eHow.com Video: How to Get VOCs Out of Clothing

How to Get VOCs Out of Clothing

How to Get VOCs Out of Clothing

VOCs,  Volatile Organic Compounds, are toxic and harmful to humans. Learn how to remove these VOCs from your clothing

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Video Transcript:

 

I'm Anjie Cho and this is how to get VOCs out of clothing.

Did you know that conventional clothing off gases VOCs? VOCs stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. Toxins are released into the air by VOCs from synthetic materials found in buildings, in traditional paint, furniture and even clothing. VOCs are found in even what you might consider natural fabric like cotton. Many fabrics are treated with VOCs during the washing, dyeing and printing processes. VOCs can cause health problems such as headaches, dizziness as well as skin and respiratory problems.

Clothing is especially problematic because of the direct skin contacts, and we can easily absorb toxins directly through our skin. So, how do you get the VOCs out of your clothing? First, air the clothing out outdoors, in sunlight if possible.

The most effective way to reduce VOCs is to allow the clothing to off gas in a well-ventilated place in sunlight. This allows the VOCs to dissipate and leave the fabric. If you don't have outdoor space, set a fan up or make sure you have a breezy room. Setup some indoor green plants which will help to absorb the off gas and chemicals.

Second, after you've aired out the clothing, be sure to soak and wash them thoroughly with a non-toxic eco-friendly laundry detergent with an additional cup of baking soda added. I suggest soaking the clothing overnight, then wash and air dry the clothing. Again, make sure you use eco-friendly non-toxic laundry detergent, so you don't add back in more toxins. Repeat these two steps as required, but for most of us one round should be enough.

Although VOCs can be harmful to our health, we can use natural methods to remove the VOCs from our clothing.

by Anjie Cho


eHow.com Video: How to Make Natural Cleaners for Shower Curtains

How to Make Natural Cleaners for Shower Curtains

How to Make Natural Cleaners for Shower Curtains

Try using natural cleaners like white vinegar and peroxide to reduce the use of toxic cleaners in your bathroom and keep shower curtains and doors clean

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Video Transcript:

Hi, I'm Anjie Cho, and this is how to make natural cleaners for shower curtains. I think the most offensive and toxic cleaners are the conventional ones made for bathrooms. I'm going to share with you my favorite non-toxic natural cleaners for shower curtains and doors.

First, to get the soap scum and mildew off. White vinegar's excellent for this because its acidic properties can dissolve the soap scum. Spray undiluted white vinegar on your shower curtain and give it some time to work. Come back in an hour, then use a bristle brush to remove the soap scum.

Once your shower curtain or door is nice and clean, you need to keep it up. I love this anti-mildew shower bathtub spray made with hydrogen peroxide. Add a few drops of essential oil, I prefer eucalyptus, put it straight into the brown bottle. Screw a spray bottle top right on there.

By the way, the reason why hydrogen peroxide often comes in these opaque brown bottles is that it can break down quickly in sunlight. Keep the new spray in the shower and spray your curtains and doors after every use. It will help prevent mildew and mold from forming.

You can use easy to find household products like white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to make natural cleaners to keep your shower curtain or door clean and fresh.

by Anjie Cho


eHow.com Video: How to Make Eco-Friendly Washing Detergent With White Vinegar

How to Make Eco-Friendly Washing Detergent With White Vinegar

How to Make Eco-Friendly Washing Detergent With White Vinegar

Most detergents are not eco-friendly or hypo-allergenic. Making your own washing detergent from white vinegar is an easy, healthy way to detoxify your home and support the environment

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Video Transcript:

I'm Anjie Cho and this is how to make eco-friendly washing detergent with white vinegar.

Sadly most conventional laundry washing detergents are not biodegradable. Most are petroleum based and they aggravate skin allergies. I'm here to share my favorite do-it-yourself recipe for an eco-friendly washing detergent.

You'll need a bar of natural Castile soap, washing soda, borax and your favorite essential oil. And of course white vinegar. First you grate the soap into small pieces. Avoid commercial soaps which are not eco-friendly. This is also a great way to use up those small left-over slivers of soap. To that, add one cup of washing soda. Washing soda is also known as soda ash or sodium carbonate. It's easy to find at your local grocery store.

Next add one cup of borax. Borax is a naturally occurring mineral. Also find this at the grocery store. Mix this all together with nine drops of your favorite essential oil. I love lavender or orange. These oils have a sweet and cheerful scent. You store it in an airtight container and you can use two to three tablespoons per load.

Now what about the white vinegar? White vinegar is a great all around natural, non-toxic cleaning alternative for everything from cleaning windows and counter tops to adding to your washing detergent. It's also a perfect alternative for bleach. Chlorine bleach isn't necessarily bad but it's very dangerous to have in your home around children. It's fatal if swallowed and caustic. It also pollutes and contaminates our water supply.

Instead of bleach use white vinegar in conjunction with your eco-friendly washing detergent by adding one cup to each lead and half a cup to the rinse cycle. The vinegar will boost the laundry detergent by fighting odors as well as whitening and brightening your laundry. It's a natural bleaching agent. In the rinse cycle it can replace our conventional fabric softener which is also terrible for the environment.

Making your own eco-friendly washing detergent is an excellent way to go green and create a healthy and non-toxic home.

by Anjie Cho