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 whether you are a pro or a home project connoisseur learn the safest and fastest coating removal products and techniques here.
We all cherish our beloved pets and prioritize their well-being, don't we? When it comes to selecting products for our homes, it's important to remember that our furry companions are more vulnerable to airborne and surface residue chemicals. Indoor air pollution can significantly affect the health of our pets. Let's explore some of the most prevalent sources of pollution and discover ways to eliminate or reduce their impact
Indoor air pollution poses a significant concern in every modern home. In fact, the air indoors often harbors a mixture of pollutants originating from numerous sources. Since our pets are typically smaller than humans and tend to spend more time indoors, they are especially vulnerable to the health issues that indoor air pollution can trigger. Being conscious of the origins of these contaminants and understanding how to mitigate them is a crucial step toward enhancing indoor air quality and safeguarding your pets' health.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Numerous household items contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), substances that easily evaporate into the air. You can find these compounds in furnishings, solvents, aerosols, cleaning products, air fresheners, adhesives, sealants, pesticides, and dry cleaning chemicals.
In both dogs and cats, VOCs have the potential to induce eye, nasal, and throat irritation, provoke skin reactions, trigger headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. In more serious instances, exposure to VOCs may even lead to organ damage and an increased risk of cancer. Although the likelihood of encountering such severe consequences in a typical, well-maintained household is low, this underscores the hazardous nature of these chemicals.
Safer Options
The most straightforward method for reducing airborne VOC concentrations is to ensure proper and consistent ventilation. When weather conditions permit, open windows to allow fresh air circulation and remain cautious when using cleaning or removal products in your home. Pay special attention to heavy-duty removal products, as they may contain higher levels of VOCs that can be harmful if used without appropriate personal protective equipment. When tackling demanding removal tasks, consider opting for low VOC formulas such as EZ Strip to help minimize VOC emissions. LOW VOC REMOVAL PRODUCTS
The simplest way to lower the concentrations of VOCs in the air
is to ensure good, regular ventilation.
Naturally-occurring microbes
Mold, mildew, bacteria, and dust mites thrive in moist environments, and the airborne spores and waste products they release can pose health risks to both humans and animals.
Molds, mildew, and bacteria exposure can lead to symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, eye or nasal discharge, lethargy, paw licking, loss of appetite, and noisy or labored breathing. In addition, animals can develop allergies to house dust mites, which may manifest as itching, skin issues, and recurrent ear infections.
Safer Options
The most effective approach to maintaining low levels of mold, mildew, and bacteria in your home is to focus on reducing indoor humidity. Consider hanging your laundry outdoors or using a dryer that vents outside. Regularly empty drip trays in dryers and dehumidifiers, and change the water in AC units daily. Be vigilant in checking for pipe leaks or dripping taps.
For visible mold growth, ensure you clean it away promptly. To minimize dust, which is essential for dust mites to thrive, use a vacuum equipped with an HEPA filter. This not only helps reduce dust mites and their waste but also captures other airborne contaminants like pollen, smoke, spores, and soot.
Soft toys and other items that can’t be washed can be placed in a plastic bag in the freezer for 24 to 48 hours to kill dust mites.
Carbon Monoxide
There is also a potential risk of carbon monoxide exposure from appliances that utilize gas, coal, oil, or wood as their fuel source, such as furnaces, generators, fireplaces, wood burners, and motor vehicles that may be operating in nearby garages.
Carbon monoxide poses a severe threat to the health of dogs, cats, and humans alike. It can be fatal when present in high concentrations, but even low-level exposure can result in symptoms such as drowsiness, lethargy, shortness of breath, and even loss of consciousness.
Safer Options
Carbon monoxide is a silent threat to both pets and people, making it crucial to install alarms near furnaces and other heating appliances. Ensure that wood burners are adequately sealed and avoid burning timber that has undergone chemical treatment. It's essential to regularly service and maintain furnaces and heating systems, even if they are new. Additionally, keep chimneys well-swept and flues in good condition, conducting frequent checks for any cracks.
