Vol. 10, No. 1

Welcome 2025

Life is full of choices, challenges, and opportunities, often all in the same day! This year let’s see how many challenges we can turn into opportunities and how many choices we can make that guide us towards the lives we want to live. The items we bring into our homes, foods we eat, walks we take or don’t, all make up the day to day of our lives. This winter issue is about making small changes that can make big differences in our day to day. May this year be full of easy choices, the kindest challenges, and gentle opportunities for growth. Welcome 2025!

Microplastics

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic that come in all shapes and sizes and measure less than five millimeters long (about the length of a pencil eraser). They have long-lasting impacts on water quality, wildlife, our food systems, and human health. Microplastics enter our water in many ways including from our laundry.

Washing machines clean clothing by churning and vibrating clothes in soapy water, causing friction between the fabrics to loosen and remove dirt, odors, and oils, from clothing. This friction also causes tiny fibers from your clothing to break away, leave through the drain, and be sent to wastewater treatment plants, or if your home is on a septic system, the fibers could potentially cause damage to your drain field. While modern treatment plants can filter out 99 percent of clothing fibers from the water, one load of laundry can produce millions of microfibers. This is how so many of those fibers slip past the filtration system and are sent straight to Puget Sound. Scientists today estimate that 35 percent of microplastic pollution in the world comes from clothing, making clothing the main cause of microplastic pollution in the ocean. Synthetic materials in clothing, like polyester and acrylic, are a huge concern because they are made from oil and aren't biodegradable.

Fortunately, there are many things we can all do at home to reduce the amount of microfibers polluting our waterways. Exterior drain filters and laundry bags work by collecting microfibers that break away from clothing. Exterior drain filters need space for installation and money upfront, and if you're renting, you will need approval from your landlord before installing.

Laundry balls and bags can be helpful by reducing friction between clothing. They can be similar in price to a filter depending on how many you need. They require you to sort your laundry differently depending on if you use a laundry bag or laundry ball.

A few more lifestyle changes that can help reduce microplastics from your laundry:

• Wash only full loads of laundry. More clothing in the washing machine reduces friction, resulting in less shedding of fibers.
• Wash clothes less often. Less time in the washer equals less opportunity for fibers to shed and will prolong the life of your clothing.
• Wash laundry on a cold, short cycle.
• Line dry clothing outside instead of putting it in the dryer.
• Invest in a front-loading washing machine. Front-loading washing machines delicately tumble clothing as they clean.
• Choose clothes made with natural fibers like cotton, linen, and bamboo when possible. Natural fibers shed, but they are less harmful to the environment than synthetic fibers.

We all appreciate how efficient washing machines are at making our dirty clothes, clean. Adjusting the way we wash our clothes has a huge impact on the world around us. Think beyond the machine to keep our waters clean!

Rain Barrels

If you find yourself singing, “rain, rain go away, come again some other day,” you might want to store that water in a rain barrel to use this summer!

Rain barrels are rain collection systems. They store water gathered from rooftops that can be used later on garden beds, lawns, and potted plants. Locally, we get about three feet of rain per year, with most of that falling between October and March. Throughout June, July, and August, we get less than three inches of rain, creating tough conditions for plants to survive.

Collecting water in rain barrels during the rainy months can help reduce the stress plants can experience during the drier months. Water collected from rain barrels in yards and gardens reduce the demand for freshwater drinking resources. In other words, people who water plants with their rain barrel water, save clean drinking water for drinking!

Other benefits of rain barrels include decreasing pollutants that collect in stormwater as it passes over driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots before making its way to lakes, rivers, and streams. Since rain barrels gather water from roofs, they also cut down on the amount of water that can pool up around your house and cause mold and other water damage. Some users of rain barrels might even save money on their water bill. During heavy rains, rain barrels protect combined sewer systems by reducing the amount of water going through the pipes that can potentially overflow and push contaminated water directly into our streams, lakes, and depending on where you live, Puget Sound.

