Each year, Canadians spend millions of dollars on household cleaning products. Even though they are a common sight in homes and properties, most household cleaners and chemicals are dangerously toxic. To avoid serious accidents, any chemical product should be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and stored safely, especially if there are children or pets living in the home.  Here are a number of common household chemicals that can cause severe health problems: 1. Antifreeze Swallowing antifreeze (ethylene glycol) may cause damage to the heart, brain, kidney and other internal organs. Inhaling antifreeze is not as dangerous, but may cause dizziness. 2. Bleach Being a strong corrosive substance, bleach can affect the respiratory system if inhaled. Bleach can also irritate or burn the skin and eyes. Ingesting bleach can cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma. Wearing rubber gloves and a dust mask when using bleach is strongly recommended. 3. Drain Clea...

When clothes smell musty, they have been wet or damp for too long, allowing mould or mildew to grow on them. Another reason for the musty smell can be that the washing machine or dryer (where the clothes have been in) contains mould or mildew. Several ways to get rid of musty smells in clothing: The washing machine and dryer should be checked for mould. If the clothes smell musty right after a wash, mould may be present in the washer. The mould can be cleaned by running an empty cycle with hot water and bleach or detergent. If that doesn’t work, the washer should be carefully disassembled and any traces of mould should be removed with hot water and a cleaning product. If the task is too difficult, the washer has to be serviced. In case the clothes smell musty because they are infested with mould, they need to be washed. A mould inhibiting product, such as bleach, vinegar, baking soda, ammonia or borax, should be added to the washing cycle. When using bleach, the “do not bleach”...