Dangers may be lurking in home’s cabinets

By Karen Ravn

updated 2:13 p.m. ET Jan. 11, 2009

Your cabinets are always there for you, faithfully storing whatever you cram into them. But "out of sight, out of mind" can end up meaning "out of date" — and that's just one of the unhealthy situations that could be developing behind those closed doors. Mold may be growing. Poisons may be lurking. Accidents may be waiting to happen.

So follow our expert-approved cabinet-by-cabinet guide on which household items to keep, toss, or even to add to your shopping list. Give your storage centers a makeover — and protect your family's health in the process.

Under the kitchen sink
Mold spores are everywhere, scouting for a damp place to settle down and raise a big family. Don't let them: Mold irritates eyes and airways, contributing to chronic sinus infections and asthma. So keep your cabinet dry. Then, stock it right:

Keep: All-purpose cleaners
Pick ones with an EPA Design for the Environment label, which indicates that the ingredients are as safe as possible for the environment and you. Or go natural: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to clean glass, says Anne Steinemann, PhD, professor of civil and environmental engineering and public affairs at the University of Washington. For wood floors, add 1 teaspoon each vegetable oil and vinegar to 1 quart of water; mop, then rinse with fresh water.

Toss: Oven cleaner
The chemicals in it can burn skin on contact, and the fumes hurt airways. Instead, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda in a cool oven and spray with a mix of water and some liquid soap to dampen. Scrub with fine steel wool. "It takes a little longer, but it's as effective as chemicals," says Kevin Kennedy, a certified indoor environmental consultant in Kansas City, MO. 

Toss: Antibacterial soap
Antibacterials offer imperfect protection against illness because they don't kill viruses, says Kenneth Rosenman, MD, a professor of medicine at Michigan State University. And some people are allergic; for them, antibacterials in household cleaners may cause asthma. Experts also believe that by killing only some bacteria, these soaps give rise to more dangerous strains. For most of us, soap and water is best.

Getty Images stock Rubber gloves protect hands from hot water and irritating cleaners.

Keep: Rubber gloves
They protect your hands from hot water and cleaners that can irritate or dry out your skin. Choose ones that reach at least halfway up your forearm.

Toss: Sponges
Germs breed fast on these when wet. Also, "antibacterial" sponges aren't a good option; they're likely treated with triclosan, an antimicrobial that might irritate sensitive skin and may harm the environment.

Keep: Dishrags
Longer-lasting than sponges, they are an environmentally friendly option for washing dishes and wiping counters. But bacteria can grow on dishrags, too, so launder them at least three times a week.

Keep: Plastic scrubbers
Bacteria may not attach as easily to plastic as they do to sponges and dishrags, says Stuart Levy, MD, a professor of molecular biology and microbiology at Tufts University School of Medicine. Rinse thoroughly and air-dry before storing.

Keep: Disinfectants
Use these to clean a countertop where you've worked with raw meat or poultry. (Look for an EPA registration number on the label — it means the product really kills germs.) But be picky: You can't sterilize air, so skip aerosol disinfectants.

Keep: Paper towels
They are better than dishrags or sponges for wiping up germy messes. To reduce the environmental toll, choose an unbleached, 100 percent recycled variety.

Keep: Shelf liner
Use self-sticking paper that won't let water leak through. If something does drip and mold develops, it's easier to replace liner than it is to replace the shelf.

Keep: Garbage can with lid
The lid is key — it contains odors and keeps any mold spores on your trash from escaping and starting a colony in the cabinet. Empty the bag daily.

In the medicine cabinet
Yes, it's called the medicine cabinet — but you should get the medicine out of it. The humidity in your bathroom can degrade medication, warns Cynthia LaCivita, PharmD, director of education and special programs at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Move your meds to a cool, dry spot, such as the linen closet or pantry. Here's what else should and shouldn't be in the cabinet:

Toss: Expired drugs
Most medications (about 90 percent, according to FDA tests) still get results after their expiration dates. But since crucial meds (including insulin and nitroglycerin) lose effectiveness soon after they expire, experts say it's safest to get rid of outdated medicine, as well as any leftover prescriptions.

Keep: Pill organizer
It's an easy way to keep track of your weekly meds, and research shows it helps improve adherence to complicated drug regimens. To store meds, however, keep them in their original containers, says Kathy Besinque, PharmD, an associate professor of clinical pharmacy at the USC School of Pharmacy. That way you have access to the label information and expiration dates.

Toss: Ipecac
For decades, this was used to induce vomiting in poison victims, but today, experts recommend against it — there's no evidence it actually helps, and it may make you less able to tolerate other poison treatments.

Keep: Tweezers
Clean them with rubbing alcohol before using to remove splinters, for example, and toss at the first sign of rust. No need for a supersharp pair: "You shouldn't be doing surgery at home," says Besinque. Instead, look for a flat, angled tip — the safest, and best for precision eyebrow plucking.

Keep: Mouthwash
Those with and without alcohol work equally well. Just be sure to check your mouthwash for the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance label. To receive the seal, manufacturers must supply studies supporting label claims, like antigingivitis and anticavity. (For a list of products, go to ada.org/seal.)

Keep: Electric toothbrush
Power-assisted types are more effective at removing plaque than brushing by hand, says Diane Melrose, RDH, chair of dental hygienics at the University of Southern California.

Toss: Frayed toothbrush
If you prefer a regular toothbrush, change it every 3 to 4 months or as soon as the bristles start looking spread out, says Kerry Maguire, DDS, MPH, director of the professional advocacy team at Tom's of Maine. A frayed brush can damage gums and doesn't clean well.

Keep: OTC pain relievers
Generic acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen are as reliable as brand names. Buy a bottle you'll use up before it expires, and store it with other meds in a cool spot. Other staples: antacids, antibiotic cream, and antihistamines.

Toss: Mercury thermometer
Break it and you can inhale vaporized mercury, a neurotoxin. Even the small amount in a thermometer can be a health risk, especially if you use a vacuum cleaner on the spill. Some pharmacies offer a safer digital model in exchange for a mercury one, says Catherine Tom-Revzon, PharmD, former clinical pharmacy manager at Children's Hospital at Montefiore in Bronx, NY. Don't just throw your mercury thermometer away. Call your local recycling center for disposal instructions.

Toss: Dental floss
Waxed floss slides easily between tight-spaced teeth and is gentler on gums than the unwaxed type.

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