Carbon monoxide is a silent killer of both pets and people, making it crucial to install alarms near furnaces and other heating appliances.
While it's impossible to eliminate all indoor air pollution, taking steps to reduce it to acceptable levels is feasible. Being mindful of the chemicals you introduce into your home, maintaining cleanliness by reducing clutter, and ensuring proper room ventilation are all crucial in ensuring clean air for both you and your pets to breathe.
Trying to reduce costs by tackling your own home improvement projects? A do-it-yourself project can be an empowering way to save money and put your own personal touch on your home, provided you know what you're doing. But making even one simple mistake could put a strain on your back or your bank account. Often, it's best to put safety first by planning ahead, taking extra precautions, or when needed save the job for a professional.
Here are a few types of home improvement projects that are best left to the experts.
1. Plumbing or electrical projects There's a reason these are skilled trades. Both systems are complex, no matter how straightforward a repair may initially appear. Even small leaks can cause serious water damage, and faulty electrical wiring can lead to a house fire. Don't risk flooding or electric shock. Leave these types of improvements to a plumber or an electrician to make sure these jobs are done right the first time.
2. Renovations with possible code violations
Structural changes require a licensed contractor. Not only can shoddy craftsmanship severely affect your home's value, but it can also put your family in danger. Accidentally removing a load-bearing wall, for example, could cause an entire room to collapse. Why take the risk?
3. Repairs involving high heights More than 130,000 ladder-related injuries are treated in emergency rooms each year. Whether you're looking at a roof repair or trimming a tree, consider calling a professional before attempting to complete the job yourself.
Remember, just because a DIY project looks simple doesn't necessarily mean it's safe. When in doubt err on the side of caution, plan ahead, and when needed leave it for a professional.
Want to find a home improvement project that is truly DIY friendly? Try one of these wallet-friendly and easy DIY projects for a new look, added home value, or just the sprucing up you've been looking for.
Here are some types of do it yourself home improvement projects that can be done safely with a little planning and knowledge.
1. Save the popcorn for the movies
What's on your ceiling? Few structural elements date a house more than popcorn ceilings. So dedicate some time to ditching the dated look and adding dollar signs to the value of your home. This is a project you can tackle yourself. EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover is the number one DIY friendly remover for painted drywall textures on our list find it here http://www.ezstrip.ca/buy-ez-strip/ then simply scrape the popcorn away. Removing a popcorn ceiling may not seem like a big change but one of the keys for adding value to your home is to repair, replace or remove anything that could turn buyers away.
Here's a quick how to remove painted textures with EZ Strip!
2. Refinish your flooring
Installing a new hardwood floor can be a big expensive project and require a professional. So refinish existing hardwood for a less time/cost-consuming project. No matter whether you decide to strip or sand your floors refinishing will always be more DIY friendly over replacing! Larger floor sanders can be rented from your local hardware store or if you chose to strip off that old tired finish be sure to use a safe stripper the number one DIY friendly remover on our list is EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Remover find it here http://www.ezstrip.ca/buy-ez-strip/ once your old finish is off pick a new fresh color to give your home a high value upgrade!
Here's a quick how to refinish stairs with EZ Strip!
3.Cleanliness counts
Make the interior of you home shine from the moment someone walks through the door. Sometimes a top-to-bottom scrubbing is all your home really needs to change the look and feel of any room. Even if you clean your home regularly, there are nooks and crannies that you may miss or overlook. Do a room by room scan and tackle tough removal jobs like dried paint drips/permanent marker mistakes/stickers or tape glue residues/and more with safe cleaners that pack a punch, top on our DIY friendly remover list is EZ Strip All Purpose Remover to really make your home sparkle. Find it here http://www.ezstrip.ca/buy-ez-strip/
Here's a quick removal how to with EZ Strip!
4. Paint, paint, paint
One of the simplest, most cost-effective DIY home improvements of all is paint! Freshly painted rooms look clean and updated — and that spells value. When selecting paint colors, the world is your oyster get that fresh new look with a DIY friendly paint project! For a longer lasting paint finish start right by prepping the surface.
