplies, toiletries, clothing, etc. For example, always check the fridge, freezer, and

pantry to see what you have before meal-planning and grocery shopping. (A master grocery list of items you buy frequently is very helpful.)

Put recently purchased items (such as cans) behind items you already have so you’re always using the oldest products first.

Reward yourself for a job—even a little one—well done.

Clean “green”—products and recipes: The Quiz

1. What kind of vinegar is your best friend for multipurpose cleaning?

2. What is a microfiber cloth?3. What does virgin fiber mean for paper

products?4. What is the difference between

post-consumer fiber and recovered fiber?

5. What is the purpose of this ► symbol?

Why “green” clean? Our health—just read the label:

“Danger,” “Poison,” “Caution,” “Warning,” “Vapors harmful,” “May cause burns”.

According to Sierra Club Green Home, some conventional cleaners contain ingredients that “can contaminate the air, water, and soil when they are manufactured, used, and thrown away. Cleaning products with phosphates, for example, can cause “dead zones” in lakes and streams. Triclosan, a chemical used in antibacterial cleaners that has been shown to interfere with thyroid function in animals, is now polluting more than 60% of U.S. streams.”

What to avoid on SC’s Green Home Conventional air fresheners/fragrances. Alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs)--“surfactants” (found

in laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners, and stain removers).

Antibacterial products. Chlorine bleach. Glycol ethers (found in glass cleaners, floor cleaners,

and oven cleaners). Monoethanolamine (MEA) (found in detergents, all-

purpose cleaners, and floor cleaners). Petroleum distillates (found in metal polishes and

adhesive removers). Phenol and cresol (found in disinfectants). Phosphates (still found in dishwashing detergents). Spray cleaners—to avoid asthma.

Your “green” friends for cleaning

Best friends: Water White vinegar Baking soda Lemons

Good friends: Salt Dish soap Olive oil Essential oils

Basic Recipes Dilute one part water to one part vinegar and

use to clean almost anything in your house. (Not marble! If not diluted, it will eat away at grout.) The smell goes away when it’s dry—or add oil.

Sprinkle baking soda in the toilet and add vinegar—it will fizz. Use a toilet scrub brush.

Mix half a cup of lemon juice with a cup of olive oil to create a hardwood polish.

To create a scouring powder use baking soda mixed with a bit of water to form a paste. For extra scouring power, add salt.

For glass, try 1 cup of vinegar with 1 quart of warm water. Use crumpled newspaper to wipe.

Where to find more recipes Meet the Green Grandma at http://

thegreengrandma.blogspot.com/--look back to 2010 for TGIVF (Thank God It’s Vinegar Friday)—and learn more than you ever thought possible about vinegar. You can also check www.vinegartips.com to find 1001 uses for white distilled vinegar.

Good places to get started for a variety of cleaning recipes+ are Mother Nature Network’s site: www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/stories/green-cleaning-tips and www.realsimple.com (see Green Living-66 All-Natural Cleaning Solutions).

Cleaning tools Be super cool “green” and use rags from old

towels, socks, T-shirts, sheets, whatever. Try a microfiber cloth—highly recommended

by Chanel Neff, cleaning professional from Lancaster County. Sierra Club’s Green Home says : “Microfiber cleaning cloths are made to trap dirt and grime. They can absorb oils and hold many times their weight in water. They can eliminate or reduce the use of conventional cleaners for floors, furniture, and dusting–and can be used over and over. Made of synthetic fibers derived from petroleum, they are not a renewable resource, but then neither are conventional cleaners.”

Paper Towels—What you should know

Virgin fiber is that which comes straight from a tree. MNN says: “If every household in the United States replaced one roll of virgin-fiber paper towels with 100 percent recycled paper towels, we could save 1.4 million trees.”

Go for 100% recycled, unbleached/chlorine-free paper towels (and other paper products). Ideally, look for 90% minimum post-consumer materials. (Post-consumer fibers come from paper that has already been used by the consumer and sent to recycling. This keeps more paper out of the trash. Recovered fiber is from paper waste leftover in manufacturing, such as trim, scraps, unused stock.)

“Greener” cleaning product alternatives—what to look for

Look for cleaners certified by independent organizations such as Green Seal or EcoLogo.

Look for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Design for the Environment label. This mark indicates that the product meets the EPA’s standards for ingredients that are deemed safest in terms of environmental and human health. Go to www.epa.gov/oppt/dfe/index.htm for a list of approved cleaning products.

Check out www.goodguide.com.

Names cited as “greener” products

Seventh Generation Method Ecover Simple Green Shaklee Mrs. Meyers Dr. Bronner’s (soaps) Clorox Greenworks (endorsed by the SC)** Ideally, ingredients should be listed on the label.

Cleaning—the nitty gritty Take 1 room at a time. Start from the top and work your way to the bottom.

Wipe down all ceilings/ceiling fans/walls/baseboards. Take curtains off of windows and wash them. “Windex” picture frame glass (walls); don't just dust them.

