Alternative Products Really Do Work! Try these non-toxic, or less toxic products as alternatives to hazardous household chemicals. You'll benefit from improved indoor air quality, decreased exposure to chemicals, and fewer disposal concerns. Best of all, you can find most of these items in your house, so it's convenient and you'll save money.

Air Freshener	Simmer cinnamon and cloves
Aluminum spot remover	2 tablespoons cream of tartar & 1 quart hot water
Brass polish	Worcestershire sauce
Chrome polish	Apple cider & vinegar; polish with baby oil
Copper cleaner	Lemon juice & salt
Decal remover	Soak in white vinegar
Floor cleaner	1 cup vinegar & 2 gallons water
Furniture polish	1 tablespoon lemon oil in 1 pint of mineral water
General household cleaners	Baking soda
Ink spot remover	Cold water + 1 tablespoon cream of tartar & 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Laundry detergent	Basic soap
Laundry pre-soak	Make paste of washing soda & water, apply to spots
Linoleum floor cleaner	1 cup white vinegar in 2 gallons water
Multi-purpose cleaner	Mix 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/3 cup vinegar & 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 gallon warm water
Oil stain remover	White chalk rubbed into stain before laundering
Oven cleaner	2 tablespoons liquid soap + 2 teaspoons borax and warm water
Perspiration spot remover	Baking soda
Pet odor remover	Cider vinegar
Rug/carpet cleaner	Club soda
Scorch mark removal	Grated onion
Scouring powder	Baking soda
Spot remover	Club soda, lemon juice or salt
Stainless steel polish	Mineral oil
Toilet bowl cleaner	Paste of borax & lemon juice
Tub/tile cleaner	1/4 cup baking soda + 1/2 cup white vinegar + warm water
Upholstery spot removal	Club soda
Water mark removal	Toothpaste
Water softener	1/4 cup vinegar
Wine stain removal	Salt
Window cleaner	1/2 cup vinegar in 1 gallon warm water

Coffee cup stain remover	Moist salt
Coffee pot stain	Vinegar
Dish detergent - grease cutter	1/2 cup baking soda & usual amount of liquid detergent
Drain cleaner	Plunger followed by 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup vinegar & 2 cups boiling water
Garbage disposal deodorizer	Used lemons
Grease fire	Douse with baking soda
Grease removal	Borax on damp cloth
Porcelain cleaner	Make paste from baking soda & water; let sit, rub clean and rinse
Refrigerator deodorizer	Open box baking soda
Shaving cream	Brush and shaving soap
Shoe polish	Banana peel
Silver polish	1 quart warm water + 1 tablespoon baking soda + piece of aluminum foil + 1 tablespoon salt

Car battery corrosion	Baking soda & water
Handcleaner for paint/grease	Baby oil
Mildew remover	Equal parts vinegar/salt
Paint; oil-based/spray/stain	Water-based, non-aerosal paints
Paint brush softener	Hot vinegar
Roach repellant	Chopped bay leaves and cucumber skins
Rust removal	Lemon juice, salt & sunlight
Rusty nut/bolt removal	Carbonated beverage
Wood polish	3 parts olive oil + 1 part white vinegar; almond or olive oil (interior un-varnished wood only)

Ants	Red chili powder at point of entry
Fertilizer	Compost / vermicompost
Flea and tick repellant	Scatter pine needles, fennel, rye or rosemary on pet's bed
Fleas (on pets)	Feed pet brewer's yeast, vitamin B or garlic tablets
Flies	Well watered pot of basil
Insects on plants	Soapy water on leaves then rinse
Mosquito repellant	Burn citronella candles
Moth repellant	Cedar chips or dried lavender enclosed in cotton sachets
Nematode (parasitic worm) repellant	Plant marigolds
Slug/snail repellant	Onion and marigold plants

 

Page updated 3/18/08