DON’T EVEN BUY IT, USE SAFE ALTERNATIVES

KEY TO HOUSEHOLD HAZARDS AND ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS

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Product

Alternatives

general purpose cleaner

¼ c. borax, ¼ c. white vinegar, 2 gallons hot water.  Stir to dissolve.  Use mop or sponge to clean.  Alternative products – Murphy’s Oil Soap or Citra-Solv.

scouring powder

1 c. baking soda mixed with ¼ c. borax.  Dampen sponge and scoop up mixture.  Rub on surface.  Let “rest” then rinse well.  Alternative product – Bon Ami.

metal cleaners

A dab of white toothpaste with water to make paste.  Rub on metal with damp sponge.  Rinse in hot water and buff dry with soft cloth.

furniture polish

Mix ½ tsp. olive oil with ¼ c. white vinegar or lemon juice in bowl.  Dab soft rag into solution and dust, polish, shine wood furniture.

rug cleaner

Sprinkle baking soda on rug then vacuum.  Use club soda on stains.  Alternative product – Heavenly Horsetail All Purpose Cleaner for steam cleaning.

spot remover

Clean spill quickly.  Use club soda for fruit juice, tea, gravy, ketchup, mud.  Cold water immediately for blood.  Lemon juice for ink, perspiration.  Beaten egg whites for leather.

toilet bowl cleaner

2-3 Tblsp.s cream of tartar sprinkled on area.  Scrub & rinse.  Or 1 c. borax & ¼ c. vinegar or lemon juice poured into bowl.  Let rest for a few hours, then scrub with brush.  Flush.

oven cleaner

Sprinkle salt on spills while still warm.  Scrub.  Or mix 1 c. baking soda & 1 Tblsp. salt with water to make a paste.  Spread evenly over oven.  Wait overnight.  Soak steel wool in water and scrub.  Alternative product – Citra-Solv.

disinfectant and mold inhibitor

Place 1 tsp. borax and 3 Tblsp.s white vinegar in spray bottle.  Dissolve borax by pouring 2 c. hot water over it.  Shake. Spray onto mold-growing areas.  Leave without rinsing.  Vinegar will evaporate.

window cleaner

Use 1/8 c. white vinegar in 1 cup warm water.  Use spray bottle.  Dry with newspaper.

drain opener

Use plunger or snake.  Put ½ c. baking soda followed by ½ c. white vinegar or lemon juice down drain.  Flush 15 minutes later with hot water.  Or prevent clogs by pouring boiling water directly down drain weekly.

air freshener

Place vanilla in an open dish.  Use potpourri.  Clean source of odor with baking soda.

smoke detector

Buy non-radioactive smoke detectors.

GARAGE

Product

Alternatives

oil-based paints

Use less toxic latex paint.  Or use solvent-free paint when possible.

paint thinner

Let paint particles settle, then pour off clear liquid & reuse.

paint stripper

Look for less toxic paint removers such as Citristrip.  Sand and scrape paint.

varnishes and stains

Look for less toxic water-based alternatives.  Or use pure tung oil combined with pure linseed oil.  Use shellac.

antifreeze

Use less toxic propylene glycol-based antifreeze

household batteries

Buy rechargeable batteries and charger or use solar powered substitutes

Garden

Product

Alternatives

bug sprays/insecticides

For gardens use companion planting.  Plant disease-resistant seed

weed killer

Pull weds.  Mulch garden.  Use intensive gardening techniques.  Maintain a healthy lawn by adjusting the pH to 6.5, mowing high with a sharp blade, and watering deeply when the soil is too dry.

flea killer

Use a flea comb.  Vacuum often.  Wash pet’s bedding.  Give pet brewers yeast, garlic tablets or vitamin B as preventative measures.

moth balls

Use cedar chips or dried lavender sachets

insect repellant

Do not wear scented products outdoors.  Burn citronella candles, punk or incense.

chemical fertilizers

Use compost, blood or fish meal, wood ashes.  Plant cover crop in winter such as annual rye.