Indoor Air Quality

Small and Big Steps — Cleaning Up Your Indoor Air

A dozen or so DIY air purifiers at Teacher Liesl McConchie's school. — _{Update 2022-12-13: A small but mighty step for cleaning up your indoor air. A DIY air purifier, called the Corsi-Rosenthal Box, designed to reduce exposure to airborne viruses. You can build one yourself for around $65.00 with a 20″ x 20″ box fan, along with 4 20″ x 20″ MERV 13 2″ filters and duct tape. Thanks to Math Expert and Teacher Liesl McConchie for bringing these boxes to her school, and permission to use this photo.}

Allergens. Irritants. Airborne viruses. Hormone-disrupting chemicals. Any one these indoor air pollutants in your home is enough, thank you. Now add wildfire smoke, if you live in the growing number of regions impacted.

If even thinking about these sources of indoor air pollution puts you on overwhelm, you’re not alone. Never mind contemplating cleaning it all up.

The good news— It’s not all or nothing. Every step, however small or simple, can help.

The smaller, simpler steps

In my healthy home services I specialize in clients with allergies, asthma and chemical sensitivities. Reducing airborne triggers means taking one simple step at a time. Following are practical measures that add up.

Have everyone leave their shoes at the door. Keep slippers handy for your household and guests. “Eighty percent or more of the dirt that comes into a space is brought in on our shoes,” according to this CleanLink article.

Use walk-off mats at entrances, inside and out. Long enough for a few adult footsteps. According the same CleanLink article. “you can improve IAQ by as much as 50 percent just by installing good matting systems”. I’m exploring healthy matting materials. Meanwhile, here’s a guide from Waxie Sanitary Supply Co. for commercial and institutional buildings.

Open windows when safe to do so. Safe, meaning you’re not living near a major freeway, nor refinery. Nor in the path of wildfire smoke or an extreme heat wave.

Prevent mold. Start by keeping surfaces clean and dry.

Use toxic-free personal care products. Find well-researched toxic-free brands through Environmental Working Group, Made Safe, or Nontoxic U.

Change your HVAC filters at least quarterly.

Phase in health-based cleaning. And invest in a healthy vacuum cleaner.

Bring in air purifiers as needed, to reduce your exposures as you work on your next steps. You can make your own, like the Corsi-Rosenthal Box in my leading photo for this post. Mike and I use a commercial one from Air Doctor, with a HEPA filter. Not that we’ve compared all the brands yet. So here are some brand reviews from Nontoxic U.

Gradually let go of any clutter. Doing so creates conditions for efficient, thorough cleaning.

The bigger steps

Get your kitchen exhaust fan, and your bathroom fan, working, if they’re not already. And use them. Be sure they’re vented to outside your home.

Gradually replace toxic furnishings throughout your home with healthier pieces. At least in your sleeping space, where you spend the most time. For example, anything with polyurethane foam treated with flame retardants. You can find healthier replacements at many retailers now, Eco-Terr ic and Coyuchi among them.

Have your HVAC system checked. Check out expert advice from Nate Adams, Home Performance expert at The House Whisperer.

When remodeling, learn about healthier materials at Donghia healthier Materials Library.

Breathe Easier— and Clean Easier— with Health-Based Cleaning

Small, short-haird cat sits in an open screened window, above a sofa. A narcissus bloom stretches over the sofa’s edge. — _{Sophie, my buddy with feline asthma. Her symptoms improved after a big house cleaning detox, plus frequent damp-dusting and HEPA vacuuminng. And switching her cleaning over to using least-toxic products.that work.}

Updated 2021-09-28

There’s more to keeping a clean, healthy home than “eco-cleaners”, microfiber and HEPA vacuums. Based on my years in the cleaning industry, I’m here to fill in some gaps. And share what’s worked on the job.

Sick of cleaning?

I’m talking literally.

