Commentary—

Saving The Planet Around The House

By Patricia Barkman, PhD

Here are ten things everyone can do to help the environment.

1. Use as little “product” as possible. The soap advertisers have pulled the man-made fibers over our eyes until we assume: the more soap the better. Better for their profits but not for the environment. If you can’t give up your dishwasher, then use almost no soap in it and run it only when full. Use low phosphate soap. It’s the phosphate that creates the algae bloom in lakes, bogs, and ponds. The algae in turn warms the water, depletes the oxygen and that kills the fish. Try reducing the amount of toothpaste, hand soap, laundry detergent or any kind of cleaner, but still use enough to break the surface tension. Experts will tell you that “just enough to break the surface tension” is all the soap you need.

2. A razor blade held at an angle scrapes off the ring around the tub and sinks, the grunge off the bottom of pots and pans; indeed, it and water, the best solvent in the world, can clean any dirty, sticky area. No “product” is needed.

3. Deposits on the interior of the teakettle disappear with an overnight soaking of vinegar. Vinegar’s also good for cleaning glass vases, as is baking soda. You can use these products more than once so that after you’re finished with the kettle you can do the vases.

4. Sanitize face cloths, sponges, toothbrushes, or any plastic brush by zapping each in the microwave for a few seconds. Try to avoid using paper towels or if paper toweling is necessary use just a part of a paper towel.

5. Sanitize also by hanging the clothes on the line. The sun oxidizes, the stains fade, the clothes smell wonderful, the wrinkles are gone, and you’ve saved electricity. Lacking a clothesline, use the dryer for as few minutes as will get rid of the wrinkles, then hang clothes on plastic hangers or a rack, smooth the collars, sleeves, front plackets and let the clothes finish drying. By not leaving them in the dryer for long, you eliminate static electricity and the need for a product to get rid of it. Unless your clothes are stained or smell, don’t wash them.

6. Use baking soda for all sorts of things: to remove stains from teacups, teeth, countertops, sinks, toilets, cutting boards, upholstery, rugs, combs, brushes, clothes. It’s effective, cheap, handy, and odorless — indeed it absorbs odors and like wetlands and swamps, it purifies not just the home. Bicarbonate of soda is a mild base that can also be used for poultices or to extinguish grease fires. Here is a link on the properties of baking soda: http://www.chemistryquestion.com/English/Questions/ChemistryInDailyLife/4c_baking_soda.html.

 Chlorine products are harmful, again killing fish and the little things they eat. Stay away from bleaches. Use baking soda.

7. Take the David Suzuki nature challenge. David Suzuki of Canada, www.davidsuzuki.org, has a nature challenge for adults and one for kids. Chiefly what the kids’ challenge says is: “Turn things off, play outside, be an energy detective, eat right, share what you’ve learned with your family.” The adult version says: reduce heating and electricity, replace chemical pesticides on lawn and garden with nontoxic alternatives, choose energy-efficient appliances, choose at least one day a week to eat meat-free meals, prepare meals with food from local markets, make the next car you buy be fuel efficient, walk, bike, carpool, or use transit, learn more about conserving nature and share what you’ve learned with family and friends.

8. Read some scientific articles.

9. Keep up your spirit and lift those of your friends. No complaining unless you are willing to act on committees, to fight for open space, and to do your duty environmentally.

10. Give gifts of flowers, shrubs, trees, bird feeders, or a window box full of flowers that butterflies need to flourish. Avoid buying things that end up too quickly in the dump. Be stingy with purchases and generous with your mother, the Earth.

 

(Patricia Barkman is founder of the Newtown Conservation group Roots.)