Lakes are precious ecosystems that provide us with recreation, clean water, and support countless species. However, human activities can harm these delicate environments. One often overlooked way to protect our lakes is by choosing lake-friendly products.
The Impact of Everyday Products
The lake has finally warmed up and it’s time to take your first dip of the summer. You grab your towel, a bar of soap and the shampoo bottle, all biodegradable of course, thinking that you might as well take a lake bath if you’re going to get wet; and of course, it will be better for the environment as you won’t be putting a strain on that aging septic system. Think again!
All soap, whether biodegradable or not, affects the chemistry of rivers and lakes and has a negative impact on fish and other organisms. Soaps can create algae blooms when the conditions are right. Though labeled 'biodegradable', these ‘eco-friendly’ soaps are adding foreign substances to the lake ecosystem.
Let's try again. Your dog is a stinky, muddy mess. You bathe her in the lake figuring it'll spare the cleanup of your bathroom. Think again! The water-soluable broad-spectrum insecticides in dog and cat flea treatments get released into the lake where they can kill beneficial organisms.
Another source of concern is the alarming increase of microplastics in our lakes, streams, and water systems. Microplastics enter the water through plastic waste that is washed up on shores and ground down through constant wave action or leached into the watershed by faulty septic systems, outdoor showers that many allow runoff to the watershed, or lake bathing using products that contain microbeads. Many personal hygiene and cleaning products such as toothpastes, body scrubs and lotions, and household cleaning products contain microbeads. These microplastics can directly harm aquatic organisms, as when fish mistake these particles for food.
Many common household products contain harmful chemicals that can find their way into our lakes. These chemicals can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, harm wildlife, and even affect human health. There are more people living along our lakes and rivers which makes keeping pollutants out of the lake a priority for us all.
Making a Difference: Choosing Lake-Friendly Alternatives
If you must bathe or use a cleaning product in the lake, use soaps sparingly and look for environmentally safer products. Avoid using products that have ingredients containing microbeads, phosphates, fragrances or are anti-bacterial.
When shopping for Lake Friendly products look at the ingredients for words like “polypropylene” and “polyethylene” and stop buying these products. Using non-microbead cleansing products and a washcloth can produce results as good as the products containing plastic exfoliants. Some of the natural ingredients that are available include: pumice, oatmeal, apricot pits, and walnut husks. And be sure to recycle all plastics, especially when at the beach.
By making conscious choices about the products we use, we can significantly reduce our impact on lakes. Here are some tips and alternatives:
- Opt for phosphate-free detergents: Look for detergents labeled "phosphate-free" or "low-phosphate." These products are gentler on the environment and can reduce excess nutrients from entering the lake.
- Choose mineral-based sunscreens: Mineral-based sunscreens, containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, are safer for marine life. They also provide excellent sun protection.
- Embrace organic lawn care: Consider organic fertilizers or natural lawn care practices to reduce nutrient runoff.
- Use biodegradable boat cleaning products: Look for boat cleaning products that are specifically designed to be environmentally friendly. Again, look for "phosphate-free" products.
- Properly dispose of waste: Never dump any chemicals, oils, or other pollutants into lakes or waterways.
By incorporating these practices into our daily lives, we can help preserve the beauty and health of our lakes for generations to come. Remember, small actions can make a big difference.
Lake-Friendly Choices
Alternative products to maintain a healthy ecosystem
| COMMONLY USED | ALTERNATIVE |
|---|---|
| Chlorine bleach | Hydrogen peroxide |
| Drain cleaner | 2 cups boiling water and/or Baking soda (1/2 c.) followed by vinegar |
| Bathroom cleaners | Baking soda, borax |
| Toilet cleaner | Vinegar, salt & water Baking soda & water |
| Disinfectant | 1/2 c. borax in 1 gal. water |
| Lime Away | Vinegar |
| Scouring powders | Baking soda |
| Rug cleaners | Club soda & sprinkle with cornstarch, then vacuum |
| Floor cleaner | Mop with 1 c. vinegar in 2 gal. water |
| Furniture polish | 1 part lemon juice with 2 parts vegetable oil |
| Copper cleaner | Dip side of lemon in salt, rub |
| Oven cleaner | Salt and scrub Wipe with ammonia & let stand overnight, scrub with baking soda |
| Porcelain cleaner | Make paste of baking soda and water, apply & let stand, rub clean & rinse |
| Silver polish | Soak in 1 qt. warm water & 1 tsp. baking soda & 1 tsp. salt, and piece of aluminum foil or in aluminum pan |
| Stainless steel cleaner | 1 qt. water & 1 tbls. baking soda, rinse in hot water |
| Floor cleaner | 1 c. vinegar in 2 gal. water |
| Window cleaner | 1/2 c. vinegar & 1 gal. warm water, use newspapers to dry glass |
| Ant traps or pesticide for inside ants | Sprinkle thick line of borax around foundation |
| Flee repellent | Rosemary on pet bed |
| Moth balls | Lavender or cedar chips in small bags |
| Wood preservative | Water based wood preservatives |
| Fungicide | Avoid watering in the evening and over watering |
| House plan insecticide | A few drops of soap & water, spray on leaves, rinse |
| Pesticides | Insecticidal soap |
| Herbicides | Weeding and hoeing, corn herbicide |
| Snail and slug killer | Shallow pan with stale beer |