Did you know— over 80,000 modern chemicals are in use today, but most have never been fully tested. Many of these chemicals are in everyday consumer products, like cleaners. Some may pollute our indoor air. Learn more…

Get some relief

Health-based cleaning protects your health, and the health of your loved ones, with the least impact on the environment.

Based on my hands-on experience in professional settings, and extensive research, here are some key elements to start with. More details in coming posts!

Use the simplest, least-toxic cleaners and tools that work, while involving the least waste. Here are a few simple products to get you started.

Keep germs under control by keeping everything clean and dry. Then disinfect as needed, selectively and safely.

Damp dust, as recommended by allergy and asthma experts. A textured cotton or linen cloth works great in most cases.

Vacuum rather than sweep. You’ll pick up more with your vac, and scatter less dust. Be sure your machine is equipped with a true HEPA filter.

Work efficiently.

Handle and store any toxic products safely. Most toxic cleaners are obsolete in my experience. Safety tips coming!

De-clutter to streamline your cleaning. Update 2021-09-28: Check out Debra Baida at Liberated Spaces who works virtually or onsite. Her pioneering service has been named Best organizer in San Francisco Magazine’s annual Best of SF issue and is one of the first Certified Green Businesses in San Francisco. Check out her blog that goes way behind the scenes.

Design and decorate for low-maintenance cleaning. Think streamlined, with smooth, easy-to-clean materials. And fewer of them. Keep small items you don’t use constantly in drawers, or in cabinets or glass-covered shelves, to keep dust off.

Could Indoor Air Pollution be Making You Sick?

Alt: Short-haired cat nuzzles cardboard boxes full of cleaning products. Brands names and labels are hidden. — _{Can you spot the cat in this shot? Sophie, with feline asthma, says goodbye to harsh chemicals that may be aggravating her symptoms. She sneaks in— I whisk her to safety! To reduce indoor air pollution we switch to safer products. Within a few months, anecdotally, her symptoms improve. Find out more about the project.}

Last edited 2023-01-25

Any product on a store shelf is highly regulated. To use it safely, follow safety instructions, and use your common sense.

Right?

Not necessarily. Ingredients in many commonly-used products can cause or worsen asthma. Others are linked to hormone disruption, cancer and other major health conditions.

How exposures can impact your health

Potential immediate effects

Some people can become sensitized to biological or chemical pollutants after repeated or high level exposures. Symptoms can include “irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue”.
USEPA

Potential long-term effects

Here’s what moved me to wear a respirator on the job since 1989, for dusting and vacuuming in my health-based cleaning service. Even when using a HEPA vacuum. And even at home.

Other health effects “… May show up either years after exposure has occurred or only after long or repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include some respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal”.
USEPA

What I discovered on the job— in just one home

Many of my clients have had respiratory symptoms, migraines, and chronic fatigue. My job— reducing sources of indoor air pollution that may aggravate symptoms.

Taking a deep dive in one home, I screened roughly 65 different cleaning-related products. Not being a health expert, I ran each product through ewg.org, mostly for respiratory issues. And found plenty. Read about the project here.

Air pollutants concentrate indoors

… The air within homes… can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors.

It is prudent to try to improve the indoor air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)

More time indoors with more pollutants = more exposure

Indoor air pollution is on more people’s radar these days. First with environmental allergies and asthma on the rise. Plus, wildfire smoke or heat waves hit are sending more of us indoors.

Following is a quick round-up of pollutants and irritants to be aware of, and health considerations. And tips for reducing your exposure.

