1. Use cast iron pans instead of nonstick. I have always hated the idea of Teflon. Even before knowing about the toxic, bird-killing gases. The fact is that the stuff comes off the pan. So you know you’re eating it. I recently bought some commercial grade muffin pans. They were all I could find that were not non-stick. Do you know that they actually clean up better than the non-stick variety?
2. To avoid chemicals leaching into food, go easy on processed, canned or fast foods and never microwave plastic. Follow this link to read up on Bisphenol-A.
3. Buy organic, or eat vegetables and fruit from the “Cleanest 12″ list. You can see a rating of 43 fruits and veggies at FoodNews.org. The 3 most commonly purchased in our house – apples, strawberries and spinach – are in the “worst 12″ grouping.
4. Use iodized salt to combat chemical interference from the thyroid. Read more about rocket fuel contamination.
5. Seal outdoor wooden structures.Is there arsenic in your backyard?
6. Leave your shoes at the door. This cuts down on dust-bound pollutants in the home.
7. Avoid perfume, cologne and products with added fragrance. What a great idea. Check the cosmetics database for safer products.
8. Buy products with natural fibers, like cotton and wool, that are naturally fire resistant. Find products that are PBDE free.
9. Eat low-mercury fish like tilapia & pollock, rather than high-mercury choices like tuna & swordfish. Check the Safe Fish List.
10. Filter your water for drinking and cooking. What’s in your water?

My rule of thumb about nontoxic cleaning is this: use only ingredients that have been used without harm for so many years that they are “generally regarded as safe”; otherwise they would have long since been abandoned.

I think my favorite is her oven cleaning as I’ve been struggling with how to clean our oven lately.

Gotta run for now so I can print the article!