Consumer Chemical Comprehension - Make Safe Choices with Purchase Power!

In today's market consumers are bombarded with choices, there is just so many products to choose from! When trying to make decisions on what is the best or safest product for their family things can get confusing. As a marketing manager for a safer choice paint remover company I know all too well the challenges consumers face at the store! Here are a few tips to help you make some informed purchase decisions before you get to the check out line.

Research Your Options
I know no one has the time to research everything on the shopping list but some products do deserve a little extra consideration before they find their way into your home. For example cleaning and removal products, bonding agents like glues and adhesives, or products for personal hygiene and cosmetics. Taking a little more time at home to find the right brand will save you time in a hectic store during the holidays. Tip: no in store staff will know more about a product you want to buy than the company that produces it! Company websites have oodles of info on their products and where to buy them to help you make the right decision before you even step out the door.

Know What Is In Your Products
Today's ingredient lists can be confusing and often it seems like you need to be a chemical engineer to understand the health risks for any particular product. My number 1 go to method for product safety is reading the MSDS or SDS info sheet commonly found on your products company website. Material Safety Data Sheets will list any chemicals in a product that could pose a health concern and break down how those chemicals can effect your health and the environment. They also have a very useful first aid info section if you ever have an accident!

Reading Product Labels and Avoid Green Washing   
Product labels are your last research point before the item goes in the cart. Companies have become increasingly more clever with their label designs to get you to buy. A few things to keep an eye out for are false claims, labels will often show what appears to be a green certification mark but it turns out to be a cleverly designed logo with no legitimate safer option claim. Clever color schemes and product names can also be misleading. Labels with green colors or even have the word green in the name can give you a false sense of safety when in fact the product contains chemicals known to cause harm to human health.

At the end of the day a little extra research can go a long way to keeping harmful products out of your home! Be skeptical of label claims and always use products as directed. Directions are there so you get the best and safest outcome possible. Purchase your house hold products with confidence know what your buying and how to use it right! Remember the products we see on the shelf are there based on supply and demand the more we buy safer products the better our options will become. That is how you control the market and make safer choices with purchase power!    

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EZ Strip Social Media Mania!

EZ Strip is Getting Social 

& We Want You to Join the Fun! 

It's time to Facebook the music! Tweet to your hearts content! Put a Pinterest in your plans! Google your way to the top! Get Linked Into the social world with just YouTube & EZ Strip! OK funny puns aside EZ Strip is taking social media by storm and we want to connect with you. Get the best links to videos, articles, pictures, and more with EZ Strip!

  
  


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Paint Stripper Basics

Whether it's removing paint from baseboards and trim, or removing the varnish from furniture, EZ Strip can help you do the job! Removing paint from doors, baseboards and trim, or removing the varnish from a vintage piece of furniture, chances are you'll need to use some chemical strippers to do the job. There are numerous products for these types of jobs available in the paint department of your home center.

• Check the label carefully, and make sure that you're purchasing a stripper that's right for your job! Most strippers are specifically formulated for either paints, stains, varnishes, epoxy and other finishes, and they are not interchangeable. Some are suitable for wood surfaces, while others are designed for metal, masonry, etc.  
• EZ Strip products are formulated to strip a wide variety of finishes safely from most surfaces so you know your getting the right product for your project every time! 
• Thicker stripping solutions are recommended for ease of use. They tend to stick better on vertical surfaces, and make detail work easier. They also evaporate slower than liquid strippers giving you more bang for your buck.
• EZ Strip strippers have a no drip gel solution for easy application that clings to the surface you're stripping. The gel also has a wet working system so it keeps working longer than other chemical strippers.  

 Tip: Whether you're stripping paint or varnish, use inexpensive paintbrushes. Since the stripper is simply applied and removed, it's not critical that it's applied smoothly.

Tip: Before you start your job, pour a portion of the stripper into a glass jar. Use that portion for dipping your brush. If you need more, simply add more stripper from the original container into the jar. In that way, you won't be contaminating all of the stripper by dipping your brush repeatedly into the original container.

• If you're stripping a piece of furniture, work from the top down as you apply the stripper. That method makes it easier to cover all of the surfaces uniformly.
  
• For flat surfaces such as cabinet doors, remove and lay the pieces flat if possible. This makes it easier to apply an even coat and to remove the stripper once the chemical has done its work.
•  For stubborn paint or varnish finishes it also helps to lay sheets of plastic wrap over the wet stripper. This prevents stripper from drying out allowing for longer set times, let the stripper do the work for you.

Tip: Use a plastic putty-knife for scraping away the stripper and softened paint or varnish from wood. Try to select one that won't damage the surface of wood, and use caution as you scrape. Always scrape with the wood grain.