Types of indoor air pollutants

Following is a quick round-up of pollutants I’m following for my clients. For a complete list, Read USEPA’s The Inside Story: A guide to Indoor Air Quality

Environmental allergens

Perennial (or year-round) allergies are often caused by common indoor triggers such as dust mites, mold, pets and cockroaches and are the body’s physical reactions to inhaled airborne allergy triggering proteins, known as “allergens.” These perennial, or year-round, allergy sufferers deal with stuffy or runny noses, itchy eyes, sneezing, and wheezing all year long. Others suffer from seasonal allergies from trees, grasses, or weeds.
Clifford W. Bassett, M.D., FACAAI, FAAAAI

Infectious particles

Most homes in the US are are poorly ventilated. So here is what you need to do. And why follows next.
Prof. Shelly Miller Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Respiratory viruses

One of the best introductory videos out there is a 2020 animation titled, “Let’s talk about transmission of respiratory infectious diseases”. It clarifies my understanding about general respiratory infections, Sars-CoV-2 among them. Written by Prof. Shelly Miller, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Flu viruses

The following article I quote seems more about potential implications. What’s not clear, to me, is the risk for infection. But in any case, it makes a great case for dusting and vacuuming regularly.

Influenza viruses can spread through the air on dust, fibers and other microscopic particles…
Medical Express, August 18, 2020

Fine, inhalable particles (2021-06-11 Edit)

These invisible particles can linger longer in the air, and penetrate deeper into the lungs.

… Particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller because these particles are inhalable. Once inhaled, particles can affect the heart and lungs and in some cases cause serious health effects.

… Indoor PM can be generated through cooking, combustion activities (including burning of candles, use of fireplaces, use of unvented space heaters or kerosene heaters, cigarette smoking) and some hobbies. Indoor PM can also be of biological origin.
USEPA: Indoor Particulate Matter

Wildfire smoke

Some wildfire smoke particles are among the finest inhalable particles. Wildfires are becoming yearly events now. The last time wildfire smoke hit our area, year Mike and I put together a simple, cheap DIY Filter Fan for less than fifty dollars. Ours is much like this one at Texas Air Filters. Thanks to Nate Adams, aka Nate the House Whisperer, for getting us started!

Fine particles (also known as PM_2.5): particles generally 2.5 µm in diameter or smaller represent a main pollutant emitted from wildfire smoke, comprising approximately 90% of total particle mass (Vicente et al. 2013; Groβ et al. 2013). Fine particles from wildfire smoke are of greatest health concern. This group of particles also includes ultrafine particles, which are generally classified as having diameters less than 0.1 µm.
U.S.E.P.A.: Why Wildfire is a Health Concern

Chemicals emitted from household products (2021-07-02 Edit)

This one’s too close to home for me, as I’ve owned and operated a cleaning service. Dodging sprays and fumes containing mysterious and irritating chemicals is a losing game. To learn more, check out Environmental Working Group’s eye-opening piece, Cleaning Supplies and Your Health.

Here’s my cleaning method that keeps me and my clients safe. Without sacrificing effectiveness!

But even if your cleaning is least-toxic like mine is, you’re likely exposed to airborne dust stirred up as you move about your home. And when your home is cleaned.

Indoor dust consistently contains four classes of harmful chemicals in high amounts… 45 potentially toxic chemicals that are used in many consumer and household products as vinyl flooring, personal care and cleaning products, building materials and home furnishings.
Milken Institute School of Public Health, 2016

Chemicals emitted from building materials

According to the Parsons School of Design, many building materials can emit or shed chemicals through volatilization, chemical degradation, abrasion, leaching, oxidation and climate change. To find healthy design materials, check out Parsons’ Material Collections.

“Forever Chemicals”

Some consumer product chemicals are persistent, meaning they don’t break down in our home or bodies. One example is stain-resistant chemicals.

So-called “Forever Chemicals” that are used on carpets for stain resistance and as surface coatings on nonstick pans are associated with testicular cancer, kidney cancer, and reduced vaccine effectiveness in kids.

Some 98% of Americans have these chemicals in their body. In a study of a weight-loss program, women with higher levels of these chemicals gained back more weight and gained back weight faster.
Joseph Allen, associate professor and director of the healthy-buildings program at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The biggest indoor air survey to date is under way. You and yours can participate at Hayward Score. Here you can share your home’s environmental conditions, along with your symptoms, And find some of the best educational visuals for consumers.

