WHO KNEW There Are Many Simple Resources to Help You Have a Cleaner Home Using Greener Products?

Through these “WHO KNEW?” columns we’ve talked about steps everyone can take to reduce our environmental impact. There’s another local/regional organization that has some suggestions for effective, inexpensive - and green - ways to take care of your home.

Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission, which includes the Upper Valley Household Hazardous Waste Committee, has an extensive list of ways to reduce - or eliminate - the use of toxic chemicals in home maintenance. Some of the key ingredients for non-toxic cleaners include items that you probably already have: things like white vinegar, baking soda, and plant-based liquid soap such as Dr. Bonner’s. Over time, products like these are far less expensive than all those chemicals that we store under our sinks and in our laundry rooms. And they’re a lot better for the environment.

For more information, search for Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission at https://uvlsrpc.org/. On the left side of the home page under “Navigate Our Site”, scroll down to where it says “Quick Links” and select “UVLSRPC Household Hazardous Waste Website”. The site includes regularly updated formulas and suggestions for cleaning household items.

Using natural cleaning products is a worthy goal. But there’s also the question of how to get rid of the stuff many of us haven’t quite stopped using yet. Don’t be discouraged: the UVLSRPC website also lists the schedule of upcoming hazardous materials collection dates.