What I Learned From "Squeaky Green"

I've just recently read "Squeaky Green," by Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry and I liked it! Its an easy read and gives some great tips for detoxing your home. Here are my notes:

1. Living Room

• Leave the shoes at the door.
• Use a steam carpet cleaner (2x a year) instead of a shampoo-er
• Use vegetable, milk based, low VOC paints, rugs and carpets.
• Use microfiber cloths to dust.
• Don't use ammonia based glass cleaners. Use vinegar instead.
• Older furniture has less harmful materials. Buy furniture that is certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).
• New car/carpet/plastic smell is not good to inhale. 
• Clean the vacuum every 6 mos.
• Use non-toxic paint strippers.
• Buy PBDE-free furniture.
• Particle board is made with formaldehyde.
• Get a high efficiency pleated furnace filter.

2. Kitchen

• Get rid of antibacterials.
• Get rid of chlorine bleach.
• Replace plastic microwave containers with glass/Pyrex.
• Use wax paper instead of plastic wrap.
• Buy phosphate free dishwasher detergent.
• Buy produce locally.
• Don't buy cleaners that say "toxic, corrosive, caustic."
• Use a microfiber mop with non-toxic floor cleaner.

3. Bedroom

• Buy a PBDE-free mattress, such as organic natural latex.
• Buy un-dyed linen, organic cotton or bamboo sheets.
• No-iron (sheets or shirts) are treated with formaldehyde.
• Use paraffin wax candles only.

4. Bathroom

• 'Hydrosol' in beauty/body products means nothing.
• 'Extracts' just means water.
• Try to buy 95% or higher of natural ingredients in beauty/body products.
• Triclosan in toothpaste is dangerous.
• Buy bar soaps that are EDTA free.
• Avoid lotions, shaving gels, shampoo and toothpaste that have parabens or other "-abens".
• Buy an non-PVC shower curtain and liner - like hemp, cotton or canvas (which are also machine washable).
• Put the lid down and then flush.
• There's propane in aerosol air fresheners. Use essential oils instead.
• Hang a sprig of eucalyptus from the shower head. It released essential oils and helps relieve congestion.
• Squeegee the shower.

5. Laundry room

• Use nontoxic, concentrated un-chlorinated bleach that's biodegradable or hydrogen peroxide (16 oz.)
• Use 1 cup of white vinegar in the "clean" cycle on the washing machine.

6. Kids' Rooms

• Use paints and markers certified by the ACMI.
• Check out www.thegreenguide.com, it has a list of clean and dirty arts and crafts supplies.
• By organic cotton, snug fitting PJs instead of the flame retardant ones.
• Buy PVC free toys (AKA: the #3 in the recycle triangle or the letter "v").

7. Pets

• Avoid flea shampoos and collars. Use eucalyptus oil or cloves instead, as well as feeding dog a few cloves of garlic daily.
• Give the dog a bath 1x a week with a natural soap.
• Use PVC free toys.

Step by step...