Your turn

What’s your indoor air situation been like? Are you and yours experiencing symptoms? What have you tried? Your experiences and thoughts can help others.

Big House Cleaning Detox — On the Job

Cleanign supplies under the kitchen sink. — _{Organizing under the kitchen sink during our house cleaning detox. When I’m nearly done, Theo the cat jumps to the faucet to ask for water.}

Last updated 2020-06-26. Last edited 2021-08-25

A new client, “Ava“, and her husband are preparing for a 3-story remodel. For the move-out she has me de-clutter her cleaning supplies. Then create health-based cleaning systems for when they move back in. A big house cleaning detox unfolds in the process.

Migraines, respiratory and skin conditions turn up in the home, possibly related to indoor air pollution. Clearing out irritating chemicals, and getting windows open finally, seems to bring relief. Next a pandemic hits, and we finish the project virtually.

For how it all unfolds, read on! Names changed to protect individuals’ privacy.

The backdrop— lots of remodeling, and lots of cleaning

A three-story remodel is underway throughout the project.

Plastic sheeting taped over doorway. Tables on either side of door, one with lamp. — _{One of the first remodeling steps is sealing off rooms from construction dust. Here it’s the piano room.}

_{Construction dust escapes in spots. Here I’m vacuuming a runner, laid over construction paper to protect the new wood floor. Using a true-HEPA Miele vac with power head. I require every client to own an efficient-to-use healthy vac, Miele being just one brand.}

The team

Working with me during the day are Personal Assistants (P.A.s), and sometimes the Contractor. Plus a dog and two cats.

Home Managers

In this house, officially called Personal Assistants. Among their many tasks are inventory, ordering and stocking of supplies, which we work closely together on. Plus organizing, light daily housekeeping, running errands, and much more.

Cecilia, the first, is also a Real Estate Agent. And cleaned professionally for a decade, as I’m grateful to learn. She’s brought in many of the house’s existing cleaning products, and skeptical of anything remotely “green”. We test new products together, keeping only what works for all.

Ruth, the second, steps in after Cecilia leaves. Ruth’s worked as Environmental Compliance Consultant, so automatically on board. And, miraculously, an expert in restoring historic building interiors. Knows her surfaces and fabrics. Wow.

Regina (yours truly) takes on much of Ruth’s role by default, after Ruth leaves for a job in the couple’s business. I’ve learned much from working with P.A.s and House Managers. OK, I’ll learn on the job! As I always have.

The Contractor

Frank, the Contractor, is present throughout the entire project. Our rock. I gather new care instructions and user manuals from Frank, scanning as needed. Plus I fetch supplies, haul things, hold things steady, and update him on the owners’ schedules. And for getting him paid, make sure all his checks get to him!

A dog, and two cats

We all take turns managing the dog and two cats.

When two pets develop serious health conditions, we’re all care-giving too— with the Contractor as backup.

Springer Spaniel dog with big cat. — _{A dog and two cats live here. Keeping both safe and loved is part of my job. The family loses a dog and a cat during the project. We’re all help with care-giving.}

Contractor facing gutted downstairs room, from outside. — _{Having a house expert around— the General Contractor— so helpful! I gather all the new care instructions— surfaces, finishes, appliances— and compile them for future House Managers.}

Symptoms in the home— migraines, allergy, respiratory, skin

In the family, Ava suffers from migraines, which may be triggered by certain foods or fragrances. Then there are the cats. One with feline asthma; the other with chronic skin sores— seasonal allergies, Ava says, that seem to worsen in dusty conditions.

Two P.A.s have other respiratory symptoms. Cecilia has chronic bronchitis, barely suppressing symptoms on the job (pre-COVID). And previously had asthma. Ruth has frequent severe throat and skin inflammation “from so much dust here!”

