Tips on Proper Disposal or Greening Cleaning Products

Before we go any further, household cleaners cannot be recycled. You can take them to a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection or facility for proper disposal though. Find one of these using Earth911.

Before you take products to an HHW location or event, check the label. Products with the following ingredients are considered hazardous to your health and the environment’s health:

• Ammonia
• 2-Butoxyethanol
• Ethoxylated nonly phenols
• Silica
• Trisodium nitrilotriacetate
• Xylene
• Sodium hypochlorite
• Sodium hydroxide
• Phosphoric acid
• Phenol
• Toluene
• Tetrachloroethylene
• Phthalates
• Percholorethylene
• Ammonium hydroxide
• Formaldehyde
• Butyl cellosolve

If carrying that extensive list is too much work, look for the following traits in the products you buy:

• Biodegradability
• Highly concentrated
• Made from plants or renewable resources

There are also great natural replacements for common cleaning products that generally contain highly toxic chemicals:

• Instead of using anti-bacterial soap, use regular soap, which kills 99.4 instead of 99.6 percent of germs.
• Opt for opening the window instead of spraying air freshener. Or, you can burn naturally scented candles.
• Buy detergent that doesn’t contain chlorine and phosphate.
• Instead of using carpet and upholstery shampoos, scrub your oven and carpet with baking soda, salt and water mixed together.
• Club soda takes out lighter carpet or fabric stains. Cornstarch mixed with baking soda will take out any smells.
• Vinegar is great for scrubbing your bathroom floor, toilet, sink and tub.

Make sure you keep excess cleaners out of the trash and drain at all costs. Keep in mind that drain openers, oven cleaners and furniture polish are particularly hazardous.