Office Detox

I am totally in awe of something I'm a bit ashamed to admit: SkyMall.

It's that in-flight catalog in the backseat pockets in airplanes full of TOTALLY random "things" for sale like The Lord of the Rings replica rings and swords.... 22K gold dipped real roses... to wall-size posters of crosswords puzzles you can spend weeks trying to figure out.

But one item that caught my eye was a cell-phone looking device called the Zadro Nano-UV Disinfection Light.  You flip it open, press a button, and an ultraviolet light inside kills 99.9% of all the harmful germs and bacteria on things like phones, keyboards, toothbrushes, etc.  Whatever you want to disinfect, you just wave the whole thing over it for 10 seconds and VOILA!   Disinfected without harmful chemicals.

So, I bought one.   And have been trying it out.

I recently brought it along to the offices of some magazines in NYC to meet editors and help them naturally detox their offices.  It was part of my work with the nonprofit Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, which collects old cell phones and old rechargeable batteries (from cordless products) for free recycling.  We were reminding editors that you could drop off old phones/batteries at stores like Duane Reade, Lowe's, Home Depot, Circuit City and Best Buy.

But I also gave tips on how to DETOX their offices too and thought I'd share 'em:

1.  Use rubbing alcohol to disinfect your telephone.  Over time, germs and bacteria can collect, causing break-outs on your face.  Just use alcohol to truly disinfect it.

2.  Place a newspaper on the floor where you rest your feet.   Your shoes drag in 80% of outside dirt, pesticides and other harmful chemicals.  Newspaper will naturally absorb it; you can then recycle the newspaper.

3.  Wipe down the desk using Method microfiber towels and their dye and perfume-free Go Naked spray.  Spray, wipe and go.   The microfiber literally grips onto dirt and bacteria and it's machine washable!

4.  Keep an LL Bean boat and tote bag by your desk.  The rubber lined bag stands upright, even when empty.  Fill it with recyclable cans and bottles for recycling.  If there are spills, it can wiped up easily with the microfiber towel.

5.  And for fun: grab those extra sugar and lemon juice packets and rub the sugar and lemon juice together in your hands.  The sugar exfoliates and the lemon disinfects!

Comments

[Jacki Hollywood Brown]

These tips also work great at home!
Use alcohol for your phones, keyboard and mouse (especially if you have kids!)
Line the boot tray at your door with newspaper. Everybody takes off their outdoor shoes at the door (remember Mr. Rogers?)
Microfibre towels are a god-send. They clean everything with just a little soapy water.
Keep a recycle bin near the kids desk for all those little bits of paper. Get them into the habit of recycling.

[ames]

Does the magic light wand really work? I could really go for something like that! I swear my coworkers sneeze on their hands and then manhandle my keyboard and mouse when I'm not looking. Thanks for the tips!

[Annie]

I love the Method microfiber towels!!! Ok, so I am totally going to have to get me one of these germ killing things...I am a germ freak but I hate using products...this just makes so much sense. I am a big fan of Method and I am glad you endorse them so much...they are a great brand and have done so much for the health and cleanliness of my home:)

[Jamie]

Hi, I really love microfiber towels, but I read in an article that microfiber is actually not very good for the environment, since it will not disintegrate when it is eventually thrown away (as microfiber is composed of nylon and polyester, which are both highly toxic even in production). Instead, the article suggested the ecotowl (sic), which is made of viscose. Have you heard of the ecotowl before?

[S.]

Awesome device, thanks for all the tips too...I like the lemon and sugar one. I will have to try that...

[Don]

I'm really surprised you would give a shoutout to SkyMall. Every time I see that thing I'm reminded of how much junk there is in the world and how many people can't help buy consume whatever junk they see in a catalog. Hate to be dramatic, but SkyMall is a sign of the apocalypse.

[hav]

the ll bean boat and tote that is lined is fantastic! it makes a great shopping bag as well. fyi- the only ones that are lined are the camo and solid green ones made out of nylon pack cloth in case folks are thinking that it's the canvas ones! love this bag!!

[tasterspoon]

This may be a dumb question, but I see people recommending microfiber towels everywhere for green cleaning. (Jamie's caution is noted.) Can I just throw one in the washer and use it indefinitely?

The lemon/sugar hand cleaner sounds totally sticky. :)

[Leslie @ the oko box]

Doesn't ultra violet light create ozone, which is bad for the air? I know that "air purifiers" with ultra violet lights are called "ozonaters" that are said to kill mold, but when I talked to a Harvard Chemist about this he said the ozone molecules break down and connect with other molecules causing toxic substances in the air. The EPA also spoke out against ozone creating gadgets too.

[amy]

sm is the bomb! hey- I just adore you! Loved yr gift giving book. Just closed it last night. Yr amazing