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Non-toxic Alternatives

THINK ALTERNATIVES BEFORE YOU BUY

Many common household cleaning products contain hazardous chemicals. When disposed of improperly in storm drain, sink or garbage the chemicals can end up in our local water bodies or groundwater.

To protect our water quality, keep both less-toxic and non-toxic products in mind when making your next grocery list.

Fortunately, less-toxic household products are becoming more available and most ingredients for non-toxic cleaners are already in our kitchen cabinets.

Though we now laugh at 12th century efforts to convert lead into gold, we remain attracted to the spirit of alchemy at heart. Whether it is seeds to flowers, or milk and sugar to cookies, we enjoy the satisfaction of transforming the ordinary into something fine and useful. And each time we save money by using a homemade product instead of a store bought one, we are making our own gold out of everyday lead.

The alternatives offered below are the beginning of your collection of recipes, mixtures and formulas that can be found to turn the ordinary into something useful and non-toxic.

EARTH FRIENDLY RECIPES

By replacing chemical cleaners with your own homemade non-toxic household cleaners, you will save money, make your home safe for children and pets, create demand for recycled products, prevent pollution, reduce disposal costs, preserve natural resources and help keep our watersheds and drinking water chemical free!

All Purpose Cleaner

Fill a spray bottle with hot water, mix with 1 tsp. liquid soap or borax. Add 1 tsp. white vinegar or lemon juice to cut grease. Shake bottle gently to dissolve minerals.

Disinfectant

Fill a spray bottle with 1 tsp. borax, 3 trsp. white vinegar, and 2 cups hot water. Shake bottle gently.

Fill a spray bottle with 1/8 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water. Just as effective as popular cleaners without the green and blue dyes!

Brass Cleaner

Make a paste with lemon juice and salt. Rub paste on brass and then rinse thoroughly. Polish with a soft cloth.

SHOP YOUR KITCHEN AND SAVE DOLLARS

Keeping these products on hand will allow you to create your own non-toxic cleaners:

  • Baking Soda
  • Vinegar
  • Borax
  • Dry Mustard
  • Pumice Stone or Powder
  • Lemon Juice
  • Mayonnaise
  • Glycerine Soap