--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Safer Alternatives: Reducing The Risk
One of the best means of avoiding exposure to house-
hold hazardous materials is to use safer alternatives
whenever possible. Included in this section are time-
honored recipes and suggestions to help you make the
switch toward safer household products. Ingredients
followed by instructions will guide you through an array
of easy-to-make, easy-to-use safer alternatives. Some
ingredients recommended as alternatives are safer, but
not nontoxic. These ingredients have been marked with an
asterisk(*) to assist you in identifying their presence.
Making your own simple and effective products is fun
and economical. We think you will be happily surprised
with the results.
Air Fresheners
Most commercial air fresheners do not freshen the air
at all. Instead, they mask one odor with another, coat
your nasal passages with an undetectable oil film, or
diminish your sense of smell with a nerve-deadening agent.
For a safer alternative, you may wish to try one of the
following.
Ventilation. Open windows or doors in the house for
at least a short period every day. This will also help to
reduce toxic fumes that may be building up indoors.
Vinegar. Distribute partially filled saucers of
vinegar around the room or boil 1 tablespoon of white
vinegar in 1 cup of water to eliminate unpleasant cooking
odors.
Cinnamon and Cloves. Boil these spices for a fragrant
smell. For ease of cleaning, make a cheesecloth bag to
contain these spices, and boil the cheesecloth bag. An
excellent alternative when entertaining is to steep
spiced tea or cider.
Potpourri. Buy or make your own potpourri from your
favorite herbs and spices. Place the potpourri in a small
basket or jar or in small sachet bags.
Kitchen And Food Odors
Vanilla*. Place pure vanilla on a cotton ball in a
small saucer. Place the saucer in the car or refrigerator
to remove odors. It is reported to remove even skunk
odors. Keep the cottonball out of reach of children;
vanilla has a high alcohol content.
Baking Soda. Place a partially filled saucer of
baking soda on the refrigerator shelf. Replace every two
months and when you do, pour the contents of the used box
down the drain to remove odors and keep the drain clean.
Baking soda can also be used to deodorize bottles by
filling them with undiluted baking soda and allowing the
bottles to soak overnight. Then wash as usual.
Borax*. Empty the garbage frequently and clean the
can as needed. To inhibit growth of odor-producing molds
and bacteria, sprinkle 1/2 cup Borax in the bottom of the
garbage can.
Vinegar or Celery Stalk. To avoid or remove onion
odors from your hands, rub white vinegar on your hands
before and after slicing. Rubbing hands with the end of a
celery stalk will also remove the odor.
All-Purpose Cleaner
Vinegar and Salt. Mix together for a good surface
cleaner.
Baking Soda. Dissolve 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1
quart warm water for a general cleaner. Or use baking
soda on a damp sponge. Baking soda will clean and
deodorize all kitchen and bathroom surfaces.
Carpet And Rug Cleaner
IF YOU PLAN TO SHAMPOO YOUR CARPET, FIRST TRY A PRE-
CLEANING TREATMENT. Sweep the carpet, which will make the
nap stand up and loosen the imbedded din. Next vacuum.
With this work alone, the rug should show a noticeable
improvement, so much in fact that you may decide to delay
the shampooing.
To neutralize odors: Borax* and cornmeal. Sprinkle the
carpet with a mixture of 1 cup Borax and 2 cups cornmeal.
Let this mixture stand for an hour before vacuuming.
Another alternative is Baking Soda. Making certain that
the carpet is dry, sprinkle baking soda liberally over
the entire carpet. Wait at least 15 minutes, or overnight
if the odor is particularly bad, before vacuuming.
Decal Remover
Vinegar. To remove no-slip decals from the bathtub,
saturate a cloth or sponge and squeeze hot vinegar over
decals. Vinegar also removes stick-on hooks from painted
walls. Saturate a cloth or sponge with vinegar and
squeeze the liquid behind the hook so that the vinegar
comes in contact with the adhesive. In addition, vinegar
can be used to remove price tags and other decals from
glass, wood, and china. Paint the label or decal with
several coats of white vinegar. Give the vinegar time to
soak in and after several minutes the decal can be rubbed
off.
