PLEDGE TO USE NON-TOXIC ALTERNATIVES
* for a safer, healthier home
* to protect your family
* to protect the environment
* to save $$$
If the labels on your household cleaning products read "CAUTION, WARNING or DANGER," use one of the 5 basic alternatives: baking soda, borax, washing soda, lemon juice, or white vinegar.
Many commercial cleaners contain substances which are toxic and can burn skin or eyes on contact. Without proper ventilation their use can also produce harmful fumes. Nontoxic alternatives are not only as effective and easy to use as their commercial counterparts, but are also safer for your family and the environment.
4 EASY RECIPES FOR GENERAL CLEANING
All Purpose Cleaner
1 gallon hot water
1/2 cup washing soda
Mix well, wash surface, rinse.
Window & Glass Cleaner
1 gallon water
1/2 cup white vinegar
Apply with cloth or mist/spray bottle; dry with clean cloth.
Wood Furniture/Floor Polish
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Mix well; rub on surface; buff with clean, dry cloth.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
1/2 cup borax
drop of mint extract
Scrub bowl with borax and a brush.
The need for household products containing hazardous substances is greatly reduced by taking preventive measures. To prevent insect pests and vermin from taking up residence, store food waste in sealed containers in the refrigerator or freezer until trash collection. Keep all surfaces free of food crumbs. If a pest problem does exist, there are alternatives to poisons and pesticides.
For ants Wash the area of the ant's trail to prevent others from following; sprinkle boric acid (obtained in hardware stores) along the line of entry.
For roaches Set out a dish containing equal parts sugar and baking soda (the sugar attracts and the baking soda eliminates).
For mice Use mouse traps or open your home to a cat.
For yellow jackets Utilize pheromone-baited traps (be sure to read labels).
To prevent flea infestations Feed pet tablet of brewers yeast and garlic. Bathe the dog regularly during flea season and use a flea comb on your cat or dog. Vacuum furniture and carpet thoroughly and frequently (store vacuum outside of home - in shed or garage, for instance - during problem periods); clean your pet's favorite sleeping spots regularly and sprinkle with fennel, rue or rosemary.
For Moths To prevent moths from feasting on your clothing and woolens, keep them clean and store in a cedar chest. Or place sachets made of cedar chips or lavender in your closets.
For Drain Clogs To prevent drain clogs, use strainer basket (kitchen) andhair traps (bathroom). Do not pour grease down drains.
For clogged drains Plug overflow drain with wet cloth; pour 1/4 cup baking soda into drain followed by 1/2 cup vinegar, close drain tightly until fizzing action stops; flush with boiling water. Remove cloth from overflow drain.
For Mildew To prevent mildew in your shower, wipe dry after use. Bleach mildew with hydrogen peroxide (a disinfectant found in many home medicine chests, and an environmentally safe alternative to chlorine-based products); then scrub with a thin paste of lemon juice and borax to inhibit mildew formation. Air fresheners disguise odors but do not eliminate the cause. Identify and remove the source of odor. Ventilate.
MORE ABOUT WASHING SODA AND BORAX
What are they and where do I find them?
* Washing soda is sodium carbonate; baking soda is sodium bicarbonate; borax is sodium tetraborate decahydrate.
* Washing soda and baking soda make your wash water more alkaline, which releases dirt better. Borax is a natural deordorant and is abrasive, which helps to scrub out dirt.
* Washing soda and baking soda are benign. Borax can be an irritant to sensitive tissues such as the eyes and should not be ingested.
* Washing soda is made by Arm & Hammer and is usually found in the laundry soap section of large grocery stores. It is usually on the high or low shelves (non-high-consumer areas). Arm & Hammer's consumer arrairs phone # is 800-524-1328.
* Borax under the brand name 20 Mule Team Borax is made by Dial. Their consumer affairs phone # is 800-528-0849.
* for a safer, healthier home
* to protect your family
* to protect the environment
* to save $$$
If the labels on your household cleaning products read "CAUTION, WARNING or DANGER," use one of the 5 basic alternatives: baking soda, borax, washing soda, lemon juice, or white vinegar.
Many commercial cleaners contain substances which are toxic and can burn skin or eyes on contact. Without proper ventilation their use can also produce harmful fumes. Nontoxic alternatives are not only as effective and easy to use as their commercial counterparts, but are also safer for your family and the environment.
4 EASY RECIPES FOR GENERAL CLEANING
All Purpose Cleaner
1 gallon hot water
1/2 cup washing soda
Mix well, wash surface, rinse.
Window & Glass Cleaner
1 gallon water
1/2 cup white vinegar
Apply with cloth or mist/spray bottle; dry with clean cloth.
Wood Furniture/Floor Polish
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Mix well; rub on surface; buff with clean, dry cloth.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
1/2 cup borax
drop of mint extract
Scrub bowl with borax and a brush.
The need for household products containing hazardous substances is greatly reduced by taking preventive measures. To prevent insect pests and vermin from taking up residence, store food waste in sealed containers in the refrigerator or freezer until trash collection. Keep all surfaces free of food crumbs. If a pest problem does exist, there are alternatives to poisons and pesticides.
For ants Wash the area of the ant's trail to prevent others from following; sprinkle boric acid (obtained in hardware stores) along the line of entry.
For roaches Set out a dish containing equal parts sugar and baking soda (the sugar attracts and the baking soda eliminates).
For mice Use mouse traps or open your home to a cat.
For yellow jackets Utilize pheromone-baited traps (be sure to read labels).
To prevent flea infestations Feed pet tablet of brewers yeast and garlic. Bathe the dog regularly during flea season and use a flea comb on your cat or dog. Vacuum furniture and carpet thoroughly and frequently (store vacuum outside of home - in shed or garage, for instance - during problem periods); clean your pet's favorite sleeping spots regularly and sprinkle with fennel, rue or rosemary.
For Moths To prevent moths from feasting on your clothing and woolens, keep them clean and store in a cedar chest. Or place sachets made of cedar chips or lavender in your closets.
For Drain Clogs To prevent drain clogs, use strainer basket (kitchen) andhair traps (bathroom). Do not pour grease down drains.
For clogged drains Plug overflow drain with wet cloth; pour 1/4 cup baking soda into drain followed by 1/2 cup vinegar, close drain tightly until fizzing action stops; flush with boiling water. Remove cloth from overflow drain.
For Mildew To prevent mildew in your shower, wipe dry after use. Bleach mildew with hydrogen peroxide (a disinfectant found in many home medicine chests, and an environmentally safe alternative to chlorine-based products); then scrub with a thin paste of lemon juice and borax to inhibit mildew formation. Air fresheners disguise odors but do not eliminate the cause. Identify and remove the source of odor. Ventilate.
MORE ABOUT WASHING SODA AND BORAX
What are they and where do I find them?
* Washing soda is sodium carbonate; baking soda is sodium bicarbonate; borax is sodium tetraborate decahydrate.
* Washing soda and baking soda make your wash water more alkaline, which releases dirt better. Borax is a natural deordorant and is abrasive, which helps to scrub out dirt.
* Washing soda and baking soda are benign. Borax can be an irritant to sensitive tissues such as the eyes and should not be ingested.
* Washing soda is made by Arm & Hammer and is usually found in the laundry soap section of large grocery stores. It is usually on the high or low shelves (non-high-consumer areas). Arm & Hammer's consumer arrairs phone # is 800-524-1328.
* Borax under the brand name 20 Mule Team Borax is made by Dial. Their consumer affairs phone # is 800-528-0849.
information courtesy of: http://www.prc.org/resources_nontoxic.html
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