ALTERNATIVES TO HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS Tape to your refrigerator as a reminder of how to make non-hazardous cleaning alternatives When preparing alternatives: • Do not mix with a commercial cleaning agent. • Mix only what is needed for the job at hand and mix in clean, reusable containers. • If you store a homemade mixture, make sure it is properly labeled. Do not store it in a food or beverage container. Household Cleaner Alternative Drain cleaner Use a plunger or plumber's snake. Oven cleaner Clean spills as soon as the oven cools using steel wool and baking soda; for tough stains, add salt (do not use this method in self- cleaning or continuous-cleaning ovens). Glass cleaner Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in 1 quart of water. Spray on and use newspa- per to wipe dry. Toilet bowl cleaner Use a toilet brush and baking soda or vinegar. (Will clean but not disinfect.) Furniture polish Mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in 1 pint of mineral or vegetable oil, and wipe furniture. Rug deodorizer Deodorize dry carpets by sprinkling liberally with baking soda. Wait at least 15 minutes and vacuum. Repeat if necessary. Silver polish Boil 2 to 3 inches of water in a shallow pan with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and a sheet of aluminum foil. Totally submerge silver and boil for 2 to 3 more minutes. Wipe away tarnish. Repeat if necessary. Another alternative is to use non- abrasive toothpaste. Plant sprays Wipe leaves with mild soap and water; rinse. Mothballs Use cedar chips, lavender flowers, rosemary, mint, or white peppercorns. Flea and tick products Put brewer's yeast or garlic in your pet's food. Sprinkle fennel, rue, rosemary, or eucalyptus seeds or leaves around animal sleeping areas. ALTERNATIVES TO HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS Tape to your refrigerator as a reminder of how to make non-hazardous cleaning alternatives When preparing alternatives: • Do not mix with a commercial cleaning agent. • Mix only what is needed for the job at hand and mix in clean, reusable containers. • If you store a homemade mixture, make sure it is properly labeled. Do not store it in a food or beverage container. Household Cleaner Alternative Drain cleaner Use a plunger or plumber's snake. Oven cleaner Clean spills as soon as the oven cools using steel wool and baking soda; for tough stains, add salt (do not use this method in self- cleaning or continuous-cleaning ovens). Glass cleaner Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in 1 quart of water. Spray on and use newspa- per to wipe dry. Toilet bowl cleaner Use a toilet brush and baking soda or vinegar. (Will clean but not disinfect.) Furniture polish Mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in 1 pint of mineral or vegetable oil, and wipe furniture. Rug deodorizer Deodorize dry carpets by sprinkling liberally with baking soda. Wait at least 15 minutes and vacuum. Repeat if necessary. Silver polish Boil 2 to 3 inches of water in a shallow pan with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and a sheet of aluminum foil. Totally submerge silver and boil for 2 to 3 more minutes. Wipe away tarnish. Repeat if necessary. Another alternative is to use non- abrasive toothpaste. Plant sprays Wipe leaves with mild soap and water; rinse. Mothballs Use cedar chips, lavender flowers, rosemary, mint, or white peppercorns. Flea and tick products Put brewer's yeast or garlic in your pet's food. Sprinkle fennel, rue, rosemary, or eucalyptus seeds or leaves around animal sleeping areas. ALTERNATIVES TO HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS Tape to your refrigerator as a reminder of how to make non-hazardous cleaning alternatives When preparing alternatives: • Do not mix with a commercial cleaning agent. • Mix only what is needed for the job at hand and mix in clean, reusable containers. • If you store a homemade mixture, make sure it is properly labeled. Do not store it in a food or beverage container. Household Cleaner Alternative Drain cleaner Use a plunger or plumber's snake. Oven cleaner Clean spills as soon as the oven cools using steel wool and baking soda; for tough stains, add salt (do not use this method in self- cleaning or continuous-cleaning ovens). Glass cleaner Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in 1 quart of water. Spray on and use newspa- per to wipe dry. Toilet bowl cleaner Use a toilet brush and baking soda or vinegar. (Will clean but not disinfect.) Furniture pol- ish Mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in 1 pint of mineral or vegetable oil, and wipe furniture. Rug deodorizer Deodorize dry carpets by sprinkling liberally with baking soda. Wait at least 15 minutes and vacuum. Repeat if necessary. Silver polish Boil 2 to 3 inches of water in a shallow pan with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and a sheet of aluminum foil. Totally submerge silver and boil for 2 to 3 more minutes. Wipe away tarnish. Repeat if necessary. Another alternative is to use non- abrasive toothpaste. Plant sprays Wipe leaves with mild soap and water; rinse. Mothballs Use cedar chips, lavender flowers, rosemary, mint, or white peppercorns. Flea and tick products Put brewer's yeast or garlic in your pet's food. Sprinkle fennel, rue, rosemary, or eucalyptus seeds or leaves around animal sleeping areas. ------- |