Most homes in developed countries today have dozens of toxic products, in almost every room of the house, from bedrooms and home office to kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, etc. If you were to put a "Toxic!" label on every corner with toxic chemicals you use regularly or store for occasional use, how many cupboards in your house should be labeled "toxic" and locked?
There are many inexpensive, easy-to-use natural alternatives which can safely be used in place of commercial household products. Going green and detoxing your home does not have to be an expensive project. Below is a list of basic non-toxic products anyone should have around the house. If you can't afford the time or money to go through the whole list, at least buy one at a time, as your budget permits.
Combinations of these basic products can provide less harmful substitutions for many commercial home products. In most cases, they're also less expensive. Here are some formulas for safe, alternative home care products:
Note: Results may vary and cannot be guaranteed to be 100% safe and effective. Before applying any cleaning formulations, test in small hidden areas if possible. Always use caution with any new product in your home.
Make sure to keep all home-made formulas well-labeled, and out of the reach of children.
All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.
Another alternative is microfiber cloths which lift off dirt, grease and dust without the need for cleaning chemicals, because they are formulated to penetrate and trap dirt. There are a number of different brands. A good quality cloth can last for several years. |
Air Freshener: Commercial air fresheners mask smells and coat nasal passages to diminish the sense of smell.
• Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small dishes absorbs odors around the house.
• Having houseplants helps reduce odors in the home.
• Prevent cooking odors by simmering vinegar (1 tbsp in 1 cup water) on the stove while cooking. To get such smells as fish and onion off utensils and cutting boards, wipe them with vinegar and wash in soapy water.
• Keep fresh coffee grounds on the counter.
• Grind up a slice of lemon in the garbage disposal.
• Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove.
• Place bowls of fragrant dried herbs and flowers in room. |
| Baking soda: cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours, provides grit for scrubbing. Reacts with vinegar, water or lemon by fizzing, which helps speed up cleaning times. Absorbs odor and deodorizes.
Cleans without scratching and polishes aluminum, chrome, jewelry, plastic, porcelain, silver, stainless steel, and tin.
It can be used as a deodorizer in the refrigerator, on carpets, on upholstery and on vinyl. It can help deodorize drains.
Extinguishes grease fires.
Softens fabrics and removes certain stains.
Softens hard water and makes a relaxing bath time soak.
It is an effective underarm deodorant and toothpaste.
For pet bird owners - it's a great scrubbing and scouring agent for cages. |
| Bathroom mold: Mold in bathroom tile grout is a common problem and can be a health concern. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold. Wait at least one hour before rinsing or using shower. |
| Borax: desinfects, bleaches and deodorizes, is handy in laundry mixes. It disinfects and inhibits the growth of mildew and mold.
It boosts the cleaning power of soap or detergent.
It removes stains, cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.
It can be used with attractants such as sugar to kill insects, such as ants or cockroaches.
Pet bird owners use it as a scouring agent for cages.
Borax is toxic to pets (especially to cats who lick it off their coats - less so to dogs). It's best not to use it around them. CAUTION Borax can harm, use gloves and do not inhale its fumes (use mask if necessary). Borax is an acute eye and respiratory tract irritant, and is quite toxic when ingested. If using Borax for cleaning or pest control, it's important to remove all traces. |
| Candles: beeswax - cleans the air
or soy candle or palm/vegetable oil candle |
Carpet stains: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on stain, let sit for several minutes, and clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water.
For a heavy duty carpet cleaner, mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax and vinegar. Rub paste into carpet and leave for a few hours. Vacuum. |
| Chopping block cleaner: Rub a slice of lemon across a chopping block to disinfect the surface. For tougher stains, squeeze some of the lemon juice onto the spot and let sit for 10 minutes, then wipe. |
| Citrus Solvent - cleans paint brushes, oil and grease, some stains. (Citrus solvent may cause skin, lung or eye irritations for people with multiple chemical sensitivities.) |
| Coffee and tea stains: Stains in cups can be removed by applying vinegar to a sponge and wiping. To clean a teakettle or coffee maker, add 2 cups water and 1/4 cup vinegar; bring to a boil. Let cool, wipe with a clean cloth and rinse thoroughly with water. |
| Cornstarch
Cleans windows.
Polishes furniture.
Shampoos carpets and rugs.
