The average American home holds over 100 pounds of toxic chemicals! Toxic chemicals, found in many household cleaners, can produce harmful fumes, irritate your skin and become very dangerous if ingested.
You can save money and the environment by choosing non-toxic household cleaning products. When cleaning products are washed down drains and sinks, the toxic chemicals are sent to a wastewater treatment plant along with sewage and other wastewater. Many chemicals cannot be treated and are discharged into our waterways, threatening aquatic wildlife and contaminating our soil and groundwater.
Common household items, such as salt, vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice, can be used safely for your home cleaning. Below are a few recipes for safe cleaning solutions to help you get started. Purchase a few spray bottles and a funnel and remember to label your solutions. As a bonus, your spray bottles will be re-usable and you will produce less waste! You can also replace paper towels with lint-free flour sack towels and use a lemon cut in half in place of a scouring pad.
If you do purchase cleaners, look for environmentally friendly ones that are phosphate-free and have federal government certifications, such as Green Seal.
To properly dispose of household chemicals, take them to a ToxDrop location. Visit
for more information.
All-Purpose Cleaner
1/2 teaspoon borax
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 cup warm water
Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Mix well. Spray on surface and wipe with a paper towel or clean rag.
Laundry Stain Pretreatment
1/4 cup baking soda
Water
Vinegar
Measure baking soda into pint-sized container. Slowly add water and stir into a thick paste. Spread the paste onto the stained fabric and wet with vinegar. Let soak in water. Rub fabric together to remove stain.
Fabric Softener
Add 1/4 cup of vinegar or baking soda to wash cycle.
Glass Cleaner
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup water
1 cup vinegar
Pour salt into the spray bottle. Add water and vinegar. Mix well. Spray on glass or mirrors and wipe with a dry paper towel.
Scouring Powder
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt
Mix ingredients in a pint-sized container. Sprinkle on surface. Scrub with scouring pad and wipe with a wet paper towel or clean rag.
Furniture Polish
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 cup olive oil
Combine ingredients in a pint-sized container. Mix well. Apply to surface with a rag and wipe clean.
Mildew Cleaner
1/4 cup salt
2 tablespoons vinegar
Combine vinegar and salt to a paste-like consistency and apply to build-up with a clean rag. This also can be used to remove hard water stains.
Carpet Freshener
Sprinkle carpet with baking soda and vacuum.
Air Freshener
Simmer small amounts of cinnamon, orange peel and cloves on the stove.
