Want to have a healthier, green life? Start in the kitchen!
While cooking, if you don’t have a stove hood, open a window to let gas, smoke, and humidity out. Opening a window for a few minutes a day helps improve your air quality.
Microwave safely by venting food to avoid steam burns. Undamaged microwave ovens pose no radiation risks, but chemicals can leach into food from plastic dishes. Try using ceramic and glass dishes instead. Use a glass lid or a paper towel instead of plastic wrap.
Let your water run for a couple of minutes each morning, especially if you live in an old building with lead pipes. Never use hot tap water for food or drinks. Use cold water and heat it on the stove or in the microwave. Bottled water is less regulated than tap, so you may want to buy a filter and bottle your own in a reusable stainless steel bottle.
Nonstick coatings on pots and pans can release toxic fumes at high temperatures. Stick to low or medium heat, and never preheat on high. Use ceramic ovenware, cast iron, or stainless steel cookware.
Plastics can leach chemicals into food, especially if they are heated or worn. If you do use plastic, look for those numbered #1 PETE, #2 HDPE, #4LDPE, and #5 PP, which may be less toxic. Use glass or stainless steel.
Organic foods are likely best for you and the planet. Make food from scratch to avoid synthetic preservatives and coloring. Opt for fresh, frozen, or dried foods instead of canned. Bisphenol-A, a chemical linked to a variety of health issues and diseases, can leach into food from the lining in cans.
Conventional cleaners can contain toxic chemicals that are not listed on the label. Natural ingredients work just as well to get rid of germs and bacteria. Use baking soda for scouring and vinegar for antibacterial action. Look for natural and non-toxic cleaning products that don’t contain harsh solvents, fragrances, chlorine, or ammonia, and which are biodegradable.
If your dishwasher carries the Energy Star label, it uses less water than hand washing. Phosphates in some detergents can contribute to water pollution when they go down the drain, so choose phosphate and chlorine-free, biodegradable detergents. Make sure the dishwasher is full and run it on energy-saver mode.
Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the health of you and your family. For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com.
Check out Maid Brigade’s "Household Cleaning Products and Breast Cancer" video at www.youtube.com/watch.