Feb. 16, 2018─Women who work as cleaners or regularly use cleaning sprays or other cleaning products at home appear to experience a greater decline in lung function over time than women who do not clean, according to new research published online in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
American Thoracic Society

Dust levels may be a factor too. Well, there are two cats and a dog around, plus a remodel in progress. With very poor ventilation. Indoor air pollution may be at work.

Improving symptoms — can a house cleaning detox help?

Some symptoms improved after the house cleaning detox— anecdotally. In any case, for such symptoms, health experts recommend reducing exposures to fragrances or other chemical irritants. Learn more at American Lung Association. Plus, check out Hayward Score’s online survey to find out how common such symptoms are.

Plaster bust of young woman. On round glass table with bottle of air freshener. In bathroom, with hand towels haning in the bathroom. — ^{_{To clear the air we’ve moved fragrances out. Keeping only pure essential oils for now, with 100% disclosed ingredients. Anecdotally, migraines, and feline asthma have improved in the household since, though we can’t know what helped. Please forgive the poor lighting— total remodel is disrupting everything!}}

Initially assessing cleaning supplies

Ava’s vision in hiring me— “Green cleaning. Homemade recipes in refillable spray bottles”.

What Ava’s got now— dozens of conventional products, many labeled “Danger, Toxic, Flammable”, “Avoid breathing spray or mist”, and the like. I’m no toxics expert. But according to the American Lung Association, Ingredients commonly used in such products are linked to respiratory and other health conditions. Such hazards are virtually unnecessary for effective cleaning.

Also boxes and boxes of disposables, Despite the big myth, disposables are virtually unnecessary for convenient cleaning.

“We’re clearing most of this out for the remodel”, Ava says. Not only from her main cleaning closet, shelves, but also from under sinks, in broom closets, and laundry areas.

My to-do list: evaluate every cleaning-related product, eliminate any toxic hazards, and gradually transition the house to health-based cleaning. Somehow all squeezed in on top of actually cleaning. Plus manage pets. Plus, in a few months I’ll be taking on the P.A. role as well.

I tie on my work apron, open a few windows (when screens are delivered that I’ve requested), and get to work!

Woman pulling out a can of laundry soap. On a wood floor is a roll of paper towels, Mrs. Myers spray, and Jet-Dry Rinse Agent. — _{A new Personal Assistant pulls out cleaning products from under a kitchen sink for us to evaluate. This is one of two kitchens in the house, to be transformed into a new room. This P.A. is soon diverted to managing the Big Move-Out. So I’m on my own again}!

Diving deeper— assessing over five dozen products for hazards and waste

I check everywhere for cleaning-related products— big cleaning closet, counter tops, under sinks, over sinks, in broom closets, and laundry areas.

Over five dozen different types of cleaning-related products show up in the house. But before we can simplify…

To eliminate any potential safety hazards we first check for hazard signals. For this I create a big spreadsheet.

Brands are legally required to include hazard signals on labels to alert consumers to short-term (acute) health effects, along with safe handling instructions. Heads-up hazard signals include:

Danger
Toxic
Flammable
Corrosive
Poison
Sensitizer

Even stored and used correctly, some products may emit volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). Even when sealed— as you may notice walking in the supermarket cleaning aisle.

Waste is another issue. So many unnecessary disposables!

On bathroom floor, boxes and buckets filled with cleaning-related products, mostly liquids. — Sorting and assessing product types by hazard levels: **DANGER, WARNING** and **CAUTION.** And by **acid, chlorine** and **ammonia.** Mixing any of the latter three can be extra hazardous. This shot taken **right after losing** a family **dog to cancer,** though we’ll never know the cause.

Losing two pets to cancer

During our house cleaning detox, the family loses two pets to cancer. First a dog to massive nose cancer. Then a cat to feline lymphoma. Throughout the best veterinary care we all help in home care-giving, then say goodbye. Not so easy after our bonding.

