Tips for Using Fewer Household Chemicals

Carpets: Mix one part borax to two parts cornmeal; sprinkle liberally on carpet and vacuum after one hour.

Garbage Cans: Sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of can.

Garbage Disposal: Grind used lemons or peels in the disposal or pour baking soda into the drain.

Litter Box: Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the litter pan before adding litter.

Other:

• Leave open boxes of baking soda in refrigerator, freezer, closets and bathrooms.
• Saturate a cotton ball with vanilla and place in an open container in a room or in an auto.
• Set out an open container of white vinegar to destroy odors.
• Simmer cinnamon and cloves or potpourri.
• Burn scented candles.
• Fill your favorite vase with fresh-cut flowers.

• Use a non-aerosol, soap-based cleaner.
• Clean spills immediately with club soda.
• Mix a quart of water, a teaspoon of mild liquid soap, a teaspoon of borax and a squeeze of lemon juice or splash of vinegar; apply with a damp cloth or sponge and rub gently; wipe with a clean cloth and allow to dry.
• To clean a red wine spill, rub a thick layer of salt on the spill. Sponge up after spill has been absorbed.

Coffee Pots: Clean out coffee pots with white vinegar solution.

Dishes:

• By Hand: Use 1/2 cup of baking soda with a mild dish washing liquid to help cut grease and food.
• Automatic Dishwashers: Choose a detergent with the lowest phosphate content listed on the package.

General Cleaner: Combine a quart of water with 1/2 cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, or 1-2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol.

Grout: Combine 3 cups baking soda and 1 cup warm water; scrub into grout. Rinse well.

Kitchen Degreaser: Use a non-chlorinated powder with a nylon scouring pad or fine steel wool.

Mildew Cleaners: Scrub mildew spots with baking soda or borax, or sponge with white vinegar, or use a paste of lemon juice or white vinegar and salt.

Oven Cleaners: Use an oven cleaner that does not contain lye, or scrub spots with baking soda, salt and water paste.

Painted Wood: Wash with 1 teaspoon of washing soda in a gallon of hot water.

Surface Cleaner: Mix vinegar with salt and water.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Scrub with a solution of 1/2 cup borax in a gallon of water for cleaning and disinfecting; clean frequently with a baking soda solution around the rim.

Scouring Powder: Use baking soda or salt, or a non-chlorinated commercial scouring powder.

To unclog a drain: Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda down the drain, follow by 1/2 cup vinegar. Let sit for a few minutes, then pour a pan of boiling water down the drain to flush.

To help prevent drains from getting blocked: Once a week, pour 1/4 cup of slat down the drain, followed by boiling water.

Vinyl Floors: Combine 1/4 cup TSP (trisodium phosphate), 1/4 cup borax, or 1/2 cup white vinegar with a gallon of warm water.

Wood Floors: Use damp mop with a mild vegetable oil soap; dry immediately.

Painted or Finished Wood: Combine a teaspoon of washing soda and a gallon of hot water; dry floor immediately.

Wood Floors (sealed with polyurethane): Clean with 1/4 cup white vinegar and a gallon of water; dry immediately.

Finished Wood: Use a mild vegetable oil soap, or combine one part lemon juice with two parts vegetable or olive oil and polish with a clean, soft cloth.

Painted Wood: Mix one teaspoon of washing soda in a gallon of hot water.

Unfinished Wood: Polish with mineral oil.

Bee Stings: Apply a thick paste of baking soda and water or rub with an onion cut in half.

Chiggers: Rub area with a moist aspirin tablet.

General insect bites: To relieve itching, rub area with apple cider vinegar or baking soda paste.

Mosquitoes: Soak bites in salt water, then apply cold cream.

To Whiten Clothes: Use a washing soda or non-chlorine bleach.

To Remove Spots and Brighten Colors: Use 1/2 cup of borax in each load.

Detergents: Use synthetic detergent without adding fabric softeners or bleach. Or use products which include washing soda. Washing soda brightens fabrics and costs less than bleach.

To Freshen and Soften Clothes: Add a cup of vinegar or 1/4 cup of baking soda during final rinse.

To Reduce Static Cling: Dampen hands when folding clothes.

Presoaking: Soak heavily soiled items in warm water with 1/2 cup of washing soda for 30 minutes, or rub soiled areas with a mild liquid soap.

Spray Starch for Regular Fabrics: Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch and a pint of cold water in a spray bottle.

Spray Starch for Delicate Fabrics: Mix a package of unflavored gelatin with 2 cups of hot water in a spray bottle. Test solution on corner of fabric before using. If fabric becomes sticky when dry, add more water.

Brass and Copper: Use a paste of lemon juice and salt.

Silver: Rub with toothpaste or baking soda and a soft cloth; rinse and polish with dry clean cloth.

Chrome: Wipe with apple cider vinegar and rinse, or shine chrome fixture with baby oil and soft cloth.