There are many great things about having a swimming pool (or a hot tub – or both), but maintenance isn’t one of them. Beyond checking filters, dealing with pool covers, and yanking out leaves, the careful balance of chemistry in your pool to keep it perfect for you and your family while inhospitable to microorganisms is a major chore. So when you find yourself with old pool chemicals after changing brands or finding them expired, it’s a little harder than you might think to dispose of them. [Read more…]
Driveway Sealant: The Problem with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
If you’ve ever had problems with your driveway, chances are you’ve bought a container of driveway sealant if you’re not interested in paying for a professional rebuild. One look at the warning label – especially on older products – will show this stuff can be pretty toxic, containing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH). If the sealant you’ve got contains PAHs, you need to take special care in both handling and disposal of this hazardous household product. [Read more…]
Muriatic Acid: What It Is and Why It’s a Cleaning Product
Of all the hazardous household products, cleaning products are some of the most toxic to homeowners and their families (including pets). This makes sense: after all, what is hard on grease, grime, limescale, and other difficult-to-remove stains isn’t going to be kind to skin. One of these products – known as muriatic acid – is used as a “last resort” in cleaning products, and with good reason, as it’s primarily made of corrosive hydrochloric acid. Learning how to use, handle, store, and dispose of muriatic acid is vital if you’re going to keep it in your home. [Read more…]
The Dangers of Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Monitors and Televisions
Whether you’re finally modernizing or just have a few clunky Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors and televisions taking up room and gathering dust, it’s important to understand the hazards they pose, especially if damaged. So, before you decide to move one around – and if you’re thinking about disposing of it yourself – it’s important to understand the hazards, proper disposal, and things to watch out for. [Read more…]
Why Fire Extinguishers Expire and What to Do with Them
Owning a fire extinguisher is a mark of a safe and well-planned household, but it doesn’t stop there. Beyond reading the instructions and properly placing the extinguisher (or more likely multiple fire extinguishers if you’re following best practices), is the knowledge that your extinguisher has a shelf life and will need to be replaced. It’s time to learn more about why fire extinguishers expire and how to dispose of them when they do. [Read more…]