Disinfectant
Soap. Regular cleaning with plain soap and hot water
will kill some bacteria. Keep things dry. Mold, mildew,
and bacteria cannot live without moisture.
Borax has long been recognized for its disinfectant
and deodorizing properties. Mix 1/2 cup Borax into 1
gallon hot water and clean with this solution.
Isopropyl Alcohol*. This is an excellent
disinfectant. Sponge and allow to dry. (It must dry to do
its job.) Use in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves.
Drain Cleaners and Drain Openers
Prevention. To avoid clogging drains, use a drain
strainer to trap food particles and hair; collect grease
in cans rather than pouring it down the drain; pour a
kettle of boiling water down the drain weekly to melt fat
that may be building up in the drain; or weekly put some
vinegar and baking soda down your drain to break down fat
and keep your drain smelling fresh.
Plunger. A time-honored drain opener is the plunger.
This inexpensive tool will usually break up the clog and
allow it to float away. It may take more than a few
plunges to unclog the drain. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD AFTER
ANY COMMERCIAL DRAIN OPENER HAS BEEN USED OR IS STILL
PRESENT IN THE STANDING WATER.
Baking Soda and Vinegar. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda
down the drain. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover the
drain if possible. Let set for a few minutes, then pour a
kettle of boiling water down the drain to flush it. The
combination of baking soda and vinegar can break down
fatty acids into soap and glycerine, allowing the clog
to wash down the drain. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD AFTER ANY
COMMERCIAL DRAIN OPENER HAS BEEN USED OR IS STILL PRESENT
IN THE STANDING WATER.
Salt and Baking Soda. Pour 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup
baking soda down the drain. Follow with 6 cups boiling
water. Let sit overnight and then flush with water. The
hot water should help dissolve the clog and the baking
soda and salt serve as an abrasive to break through the
clog.
Mechanical Snake (and Garden Hose). A flexible metal
snake can be purchased or rented. It is threaded down the
clogged drain and manually pushes the clog away. If used
in conjunction with a running garden hose, it can even
clear a blockage in the main drain to the street. First
crank the snake and feed it into the pipe. Next withdraw
the snake and flush the pipe by inserting a garden hose
with the water turned on full. With some luck, it may
save you the expense of a plumber.
Floor Cleaners and Floor Polishes
Vinegar. A few drops in the cleaning water will help
remove grease panicles. Dull, greasy film on no-wax
linoleum can be washed away with 1/2 cup white vinegar
mixed into 1/2 gallon water. Your floor will look
sparkling clean.
For Linoleum: Mild Detergent. Damp mop using a mild
detergent and water for day to day cleaning. Keep water
away from seams and edges to prevent loosening of the
tiles. To preserve the linoleum floor you may wish to add
a capful of baby oil to the mop water.
For Wood Floors: Vegetable Oil and Vinegar. Mix a 1
to 1 ratio of oil and vinegar into a solution and apply a
thin coat. Rub in well.
For Painted Wooden Floors: Washing Soda*. Mix 1
teaspoon washing soda into 1 gallon hot water and wash
the floor with a mop, sponge, or soft bristled brush.
This solution can also be used to remove mildew.
For Rubber Tiles: Mild Detergent. Avoid oils,
solvents, and strong alkalis as they will harm the
surface. Wash with clear water, a mild detergent, and a
clean mop.
For Brick and Stone Floors: Vinegar. Mix 1 cup white
vinegar into 1 gallon water. Scrub the floor with a brush
and the vinegar solution. Rinse with clean water.
For Ceramic Tile: Vinegar. Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar
(more if very dirty) into 1 gallon water. This solution
removes most dirt without scrubbing and doesn't leave a
film. Washing ceramic tiles with soap does not work very
well in hard water areas as it leaves an insoluble film.
Club Soda. Polishing your floor with Club Soda will
make it sparkle.
Oil Soap. Use according to package directions.
Furniture Polish
The idea behind furniture polish for wood products is
to absorb oil into the wood. Many oils commonly found in
our kitchens work very well.
Vegetable Oil or Olive Oil and Lemon Juice. Mix 2
parts oil and 1 part lemon juice. Apply and polish with a
soft cloth. This leaves furniture looking and smelling
good.