Now that the rainy season is upon us, there’s no better time to get a rain barrel for your home. The size and cost of your rainwater collection system will depend on the amount of lawn and plants you’re watering, and how long you’ll need to store the water. For example, small rain barrels hold 50-80 gallons of water, whereas large cisterns hold 200-800 gallons. If you’re not sure what size rain barrel you need, the Washington Department of Ecology created an in-depth rainwater harvesting calculator to help. You’ll essentially calculate the square footage of your roof, how much rain your area typically gets, and how much water your personal needs require.

There are many additional online resources available to determine how much rainwater you can collect and the number of barrels to consider installing. Most sources suggest putting your rain barrel on the side of your house closest to the area you want to water, if possible. You’ll also need to get a downspout diverter or rain chain to guide water into your barrel from your gutters. To stop debris from clogging the outflow, fit a wire mesh screen to the top of the barrel, and keep the lid secured at all times to prevent kids or pets from falling inside.

Once you have determined the right size, you can purchase one from most local hardware stores or build one from recycled materials. If you make your own, make sure to never use any materials that have previously contained toxic materials, including acids and oils. There is no amount of cleaning or pressure washing that will remove all of the odors and residue from past toxic materials. Reusing barrels that once held food-grade materials is the best option.

Now instead of singing “rain, rain, go away” you might find yourself singing, “rain, rain, come my way. I’ll use you some other day!” with your water and money-saving rain barrel.

Stitch it, don't ditch it! 

Our clothes take a beating just from wearing and washing them regularly. The seams may give up, we might get snagged on something sharp, or the fabric itself wears thin until a hole forms. Before you replace that piece of clothing, consider repairing it. Repair can often save money, time, and natural resources!

Some fixes are best left to professionals – you can find them by searching online for terms like alterations, tailor, seamstress, clothing repair, or shoe repair. Even if a business doesn’t specialize in your needed repair, they can often tell you who does.

Simple repairs can be done at home with a needle and thread, or even just an adhesive patch. Some people embrace these fixes as a chance to add their own flair and create one-of-a-kind clothing pieces. Want to try it out? Learn more about visible mending.



For anyone just starting out on their repair journey, it can help to start with something more straightforward. Try sewing a button with these visual step-by-step instructions until you feel ready for a more advanced repair. Free in-person machine sewing classes are available through the Lacey Timberland Library in January, February, March, and April. When you’re ready to work on your own, you can reserve the library’s meeting room and borrow one of their sewing machines.

De-icing for Safety 

Baby, it’s cold outside. No really, if the ground is covered in ice, be careful where you step! To avoid any unnecessary slips and trips to the doctor’s office from falling on icy surfaces this winter, consider these simple tricks to remove ice from surfaces.

First and foremost, it is recommended to remove any snow before applying a de-icer. A snow shovel is a great tool for the job since the wider scoop can remove more snow at a time, but a regular shovel will do the trick too. Additionally, avoid wearing shoes that have a smooth, flat bottom, and instead choose shoes that have a tread pattern to increase traction.

After you remove the snow, the remaining ice is ready to be melted with the product of your choice. Rock salt is the quickest way to melt ice, but you have to be careful when using this method because rock salt can significantly damage concrete and can be harmful to plants, pets, and children. If you use rock salt, remove it from the concrete with a shovel or outdoor broom within 30 minutes of application and dispose of it in the trash. Another effective way to melt ice is to make a rubbing alcohol solution. Mix two parts of rubbing alcohol with one part of water in a spray bottle and apply it to icy areas. You can even use this solution to melt ice from your car's windshield without damaging your car’s paint! However, if you use the rubbing alcohol solution often, it is recommended to wash and wax your car regularly to prevent damage to your car’s protective layers. Magnesium chloride is a natural option for melting ice that is safer and pet-friendly. Users of this item find magnesium chloride pellets to be more effective than magnesium chloride flakes.

If you’re looking for alternatives to salt or chemical de-icers, simply sprinkle sand, wood shavings, or sawdust on the desired areas. While these materials won’t melt ice, they provide a gritty surface for better traction, and can be affordable options you may already have at home. These options are also easy to clean up after since the material can be left on the cement to wash away in the rain, or swept into a vegetated area to decompose over time. 

