Handling Wastes:
Household Cleaning and Maintenance
by Shirley Niemeyer,
Extension Specialist, Home Environment
Kathleen Heiden, Graduate Student, UN-L
Products are considered
potentially hazardous if they contain chemicals that can threaten human health
or the environment. Some household products may contain corrosive or other
chemicals that may cause problems if improperly used, stored or disposed. Mixing
household products and using them in ways other than directed by the product
instructions may lead to unexpected and potentially dangerous chemical
interactions.
Hundreds of different
specialty cleaners are available and when used, stored and/or disposed according
to label directions are effective and generally safe to use. For information on
organic solvent-based cleaners and maintenance items, see NebFact "Handling
Wastes: Household Solvents".
The chemicals that make
products effective, may also cause potential problems.
Safety precautions for
household cleaning and maintenance products
-
read the label and
directions for use, storage and disposal (Hazard warning labels must
include a description of the hazard(s), personal protection information
and first aid for accidental exposure.)
-
watch for signal words
such as CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER
-
avoid skin and eye
contact
-
never mix products or
different brands of the same product
-
keep products in
original containers
-
buy the appropriate
product for the job and non-hazardous or less hazardous products
-
provide adequate
ventilation
Prevention of Household
Hazardous Waste
-
To reduce potentially
hazardous household waste, start with prevention.
-
Buy only what you need
and will use.
-
Buy the appropriate
product for the job -- use less hazardous or non-hazardous products.
-
Check to see if you
already have the product on hand before buying more.
Buying the least hazardous
product for the job might include using a mechanical device in place of a
potentially hazardous drain cleaner. Water-based cleaners might be used in
place of solvent-based cleaners if suited for the soil type and surface.
Disposing of products
The recommended disposal
for cleaning products is to completely use them as they were intended to be
used. Sharing them with neighbors when safe to do so and the label and
container are intact. Read the label for information on safe use, storage and
disposal. Contact the manufacturer by calling the consumer toll-free number
given on many products. If these disposal options are not possible the
following may be alternatives.
Product formulations vary
and do change. Recommendations for safe use, storage and disposal varies. If
you are unsure about use, storage and disposal methods, seek more information
about the product from the retailer or manufacturer. Ask for a copy of the
Material Safety Data Sheet.
Aerosols
Use up or give to someone
who can use it up if safe to do so. Dispose of the empty containers in the
trash -- do not burn or put into a trash compactor as they may rupture or
explode. Some aerosol cans that are steel or aluminum are recycled in some
areas of the U.S. Pump products are a non-aerosol alternative to some aerosol
formulations.
Aluminum cleaners
If they contain phosphoric
acid and only a small quantity remains, they can be discarded in the septic
system1. Pour the product down a drain (not a storm sewer -- some garage
drains may empty into the storm sewer) and flush with plenty of water. Rinse
the container and throw it away.
Ammonia
DO NOT MIX WITH CHLORINE
BLEACH. The product may be discarded in small quantities in the septic
system1, in the same method as aluminum cleaners.
Bleach
DO NOT MIX WITH AMMONIA.
The product may be discarded in small quantities in septic system1 in the same
method as aluminum cleaners.
Detergents
The product may be
discarded in small amounts down a laundry drain in the same method as aluminum
cleaners.
Drain openers
If the product contains a
solvent (organic solvent), take it to a household hazardous waste collection
program or evaporate. To evaporate, allow the product to harden in a safe area
away from children and pets. Safely dispose of the remaining hardened material
in the trash. If it does not contain a solvent, the product may the discarded
in the same method as aluminum cleaners. Wear eye protection when discarding
drain cleaners.
Floor care products
If the product contains an
organic solvent, it can be disposed of in the same method as either aerosols
or drain openers. If the product does not contain a solvent, it can be
discarded in the same method as aluminum cleaners.
Furniture polish
The product can be disposed
of in the same method as aerosols or by evaporating in the same method as
drain openers.
General home liquid cleaners
If the product contains a
solvent, it can be disposed of in the same method as aerosols or drain
openers. If the product does not contain a solvent, it can be discarded in the
same method as aluminum cleaners.
Germicides/disinfectants
If the product contains a
solvent, it can be disposed of in the same method as aerosols or drain
openers. If the product does not contain a solvent, it may be able to be
discarded in the same method as aluminum cleaners. Save for a household
hazardous waste collection if it is labeled "germicide or
disinfectant" is listed in the ingredients. Technically, disinfectants or
germicides fall under pesticide labeling regulations. Try to avoid disposal in
septic systems.
Metal polish with solvent
The product may be
evaporated in the same method as aluminum cleaners.
Oven cleaner
If the product contains a
solvent, it can be disposed of in the same method as aerosols or drain
openers. If the product does not contain a solvent and is not an aerosol, it
can be discarded in the same method as aluminum cleaners.
Rug upholstery cleaners
If the product contains a
dry-cleaning solvent, it can be disposed of in the same method as aerosols or
drain openers. If the product does not contain a solvent, it can be discarded
in the same method as aluminum cleaners.
Toilet, tub, and tile
cleaners
The product may be
discarded in the septic system1, in the same method as aluminum cleaners.
Window cleaner
The product may be
discarded in the septic system1, in the same method as aluminum cleaners. If
the product contains a solvent, dispose of through evaporation.
When flushing any chemical
safe to enter the sewage treatment system, flush only a small quantity of the
product down a clean household drain and thoroughly rinse before adding any
other chemicals such as a toilet bowl cleaner. Chemicals will interact and
sometimes produce toxic chemicals or gases.
References
Andrews, E. (1989). G3455
Solvents and home cleaning products. Madison: University of Wisconsin.
Chemical Specialties
Manufacturers Association. (1992). The consumer products handbook: A
comprehensive guide to today's household chemical products. Washington, D.C.:
Chemical Specialties Manufacturers Association.
Niemeyer, S. (1991, April).
"Comparisons of Recommendations for Disposal of Potentially Hazardous
Household Waste."
Proceedings of the National
EPA Conference on Household Hazardous Waste (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994).
Andover MA: Dana Duxbury & Associates.
Nebraska University
Cooperative Extension
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