For Unfinished Wood: Mineral Oil*. Mineral oil is
flammable. Apply sparingly with a soft cloth. For lemon
oil polish, dissolve 1 teaspoon lemon oil into 1 pint
mineral oil. CAUTION: Mineral spirits should never be
substituted for mineral oil as it can be dangerous when
inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
For Mahogany: Vinegar. Mix equal pans white vinegar
and warm water. Wipe onto wood and then polish with a
chamois cloth.
For Washing Wood: Mild Soap. Dampen cloth with a
solution of water and mild soap, such as Ivory or Murphy's
Oil Soap. Wring the cloth almost dry and wipe the
furniture section by section, drying with a clean dry
cloth as you go so that no section stays wet.
For Refinishing Old Furniture: Commercial Oil Soap.
Before you set to work on an old piece of furniture with
chemical finish removers, try Vegetable Oil Soap. This
simple, nontoxic solvent may be all the help an antique
needs. Follow label directions.
Metal Cleaners and Metal Polishes
Aluminum
Cream of Tartar. To remove stains and discoloration
from aluminum cookware, fill cookware with hot water and
add 2 tablespoons cream of tartar to each quart of water.
Bring solution to a boil and simmer ten minutes. Wash as
usual and dry.
Vinegar. To clean an aluminum coffeepot and remove
lime deposits, boil equal pans of water and white vinegar.
Boiling time depends upon how heavy deposits are.
Brass
Olive Oil. Brass will look brighter and require less
polishing if rubbed with a cloth moistened with olive oil
after each polishing. Olive oil retards tarnish.
Salt, Vinegar, and Flour. Dissolve 1 teaspoon salt in
1 cup white vinegar. Add enough flour to make a paste.
Lemon and Salt or Baking Soda. Make a paste of lemon
juice and salt and rub with a soft cloth, rinse with
water, and dry. Or use a slice of lemon sprinkled with
baking soda. Rub brass with the lemon slice, rinse with
water, and dry.
Vinegar and Salt. Pour vinegar over the surface.
Sprinkle salt over the acid and rub in the mixture. Rinse
with warm water and polish dry.
Lemon Juice and Cream of Tartar. Make a paste of
lemon juice and cream of tartar. Apply, leave on for 5
minutes and then wash in warm water. Dry with a soft
cloth.
Bronze
Salt, Vinegar, and Flour. Dissolve 1 teaspoon salt in
1 cup white vinegar. Add enough flour to make a paste.
Apply paste to bronze and let sit for 15 minutes to 1
hour. Rinse with clean, warm water, and polish dry.
Chrome
Vinegar. To clean chrome, wipe with a soft cloth
dipped in undiluted white or cider vinegar.
Baby Oil. Apply baby oil with a soft cloth and polish
to remove stains from chrome trim on faucets, kitchen
appliances, vehicles, etc.
Copper
Vinegar and Salt. If copper is tarnished, boil
article in a pot of water with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 cup
white vinegar for several hours. Wash with soap in hot
water. Rinse and dry.
Salt, Vinegar, and Flour. Dissolve 1 teaspoon salt in
1 cup white vinegar. Add enough flour to make a paste.
Apply the paste to copper and let sit for 15 minutes to 1
hour. Rinse with clean warm water, and polish dry.
Lemon and Salt or Baking Soda. Make a paste of lemon
juice and salt, and rub with a soft cloth, rinse with
water, and dry. Or use a slice of lemon sprinkled with
baking soda. Rub copper with the lemon slice and rinse
with water and dry.
Vinegar and Salt. Pour vinegar over the surface
Sprinkle salt over the acid and rub in the mixture. Rinse
with warm water and polish dry.
Lemon Juice and Cream of Tartar. Make a paste of lemon
juice and cream of tartar. Apply, leave on for 5 minutes,
and then wash in warm water. Dry with a soft cloth.
Gold
Soapy Water. Wash in lukewarm soapy water and dry with
a cotton cloth. Polish with a chamois cloth.
Toothpaste. Clean with toothpaste and a soft
toothbrush.
Pewter
Salt, Vinegar, and Flour. Dissolve 1 teaspoon salt in
1 cup white vinegar. Add enough flour to make a paste.
