Around the House

Grease
Putting grease and oil down the drain can lead to sewer back ups. Grease and oil are the main cause of sewer line blockages. When grease is poured out in the kitchen sink, it doesn’t always make it out of the house. Even hot grease accompanied by lots of hot water is going to cool into a lump somewhere. Even if it leaves the house, it may not leave the yard or the neighborhood. Grease clings to the insides of pipes and catches other debris, forming a great, big plug. When sewer lines get plugged up, wastewater backs up. Back ups are messy and unhealthy no matter where they happen—in houses, yards or streets.

Preventing clogged drains is easy. Drain kitchen greases and oils into a jar or can, seal tightly and dispose of it in your trash. It’s simple. You can even store the can in your refrigerator or freezer to keep it out of the way. Of course, if you’ve got a large quantity of oil, like the peanut oil from a turkey fryer, it won’t solidify. That much oil can be saved for the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection in the spring or taken immediately to the HHW Center in Kansas City.

If you really want to keep your drains in shape, consider these tips:

• Use your kitchen garbage disposal as little as possible, it’s a big water waster and the extra solids in sewer lines just add more clogging potential.
• Try an environmentally friendly (and pipe friendly) drain opener like pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then 1/2 cup of white vinegar and after a few minutes, following it with boiling water.
• Scrape dirty dishes over the trash can or the grease jar before placing them in the sink or dishwasher.

Waste Reduction
Reduce your waste by looking for products with the least packaging. Buying in bulk will usually save you money as well as reduce waste. Individual serving sizes of juice or snacks may be convenient but you pay for the extra packaging and a lot of unnecessary waste is created. 

Avoid buying disposable products and take your own bags to the store. Disposable plates, cups, plastic wrap, cleaning wipes, bags, razors, pens, napkins, paper towels, etc. all have reusable alternatives that are cheaper! A reusable plastic storage container is cheaper to use and wash than yards and yards of plastic cling wrap. The more bags of disposable products you carry into your home, the more you are going to carry out to the curb for trash pickup. And, often times, disposable products like bags and cups end up as litter. Litter washes into storm drains and adds to flooding problems. Crews have to be sent to clean trash out of streams and drainage ditches. Then, the disposables finally make their way to the landfill, where they sit for years and years with the rest of the trash, taking up valuable land.

Why spend money on a book when you can read it for free by checking it out from the library? Libraries also have subscriptions to several magazines and newspapers. If you only need a tiller or other lawn equipment once a year, rent it. It saves resources, frees up space in your garage and leaves maintenance to the professionals.

Buy organic and locally grown produce. Support farmers who don't pollute waterways with pesticides and fertilizers. And, avoid the added pollution from transporting produce by supporting local farmers.

Mercury
Mercury is a toxic substance that poses a serious threat to the health of humans and wildlife. Mercury evaporates creating a risk of exposure to mercury vapor in indoor air. Mercury vapor aspirated into the lungs can cause severe pneumonia and death. Volatilized mercury can enter the environment from homes or from waste disposal systems. Once released, mercury can deposit in waterways where it can be transformed by bacteria into an organic form, highly toxic methylmercury. One gram per year of mercury is enough to contaminate all of the fish in a 20 acre lake. A typical mercury thermometer contains 0.7 grams of mercury but larger thermometers can have as much as 3 grams. To eliminate the risk of mercury exposure in your home, avoid purchasing products containing mercury. Unwanted items containing mercury should always be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste collection.

Cleaning and Household Chemicals 
Reduce your exposure to dangerous chemicals in your home by not generating household hazardous waste. Don't buy products that are labeled "danger" or "warning" if you don't have to. There are alternatives.
Ants (in house): Locate entry point and seal with caulk. Remove sources of food and water or vacuum. Wash counter tops, cabinets and floor with equal parts of vinegar and water to deter ants.
Car battery corrosion: Pour baking soda and water or cola over battery posts and scrub with a wire brush.
Decal remover: Soak in hot water if practical; otherwise use white vinegar or coat with peanut butter and let it set overnight.
Disinfectant: Mix 1/2 cup Borax into one gallon hot water to disinfect and deodorize.
Drain cleaner: Try plunger first. Then pour in 1/2 cup baking soda, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar; wait a few minutes and pour in 2 quarts boiling water. Repeat if needed. If this fails, rent or buy a drain snake.
Fabric softener: Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup baking soda per wash load to make clothes soft and smell fresh.
Fertilizer: Compost and organic fertilizers.
Fleas (on pets): Vacuum living space frequently and immediately remove vacuum bag, seal it, and dispose of it outside your home. Wash pet bedding. Use flea comb on pets, drowning fleas in hot soapy water. Restrict pet access to human living areas until infestation is over.
Furniture polish: Almond, olive or vegetable oil and lemon juice in a 2:1 ratio. Apply and polish with soft cloth.
Hand cleaner for paint/grease: Rub hands with baby oil, vegetable oil, or margarine, then wash with soap and water.
Household cleaner: Liquid castile soap. Use as directed.
Insects on plants: Identify insects on plants and select appropriate control. Least toxic methods include hand or water spray removal, soapy water spray, barriers and traps.
Laundry bleach: Use borax on all clothes or 1/2 cup white vinegar in rinse water to brighten dark clothing. Dry bleach (sodium perborate) also works.
Linoleum floor cleaner: Damp mop with mild detergent and water. Add skim milk to the rinse water to shine floor without polishing.
Mildew remover: A non-chlorinated scouring powder cleans mildew stains from grout. Scrub hard.
Oven cleaner: To prevent problems, cover the oven bottom with a sheet of aluminum foil. Clean up spills promptly. To clean, use a copper scrubber with baking soda, soap and water. Or, use a non-chlorinated scouring powder or non-caustic oven cleaner.
Paint (oil-based): Use latex paint instead; avoid aerosols.
Roaches: Remove all sources of food and water. Remove hiding places such as old newspapers, garbage bags and other clutter. Caulk or plug cracks and crevices. Last resort is to use boric acid (a poison). This must be kept away from pets and children.
Rug/carpet cleaner: Sprinkle with baking soda, then vacuum.
Slugs and snails: Remove tall grass and debris from vicinity of garden. Use beer traps (replenish frequently) or hand capture in the evening and place in jar of soapy water. Sheet copper is a most effective barrier.
Stainless steel cleaner: Baking soda.
Toilet bowl cleaner: Baking soda and castile soap.
Tub and tile cleaner: Use vinegar full strength on a sponge; then use baking soda as a scouring powder. Rinse well.
Window cleaner: 1/2 cup vinegar in 1 quart warm water for inside windows. For outside windows use soap and water; rinse well and squeegee dry.