• Finally, be patient. Stripping finishes can be tedious and time-consuming, particularly for intricate pieces and detail work. Being patient and methodical pays off.

Always keep in mind most chemical strippers have very toxic fumes and can be absorbed by the skin, cause extreme burns, and make you very sick! Always know what your working with, check labeling for health concerns, and read the MSDS/SDS product information sheets (available online) for protective safety equipment required for the product you want to use. EZ Strip has formulated their removal strippers and cleaners to be skin safe and free of toxic fumes because they care about your health and safety. Be sure to pick a safe and effective stripper for your next removal project to ensure a pleasant and successful experience! 

Recap

• Choose the correct type of stripper for your project.
  
• Wear safety glasses and gloves as a minimum - know what your using!
  
• Be patient let the stripper do the work for you

To learn more about EZ Strip visit EZstrip.ca

Get it at your local Home Depot or online today!

Methylene Chloride: How Many Deaths Does It Take?

   

  
      Most consumers don't realize just how dangerous methylene chloride really is because the warning labels don't mention what could happen if the fumes are inhaled. Dichloromethane-DCM or methylene chloride is a colorless, volatile liquid with a somewhat sweet-smelling aroma. It is most commonly used as a solvent in paint strippers and degreasers. The labels on products widely sold over-the-counter in hardware stores, home improvement stores and online do have warnings. They most often warn of DCM being a known carcinogen and warn of not getting the product on the skin. Some even mention using DCM in a well-ventilated area. But they don't say anything about the possibility of death from breathing the vapors!
     Fourteen deaths in the U.S. have been linked to methylene chloride exposure since 2000 many of which involved the use of the chemical in paint strippers. There are over 50 documented accidental exposure deaths linked to methylene chloride since 1980. 
     The EPA says it does intend to take action. It is working on a rule expected to be proposed early next year that could stiffen warning labels on paint strippers containing the chemical, add certain restrictions, or ban the products completely for consumer use. So what can consumers do to protect themselves and their family from products containing methylene chloride? Don't use them, buy them, or recommend them! There are safe and effective alternatives when it comes to paint stripping that don't break the bank, pose any health threats to you or your family, and work effectively to get the job done!
     EZ Strip has world patented water based technology that breaks the bond between paints and substrate without a chemical reaction that could release toxic fumes into the air. The skin safe fume free paint and coating removal formulas are taking Home Depot Stores and online by storm and looking to expand further soon! Visit the EZ Strip website today and see what safer removal products can do for you. EZstrip.ca

     For the full article of info provided above follow this link Link: why-is-deadly-methylene-chloride-still-being-sold-in-us/article/444455 For more info on the documented deaths link to methylene chloride by consumers and workers check out the links below.

Common solvent keeps killing workers, consumers Link: solvent-keeps-killing

Key findings from our solvents investigation Link: key-findings-our-solvents-investigation 

Massachusetts worker death Link: massachusetts-worker-death

Breathing Death Link: methylene_chloride_is_a_deadly_chemical_found_in_paint_thinners

Thanks for reading! EZ Strip blog is the hub for information on safe alternatives to chemical stripping and other hazardous methods for paint and coating removal. Lets get the facts straight if you want to read more blog posts from EZ Strip follow this link and don't forget to subscribe! EZ Strip Blog

 

Lead Paint Removal: What Home Owners Need To Know

     Before the 1970s, household paint often contained lead. As lead paint ages, it can chip or crumble into dust. Exposure to lead-paint dust or chips can cause serious health problems. Children and pregnant women are at higher risk. So, if you live in or own an older home, you need to know how to protect yourself and others.
     There are many ways to reduce the hazards of lead-based paint — but SOME METHODS OF REMOVING PAINT ACTUALLY INCREASE THE RISK OF LEAD EXPOSURE. It's important to pick the safest method for your project; the goal is to reduce the hazards while creating as little lead dust as possible.
     You should consider hiring a professional contractor with experience in working safely with lead removal. Whether you're going to do the job yourself or hire somebody, it's YOUR responsibility to see that the job is done safely. BE CAREFUL! During the work, you might stir up dust or create fumes containing lead. This can be very dangerous for adults, children and pets. Always use a method that creates the least amount of dust and fumes.
     Dry scraping, sanding, chemically reacting strippers, and high heat removal techniques are all examples of dangerous removal methods when working with lead paint. First step is to test your damaged paint for lead. You can buy lead test kits at your local hardware store. Tip: Test the top and bottom coat of paint for lead as there may not be lead in all paint layers/samples tested. Second step plan, plan, and plan some more especially if you're taking on this project yourself EZ Strip can help!
     EZ Strip Professional Strength Paint & Varnish Stripper is a water based paint stripper that penetrates coatings and lifts from the surface without chemical reactions that can release toxic fumes into the air. EZ Strip also encapsulates the paint and keeps it wet for dust free removal. All EZ Strip products are skin safe, fume free, biodegradable, and 100% water soluble for safe paint removal.  

