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Alternatives to Household
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Alternatives
to Household Chemicals
HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS
General
Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/3
cup vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 gallon
of
warm water.
General Cleaner: 2 TBS baking
with 1 pint warm water in a spray bottle.
Cooper Cleaner: Lemon juice
and salt.
Disinfectant: Mix 1/2 cup
borax in 1 gallon of water.
Drain Cleaner: Prevent a
clogged drain by pouring boiling water down
the drain periodically, or
use 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by two
cups of boiling water, 1/4 cup vinegar, followed
by
two cups of boiling water.
Floor Cleaner: 1 cup vinegar
and 2 gallons of water.
Floor and Furniture Polish:
Mix 1 tablespoon Carbauba wax into two cups
mineral oil
or mix 1 part lemon juice with 2 parts olive
or vegetable oil.
Garbage Disposal Deodorizers:
Put chopped up citrus rinds in the disposal
Grease removal: Borax on a damp cloth
Mold and Mildew Removal:
Mix equal parts vinegar and salt.
Oven Cleaner: Sprinkle salt
or baking soda on spills when they are warm,
then scrub. For baked-on grease, put 1/4 cup
of ammonia in oven overnight to loosen, then
scrub with baking soda. Or use
add 2 tablespoons liquid soap, 2 teaspoons
borax and warm water.
Rug and Upholstery Cleaner:
Sprinkle dry cornstarch or baking soda on
rug and vacuum.
Scouring Powder: Use baking
soda for a nonabrasive cleaner.
Silver Cleaner: Soak silver
in 1 quart warm water with 1 teaspoon baking
soda, 1 teaspoon salt
and a small piece of aluminum foil, or apply
paste of calcium carbonate and olive oil.
Allow to dry
and polish with soft cloth.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Clean
regularly with baking soda OR Sprinkle with
1/4 cup Borax, wait 30 minutes and scrub.
Tub and Tile Cleaner: 1/4
cup baking soda, 1/2 cup white vinegar and
warm water.
Window Cleaner: Mix 1 quart
of warm water with 2 tablespoons of vinegar.
Wood Polish: 3 parts olive
oil, 1 part vinegar or almond OR olive old
(interior unvarnished wood
only) OR linseed oil.
DEODORIZERS
Air
Freshener: Use herbal bouquets
OR pure vanilla on cotton ball OR simmer
cinnamon and
cloves.
Pet
Odor Remover: Use cider vinegar.
Refrigerator
Deodorizer: Open box of baking
soda.
Rug
Deodorizer: Apply baking soda liberally
and leave 15 minutes before vacuuming.
Mothballs:
Place cedar chips around clothes.
LAUNDRY
Ink
Spot Remover: Cold water, 1 tablespoon
cream of tarter and lemon juice.
Perspiration
Stain Remover: Use white vinegar
and water.
Pre-soak:
Paste of washing soda and water applied
to spots.
Spot
Remover: Soak garment in cornmeal
and water, club soda or lemon juice.
Water
Softener: Use 1/4 cup of vinegar.
Wine
stain removal: Use salt or club
soda.
PAINT
Hand
cleaner for paint/grease: baby
oil.
Paint:
Use latex or water-based paints whenever
possible.
Strippers:
Use heat gun and sander.
PESTICIDES AND FERTILIZERS
Ant
Control: Pour a line of cream of
tartar or sprinkle red chili pepper, paprika
or dried peppermint where ants enter house.
Fertilizer:
Use Nature's Blend Compost.
Flea
and Tick Repellant: Feed pets tablets
of brewer's yeast, vitamin B and garlic.
Or scatter pine needles, fennel, rye or
rosemary in pet's bed. However, it always
wise to check with your veterinarian first.
Household
Plant Insecticide: Spray dilute
solution of bar soap and water on plants.
Mosquito
Repellent: Burn citronella candles.
Moth
Control: Place cedar chips or dried
lavender in cotton sachets around clothes.
Nematode
(parasite worm) Repellent: Plant
Marigolds.
Roach
Control: Spread mixture of boric
acid and powdered sugar.
Snails
and Slug Control: Fill a shallow
pan with stale beer and place in an infested
area.
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