Non-Toxic Alternatives

Cleaning Products

Product Hazardous Properties Alternative Recipe
Drain Cleaner Causes burns, toxic 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar. Let stand for 15 minutes, let pour a tea kettle of boiling water down the drain. Repeat if necessary. Periodic use will drain running freely. Seriously clogged drains may require a mechanic plumber snake.
Cleanser Causes burns, irritant, toxic Straight vinegar, vinegar and salt, or a paste of baking soda and water are all effective grease cutters. Borax* sprinkled on a sponge or lemon wedge removes spots.
Aluminum Pan Cleaner   After removing as much substance at possible, fill pan with 1 quart of water and 2 Tbsp. cream of tartar. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Rinse well.
Window Cleaner Toxic Equal amounts of vinegar and water, mixed in a spray bottle. Apply with a soft cloth and dry with a squeegee or newspaper. A solution of 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol in 1 quart of water will remove hairspray residue.
Furniture Polish Flammable, toxic Olive oil or almond oil for all wood surfaces. Apply with a soft cloth, rub in, let stand for several hours, then polish with a soft, dry cloth to remove any residue.
Wood Floor Cleaner Flammable, toxic Castile soap or vegetable oil-based soap (like Murphy's oil soap). Vinegar and water. Follow package instructions.
Multi-Purpose Cleaner Causes burns, oxidizer 1 tsp. peppermint castile soap, 1 tsp. Borax*, and a squeeze of lemon in 1 quart of water. Vinegar, salt and water for surfaces. Baking soda and water for the bathroom.
Oven Cleaner Causes burns, toxic Mix 2 Tbsp. of castile soap and 2 tsp. Borax* in 2 cups of water. Apply and let sit for 20 minutes. Remove with a copper scrubber or green scouring pad. If the food is really baked on, follow up with a non-chlorine cleanser (Bon Ami) or a baking soda, salt, and water paste for added abrasion.
Bleach Cleaner Causes burns, oxidizer Use powdered, not liquid, bleach.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner Irritant, causes burns, toxic Sprinkle baking soda in the toilet, and then scrub with a toilet bowl brush. For a badly stained toilet, make a paste of lemon juice and Borax*, apply, and let sit for 20 minutes before scrubbing. To remove water line marks, pour in 2 cups of white vinegar and let stand overnight.
Tub and Tile Cleaner Causes burns, oxidizer Sprinkle baking soda on a sponge or green scouring pad. Add vinegar to remove rings or soap scum.
Shampoo; Rug, Carpet, Upholsteries Irritant, causes burns, toxic Mix 1/4 cup liquid dishwasher detergent with 1 cup of warm water in a large bowl and beat to dry sudsy foam. Apply and scrub vigorously with a scrub brush. Let dry and vacuum. Dry cornstarch sprinkled on rug and vacuum.  
Silver Cleaner Causes burns, toxic Line the bottom of a glass container with a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side up. Add 1 Tbsp. of baking soda, 1 Tbsp. of salt and enough boiling water to cover your silver pieces. Wait a few seconds, then remove, rinse and dry silver. Tarnish is left on foil.

 

Odor Control

Product Hazardous Properties Alternative Recipe
Sinks and Garbage Disposals   Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain with running water. Put orange or lemon halves or peels down the disposal with running water and turn it on.  
Air Fresheners   Simmer whole spices such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice. Hang an orange or apple studded with cloves in small spaces. Herbal potpourri in bowls.
Cooking Odors   Place white vinegar in a shallow bowl or saturate a paper towel with vanilla extract
Odor Control   Baking soda in the refrigerator, freezer, cat box, bottom of garbage can and sprinkled on rugs. Matches and candles.  

 

Pesticides and Herbicides

Product Hazardous Properties Alternative Recipe
Fungicides Toxic  Do not over-water plants. Keep areas clean and dry.
House Plant Insecticide Toxic Spray with solution of 1 Tbsp. dish soap in 1/2 gallon water. Used dishwater works also.
Garden Insecticides Toxic Insecticide soap, import predators such as ladybugs and ground beetles.
Rat and Mousse Poison  Toxic Live traps; remove food supply, chopped bay leaves, cucumber skins.
Ant and Roach Killer Toxic For roaches, use traps or baking soda mixed with powdered sugar. For ants, use red chili pepper. Caulk and seal cracks to keep pests out. Wipe out cupboards to remove food sources.
Flies   Use flyswatter and fly strips. Use screens, protective clothing, creams and lotions.
Mosquitoes   Drink nutritional yeast or take in tablet form during summer months. Encourage predators: bats, martins, chimney swifts.
Fleas   Nutritional yeast, vitamin B, and garlic tablets. Pennyroyal ointment. Herbal collar. Keep pets clean. Vacuum thoroughly and regularly and change vacuum bags often.
Mealy Bugs or Scales on Plants   Apply rubbing alcohol to the colonies with cotton swabs.
Fertilizer, no weed killer   Waste disposal: consume at home, purchase in usable lots sizes, offer to a friend for use.
Fertilizer, with weed killer    Waste disposal: consume at home, purchase in usable lots sizes, offer to a friend for use.



* Notes:

  • Never mix products containing ammonia with those containing bleach.
  • Test each recipe on a small corner or section of item first.

 

 

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