Here is a quick how to surface prep for paint with EZ Strip!
Easy DIY fixes can dramatically change the look or value of your home with a lot less cost but always plan ahead to make sure the project you take on is safe and truly DIY friendly! For more DIY friendly removal project ideas visit https://www.ezstrip.ca/how-to-remove/ Thanks for reading!
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency originally banned the ingredient methylene chloride also known as dichloromethane from consumer use products in 2019. You could find this ingredient before the ban in common consumer products like automotive cleaners and paint strippers. These products can be easily bought without any extra measures taken by retailers to ensure their safe use, although they do include warning labels and usage information. This led to multiple consumer use injuries including severe skin burns, loss of consciousness, and in extreme cases even death. Sadly, at least 85 people have died from methylene chloride since 1980.
While the legislation initially focused on consumer use within the United States, other countries such as Canada took a similar approach at the retailer level by refusing to stock products containing methylene chloride on their shelves. This was done in order to safeguard their customers from potential harm.
Unfortunately, workers weren’t protected by the restrictions.
And the vast majority of injuries and deaths could be traced to methylene chloride exposure on the job. Now the EPA is proposing to ban most uses of methylene chloride — still with some on-the-job exceptions, but far fewer. The proposed rule would prohibit methylene chloride in all consumer products and most industrial and commercial uses.
Beyond the health concerns for consumers and workers, we are seeing a growing concern for the environment surrounding methylene chloride as well. Levels of methylene chloride appear to be rapidly increasing in the stratosphere, threatening to delay the return to normal of the ozone layer. The ozone layer has been recovering slowly since the Montreal Protocol (1987) banned CFC gases. In 1987, an international agreement was signed to gradually eliminate CFC gases (used in refrigeration and aerosols), responsible for the famous “hole” in this gaseous layer. CFCs have thus been replaced by HFCs (which, however, help to warm the planet).
Scientists have already expressed concerns about the impact of certain volatile compounds, such as methylene chloride. A recent study aims to assess the harm caused by this product. According to the research, the concentration of methylene chloride in the stratosphere has nearly doubled since 2004. Grant Allen, an atmospheric physicist at the University of Manchester, emphasized the urgency to take immediate action to prevent the release of this chemical into the atmosphere. He stated, "If we wish to preserve the progress made over the past three decades through commendable scientific and political efforts, which undoubtedly have saved numerous lives, we must act now."
Protect as many people as possible
Liz Hitchcock, the director of Safer Chemicals Healthy Families and a member of Toxic-Free Future, has been tirelessly working for years to halt the harmful effects caused by methylene chloride. She enthusiastically welcomed the announcement of the proposed ban as a significant milestone. If implemented, the ban would prohibit the use of methylene chloride in various applications such as commercial and industrial vapor degreasing, adhesive removal, textile finishing products, liquid lubricants, hobby glue, and numerous other uses.
Photo courtesy of Lauren Atkins
Joshua Atkins and his mother, Lauren, at a park in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2011. Joshua Atkins died in 2018 at 31 while refinishing his BMX bike with a product containing methylene chloride.
“Currently, an estimated 845,000 individuals are exposed to methylene chloride in the workplace,” the EPA said in a statement. “Under EPA’s proposal, less than 10,000 workers, protected from unreasonable risk via a required workplace chemical protection program, are expected to continue to use methylene chloride.”
What can you do?
The EPA said it hopes the rule will take effect in August 2024. Federal rules must go through a set process to give the public a chance to influence the final outcome. If an agency receives a “Petition for Rulemaking” from a member of the public, it may decide to announce the petition in the Federal Register and accept public comments on the issue. An agency that is in the preliminary stages of rulemaking may publish an “Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” in the Federal Register to get more information. The Advance Notice is a formal invitation to participate in shaping the proposed rule and starts the notice‐and‐comment process in motion. Anyone interested (individuals and groups) may respond to the Advance Notice by submitting comments aimed at developing and improving the draft proposal or by recommending against issuing a rule.
