Many of the cleaning products we use at home and often pour down our drains are toxic to us and to those downstream from us. Sewage treatment cannot remove all of these harmful chemicals before releasing them into the environment.

Phosphates and nutrient enrichment

Phosphorous and nitrogen are nutrients that do not get treated in our septic systems or waste treatment facilities.  They are found in fertilizers and laundry detergents, and when they find their way into our lakes and streams, they can cause major problems.

  One example of this is eutrophication — a natural process by which a lake turns into a bog and eventually into land.  Under ordinary circumstances, this process takes decades.  However, high concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen in our lakes accelerate the eutrophication process by enriching the water with nutrients, causing aquatic plants and algae to bloom.

  As this plant growth explodes, it chokes off the oxygen supply normally shared with other organisms living in the water.  When the plants die, their decomposition uses up even more oxygen.  As a result, fish suffocate and die, and bacterial activity decreases.

  Such was the case in Lake Erie in the late 1960s.  The phosphates present in laundry detergents was the main cause, and when a law was passed in 1972 to cut the phosphate content in these detergents by about 90%, the lake made a remarkable recovery.  This situation can be avoided in Muskoka if we choose to use products that do not contain nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen.

Hazardous household cleaning products

Cleaning products are among the most toxic substances that can be found in our homes.  It is estimated that Canadians pour 3 million pounds of household cleaners down the drain everyday.  That adds up to more than a billion pounds a year — and a major problem for our environment.

  When purchasing commercial cleaners, there are several things to keep in mind.  Look for biodegradable cleaners and cleaners that have the federal government's Environmental Choice EcoLogo.  Buy only those environmentally hazardous products you really need, and buy them in quantities you will be able to completely use up.  If you do have leftovers, dispose of them properly and promptly.

  Many people choose to make their own non-toxic household cleaners out of products found in their kitchen.  Here are some of the most common ingredients and what their properties are.

Baking Soda: An all-purpose, non-toxic cleaner. It cleans, deodorizes, removes stains and softens fabrics.

Borax: A natural mineral that is an alternative to bleach.  It deodorizes, removes stains and boosts the cleaning power of soap.

Castile and Vegetable Oil-based Soaps: Cleans everything.

Cornstarch: Starches clothing and absorbs oil and grease.

Lemon Juice: Cuts through grease and removes perspiration and other stains from clothing.  It can be used as a bleach alternative.

Vinegar: Cuts grease, removes stains and reduces microbial contamination.

 
  Combinations of these and other products will allow you to achieve better results than just using one.  Products such as baking soda or borax are effective soil removers, while other products such as vinegar are effective at reducing microbial contamination.  Therefore, a solution containing baking soda or borax and vinegar makes an effective all-purpose cleaner.  There are other such natural alternatives for almost everything you need to clean.

  However, when mixing your own cleaning solutions, it is important to remember to never mix chlorine bleach with other chemicals, especially ammonia, as poisonous gases are formed.

  Making the switch to natural, less toxic household cleaners not only benefits our watershed, but can also lead to improved indoor air quality in your home, decreased exposure to chemicals, fewer waste disposal concerns, convenience, and lower costs.  So why not try it for a while?