| Material |
Hazardous Properties |
Alternatives |
| Laundry Bleach |
Corrosive, toxic, irritant |
Replace with ½ cup of white vinegar, baking soda or borax. |
| Floor or Furniture Polish |
Flammable, toxic |
Substitute 1 part lemon juice and 2 parts olive or vegetable oil. |
| Drain Opener/ Cleaner |
Corrosive, irritant, toxic |
Pour boiling water down the drain twice weekly; throw in a few handfuls of baking soda, followed by ½ cup of vinegar. Let sit for an hour. Run water through. |
| Glass Cleaner |
Irritant, toxic |
Mix vinegar with equal parts water or use undiluted alcohol as a substitute |
| Rug Deodorizer |
Corrosive, toxic |
Lightly sprinkle baking soda on dry rugs and carpets then vacuum. |
| Toilet Bowl Cleaner |
Corrosive, toxic, irritant |
A toilet brush with baking soda is a great substitute. |
| Oven Cleaner |
Corrosive, toxic |
Clean your oven at time of spill, cover with moistened baking soda and let sit until softened. |
| Roach Killer |
Toxic |
Use equal parts of boric acid and powdered sugar. |
| Ant Killer |
Toxic |
Use chili powder or Driore (silica gel) to hinder entry of ants. |
| Fleas |
Toxic |
Sprinkle brewer’s yeast or garlic on your pet’s food to deter fleas. |
| Fertilizers |
Toxic |
Use organic fertilizers like fish emulsion, bone or blood meal, earthworm castings or liquid seaweed. |
| Moth Balls |
Toxic |
Use cedar chips or use a mixture of Vetiver root, Southern wood leaves and lavender flowers. |
|
Paint & Varnish Removers
|
Flammable, toxic |
For lead-free paint, use sand paper or scraper and heat gun. Water-based |
| Stains & Varnishes |
Flammable, toxic |
Latex finishes |
|
Enamel or Oil-Based Paints
|
Flammable, toxic |
Latex/Water-based paint |
