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Alternative Cleaners and
Household Products
The following are some great
ideas for creating your own highly effective household cleaning and
other products, to replace
more toxic and expensive products. Another bonus -- you save the waste
that would have gone into packaging!
For more ideas, click the
following link to view or save this valuable resource booklet, which
provides links to a huge number of resources for alternatives to toxic
household products:
Alternative Products
|
Cleaning Product |
Replace with
|
| Bleach |
Borax or hydrogen peroxide
|
| Scouring Powders
|
Baking soda and “elbow grease” |
| Window Cleaner
|
Vinegar and lemon juice mixed in
lukewarm water |
|
Furniture Polish
|
Mix 3 tablespoons
mineral oil
with 1 tablespoon olive
oil, add a
drop of lemon juice. |
| Fiberglass stain
remover |
Baking soda paste, scrub pad and
“elbow grease” |
| Chrome
cleaner |
Apple cider vinegar to clean,
baby oil to polish |
| Copper cleaner |
Lemon or lime juice and salt |
|
Oven Cleaner |
Mix 2 teaspoons borax, and a
quart of warm water, leave on oven for 20 minutes, then scrub
with fine steel wool. If that doesn’t work, use a
non-chlorinated scouring powder. |
| Shower cleaner
|
Baking soda, scouring cloth,
warm water & “elbow grease”, final wipe with lemon or lime juice |
| Wood polish |
Olive oil or almond oil
|
 Baking
soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) is a mild crystal that gently lifts dirt off
many surfaces. Its’ unique pH makes it effective at neutralizing
household odors.
Create the right mix for the proper use.
Paste - Mix equal parts
baking soda and warm water to clean/polish:
Silverware, lawn furniture
webbing , fiberglass tubs, car trim,
bumpers, hub caps
Sprinkling - apply directly onto damp sponge or surface
to clean stainless steel sinks, scuff marks on
floors, crayon marks on walls, clothes hampers
All Purpose Cleaner
4 Tablespoons Baking Soda
1 quart warm water
Dissolve baking soda and pour in pump spray bottle. Spray, wipe with
sponge. Rinse with clear water. (The strength can be increased by adding
more baking soda to the solution)
Use to clean and deodorize: kitchen
and bathroom surfaces,
chromium plated fixtures and faucets, refrigerators
and freezers.
Drain Opener
Add 1/2cup baking soda and 1/2cup vinegar to the drain. Cover tightly
and let sit for 15 minutes. Pour 2 quarts boiling water down the drain.
If severe clog, follow with a plunger.
Floor Cleaner
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1 gallon warm water
Mop, rinse and dry.
Mildew
Scrub with baking soda or borax or with a paste of salt and lemon juice
or white vinegar.
Oven Spots
Scrub with a paste of baking soda, salt and water
Toilet Bowl Cleaner:
Sprinkle baking soda into bowl, then drizzle with vinegar and scrub with
a toilet brush.
Use vinegar for:
Glass Cleaner
Combine 1 quart water with l/4 cup white vinegar. Spray on and wipe off
with newspaper. Or, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of lemon
juice or rubbing alcohol to water and vinegar mix, spray on
surfaces and wipe clean with soft, lint-free cloth.
Lime and Mineral Deposit Remover
Soak cloth in vinegar. Apply cloth to lime deposits. Leave for about 1
hour. The deposits will soften and can be removed easily.
Metal Polish
Mix 1/2 teaspoon salt with 1/2 cup vinegar add enough flour to make a
thick paste. Apply paste and let set 15-30 minutes. Rinse well and dry.
Alternative roach and ant control
Sprinkle cracks and dark places with a boric acid formulation or
chili powder to hinder entry.
Set out dishes with equal amounts of oatmeal flour and plaster of
Paris, or equal amounts of baking soda and powdered sugar, or equal
amounts of borax and brown sugar. Keep out of reach of children and
pets.
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