Methylene chloride can still be found in products on retail shelves as aerosol degreasers and brush cleaners for paints and coatings. Adhesives and sealants sold for commercial purposes use it. And manufacturers tap it to make other chemicals. Making personal purchase decisions to use safer alternatives can keep this chemical out of your home and reduce your impact on the environment. One company that has been manufacturing safer methylene chloride-free paint stripping products for over a decade is EZ Strip. Use your purchase power to reduce harmful chemicals like methylene chloride in your home!
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Keeping your home clean is one of the most important ways to assure healthy indoor air quality. However, the use of some cleaning products and heavy-duty removers may actually increase indoor air pollution. Fortunately, you can take simple steps to reduce or eliminate the production of these pollutants.
Many cleaning supplies or household products can irritate your eyes or throat and even cause headaches along with other health problems. Some products release dangerous chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
What Are VOCs?
VOCs are chemicals that vaporize at room temperature that can enter the body through inhaling. If you have ever cut into a lemon and enjoyed the fresh scent, then you've experienced a natural VOC firsthand! The problem with VOCs is not all are as harmless as a lemon.
Cleaning supplies and household products containing VOCs and other toxic substances can include, but are not limited to:
Aerosol Spray Removal Products
Cleaners or removers that come in pressurized cans release tiny particles at high speed. This makes it easy to apply but also very easily absorbed by your lungs. Some more toxic VOCs found in pressurized glass and floor cleaners are toluene and formaldehyde.
Fragrances
An increasing number of people are reporting allergic reactions to fragrances and scents. Avoid air fresheners or heavily scented products. It's time to change our expectations of what clean smells like. A clean space shouldn't have any smell at all!
Chlorine Bleach
Commonly found in many brand name household products should be used with caution as they can off gas harmful chemicals. Only use in well ventilated areas and never mix bleach or any bleach-containing product with any cleaner containing ammonia. The gases created from this combination can lead to chronic breathing problems and even death.
Oven Cleaners
A common toxic ingredient found in many ‘off the shelf’ oven cleaners is sodium hydroxide. The chemical more commonly known as caustic soda can cause irritation to the eyes and throat, irritate the lungs triggering an asthma attack or cause chronic asthma, and cause severe skin burns.
Furniture Refinishing Products
Furniture refinishing products commonly contain a high VOC percentage and are among the most toxic products used in homes and workshops! The active ingredients in most common refinishing products are organic solvents which may damage the skin, eyes, respiratory tract, nervous system, and internal organs. Special precautions must be taken in their use, especially if there are children present who might come in contact with either the material or its vapors. Use safer alternatives whenever possible.
What Precautions Can I Take When Using Cleaning & Removal Products?
The most crucial step, is always to read the label. There may be specific requirements, chemicals you cannot use alongside, or surfaces which the product may ruin if you do not read the instructions. Make more informed purchase decisions when buying cleaners and removers. Look for products marked low VOC, fragrance or bleach free, choose products devoid of irritants and flammables.
Check the Safety Data Sheet (often available with a quick online search) on any product you plan to use before you buy. Always follow safety recommendations, dispose of them appropriately and use common sense. If you are concerned because you have small children or chemical sensitivities, consider alternative products with tested and proven science to back them up.
Safe Cleaning & Removal Options
Many find making your own cleaners with varying combinations of tried and true old standards like baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar, sea salt, and more are the safest cleaning alternatives. Truly safe removal alternatives are available as well. One of the safest chemicals in removal products proving to be an effective substitute in removers for refinishing and even oven cleaning is dibasic esters. They are non-flammable, water-soluble, low VOC, readily biodegradable, non-corrosive, and have a mild, fruity odor. One company that is utilizing these innovative chemicals with world-patented technology is EZ Strip.
Visit EZstrip.ca today for safe alternatives to heavy-duty removers! Your home's indoor air quality can greatly affect you and your family's health so make informed choices regarding the cleaning and refinishing products you bring into your home. Your family will thank you!
In many cases, you can bring a piece of old furniture back to life with minimal effort. Cleaning, restoring, and refinishing old furniture can greatly increase the value of a piece. Unless of course, the item is a masterpiece of antique furniture or finished with a hand-painted technique!
