Spring and Summer Cleaning Safety Tips

As you prepare your home for summer house guests, it may be time to spring clean under your counters, in the garage--and in kitchen and bathroom cupboards. While purging outdated and used items, remember that not everything can be thrown in the trash can. Many chemicals, electronics and household items can damage the environment if they're sent to the landfill.

Follow these tips for safe, environmentally friendly housecleaning:

1. Electronics make up some of the most commonly disposed-of household items. If you're throwing away old cell phones, computer monitors, PDAs or televisions, these items may contain dangerous chemicals--like mercury--that can contaminate landfill soil. Instead of tossing them, consider selling them, donating them to a charity or recycling them with Cardella's new e-cycling program.
2. Batteries are small, everywhere--and easy to throw in the trash! However, batteries also pose an extreme environmental danger due to their heavy metal content. Collect used batteries in a corrosion-proof container, and donate them to an established recycling program.
3. If you're considering the transition to green cleaning, think about getting rid of your old, chemical-filled household cleaners. Pesticides, adhesives, automotive products, bathroom disinfectants and kitchen oven cleaners should NEVER be thrown in the dumpster. Instead, follow the chemical labels for proper disposal--and watch your local news for city- and county-wide chemical collections. Often called "roundups," these collections offer the opportunity for local residents to drop off hazardous chemicals for safe disposal by environmental agencies.