Dangers may be lurking in home’s cabinets

In the bathroom vanity
Though a spray of air freshener can make your bathroom smell like vanilla, think twice before using it. In an as yet unpublished study, 25 scented products — including air fresheners and cleaners — were found to emit a toxic chemical, says Steinemann, author of the study. Instead, place cinnamon sticks in a small basket. More tips:

Keep: Hairbrush
Natural bristles remove more hair-product buildup than synthetic brushes; they're also better at spreading your own natural oil evenly along hair shafts. Clean your brush with shampoo, rinse, and air-dry.

Toss: Old makeup
Because of infection risk, throw away eye products — mascara, eyeliner, shadow — after 6 months of daily use. Foundation lasts for about 2 years; dry face powder and lipstick stay safe for about 3.

Keep: Rubbing alcohol
It's a great antiseptic for cleaning the unbroken skin around minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. It'll hurt if applied to open wounds, though — use soap and water instead, suggests Besinque.

Toss: Chemical drain de-clogger
Most emit harmful fumes and can burn skin on contact. Safer options: a plunger (and a little elbow grease) or a declogger made from bacteria that eat the kinds of gunk that block your pipes, such as Drainbo (drainbo.com). "Bacteria-based drain cleaners aren't speedy, but they're environmentally friendly and work well," says Kennedy.

Toss: Bathroom cleaners
Most commercial toilet bowl, tub, and tile cleaners give off nasty fumes and can be fatal if ingested. Products with a Design for the Environment label are the safest available — except for those you make yourself. First, wipe surfaces with vinegar, then sprinkle on baking soda. Let stand for a few minutes, then rub with a damp sponge and rinse. "Vinegar is a mild acetic acid, and when it reacts with baking soda, it can help loosen surface scum," says Kennedy.

Toss: Aerosol sprays
People who use spray cleaning products are more likely to develop asthma than those who apply cleaner directly to the surface. Choose a pump-style hairspray, too.

In the garage cabinet
The garage may hold the most potent and hazardous products in your home; keep cabinets locked if you have children or pets. Store all potentially dangerous materials in their original containers so you can easily access any important safety information. More advice for your garage cabinet:

Keep: Boric acid
This is an effective bug killer but does not evaporate into the air or pose the more serious health risks associated with synthetic insecticides. Still, keep it out of reach of kids and pets — use it behind appliances or under baseboards.

Keep: DEET-based insect repellent
It is considered safe by the CDC, but because liberal use may irritate your skin, experts recommend using it only if mosquitoes or ticks are multitudinous, or if Lyme disease or West Nile virus is a threat (follow directions). Otherwise, use natural repellents made from lemon eucalyptus.

Toss: Pesticides
Accidental exposure can harm a child's nervous system (or even your own if the dose is large enough). Try safer options instead: To protect your garden from plant-eating aphids, for example, drown them in water-filled yellow containers — aphids are attracted to yellow, according to entomologists. For other green alternatives, go to prevention.com/links.

Toss: Ethylene glycol antifreeze
A teaspoonful spilled onto your garage floor could kill a pet that laps it up; a few tablespoons could be lethal for a child. Antifreeze made with propylene glycol is about three times less toxic than the ethylene variety — check the label before you buy.

Keep: Steel wool
Use this to plug holes where mice may be getting in. Instead of rat poison, set out traps.

Keep: Goggles
Every year, more than 1 million eye injuries occur in the home — while people are whacking weeds, say, or using bleach or other toxic liquids, according to a recent study by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Many of these injuries could be prevented if people simply wore goggles, says Tamara Fountain, MD, spokesperson for the AAO.

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