Non-Toxic Product Resources

Although most of us don’t realize it, the plethora of potentially toxic cleaning solutions living under our sinks could be reduced to a half dozen extremely inexpensive, environmentally-friendly solutions made mostly from ingredients you may already have on hand.

Vinegar and water, long-known to be excellent for cleaning windows, still outshines the dozens of window-washing products on the market, and baking soda and vinegar are ideal for unplugging a sluggish drain.

Most of the cleansers on the market are harsh, abrasive and contain chlorine. Bon Ami, one of those products that has been around for as long as anyone can remember, still outscrubs all of it’s chlorine-laden counterparts and is useful on many surfaces.

The following shows you what common, everyday ingredients can be used as an alternative to your existing products.

Oven Cleaner
Baking soda and water, mixed to a paste applied with a scouring pad

Drain Cleaner
1/2 C salt pour down drain, followed by boiling water OR 1 C of baking soda and 1/2 C white vinegar put down the drain and covered briefly.

Window Cleaner
1 t of vinegar to 1 qt warm water.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Paste of borax and water rubbed on and left sitting 1 hour, then scrubbed off.

Floor Cleaner
1/2 C vinegar to a bucket of hot water- use a borax sprinkled sponge for tough spots.

Silver Polish
Clean with baking soda and water

Air Freshener
Vinegar in an open dish, box of baking soda for closed area such as refrigerators and closets. Pine boughs, clove and orange balls, or herb sachets to scent the air.

General Surface Cleaner
Mixture of vinegar, salt and water OR mixture of borax soap, lemon juice and clean water.

Mildew Remover
1/2 C vinegar 1/2 C borax, warm water.

Disinfectant and General Cleaner
1/2 C borax in 1 gal of hot water.

Furniture or Floor Polish
1/2 C lemon juice and 1 C vegetable or olive oil.

Carpet/Rug Deodorizer
Sprinkle on cornstarch, baking soda or borax.

Fabric Softener
Add 1 C white vinegar or 1/4 C baking soda to final rinse

Dishwasher Soap
1 part borax to 1 part washing soda.