Samara Geller

To avoid ingesting or breathing dust as much as possible, wipe up dust frequently – don’t just save hard-to-reach spots for spring cleaning – and follow a ‘top-down’ strategy. Start with ceilings and high shelving, and work your way to the floors to limit redistribution of dust and other particles to freshly cleaned surfaces.

Only disinfectants or sanitizers registered with the Environmental Protection Agency can legally make sanitizing or disinfecting claims. Those products will bear an EPA registration number on the label.

Federal regulation of BPA is woefully inadequate, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to support the use of BPA in most food packaging—ignoring a multitude of scientific studies, including those with evidence of low dose effects.

Some bathroom cleaners may be more acidic (low pH) or basic (high pH) with higher concentrations of acids or alkalis compared to some all-purpose cleaners. These formulas can be irritating or corrosive to eyes, skin, and airways and can worsen asthma.

The biggest problem is that people have no reliable way of knowing whether they are buying food that is laced with this toxic chemical.“Federal regulations do not require manufacturers to label their products to identify cans with BPA-based linings.

Dryer balls help to lift and aerate the clothing and shorten dryer time. The less dryer time, the less static there will be. Stick a set of four to six balls in the dryer, and even your heaviest loads will dry quickly and evenly.

Even if the product appears safe – i.e. is marked ‘green’ or ‘fragrance-free’ – that doesn't necessarily mean it's free of dangerous chemicals. Labeling is a massive issue with cleaning products, and their ingredients are disclosed less often.

Start with ceilings and high shelving, and work your way to the floors to limit redistribution of dust and other particles to freshly cleaned surfaces.

As many people hunker down indoors to flatten the curve of the coronavirus epidemic, they may be using disinfectants and other cleaning products more frequently. It’s more important than ever that consumers use these chemicals safely, making sure to follow label directions exactly.