Alternatives to Hazardous Chemicals

Stainless steel polish

Mineral oil

Toilet bowl cleaner

Paste of borax + lemon juice

Tub and tile cleaner

¼ cup baking soda + ½ cup white vinegar + warm water

Upholstery spot remover

Club soda

Water mark removal

Toothpaste

Water softener

¼ cup vinegar

Window cleaner

½ cup vinegar in 1 gallon warm water

Wine stain removal

Salt

Wood polish

3 parts olive oil + 1 part white vinegar; almond or olive oil (interior unvarnished wood only)

Air freshener

Simmer cinnamon & cloves

Aluminum spot remover

2 TBS cream of tartar + 1 quart hot water

Ants

Red chili powder at entry

Bleach

Borax

Brass Polish

Worcestershire sauce

Car battery corrosion

Baking soda + water

Chrome polish

Apple cider vinegar; then polish with baby oil

Cleaners (general household)

Baking soda

Coffee cup stain remover

Moist salt

Coffee pot stain

Vinegar

Copper cleaner

Lemon juice + salt

Decal remover

Soak in white vinegar

Dish detergent – grease cutter

½ cup baking soda + usual amount of liquid detergent

Drain Cleaner

Plunger followed by ½ cup baking soda + ½ cup of vinegar + 2 quarts boiling water

Fertilizer

Compost

Fiberglass stain remover

Baking soda paste

Fleas (on pet)

Pine needles, fennel, rye or rosemary on or in pet’s bed

Flies (insects)

Well watered basil plant

Floor cleaner

1 cup vinegar + 2 gallons water

Furniture polish

1 TBS lemon oil in 1 pint mineral oil

Garbage disposal deodorizer

Used lemons

Grease fire

Douse with baking soda

Grease removal

Borax on a damp cloth

Handcleaner for paint/grease

Baby oil

Ink spot remover

Cold water + 1 TBS cream of tartar + 1 TBS lemon juice

Insects on plants

Soapy water on leaves then rinse

Laundry detergent

Basic soap

Laundry pre-soak

Apply paste of washing soda (Sodium Carbonate, not baking soda) & water, apply to spots

Linoleum floor cleaner

1 cup white vinegar + 2 gallons water

Mildew remover

Equal parts of vinegar & salt

Mosquito repellant

Burn citronella candles

Nematode (worm) repellant

Plant marigolds

Oil stain remover

White chalk rubbed into stain before laundering

Oven Cleaner

2 TBS liquid soap + 2 tsp borax + warm water

Paint brush softener

Hot vinegar

Paint; oil based/stain/spray

Water-based, non-aerosol paints

Perspiration spot remover

Baking soda

Pet odor remover

Cider vinegar

Porcelain cleaner

Apply paste of baking soda & water, let set, run clean, rinse

Roach repellant

Chopped bay leaves & cucumber skins

Rug/carpet cleaner

Club soda

Rust removal (clothing)

Lemon juice + salt + sunlight

Rusty bolt/nut removal

Carbonated beverage

Scorch mark removal

Grated onion

Scouring powder

Baking soda

Shaving cream

Brush & shaving soap

Shoe polish

Banana peel

Silver polish

1 quart boiling water + 1 TBS baking soda + piece of aluminum foil, + 1 TBS salt

Slug & snail repellant

Onion & marigold plants

Spot remover

Club soda, lemon juice or salt