Sometimes, a once-over cleaning and a little bit of glue to hold the joints together securely will do a world of good before you consider any major changes to the original finish. When a piece has been neglected for decades, it’s tough to tell what it will look like once it’s refinished. To get an idea of what your piece will look like refinished, find a protected spot where the original wood is visible. Make sure that you like the look of the grain and that you understand what color will come out with in the end — old wood often finishes much darker than newly milled wood.
Once you have an idea for the final finished look you want, the possibilities are endless to reinvent, repurpose, and refinish old furniture. An important thing to note with furniture refinishing is when using chemicals, safer options are available and highly recommended. Here are some great refinishing ideas done with DIY-friendly removal options from EZ Strip.
Nothing makes a weekend more enjoyable than adding a great DIY project to make your favorite room pop! Introducing a splash of color or a new design feature can really change the whole feel of a home. If you are in need of some inspiration or are just looking for touch of dimension, take a look at these top 10 DIY paint projects.
01Say Hello to Stencils
If you're ready to make a style statement with your accent wall, consider using a wall stencil to add a bit of depth into your accent wall. A wall stencil DIY project gives you complete control of choosing your favorite design and paint colors with an end result everyone will love! There are many simple DIY paint projects that creates big changes with a little bit of paint. To pull your room's design together, repeat your accent wall pattern with a matching area rug or pillow fabrics.
02 In With the Old, Out With the New
Even the most beautiful old furniture can benefit from a color makeover. If you have a piece of furniture that you love but are seriously wondering if it still fits your style, try this DIY paint update project. The key to a stunning paint makeover is adding a pop of unexpected color. For a hutch or buffet, painted shelves in a bold color are highlighted by a more serious color on the outside. A bookcase can be updated by painting the inside back or interior shelves with a pop of color. For a longer lasting paint job, safely strip existing coating first to ensure you are receiving the best results. You can count on EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper to get the removal job done quickly and efficiently!
03 Just a Splash
Painting over your plain white ceiling is a subtle way to add color to any room. Dining and living rooms are the perfect spots for ceiling color, especially with a trayed ceiling or decorative molding that separates the new paint color from the walls. Though painting your ceiling can be a DIY painting project, make sure you have the right tools and patience to complete your project!
04 Let's Add Some Fun
Dry Erase Paint will give you unlimited color options for a DIY writing and drawing surface in your home. Any kitchen, home office, or studio would be the perfect spot for a colorful dry-erase surface to help you stay organized or be more creative. Turn a piece of furniture, a section of your wall or door, into a colorful dry-erase board with just a few coats of paint.
05 Chalk It Out
Imagine the possibilities for your home when you try a chalkboard paint DIY project. Chalkboard paint can be used on walls, inside cabinet doors, and even on furniture. With the advances in chalkboard paint, you can now get it in most paint colors too!
Your furniture doesn't have to be an heirloom or designer piece to be stylish. Laminate furniture can be transformed with paint. You can paint your laminate furniture in one great color, try a color-block design, or even a pattern.
08 Trendy Accents
Everyone knows that accent walls are one of the easiest ways to transform any room with color. Adding an accent wall is a simple way to add an accent color to a tired color palette, or add a focal point to a room without any architectural features. Any color can be used for your accent wall DIY paint project, but be sure to plan out your color palette first so that you can tie everything together.
09 It's Time for a Makeover!
Most two-story homes have a small bathroom downstairs that was designed for convenience. Though this bathroom may not be used exclusively by guests, there is no reason not to express your dramatic side by creating a stunning powder room.
The fun of decorating this tiny bathroom is that it is the one room in your home that doesn't have to "look bigger." You can choose whatever paint color you like as long as you have the right lighting. Powder rooms are where you can express your style without a thought to the rest of the house. Choose a favorite color, replace a boring mirror with a pretty framed one, and add decorative accents for a simple bathroom makeover.