For more info on EZ Strip products and where to buy visit http://www.ezstrip.ca/

For more great tips on how to safely remove damaged lead paint from your home follow this link from the New York State Department of Health https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2502/


     

Restore & Reuse Dirty Dried Out Paint Brushes!

Clean your dirty dried (hard as a rock) paint brushes without toxic chemicals! EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper is a tough not toxic water based solution for paint removal and clean up. See how to restore your brushes no matter if your painting the house or an artistic master piece EZ Strip can help!

Our Eco-friendly formulas are gentle on skin and completely free of toxic fumes.EZ Strip’s advanced water based technology surpasses our competition with professional performance and low environmental impact. Our formula is 100% water soluble and bio degradable. All components of our products are sustainably resourced and manufactured with local ingredients.

Visit The EZ Strip Website Today!

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Safe DIY Furniture Refinishing For All? Yes!

DIY furniture refinishing can be a fun home project but also can pose a lot of hazards depending on the product you choose to use. Chemical strippers are commonly very toxic and require extensive protective equipment and outdoor use to be used safely. EZ Strip products provide the game changer when it comes to safety! All EZ Strip formulas are fume free and skin safe so you can enjoy the hands on projects without the mask, gloves, and outdoor elements. EZ Strip is also high performance proven to give you the results you need for success with your refinishing! Watch EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper in action for some great how to tips and refinish options.

 

 

For more information on EZ Strip products and where to buy visit our website!

EZstrip.ca

Or visit your local Home Depot store today!

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Spring Has Sprung!

It's that time of year when we roll up our sleeves and tackle the tough jobs we thought about all winter. From getting the garden ready to scrubbing the patio furniture and the one I always leave to last minute is cleaning the BBQ. Cleaning the BBQ can be a real pain but now EZ Strip has the solution so you can get the deep clean you want without all the hassle! Make your BBQ look new again with EZ Strip All Purpose Remover. EZ Strip products are fume free, skin safe, and give you the professional performance you need to get the dirty jobs done. See EZ Strip in action for yourself and hurry Spring is almost over!

Buy EZ Strip All Purpose Remover from your local Home Depot Store today or visit our website for online purchase options, other products, and great project ideas at http://www.ezstrip.ca/

Spring cleaning season is almost over get caught up with EZ Strip products from Home Depot today!

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Know The Risk: Paint Stripping Hazards & Safer Solutions

      Paint strippers contain chemicals that loosen paint and other various finishes from surfaces. These chemicals can harm you if not used properly. Some paint stripping chemicals can irritate the skin and eyes, or cause headaches, drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, or loss of coordination. Some may cause cancer, reproductive problems, or damage of the liver, kidney, or brain. Others catch fire easily. Paint strippers contain different chemicals, and the potential hazards are different for various products. Each product has specific safety precautions (see the section below on paint stripper types).

      EZ Strip is proud to use only the preferred Dibasic esters as the active ingredients in our products. Dibasic esters or DBEs are the safest of the preferred chemicals used for paint removal. DBEs are readily biodegradable, have low odor, and extremely low VOC rating. Not only are they the safest but also the most effective when it comes to safe paint removal. EZ Strip products also offer the bonus of wet working formulas eliminating dust hazards! Visit the EZ Strip website today and find the right removal product for you! http://www.ezstrip.ca/
 

Find out more about these great products from EZ Strip!

EZ Strip Professional Strength Paint & Varnish Stripper:
Strip all kinds of paint, varnish, and wax finishes safely from most surfaces with no fumes or burn hazards. EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper is effective and safe to use indoors!

EZ Strip Professional Strength Textured Coating Remover:
Remove damaged and outdated popcorn/stipple ceiling with no dust hazards and convenient to use no drip gel formula. EZ Strip Textured Coating Remover is an innovative new product making DIY popcorn ceiling removal possible/affordable!

EZ Strip All Purpose Remover:  
Clean up paint splatter, tree sap, graffiti, automotive grease to baked on kitchen grease, glue, adhesives, and just tough sticky stuff! EZ Strip All Purpose Remover cleans just about everything from just about anything yet its gentile on your skin and Eco-friendly!     

Buy EZ Strip products at your local Home Depot store or visit our website http://www.ezstrip.ca/ for online purchase options today.