U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service: The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives
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Environmental Sustainability

LATEST GREEN TIP

06-04-2013
Did you know? It's easy to make homemade cleaning products. Instead of using harsh chemical or petroleum based cleaners this year, use the recipes below for homemade cleaners using natural ingredients: All-purpose cleaner - Equal parts vinegar and water and a few drops of lemon juice. Put into a spray bottle and use for almost all of your cleaning. Carpet deodorizer- For general cleaning on light colored rugs, sprinkle baking soda before you vacuum. For stains, mix equal parts borax or baking soda, salt, and white vinegar. Apply the paste to the stain and let dry, then vacuum. Toilet - Mix a quarter of a cup of baking soda with one cup of vinegar. Pour the liquid into the basin and let sit for a few minutes. Scrub and flush. Moldy grout remover -Mix a half a cup of hydrogen peroxide with one cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray it on the moldy area. Let it sit for 1 hour and rinse. If you're short on time or ingredients, look for less-toxic more environmentally-friendly cleaning products that have received the Green Seal Certification.Zoom In
Homemade Cleaning Products
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. Inherently tied to this mission is our obligation to promote healthy American Indian and Alaska Native communities and our responsibility to ensure the well-being of the environment we work in, both indoors and outdoors.

To address this need for healthy and sustainable practices, IHS strives to not only meet all federal requirements but also to be forward-acting on all environmental efforts.

To minimize our impact on the environment, IHS staff, contractors, and suppliers try to ensure that environmental considerations are introduced at the earliest stages possible when planning and implementing agency operations. This website provides information on what IHS is doing as an agency, and what you as an individual can do for sustainability. In addition, it provides resources, trainings, and events to help further inform everyone about sustainability.

Congratulations to the IHS 2012 Green Champions!

NEW Check out the brand new IHS 2012 Sustainability Annual Progress Report [PDF - 1.6MB]

New IHS environmental directive: Indian Health Manual, Chapter 13 - "Environmental Compliance, Stewardship, and Sustainability"

Want to know more about sustainability and IHS initiatives? Sign up here to receive notices.

See upcoming events at IHS on the Event Calendar and sign-up for IHS trainings at the Training Center

Explore a Sustainability Topic