SAFE ALTERNATIVES TO COMMON HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

These alternatives may require a little more "elbow grease", however the benefits are worth it - improved air quality, decreased exposure to chemicals, fewer waste disposal concerns, convenience and lower costs.

Product Alternative for:

Commercial Air Fresheners

Open windows, use baking soda to absorb odors, boil cinnamon & cloves in a pan on the stove, plants also help to remove odors from the air.

[You may also opt for peels from oranges or slices of lemon. I use this most of the time - ZAMejias]


All Purpose Cleaner



125 ml (½ cup) pure soap +
4 L (1 gal) hot water OR 60 ml (¼ cup) baking soda/borax
+ 1 L (4 cups) hot water, to cut grease add 60 ml (¼ cup) lemon juice.




Automatic Dishwasher or Detergent / Dish Soap

Hand-washing with soap flakes dissolved in hot water (add vinegar to cut grease).


Bathroom Cleaners



Clean regularly with soap & hot water. For tub & tile, use baking soda with a firm bristled brush OR 125 ml (½ cup) pure soap, 4 L (1 gal) hot water with baking soda.

For mould/grout, use vinegar.

[I always use baking soda, sometimes with vinegar, in warm water -ZAMejias]


Disinfectant

125 ml (½ cup) borax with 1 L (4 cups) hot water.


Drain Cleaner
Cover drains with a screen to keep out debris. Use a plumber’s snake or plunger to clear drain. Pour 125 ml (½ cup) vinegar & 125 ml (½ cup) baking soda into drain. Cover tightly 1 min. then flush. Next use 125 ml (½ cup) salt + 125 ml (½ cup) baking soda + 1.5 L (6 cups) boiling water. Let sit several hours then flush with water.

[Pouring warm to hot water before doing the cleaning can also help drains that need minor de-clogging work. Very effective to cut grease - ZAMejias]


Furniture Polish



Dissolve 5 ml (1 tsp.) lemon oil in 250 ml (1 cup) vegetable, linseed or mineral oil, apply with a clean rag.


Glass Cleaner

Add 65 ml (4 tbsp.) vinegar or 15 ml (1 tbsp.) lemon juice to a spray bottle filled with warm water, polish.

[After cleaning the glass with this solution, wipe glass with old newspaper. I cannot explain this but newspaper works better than rag or cloth. Absorbs better. -ZAMejias]

Metal Polish Copper

Equal parts lemon juice & hot vinegar and a little salt, apply with dry rag.

• Chrome - white flour on dry rage OR apple cider vinegar.

• Brass - equal parts salt + flour with vinegar OR Worcestershire sauce.

• Silver - paste of wood ash & water.

Oven Cleaner Scrub

Scrub with baking soda & steel wool OR 250 ml (1 cup) pure soap, 125 ml (½ cup) pure soap, 120 ml lemon juice or borax and 4 L (1 gal) hot water.

For baked on grease: mix paste of baking soda + salt + water.


Scouring Cleaner


Baking soda or paste of baking soda + soap.


Detergent

80 ml (1/3 cup) of washing soda as machine fills, put in clothes + 375 ml (1½ cups) soap. For heavy soils presoak with 125 ml (½ cup) washing soda and warm water (30 min), rub soiled area with liquid soap.


Bleach

Use washing soda, borax, OR hydrogen peroxide bleach.

[Soda water and white vinegar can also remove stains. ZAMejias]


Credits:
These alternatives are lifted from georgiastrait.org
Photo from worldofstock