Start in one corner and move in a clockwise direction: Remove all accessories from each piece of furniture and

dust/clean/wash/etc. Dust/Clean/Wash/etc. each piece of furniture. Move furniture pieces out from where they were and

vacuum under them. Don't let yourself move to the next section until you

have completed where you are. -- Chanel Neff

Greening your lawn and garden—The Quiz

1. On what two sides of your house (north/ south/east/west) should you plant deciduous trees in order to lower your cooling costs?

2. You should set your mower blade to the ____ inch mark.

3. If fertilizer would benefit your lawn (test it first!), when should you apply the fertilizer?

4. What’s the difference between hybrids and genetically engineered plants?

5. True or false—bats can fly in people’s hair and get stuck (depending on the hair-do).

Why not just pave paradise and put up a parking lot?

A healthy landscape can: help clean the air. slow storm-water runoff, allowing rain and

snowmelt to percolate into the soil where pollutants they’ve picked up can be broken down by soil organisms instead of carried into waterways.

keep outdoor air temperatures cooler in the summer, and trees can shade buildings, reducing air-conditioning energy use.

provide habitat and food for wildlife.

feed your family, friends, and neighbors.

Basic principles for creating a healthy landscape:

Nurture the soil.

Choose the right plants for the right spots.

Use water and other resources wisely.

Use healthy pest control methods.

An energy efficient lawn & garden—Plant trees and shrubs The shade from 1 well-placed tree can reduce

the energy needed to air-condition a home by 10-50 percent, depending upon the size of the home.

Shading air-conditioning units can significantly improve their efficiency—but be sure to not restrict your unit’s air flow.

Plantings can provide shade for hard surfaces like blacktops and walkways that can get extremely hot and radiate heat toward the home.

Plant shrubs or evergreens on the windy side of your home (north) to act as a buffer for winter months.

More ways to make your lawn and garden energy efficient Reduce the grass lawn as much as possible—

replace it with native trees and shrubs and by enlarging garden beds.

If possible, use an electric mower—or if you’re super cool, use a manual push mower. (A small gas-powered garden-tool engine can pollute more than a car!)

Collect rain water from downspouts to water garden and flowers—just keep it covered when not in use so as not create a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Get together with neighbors to purchase items that can be shared such as tools.

Tips for a healthy & “green” yard—the grass

Don’t mow too much—most grasses fare best when they’re at least 2 ½ inches tall.

Let clippings remain on the lawn to act as a natural fertilizer and discourage weeds.

Use extra clippings around the plants in gardens and flowerbeds to keep out weeds. Keep the grass clippings thick and never weed again!

Or, add clippings (and leaves) to your compost pile.

Embrace the beauty of dandelions. They are also edible!—highly nutritious and especially tasty in a vinaigrette dressing when young and tender.

More on grass Grass lawns naturally go dormant during the drier

summer season. When wet weather returns, so will your lush green lawn.

If you do choose to water your lawn, water rarely and thoroughly until water can no longer be easily absorbed by the soil. Early morning is best so you lose the least moisture to sunlight and heat. This will also help to avoid mildew and root rot, as well as slugs. (Use “gray-water”.)

Aerated soil is primed to make the most of soil nutrients, so you need less fertilizer, and it provides the perfect breeding ground for strong, deep roots that will need less water. To aerate the soil, walk around in spiked shoes or jab a garden fork deep into the turf at close intervals.

A word on fertilizers According to Sierra Club Green Home “Urban

lawns and gardens actually use more chemical fertilizers and pesticides per acre than farms. When it rains, these chemicals are washed down into drainage systems, increasing pollution, harming wildlife, and making it harder to keep our water supplies clean and safe.” In Lancaster Co. these end up in the Bay.

Before using fertilizer, test your soil first! If you choose to fertilize, use organic fertilizers.

They release their nutrients more slowly and are less prone to leaching into groundwater than quick-acting synthetic fertilizers.

The Garden Keep at it every year—“It is much better to

develop a garden gradually, carefully mastering small parts of it with well-worked and properly amended soil.”

From Sierra Club Green Home: “Aim for biological diversity in the landscape. A monocrop–whether it’s a field of corn, a grassy lawn, or a solid bed of petunias–is more likely to attract pests, invite disease, and deplete the soil than a variety of plants.”

Grow as much of your own food as your lifestyle allows—even growing your own herbs helps.

Try successive plantings throughout the growing season to enjoy produce for weeks on end.

Seeds—Organic is best Conventionally grown seeds by farm

operations that use synthetic fertilizers, bug poisons, and weed killers can harm the environment in many ways, from poisoning wells in the Midwest to washing all the way down the Mississippi River and creating a “dead zone” in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. (SC Green Home).

The U.S. government doesn’t allow organic seeds to be genetically engineered, a process in which a gene from one species may be spliced into another, a practice that has been challenged because of possible health and environmental hazards.

Hybrids, crosses of varieties within a species, are fine and can result in high-yielding, hardy plants.

