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Use Less Toxic Alternatives
Marigolds can repel nematodes.
Using alternative products instead of toxic substances drastically reduces the presence of toxins in stormwater and receiving waters.
What are some eco-friendly alternatives to hazardous waste products?
| Purpose | Less Toxic Alternative |
|---|---|
| Air freshener | Simmer cinnamon and cloves |
| Aluminum spot remover | 2 tablespoons cream of tartar + 1 quart hot water |
| Ants | Red chili powder at point of entry |
| Bleach | Borax |
| Brass polish | Worcestershire sauce |
| Car battery corrosion | Baking soda + water, carbonated soft drinks |
| Chrome polish | Apple cider vinegar, baby oil to polish |
| 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 | 1/2 cup baking soda + usual amount of liquid detergent |
| Drain cleaner | Plunger followed by 1/2 cup baking soda + 1/2 cup of vinegar + 2 quarts boiling water |
| Fertilizer | Compost and vermicompost |
| Fiberglass stain remover | Baking soda paste |
| Fleas on pets | Gradually add brewers yeast to pet’s diet |
| Flies | Well-watered pot of basil |
| Furniture polish | 1 tablespoon lemon oil in 1 pint of mineral oil |
| Garbage disposal deodorizers | Used lemons |
| Grease fire | Douse with baking soda |
| Grease removal | Borax on damp cloth |
| Hand cleaner: paint/grease | Baby oil |
| Ink spot remover | Cold water + 1 tablespoon cream of tartar + 1 tablespoon lemon juice |
| Insects on plants | Soapy water on leaves, then rinse |
| Laundry detergent | Basic soap |
| Linoleum floor cleaner | 1 cup white vinegar + 2 gallons water |
| Mildew remover | Equal parts of vinegar and salt |
| Mosquito repellent | Burn citronella candles or citronella oil |
| Moth repellent | Cedar chips enclosed in cotton sachets |
| Nematode repellent | Plant marigolds |
| Oil stain remover | White chalk rubbed into stain before laundering |
| Oven cleaner | 2 tablespoons liquid soap + 2 tablespoons borax with warm water |
| Paint; oil based/ stain/spray | Water-based, non-aerosol paints |
| Paint brush softener | Hot vinegar |
| Perspiration spot remover | Baking soda |
| Pet odor remover | Cider vinegar |
| Porcelain stain remover | Baking soda |
| Refrigerator deodorizer | Open box baking soda |
| Roach repellent | Chopped bay leaves and 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 and shaving soap |
| Shoe polish | Banana peel |
| Silver polish | 1 quart warm water + 1 tablespoon baking soda + a piece of aluminum foil + 1 tablespoon salt in a glass dish; soak silver, rinse, dry |
| Slug and snail repellent | Onion and marigold plants |
| Spot remover | Club soda, lemon juice or salt |
| Stainless steel polish | Mineral oil |
| Toilet bowl cleaner | Paste of borax + lemon juice |
| Tub and tile cleaner | 1/4 cup of 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 remover | Salt |
| Window cleaner | 2 tablespoons vinegar in 1 quart warm water |
| Wood polish | 3 parts olive oil + 1 part white vinegar; almond or olive oil (interior unvarnished wood only) |
More Information
- Properly dispose of household hazardous materials
- Guide to Home Cleaners from the Center for a New American Dream