10 Mix and Match
Throw pillows are the quickest and easiest way to add a pop of color or pattern to any room. More than an afterthought, throw pillows are the finishing touch when you decorate a room. If you want to totally customize your space, try the throw pillow stencil designs from paintapillow.com. With their unique system, choice of modern and romantic designs, and fabric paint color selection, you can create a completely customized style at home.
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Spring is here and we're all feeling the itch to wipe away the winter dust so to speak. But we all have those tougher clean-up tasks we've been putting on hold. Here are some of the top tough cleaning tasks with some tips to help get the job done this Spring.
1 Oven Cleaning
Oven cleaning falls into the out of sight out of mind category sometimes. Keep in mind a dirty oven can transfer unpleasant odors and flavors to your food so not the best task to put off. If you have a self-cleaning oven, it is perfectly acceptable to use it if the oven is only slightly dirty. After around two hours, you are left with white ash in the bottom of the oven that you must clean away once the oven unlocks and is cool.
If your oven is very dirty with baked-on food, the self-cleaning feature will not work well. Too much grease and food residue can smoke and even catch fire. You should never leave home with the self-cleaning function engaged. The best way to clean an oven for you will depend on the kind of ingredients you'd like to use, and how dirty your oven is to start. Commercial oven cleaners can be quite harsh. Here is our recommendation for a safe removal option: EZ Strip All Purpose Remover.
2 Re-Paint the Front Door
If you were to ask any paint manufacturer, "is painting best done when the weather is mild outside, typically above 10°C and not too humid?" They would say "YES!" If your front door has seen better days, it might be a good time to give it a fresh coat of paint. For best results, remove the door from the hinges and remove all of its hardware. Give it a good cleaning to allow the paint to adhere properly, and scrape off any buildups of paint or areas where the old paint is chipping off. For multiple thick/damaged paint layers, try a DIY-friendly paint stripper to give your door a long-lasting paint job.
Please note that traditional paint strippers can be very toxic and require special protective equipment. Our recommendation is EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper. If your home was built before 1979, check the paint for lead before you scrape or sand. For more information, go to health-canada/lead-based-paint
3 Tune-Up Outdoor Gas Grills
No matter what your recipe is, the best burgers are cooked on a clean, well-maintained grill. Before cookout season kicks off, give your grill a once-over. Look for food drippings and grease buildup on the exterior grill. Scrub these spots clean with warm soapy water to avoid attracting pests. Clean the grates and interior thoroughly to remove any drippings and grease. A shop vacuum can work great to remove burnt food from the bottom interior of the BBQ. For very dirty BBQ grates, soak them in EZ Strip All Purpose Remover before scrubbing with warm water. Finally, clean the drip pan thoroughly with warm, soapy water.
4 Community Graffiti Removal
You've been looking at the same ugly graffiti every day in your community on your commute to work and it's finally warm enough to do something about it. Leaving graffiti can encourage more property damage. Removing it quickly it can discourage repeat offenders. Getting a few neighbors together for a walk around the neighborhood to clean up graffiti can go a long way. Improve curb/community appeal even increase property values. Some graffiti removers can be very smelly and even cause mild skin burns when used without protective gloves.
Is your outdoor wood furniture starting to splinter, fade, or peeling paint? Then it’s time to get those repairs in before the summertime fun begins! If it is not properly treated for water damage prevention, the project will just be more work later. For damaged water sealants or peeling paint, always strip off the damaged coating. This will ensure you are getting the proper coating adhesion to protect your wood from water, weather, pests, and wood rot. It also protects you and your family from splinters ouch! For safe DIY furniture refinishing, we recommend EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper.
As the weather starts to warm up, we get more and more distracted with Summer fun! Take this perfect opportunity to clean up winter messes and the tough projects you've been putting off. Save Summer for fun in the sun and use this time to get these Spring clean up projects done before it’s too hot!
If you haven't heard about the most effectively advanced environmentally-friendly removal technologies provided by EZ Strip®, here's the quick rundown.
Company Mission
EZ Strip’s mission is to provide safe alternatives to hazardous solvents used for stripping, cleaning, and surface preparation using the most advanced, patented, water-based technology. We are also interested in educating consumers, trade and industry about hazardous solvents, and how to use safer, effective alternatives.