Fertilizing & Weed Control for the Garden

Compost! Compost! Compost! Check out the EPA’s site for helpful

info at www.epa.gov and enter “composting” in the advanced search box.

If you’re super cool, check into vermicomposting which uses worms (in addition to microbes and bacteria) to turn organic waste into a nutrient-rich fertilizer.

To keep weeds at bay, simply spread old newspapers, straw, or grass clippings on the soil. (Avoid magazines or newspaper pages with colored inks because they may be toxic.)

To manage pests

Attract helpful critters. Birds and bats eat annoying insects. Bats especially like mosquitoes. And they usually don’t fly into your hair—so go ahead, put up a bat house.

Plant a diversity of plants to attract birds and beneficial insects.

Use marigolds, fences, and “scarecrow” methods (such as an actual scarecrow or things that move like pinwheels or mobiles) to deter animals from munching in your garden.

More pest control Know what you’re dealing with. Bring a

sample of the ailing plant to a reliable, knowledgeable garden shop and ask. Or contact your local U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service.

Rotate annual flowers and veggies so it’s harder for insects that like a certain plant to get established.

Confuse bugs with variety—plant different plants next to each other. For example, cabbage worms hate tomatoes, so a tomato plant next to a cabbage plant will repel them.

Prune properly. Get rid of dead wood and infected areas.

Even more pest control Collar your seedlings with a circular band

such as a tin can or a cut-up plastic bottle. Check your plants often. The earlier you spot

an infestation the better. Take ants seriously. They “farm” other

insects, such as aphids. Ants move parasites’ eggs and larva onto plants, and then tend to them.

To combat an infestation try spraying a mixture of a teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent in a gallon of water.

Try a sticky band around trunks to catch insects that crawl (such as gypsy moths).

Resources The Chesapeake Bay Foundation: www.cbf.org.

Take the Gardeners for the Bay Pledge. Check out “Ten Steps to a Bay-Friendly Lawn”.

Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County (the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service): 717-394-6851;http://lancaster.extension.psu.edu/. Click on “Publications” to find “helpful information on a

wide range of topics, from livestock to field crops, from foods to finances, and from family life to wildlife.”

(Great stuff such as “PA Vegetable Variety for the Home Gardener,” “Gardening for Butterflies,” “Vegetable Gardening: Recommendations for Home Gardeners in Pennsylvania,” “Neighborly Natural Landscaping: Creating Natural Environments in Residential Areas”).

A few more resources For a list of native plants and advice try:

www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/Chesapeake/toc.htm. www.plantnative.org.

“Plant Invaders of Mid Atlantic Natural Areas” can be downloaded from: www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/index.htm.

The Organic Gardener website: www.the-organic-gardener.com.

The National Gardening Association website: www.garden.org.

The EPA’s website: www.epa.gov and check out “GreenScapes”.

Last thoughts for a clean and green home

Buy local and organic food when possible—google “dirty dozen foods” to get you started. Avoid processed foods—watch out for nitrates.

Go for other organic products when possible, or look for used products that won’t compromise your health (i.e. clothes).

Use cast iron pans instead of nonstick pans containing fluoropolymers.

Replace paraffin candles (these are made from crude oil) with cleaner-burning soy or beeswax candles.

More last thoughts for a clean and green home

Take your dry-cleaning to a facility that does not use the chemical perchloroethylene. Look for “wet” cleaning or “organic” dry-cleaning. But be wary—the word “organic” is not regulated for dry-cleaning. (If you must use traditional dry-cleaning, let your garments air out before storing or wearing them.)

For dogs or cats don’t use supermarket flea collars. Instead, use “spot-on” treatments (such as Frontline and Advantage—see the vet).

When it’s time to buy a new shower curtain, do not buy a vinyl (PVC) curtain which can release up to 108 potentially hazardous chemicals for over a month. Instead, buy cloth, bamboo, or hemp.

Final last thoughts (almost) for a clean and green home

Unplug things that glow such as your TV, cell phone charger, printer, coffeepot, toothbrush charger, etc. To make it easier, plug items into a power strip and turn it off when not in use— save $ too!

Do a home energy audit which takes a few hours and is an initial cost of a few hundred dollars, but can ultimately save a bundle on utility bills. Contact your power company who may give you a discount, or check out www.resnet.us.

And don’t forget to go with CLF light bulbs!

Truly—the last thoughts for a clean and green home

Keep up-to-date with “going green” (even beyond your home). A few places to check: The EPA’s Green Living Resources:

www.epa.gov/gateway/learn/greenliving.html. The EPA’s Climate Change Resources—check out the

Emissions Calculator: www.epa.gov/climatechange. The Sierra Club’s website: www.sierraclub.org. The Sierra Club Green Home site:

www.sierraclubgreenhome.com. Get involved with protecting the environment

and health and safety issues. The better our world, the better your home. Join a cause, write a letter to your congressman, volunteer, etc.

Thanks