Detoxify your home

Most people don’t realize how many chemical–laden products they have in their home, such as bleach, drain cleaner, furniture polish, and insect spray to name a few. For people with small children who want to rid themselves of the potential danger, or people who simply want to choose safer, less-toxic products, here are a few helpful hints:

Instead Of - Substitute with:

Air freshener - A small dish of vinegar or lemon juice set out in a warm area.

All-purpose cleaner - One-quart warm water, 1-teaspoon liquid soap, 1-teaspoon borax, and 1/4-cup vinegar.

Bleach – Borax

Carpet cleaner - Sprinkle the carpet with a mixture of one cup borax and 2 cups cornmeal or use baking soda. Let stand 1 hour before vacuuming.

Chlorine scouring powder - Baking soda

Detergent - Simple soap or phosphate-free detergent

Disinfectant – Ammonia

Drain cleaner - Plunger, followed by a handful of baking soda and a half-cup of vinegar. Cover and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Pour in 2 quarts of boiling water, and the clog should disappear.

Floor cleaner - Mop floors with a mild soap solution or 1 cup vinegar mixed with 2 gallons of water. Linoleum floors can be polished by mopping with skim milk.

Furniture polish - On unfinished surfaces, use natural oil such as almond or olive oil. On finished surfaces, dust with a damp cloth and wipe dry.

Glass cleaner - Two tablespoons of vinegar to 1 quart of water.

Grease remover - Baking soda paste

Mildew stain remover - Vinegar solution

Mothballs - Cedar chips

Oven cleaner - Pour salt on fresh oven spills, and scrape the residue off when the oven cools. Ammonia can be applied to tough stains. A pumice stick, available at many hardware stores, will also work.

Insect spray - Make chili powder packets to keep ants out of your kitchen.

Stain remover - Cornstarch paste

Surface cleaner - Use a vinegar and salt mixture

Tile cleaner - Scrub areas with baking soda and a toothbrush

Toilet bowl cleaner - Baking soda or borax

Window cleaner - Mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar or 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a quart of warm water.

Source: United States Department of Agriculture

Information on this site is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. You should read carefully all product packaging. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.