Apply paste to pewter and let sit for 15 minutes to 1
hour. Rinse with clean warm water, and polish dry.
Silver
Polishing silver while wearing rubber gloves promotes
tarnish. Instead, choose plastic or cotton gloves.
Baking Soda. Apply a paste of baking soda and water.
Rub, rinse, and polish dry with a soft cloth. To remove
tarnish from silverware, sprinkle baking soda on a damp
cloth and rub it on the silverware until tarnish is gone.
Rinse and dry well.
Aluminum Foil, Baking Soda, and Salt. Place a sheet
of aluminum foil in the bottom of a pan, add 2-3 inches
of water, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, and
bring to a boil. Add silver pieces, boil 2-3 minutes,
making sure the water covers the silver pieces. Remove
silver, rinse, dry, and buff with a soft cloth. This
method cleans the design and crevices of silver pieces.
Toothpaste. To clean off tarnish, coat the silver with
toothpaste, then run it under warm water, work it into a
foam, and rinse it off. For stubborn stains or intricate
grooves, use an old soft-bristled toothbrush.
Stainless Steel
Olive Oil. Rub stainless steel sinks with olive oil
to remove streaks.
Vinegar. To clean and polish stainless steel, simply
moisten a cloth with undiluted white or cider vinegar and
wipe clean. Can also be used to remove heat stains on
stainless steel cutlery.
Club Soda. Remove streaks or heat stains from
stainless steel by rubbing with club soda.
Paint Brush Renewer
Vinegar. Soften hard paintbrushes in hot vinegar for
a few minutes. Then wash paintbrush in soap and warm water
and set out to dry.
Tub And Tile Cleaner
Baking Soda. Sprinkle baking soda like you would
scouring powder. Rub with a damp sponge. Rinse thoroughly.
Vinegar and Baking Soda. To remove film buildup on
bathtubs, apply vinegar full-strength to a sponge and wipe
with vinegar first. Next, use baking soda as you would
scouring powder. Rub with a damp sponge and rinse
thoroughly with clean water.
Vinegar. Vinegar removes most dirt without scrubbing
and doesn't leave a film. Use 1/4 cup (or more) vinegar
to 1 gallon water.
Baking Soda. To clean grout, put 3 cups baking soda
into a medium-sized bowl and add 1 cup warm water. Mix
into a smooth paste and scrub into grout with a sponge or
toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and dispose of leftover paste
when finished.
Window And Glass Cleaner
A few tips on window washing: (1) never wash windows
while the sun is shining on them because they dry too
quickly and leave streaks; (2) when polishing windows use
up and down strokes on one side of the window and side to
side strokes on the other to tell which side requires
extra polishing; and (3) to polish windows or mirrors to
a sparkling shine, try a natural linen towel or other soft
cloth, a clean, damp chamois cloth, a squeegee, or
crumpled newspaper. One word of warning about newspaper:
while newspaper does leave glass lint-free with a dirt-
resistant film, persons with sensitivities to fumes from
newsprint may wish to avoid the use of newspaper as a
cleaning tool.
Vinegar. Wash windows or glass with a mixture of equal
pans of white vinegar and warm water. Dry with a soft
cloth. Leaves windows and glass streakless. To remove
those stubborn hardwater sprinkler spots and streaks, use
undiluted vinegar.
Borax* or Washing Soda*. Two tablespoons of borax or
washing soda mixed into 3 cups water makes a good window
cleaner. Apply to surface and wipe dry.
Lemon Juice. Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice in 1 quart
water. Apply to surface and wipe dry.
Baking Soda. To clean cut glass, sprinkle baking soda
on a damp rag and clean glass. Rinse with clean water and
polish with a soft cloth.
Scratches, Stains, And Discoloration In Windows And Glass
Toothpaste. Rub a little toothpaste into the scratch.
Polish with a soft cloth.
Dry Mustard* and Vinegar. Mix 1 pan dry mustard and 1
pan white vinegar into a paste. Apply paste to the
scratch. Polish with a soft cloth. AVOID EYE CONTACT; DRY
MUSTARD CAN BE DAMAGING TO THE CORNEA.