Company Background
EZ Strip® has been involved in the industrial paint stripping business since 1972. Up until 1998, the main paint strippers and cleaners on the market were extremely toxic, carcinogenic, and hazardous for consumer health. This made Do-It-Yourself and even Professional projects difficult to do without exposing yourself to harmful fumes and toxins. In 1998, Eco Solutions, our UK parent company which had prior to this time used common hazardous stripping chemicals developed a safe alternative formula for industrial paint stripping. EZ Strip® has brought this innovative formula to North America and will continue to provide safe and effective alternatives to hazardous stripping chemicals and meet the needs of North Americans everywhere.
Removal Products
EZ Strip's product line was developed to meet all our customer's removal needs with effective environmentally friendly options. Here are EZ Strip's most popular removal products. For the full product line list and where to buy links visit EZstripProducts
EZ Strip® All Purpose Remover
The All-In-One tough remover you need for cleaning paint mess, glue & tape residues, stickers, baked-on grease, garage grease, graffiti, decals, gum, tree sap, and much more! EZ Strip® has developed an effective easy to use remover that cleans up with just water, is gentle on skin, and has no harsh fumes.
EZ Strip® Paint & Varnish Stripper
The ultimate safe paint stripper developed with water-based removal technology. Strip all kinds of paint, varnish, lacquer, water and grout sealant, floor wax, and much more effectively from various surfaces. EZ Strip's Paint & Varnish Stripper easy to use removal formula clings to vertical surfaces and cleans up with just water. This low VOC formula is gentle on skin, and has no harsh fumes.
EZ Strip® Popcorn Ceiling Remover
Painted popcorn ceiling texture removal is now DIY-friendly with our dust free removal formula. EZ Strip® Popcorn Ceiling Remover is specifically designed to remove painted drywall textures made with drywall mud. This includes most drywall textures like popcorn, swirl, stomp, orange peel, acoustic ceilings, etc. This removal formula is tinted blue and clings 100% to surfaces for easy application. EZ Strip® cleans up with just water, is gentle on skin, and has no harsh fumes.
EZ Strip® Graffiti Remover
Finally, a graffiti removal option that is safe to use in public spaces! Remove most types of spray paint, permanent markers & ink, decals & stickers, crayons, gum and just tough sticky stuff! Our advanced patented formula can be used effectively on most surfaces. Get the dirty removal jobs done safely. EZ Strip® Graffiti Remover is an easy-to-use convenient no-drip spray gel with a plant safe formula that cleans up with just water. Gentle on skin with no harsh fumes!
EZ Strip® Adhesive & Glue Remover
Need a glue remover that is effective AND safe to use? EZ Strip® Adhesive & Glue Remover gets the tough removal jobs done and unlike other glue removers has a low VOC skin-safe formula that cleans up with just water! Remove most types of contractor grade adhesive & glue residues, decals & stickers, tape residues, liquid nail, tree sap, gum, and much more.
The Truly Safer Removal Option
EZ Strip’s advanced water-based technology surpasses our competition with professional performance and low environmental impact. Our removal formulas are water-soluble and biodegradable. We are committed to sourcing components from local suppliers
EZ Strip® delivers leading world-patented technology designed to target the molecular bond between the coating and the surface. This process allows EZ Strip® to effectively remove most coatings from surfaces with no chemical reaction causing harmful fumes to be released from the coating during the removal process. Our easy-to-use, convenient no-drip gel tackles even the toughest stripping tasks. Unlike traditional strippers, EZ Strip® is the safer option for indoor and outdoor use around children, pets and plants!
THANK YOU FOR READING!
Learn more about EZ Strip® and where to buy here EZstrip.ca. If you would like to read more blog posts like this be sure to subscribe to our blog at EZstripBlog.