We can’t know what caused the cancers. But we do know that some chemicals in household dust are linked to cancer. Ava’s phasing out some already, starting with stain resistant coatings on carpets and upholstery.

I tell both pets I’ll strive to help their kind and their families in any small way I can. And thanked them for teaching me so much. Still missing my buddies!

House cleaning detox— the basic steps

The basic steps for detoxing seem simple enough:

Ensuring all existing cleaning products are used and stored safely.
Gradually transitioning the house to practical, least-toxic products that work.
De-cluttering. In this house it’s cleaning-related supplies during the transition.
Safely disposing of now-unused toxic products.
Deep cleaning, removing old, built-up cleaning residues along with dirt and dust. Again, using the least-toxic products that work. Lighter routine cleaning follows.

Transitioning the cleaning supplies, cat litter, and dry cleaning service

A collaborative spirit is key— between the client, her family, the P.A.s, and the Contractor. Even the pets, who help me tell the story at least.

Among the main house cleaning detox steps are the following, roughly in the order they happen.

Bringing in a healthy vacuum cleaner— a Miele Cat and Dog canister (for two cats and a dog). I meet Ava at the shop to demonstrate how I use the machine. The shop owner jumps in with his own expertise as needed. I’m so grateful Ava goes with this machine, one we’ll all be using.

Researching safer brands of cleaning-related products, and their ingredients.

Field-testing to find the least-toxic products that work in this house. In this case, testing on the job, aiming for efficiency, cost-effectiveness and convenience. Additionally, all new products are free of synthetic fragrance too (one sneaks in!). And involve the least waste.

Having Ava and the P.A. try the more promising product replacements. The only difference Cecilia and Ava notice is lack of fragrance—

Creating new systems from what’s working. Gradually integrating them into cleaning closets, counter tops, under sinks, and more.

Rooting out unnecessarily-harsh cleaners from the entire house. Also disposable wipes and other wasteful tools. Many of both contain synthetic fragrance. Some fragrance ingredients may trigger migraines, asthma or other respiratory symptoms, though the jury may still be out.

Preparing now-unused products for household hazardous waste disposal. We close these up in an unused downstairs bathroom, away from the pets.

Replacing the existing cat litter with a transparently-labeled pine brand. It’s just pine, and fragrance-free. We later switch to non-clumping pine formula, with only mineral oil added.

Update 2019-02-20: Always discovering more uses for safe products! For example, tea stains in stainless steel thermoses. So far, baking soda wins out over fizzy denture cleaner or Bon Ami. Quick tip: make a paste with baking soda and soap. Use with damp sponge or stiff brush, or both.

Update 2019-02-25: Switching the family’s dry cleaning from a hydrocarbon method to a new steam method. And researching the professional wet cleaning method with help from Megan Kalsman, in Small Business Toxics with San Francisco Department of the Environment.

Coming up with transitional set of supplies, customized for this home

Ava and the P.A. quickly adopt the safer brands among the categories they use, for “all-purpose”, dish liquid, dishwasher. The P.A. quickly adopts the laundry products too.

It helps that the safer brands work the same way their conventional counterparts do— conveniently. No fussy recipes to learn! Bringing in better tools is part of the answer— I’ll write about that another time.

By the time the family moves out and then back in again, the transition is complete. The most hazardous product we’re all using— Ava too— is non-chlorine bleach, in this case hydrogen persoxide bleach at around 4% strength. We’re practicing all safety precautions.

