Top 10 Household Products to Avoid-The Continuation

Here are the other five household products that we should avoid using if we are decided to go green. Let's help save the mother nature.

6. Household cleaners


Many household cleaning products contain hazardous ingredients. Rather than purchasing products with scary warning labels, try to buy natural cleaners. They are better for your skin, your lungs, and your indoor environment. You can even make them yourself! Baking soda, vinegar, and salt are the main ingredients of a green-clean home. A clean home doesn't have to be an unhealthy one.

7. High-octane gas


High-octane gas releases hazardous pollutants into the air and could be bad for your car. Today, only one in ten cars manufactured since 1982 requires high-octane gasoline. Try to use the lowest octane fuel recommended for your car. Other ways to cut down on gas usage include using public transportation, car pooling, biking, or walking to your destination.

8. Toys made with PVC plastic


PVC plastic, the least recycled plastic, is mainly used in construction. But it can also be found in everyday plastics, including children's toys. Vinyl chloride, the chemical used to make PVC, is a human carcinogen. Other dangerous additives, such as lead and cadmium, are sometimes added to PVC to keep it from breaking down. These additives are particularly dangerous in children's toys. Make sure you know what materials your child's toys are made from. Check out our toy recall page to see if your child's toys are on the list. Avoid purchasing plastic toys; opt for toys made of wood, organic cotton, or other natural materials.

9. Incandescent bulbs


With relatively inexpensive compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) available, it makes no sense to buy old-style bulbs for most applications. CFLs don't radiate light the same way as conventional bulbs, but they use 75% less energy. Make sure you dispose of CFL lightbulbs properly, because they contain a small amount of mercury. Other ways to save energy at home include turning off lights and appliances when not using them, using fans instead of an air conditioner in the summer, and lowering the thermostat at bedtime during the winter months.

10. Disposable batteries


Most of the 15 billion batteries manufactured each year are alkaline batteries, which are discarded after their life cycle. Batteries that are thrown away and taken to landfills break down and leak chemicals into the groundwater. With so many electronic devices surrounding us, it makes environmental and financial sense to switch to rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) or Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) batteries. Do your research on eco-friendly batteries; you'll limit the amount of toxins entering the groundwater, and save yourself some money.


Source: Family Education