The demand for environmentally-friendly products is at an all-time high. This is not only in the building market but in the clothing and food industries as well. As the world wakes up to the lasting value and joy of using healthy building materials, we fully expect this trend to continue for a long time to come. But with this new demand, companies create buzzwords and claims that crashed over the retail market with a wave of greenwashing to stay competitive. We hear terms like "we're green", "Eco-friendly", "green certified", "environmentally friendly", and "green products" all the time these days. So what exactly is greenwashing and how can you navigate this sea of green products hitting the shelves? Here's some helpful info you can take to the bank!
Greenwashing: "Disinformation disseminated by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible public image."
Seven Signs of Greenwashing
The Hidden Trade-off: A claim suggesting that a product is ‘green’ based on a narrow set of attributes without attention to other important environmental issues. Paper, for example, is not necessarily environmentally-preferable just because it comes from a sustainably-harvested forest. Consider the other important environmental issues in the paper-making process, such as greenhouse gas emissions, or chlorine use in bleaching may be equally important.
No-Proof: An environmental claim that cannot be substantiated by easily accessible supporting information or by a reliable third-party certification. A common example is products that claim various percentages of post-consumer recycled content without providing evidence.
Vagueness: A claim that is so poorly defined or broad that its real meaning is likely to be misunderstood by the consumer. ‘All-natural’ is an example. Arsenic, uranium, mercury, and formaldehyde are all naturally occurring, and poisonous. ‘All natural’ isn’t necessarily ‘green’.
False Labels: A product that, through either words or images, gives the impression of third-party endorsement where no such endorsement exists; fake labels, in other words.
Irrelevance: An environmental claim that may be truthful but is unimportant or unhelpful for consumers seeking environmentally preferable products. ‘CFC-free’ is a common example, since it is a frequent claim despite the fact that CFCs are banned by law.
Lesser of Two Evils: A claim that may be true within the product category, but that risks distracting the consumer from the greater environmental impacts of the category as a whole. Organic cigarettes could be an example of this, as might the fuel-efficient sport-utility vehicle.
Fibbing: Environmental claims that are simply false. The most common example is products falsely claiming to be Energy Star certified or registered.
So now that you know the top greenwashing tactics used how do we find the truly green products you need? Here are the top 4 questions to ask before you make your purchase. If you can't find and these answers on your product's supplier website, then they might not be as green as you think.
What am I buying?
When it comes to buying heavy-duty items like building materials, stripping and cleaning chemicals, or automotive care products, a little more consideration into what you're buying goes a long way. Look for safety data sheets or SDS info on these types of products and find out what health and environmental impacts these products really pose. Will it create pollution when used or discarded?
Where is it made?
Supporting local companies has many benefits including strengthening the local economy and reducing environmental impact. Local businesses recirculate a greater share of every dollar in the local economy, as they create locally owned supply chains and invest in their employees. These businesses often make more local purchases for their products too, requiring less transportation and outsourcing. They typically consume less land, locate closer to residents and create less traffic and air pollution. All of this leads to less congestion, less habitat loss and less negative impact on the environment.
How is it made?
Take the logistics and production process into consideration. For example, you may purchase a green product made out of recycled goods. However, if that product was made with environmentally harmful methods, it make not be as green and sustainable as you may think. Truly green products are manufactured using toxic-free ingredients and environmentally-friendly procedures and are certified by recognized organizations like Energy star, Forest Stewardship Council, etc.
How is it packaged?
Some products are eco-friendly from one perspective but not from another. For example, they may be made of recycled materials but include lots of unnecessary or non-recyclable packaging. Green packaging typically is locally sourced and made from recyclable materials. It reduces your carbon footprint and environmental impact.
When we make the effort to identify and support companies producing truly green products, it fosters a retail market with continuous improvement towards consumer and environmental health. Sustainability and environmental improvements are a collaborative efforts. Your purchase choices can make a real difference. By supporting companies implementing changes for the better, you will have a smaller carbon footprint and help reduce the number of toxins released into the environment. Future generations ultimately benefit from improved air and water quality, and fewer landfills.
EZ Strip is one such company that makes product transparency a priority. They provide truly environmentally friendly paint removal products, share SDS info, and break down how their company and products are safer for consumer health and the environment. Visit EZstrip.ca today and get truly green removal products that you can count on.
