JCED Hazardous Materials - Safe Alternatives

Although the suggested mixtures have less hazardous ingredients than many commercial cleaners and pesticides, they should be used and stored with similar caution. For more information get fact sheets on household products and alternatives from the Washington Toxics Collation; check out information from the National Institutes of Health on potential health risks of product by name by searching the Household Products Database.
Bathroom Cleaner	Mix baking soda and water for an all purpose bathroom and kitchen cleaner. It will clean, but not disinfect.


Deodorizer/Air Freshener	Simmer cinnamon and cloves. Put vinegar out in saucers.

Drain Cleaner	Use a plunger or a plumber's snake. Put equal parts baking soda and vinegar down the drain followed by boiling water.

Flea and Tick	Use a flea comb. Bathe pet regularly. Put brewer's yeast or garlic in pet food. Sprinkle fennel, rue, rosemary, or eucalyptus seeds or leaves around pet bedding.

Furniture Polish	Mix 2 parts vegetable oil and 1 part lemon juice.

Glass and Window Cleaner	Vinegar and water

Lime and Mineral Deposit Remover	Soak faucets and shower heads in vinegar.

Metal Cleaner/Polish	Creme of tartar removes stains from aluminum cookware. Worcestershire sauce will clean and polish unlacquered brass. Toothpaste will clean tarnish off gold and silver (not silver plate). Vinegar and salt will clean copper.

Moth Balls	Cedar chips, lavender flowers, rosemary, mint or white peppercorns.

Oven Cleaner	Clean spills as soon as the oven cools using steel wool and baking soda.

Pests	Boric acid will kill ants and roaches when spread liberally around points of entry. Should not be applied where children or pets are likely to contact it.

Rat/Mouse Poison	Snap or live traps.

Rug Deodorizer	Sprinkle baking soda liberally on carpet, let sit and then vacuum.

Spot Cleaners	Club soda applied immediately. Wash as usual.