Starches clothes. |
Deodorize:
• Plastic food storage containers - soak overnight in warm water and baking soda
• In-sink garbage disposal units - grind up lemon or orange peel in the unit
• Carpets - sprinkle baking soda several hours before vacuuming
• Garage, basements - set a sliced onion on a plate in center of room for 12 - 24 hours |
| Disinfectant: Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 3 cups hot water. For stronger cleaning power add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Wipe on with dampened cloth or use non-aerosol spray bottle. |
| Dishwasher Soap: Mix equal parts of borax and washing soda, but increase the washing soda if your water is hard. |
| Dishwashing Soap: Commercial low-phosphate detergents are not themselves harmful, but phosphates nourish algae which use up oxygen in waterways. A detergent substitution is to use liquid soap. Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of vinegar to the warm, soapy water for tough jobs. |
| Drain Cleaner: For light drain cleaning, mix 1/2 cup salt in 4 liters water, heat (but not to a boil) and pour down the drain. For stronger cleaning, pour about 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, then 1/2 cup vinegar. The resulting chemical reaction can break fatty acids down into soap and glycerine, allowing the clog to wash down the drain. After 15 minutes, pour in boiling water to clear residue. Caution: only use this method with metal plumbing. Plastic pipes can melt if excess boiling water is used. Also, do not use this method after trying a commercial drain opener--the vinegar can react with the drain opener to create dangerous fumes. |
| Fabric softener: To reduce static cling, dampen your hands, then shake out your clothes as you remove them from the drier. Line-drying clothing is another alternative. |
Floor Cleaner and Polish:
vinyl and linoleum:
wood: apply a thin coat of 1:1 vegetable oil and vinegar and rub in well.
painted wood: mix 1 teaspoon washing soda into 1 gallon (4L) hot water.
brick and stone tiles: mix 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon (4L) water; rinse with clear water.
Most floor surfaces can be easily cleaned using a solution of vinegar and water. For damp-mopping wood floors: mix equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and water. Add 15 drops of pure peppermint oil; shake to mix. |
| Furniture Polish: For varnished wood, add a few drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well and spray onto a soft cotton cloth. Cloth should only be slightly damp. Wipe furniture with the cloth, and finish by wiping once more using a dry soft cotton cloth.
For unvarnished wood, mix two tsps each of olive oil and lemon juice and apply a small amount to a soft cotton cloth. Wring the cloth to spread the mixture further into the material and apply to the furniture using wide strokes. This helps distribute the oil evenly. |
| Glass cleaner: 1 tbs of lemon or 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 cup water
spray on rug and wipe the window. |
| Isopropyl Alcohol: Excellent disinfectant and cleaning agent but it must be used in a well-ventilated space with adequate protection for the hands and skin.(It has been suggested to replace this with ethanol or 100 proof alcohol in solution with water. There is some indication that isopropyl alcohol buildup contributes to illness in the body. See http://drclark.ch/g) |
| Hydrogen Peroxide: desinfects & bleaches, removes stains. Anti-viral, antibacterial, antifungal. Put hydrogene peroxide in laundry instead of bleach, or spray it on your wet hair to bleach it. |
| Laundry Detergent: Mix 1 cup Ivory soap (or Fels Naptha soap), 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax. Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads. |
| Lemon: one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household bacteria. Deodorant, natural disinfectant, cuts grease; bottled lemon juice also works, but you need more for same results.
Cleans mineral bild-up, tarnish and grease
Can be used to clean glass
Remove stains from aluminum, clothes, and porcelain.
It is a mild lightener or bleach, if used with sunlight. |
| Lime Deposits: You can reduce lime deposits in your teakettle by putting in 1/2 cup (125ml) white vinegar and 2 cups water, and gently boiling for a few minutes. Rinse well with fresh water while kettle is still warm. |
| Marks on walls and painted surfaces: Many ink spots, pencil, crayon or marker spots can be cleaned from painted surfaces using baking soda applied to a damp sponge. Rub gently, then wipe and rinse. |
Metal Cleaners and Polishes:
aluminum: using a soft cloth, clean with a solution of cream of tartar and water.
brass or bronze: polish with a soft cloth dipped in lemon and baking-soda solution, or vinegar and salt solution.
chrome: polish with baby oil, vinegar, or aluminum foil shiny side out.
copper: soak a cotton rag in a pot of boiling water with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 cup white vinegar. Apply to copper while hot; let cool, then wipe clean. For tougher jobs, sprinkle baking soda or lemon juice on a soft cloth, then wipe. For copper cookware, sprinkle a lemon wedge with salt, then scrub.
gold: clean with toothpaste, or a paste of salt, vinegar, and flour.
silver: line a pan with aluminum foil and fill with water; add a teaspoon each of baking soda and salt. Bring to a boil and immerse silver. Polish with soft cloth.
stainless steel: clean with a cloth dampened with undiluted white vinegar, or olive oil. For stainless cookware, mix 4 tbs baking soda in 1 qt water, and apply using a soft cloth. Wipe dry using a clean cloth. |
| Mineral Oil: An ingredient in several furniture polish and floor wax recipes. |
| Mold and Mildew: Use white vinegar or lemon juice full strength. Apply with a sponge or scrubby. |
Mothballs: The common mothball is made of paradichlorobenzene, which is harmful to liver and kidneys. Cedar chips in a cheesecloth square, or cedar oil in an absorbant cloth will repel moths. The cedar should be 'aromatic cedar', also referred to as juniper in some areas. Cedar chips are available at many craft supply stores, or make your own using a plane and a block of cedar from the lumberyard.
