ALTERNATIVES FOR HOUSEHOLD CLEANING SOLUTIONS

The improper disposal of household chemicals can be hazardous to people and their environment. While one home's pollution may be small, the effect of many can be significant. Each month an average community of 158,000 people discards 6 tons of toilet bowl cleaner, 22 tons of liquid household cleaner and 5.5 tons of motor oil. Landfills, storm drains and sewage treatment plants are not designed to treat chemical wastes. Without special treatment, the chemicals stay in the environment and move into recreational and drinking water supplies. Everyone must help to solve this problem. Here's some safer and less hazardous alternatives to chemicals. Call (313) 923-2240 for the latest information.

HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS
Furniture:
Polish:
Equal parts mineral oil and lemon oil or:
Equal parts mineral oil and Murphy's Oil Soap.
Wood:
2 T. olive oil, 1 T. white vinegar in 1 qt. warm water. Spray, then dry with soft cloth.
Upholstered:
6 T. soap flakes, 1 pt. boiling water, 2 T. borax.
Leather:
Murphy's Oil Soap.
Floors:
Cleaner:
1/4 c. white vinegar, 1/4 c. washing soda (sodium carbonate) in 1 gal. warm water.
Painted Wood:
1 T. washing soda in 1 gal. warm water.
Vinyl, Natural Wood:
Murphy's Oil Soap.
Wax Remover:
3 T. washing soda in 1 qt. warm water.
All Purpose Cleaner:
Baking soda and water for ovens, cutting boards, coffee stains, toilets, basin, tub and tile.
Water mixed with salt or borax for Formica.
Baking soda and vinegar for crusted food in pans.
Oven Cleaner:
Put salt on spills while warm.
Loosen soil with 1/4 c. ammonia left overnight.
Deodorizer:
Baking soda or vinegar in open dish.
Air out room.
Fresh flowers or herbs.
Mix 2 c. of corn meal and 1 box of borax and sprinkle on carpet, leave 15 minutes, then vacuum.
Disinfectant:
Borax and water solution, then keep area aired out and dry.
1 T. bleach in 1 gal. of warm water (wipe on a clean surface and let air dry).
Stain Removal:
For rust or hard water deposits: vinegar or lemon juice.
For copper pots: lemon halves dipped in salt (or rub with vinegar).
For coffee cups: baking soda.
For general use: corn meal and water mixed into paste.
Personal Care Products:
Avoid aerosols, use pump sprays.

GARAGE/BASEMENT
Paint, Paint Remover: Use water based latex paints.
Use sandpaper and sander as paint remover.
Pesticides:
Boric acid for cockroaches, traps for rats and mice (Pesticides will not be effective if the pests' shelter, food and water are not removed).
Wood Preservatives:
Purchase pre-treated wood.

LAUNDRY
Detergent:
Soap, borax or washing soda or use less detergent.
Softener:
1/4 c. vinegar in wash cycle.
Dry Cleaner Fluid/Spot Remover:
Soap, cornstarch or vinegar.
Starch;
1 T. cornstarch to 1 pt. water.
Bleach:
Use powdered rather than liquid bleach.