Cleaners. Plus bottle brushes, spatulas, paper towels snd trash bags. Cleaners here: Green Shield Organic Laundry Detergent, Ecover Zero non-Chlorine Bleach; 365 Stain Remover Prewash; Shout stain remover; Mr. Clean Magic Sponge; Ecover Dishwasher Tablets (with unexpected fragrance), Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes, Bon Ami Powder Cleanser; Nice! White Vinegar; Arm & Hammer Baking Soda; Method Dish Soap. Hanging are three refillable spray bottles containing Biokleen BacOut Stain and Odor Remover (for pet accidents), vinegar, and water. Please note: As a reminder, these is a transitional set. — _{Ava’s transitional set of cleaners, customized for her needs and preferences. All products are subject to change, based on my ongoing research and field-testing, and on Ava’s experience.}

Preparing hazardous products for safe disposal

Thanks to Megan Kalsman at San Francisco Department of the Environment for recommending I include information on safe disposal, and sending me a link. It’s too important to wait until my new site is up, as I had planned.

Not down the drain, in the trash, or abandoned outside

Find out about safe disposal in your local area, safely. If you’re in San Francisco, check here. For anywhere in the U.S., check here.

Every household has hazardous products. Old containers of household chemicals can deteriorate and leak [like our old chlorine bleach did!], causing dangerous fumes and fires when stored inside your house, or polluting rainwater runoff when stored outside.

When disposed improperly, these products end up in the landfill or down the drain. They can leach toxic chemicals and heavy metals into the soil and groundwater. Workers can be injured when these products are crushed in garbage and recycling trucks or poured down the drain.
San Francisco Department of the Environment

Toxic cleaning-related procucts in cardboard boxes, on glazed ceramic tile floor. — _{Organizing toxic products for safe disposal, for this house cleaning detox. We’re keeping everything safely locked up in an unused bathroom to be remodeled. Clockwise from the dog bowl: Toilet bowl cleaner (acid-containing), bleach-containing products, window cleaners (ammonia-containing), dish liquid refills, laundry products, and mops that use fragrance-containing disposable wipes. In the red bucket are unnecessarily-specialized products for wood and stains.}

_{Chlorine-containing products safely stored in an unused shower stall, until they can be safely disposed of. Well, that was the plan until the remodeling crew used everything up.}

Donating toxic cleaners to the remodeling crew

After our big house cleaning detox, I arrange for safe disposal at a Household Hazardous Waste Facility. A Personal Assistant packages them up per City requirements.

Shortly after, the construction crew swoops in and takes the outgoing supplies home to their families to use up. Indeed, cities recommend donating unused products when possible.

Adding the Personal Assistant role

My new cleaning-related P.A. tasks

Between P.A.s, I take on much of their role, for a total of sixteen-months. My official role remains Health-Based Cleaning Service. I’m now “holding down the fort” two very-full days per week.

For each type of the following cleaning-related tasks I strive to find safer approaches, as each come my way, Including the following.

Laundry. Learning proper care of natural fabrics, along with quality synthetics and blends. And safer bleaching. Plus new spaceship machines!

Dry cleaning pickup / drop-off, using the new less-toxic steam method.

Inventorying, shopping, taking in deliveries, re-stocking. I’m integrating least-toxic products, with ordering links, directly into the “Household Inventory” Google Sheet, adding a new columns for more product information.

Recycling, composting, trash. Getting access to the outside bin area is somewhat tricky with a major remodel underway. In any case, we’re reducing bag waste. For trash and recycling we’re re-using bags when possible. For composting we’re using non-GMO “Compostable” bags vs “Biodegradable”.

Bed-making. Keeping sheets and duvet covers perfect, with a dog and two cats who make their homes there.

House-sitting and pet-sitting. More pet messes! Especially when pets are under home medical care.

Getting plumbers and appliance repair persons in. Participating in solving puzzles: First a dishwasher drainage issue, then washing machine vibrations rattling the downstairs neighbors. I arrange repeat repairs until work-around solutions are that require my attention.

Please note: Other P.A. tasks I performed are missing from this list, as they’re not related to cleaning.

Providing remote support during COVID

Update 2020-06-26: Since COVID hit, the family’s been working from home. I’ve continued to provide support—remotely— on everything from grout sealers to pest control. For non-urgent matters we use shared Google Docs. Otherwise, emails.

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