The following tip was supplied by the Go Green Galloway Task Force for Sustainability:

Have you ever taken a good look at the products that you have been using to clean your house?

Many of the traditional commercially available cleaning products contain harmful chemicals such as chlorine bleach, ammonia, petrochemicals and VOCs that can cause a multitude of health problems, including allergies, asthma, sinusitis or bronchitis.   The manufacturing and disposal of these products is also problematic;  with many of them having to be handled through hazardous waste collections.

Luckily, there are common household NON-TOXIC products that work just as well or better than their toxic counterparts.  Among them: Baking Soda, which can be used for deodorizing and scouring; lemons, which are a natural bleaching agent and can be used to neutralize odors;  Borax, which can be used as an all-purpose cleaning agent and can be mixed with vinegar to remove mildew;  and vinegar, which cuts grease and freshens.   For more ideas, visit:   www.ecocycle.org/hazwaste/recipes.cfm and www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm.

If you prefer to purchase ready-made non-toxic cleaners, there are several brands available locally:  Seventh Generation, Sun & Earth, Ecover and bioclean all offer a variety of products for all your cleaning needs.

For more information, call the Galloway Township Department of Community Education at 652-3700 ext. 209 or email bfiedler@gallowaytwp-nj.gov