Homemade moth-repelling sachets can also be made with lavender, rosemary, vetiver and rose petals.
Dried lemon peels are also a natural moth deterrent - simply toss into clothes chest, or tie in cheesecloth and hang in the closet. |
| Oil and Grease Spots: For small spills on the garage floor, add baking soda and scrub with wet brush. |
| Olive Oil: picks up dirt and polishes wood
; cheaper grades work well, too. |
Oven Cleaner: Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Use 3/4cup baking soda, 1/4cup salt and 1/4cup water to make a thick paste, and spread throughout oven interior. (avoid bare metal and any openings) Let sit overnight. Remove with spatula and wipe clean. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots. Or use Arm & Hammer Oven Cleaner, declared nontoxic by Consumers Union. |
| Paper towels PCF - processed chlorine free or TCF totally chlorine free |
Paint Brush Cleaner: Non-toxic, citrus oil based solvents are now available commercially under several brand names. Citra-Solve is one brand. This works well for cleaning brushes of oil-based paints. Paint brushes and rollers used for an on-going project can be saved overnight, or even up to a week, without cleaning at all. Simply wrap the brush or roller snugly in a plastic bag, such as a used bread or produce bag. Squeeze out air pockets and store away from light. The paint won't dry because air can't get to it. Simply unwrap the brush or roller the next day and continue with the job.
Fresh paint odors can be reduced by placing a small dish of white vinegar in the room. |
| Rust Remover: Sprinkle a little salt on the rust, squeeze a lime over the salt until it is well soaked. Leave the mixture on for 2 - 3 hours. Use leftover rind to scrub residue. |
| Salt Non-scratching abrasive cleaner.
Combine with lemon to clean copper pans.
Also see "Epsom Salt" |
| Scouring Powder: For top of stove, refrigerator and other such surfaces that should not be scratched, use baking soda. Apply baking soda directly with a damp sponge. |
| Shoe Polish: Olive oil with a few drops of lemon juice can be applied to shoes with a thick cotton or terry rag. Leave for a few minutes; wipe and buff with a clean, dry rag. |
| Shower curtains: Choose PEVA, not PVC (contains hormone disrupters and causes asthma)
or made of hemp - resists milldew |
| Soap (NOT detergent):
Look for vegetable-oil-based liquid soaps.
Castille soap can be used as a shampoo or as a body soap.
Olive-oil based soap is gentlest to the skin.
An all-purpose liquid soap can be made by simple dissolving the old ends of bar soap (or grated slivers of bar soap) in warm water.
Anti-bacterial soaps are not healthy. Use unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars - is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates. |
| Steel Wool:
Removes rust and stubborn food residues. Used to scour cook / bake ware and barbeque grills. |
| Stickers on walls: To remove, sponge vinegar over them several times, and wait 15 minutes, then rub off the stickers. This also works for price tags (stickers) on tools, etc. |
| Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into basin and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (one part) will also work. |
| Towels: choose towels made of organic cotton or baboo towels |
| TSP (trisodium phosphate):
TSP is a mixture of soda ash and phosphoric acid. TSP is toxic if swallowed, but it can be used on many jobs, such as cleaning drains or removing old paint, that would normally require much more caustic and poisonous chemicals and it does not create any fumes. |
Tub and Tile Cleaner: For simple cleaning, rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For tougher jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder. (Vinegar can break down tile grout, so use sparingly.) |
| Wallpaper Remover: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and hot water, apply with sponge over the old wallpaper to soften the adhesive. Open room windows or use a fan to dissipate the pungent vinegar smell. |
| Water Rings on Wood: Water rings on a wooden table or counter are the result of moisture that is trapped under the topcoat, but not the finish. Try applying toothpaste or mayonnaise to a damp cloth and rub into the ring. Once the ring is removed, buff the entire wood surface. |
| Vegetable based Castille soap. Non-petroleum all purpose cleaner |
| Window Cleaner: Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter (qt) warm water. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Don't clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying. The All-Purpose Cleaner (above) also works well on windows. Be sure to follow the recipe, because using too strong a solution of vinegar will etch the glass and eventually cloud it. |
| White Vinegar:
cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up. Add to your steam cleaner to clean and get rid of pet stains and smells.
Dissolves mineral deposits and grease.
Removes traces of soap, removes mildew or wax buildup.
Polishes some metals and deodorizes.
Cleans brick or stone
Cleans out the metallic taste in coffee pots and to shine windows without streaking.
Ingredient in some natural carpet cleaning recipes.
Vinegar is normally used in a solution with water, but it can be used straight. |
| Washing Soda or SAL Soda is a mineral: sodium carbonate decahydrate.
General cleaner, cuts stubborn grease on grills, broiler pans, and ovens.
It can be used with soda instead of laundry detergent,
softens hard water, removes stains, cleans walls, tiles, sinks and tubs, unplugs pipes. It's caustic, use gloves. Use care, as washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum. |
