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Around the House

Caring for the part of the watershed we live in isn’t just something we need to work on outside– what we do inside our homes and businesses matters, too.

The products we use to furnish and decorate our homes impact us locally, and also had impacts in the places they were made. The chemicals we use to clean our homes, to wash our clothes and to care for and pamper our bodies all impact the watershed. The big things, like carpet and furniture, need to be considered both for chemical content and durability (what does it put into the environment, now and when it is discarded or replaced?) Chemical home care and personal care products enter directly into the water system though through our drains; spray products contain ingredients that escape into the atmosphere each time we use them. Paper towels, synthetic dusting clothes and one-use cleaning implements all represent an addition to the waste stream, and none of them are recyclable.

Tips to Go Green

  1. Choose carpeting, rugs, window treatments and other textiles made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, which are untreated and free of toxins, such as pesticides or chemical cleaners.
  2. Ask for flooring products made from rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo. Bamboo is one of the fasted growing plants in the world, requiring no replanting and little fertilization or pesticides.
  3. Select solid woods harvested from sustainably-managed forests, when possible, for furniture or cabinetry, rather than pressed woods or composites that may contain formaldehyde or other chemicals that may be toxic and hazardous to your health.
  4. Eliminate waste by choosing products that are biodegradable or recyclable. Consider the “lifecycle” of furnishings and accessories before purchasing: Are they made of materials that can be reused or recycled when the item eventually wears out or is no longer needed?
  5. Recycle packing and shipping materials from any newly purchased items.
  6. Safely dispose of paint cans and other containers with contents that could potentially contaminate the ground or water supply at hazardous waste disposal events in your community.
  7. Use cloth towels instead of paper: and purchase durable cleaning tools, instead of single-use items.
  8. Buy green and natural cleaning products. Natural cleaners are free of chemicals, phosphates, artificial colors, fragrance, harsh fumes, and clean well. Concentrated products save on packaging, are less to recycle and can save you money
  9. Make your own cleaning products with common household ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice.
  10. Make sure the products you buy come in recyclable containers, and be sure to recycle the containers when the product is gone.


Cleaning Up

In home care as in other areas, less is almost always more. Using simple homemade cleaning solutions is usually gentler on the environment, both in the direct impact of actual materials, and in the reduction of packaging (recyclable or not) from store-bought products. Home-made products are almost always gentler on your wallet, as well.

If you use a septic system for waste disposal, you’ll need to be especially careful about the chemicals you use in your home. Chlorine can significantly impact system performance, as can other cleaning chemicals. It is important to carefully read the labels of all household chemicals, and to use them only according to the directions. More is not better in most cases, and the excess chemicals are hard on the environment, impacting water quality and downstream plants and animals. Cleaning products can also have immediate impacts on us, from noxious fumes that stress our lungs, to caustic liquids that dry or burn our skin. They’re usually hard on your belongings as well, shortening the usable life span of an item.

Watershed Friendly Home Care Resources
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