While significantly more expensive, it is worth mentioning that you can invest in snow-melting mats and heated sidewalks if you live in an area that can be greatly impacted by ice in the winter. Snow-melting mats are large rubber mats you lay on the ground, plug into an outlet, and wait an hour or two as they melt ice away. These mats should be stored when not in use, so set space aside to keep them until the following winter. A permanent option for heating your sidewalks and driveways is to install heated coils or hydronic tubes under the concrete. This allows the user to control the temperature of their sidewalks and driveways to prevent ice from accumulating in the first place, but it will require a huge upfront cost and time for the construction project. 

However you choose to care for your pavement this winter season, remember to use caution as you “put one foot in front of the other!”

How do I get rid of the funky smell in my washing machine? 

Over time, dirt, soap scum, and residue can build up in the seals, nooks, and crannies of washing machines. This build up can cause bacteria and mold to grow, which could be the source of the smell. If your machine has a self-clean cycle, run that cycle following the manufacturer’s instructions. Another option to help eliminate the gunk is to follow this simple process:

1. Add two cups of distilled white vinegar into the detergent dispenser and run the cycle on hot.
2. Mix ¼ cup vinegar with a quart of warm water in a bucket. Use this mixture, along with a sponge and toothbrush, to scrub the inside of the machine, soap dispensers, seal (gasket), and the exterior of the machine. Spend extra time cleaning the rubber seal and drain filter, where grime often builds up.
3. Add ½ cup baking soda to the drum and run another cycle on hot.
4. Wipe out the drum with a microfiber cloth and leave the door open to air dry.

While vinegar is a safe product to clean your washing machine, excessive use can damage rubber seals, gaskets, and hoses. Choose distilled vinegar since it has a lower amount of acetic acid. Acetic acid is the main component in vinegar besides water and it helps dissolve dirt, grease, and grime.

To help prevent funky smells in the future, follow these simple tips:

• Choose the correct type of detergent for your specific washing machine, which could be either a high-efficiency or traditional machine – refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. 
• Follow the label directions on how much detergent to add for each load. Using too much detergent can lead to a build-up of residue, which can allow bacteria to grow.
• Wipe down the rubber seal and clear out the drain filter weekly.
• Leave the machine door and detergent drawer open after doing laundry to allow leftover moisture to dry out.
• Routinely (ideally once per month) clean the machine using the self-clean cycle or the simple process outlined above. 

Do you have a question for the Thurston Home and Garden editors or a topic you’d like to learn more about? We’d love to hear from you!

Please contact us at 360-867-2674 or send us an email at healthyhomes@co.thurston.wa.us

Have you ever considered what everyday items are made of and how they came to be? No matter how closely you look, it can sometimes be impossible to tell what an item is made of just by looking at it. A recent study has found alarming levels of flame-retardant chemicals in cooking utensils made from black plastics. So that black plastic spatula you’ve used to make hundreds of meals over the years might need to find a new home in the trash.

This urgent recommendation comes from a recent study by Toxic-Free Future and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Scientists examined common household items made of black plastic like toys, take-out containers, and cooking utensils. They uncovered high amounts of hormone-disrupting, cancer-causing, flame-retardant chemicals in items we use every day; most of which do not need flame retardants to be used safely, leading to unnecessary toxic exposure.

Ironically, this problem comes from a system designed to reduce negative impacts on human and environmental health. Recycling is the process of gathering and reusing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new materials. E-cycling is the process of recycling broken or out-of-date electronics for their valuable materials to be used in new products. This also helps to keep toxic chemicals out of landfills. For example, flame retardants are chemicals added to the black plastic in electronics to prevent them from catching and staying on fire. These chemicals can make their way into new items like toys, take-out containers, and cooking utensils when those items are made with recycled black plastics.

If you choose to toss your black plastic cooking utensils, safer items are available, including those made from wood, stainless steel, and food-grade silicone. Depending on the brand you buy, your alternative cooking utensils might be dishwasher-safe, but handwashing is a great way to lengthen the life of these utensils.

With every new year comes new habits and goals. If one of yours is to switch from black plastic cooking utensils to a safer alternative to improve your health, you'll enjoy your future meals without a side of fire retardant!