Non-hazardous Alternative Recipes
Check out the following non-hazardous alternative recipes using environmentally-safe ingredients to make your own effective and cost-efficient cleaners:
Alternative cleaners for the home
Nowadays you can't open up a newspaper without finding a story on the environment. It's a topic that has become a concern for many. That's why when it comes to cleaning, more and more people are pushing aside their ready-made commercial cleaners and opting for safer and gentler homemade cleaners.
Generations ago, families relied on simple ingredients such as vinegar and pure soap to keep their homes clean. Today cleaning can be just as simple. Drain and oven cleaners, abrasive powders and detergents can all be replaced with a homemade alternative. To help you get started, Solid Waste Management has compiled a list of recipes for safer alternative cleaners. Give them a try. Experiment with them by adjusting the strengths and proportions to suit your cleaning needs. You may find that they're often just as effective as, if not better than, commercial brands.
Environmentally-safe ingredients
Use the ingredients listed below when making your own alternative cleaners. Either combined, or on their own, they will produce safe, effective and cost-efficient cleaners.
| Baking soda: (sodium bicarbonate) |
An all-purpose, non-toxic cleaner. It cleans, deodorizes, scours, polishes and removes stains. |
|---|---|
| Borax: (sodium borate) |
It deodorizes, removes stains and boosts the cleaning power of soap. It also prevents mold and odours. |
| Cornstarch: | Cleans and deodorizes carpets and rugs. |
| Lemon juice: | Cuts through grease and stains on aluminum and porcelain. |
| Pure soap: | Cleans everything. |
| Table salt: (sodium chloride) |
A mild disinfectant and makes an abrasive, but gentle, scouring powder. |
| Vinegar: (dilute acetic acid) |
Removes mildew, stains, grease and wax buildup. Vinegar is a great glass cleaner. |
| Washing soda: (sodium carbonate) |
Cuts grease and disinfects. It will also increase the cleaning power of soap. |
Before you begin...
- Save time, make your cleaners in advance.
- Buy your ingredients in bulk. You'll save money and avoid excess packaging.
- Store your ingredients in reusable airtight containers.
- Make small batches of cleaners; store in durable, plastic containers and spray bottles.
- Label all of your ingredients and keep them out of reach of children.
- Wear rubber gloves when you clean. These alternative cleaners are environmentally-safe, but they may irritate the skin.
Alternative cleaners for the laundry
It's laundry day! Time to sort the whites from the darks and lose some more socks in the dryer. However this time, try something different. Set aside your commercial laundry cleaners and try homemade laundry cleaners. They're gentler on the environment and are often just as effective as, if not better than, their ready-made counterparts.
Detergents, fabric softeners, bleach and stain removers can all be replaced with a homemade alternative. Generations ago, families relied on simple ingredients such as pure soap and vinegar to get clothes soft and clean. Today it can be just as simple. To help you get started, Solid Waste Management has compiled a list of recipes for alternative laundry cleaners. Give them a try. Experiment with the strengths and proportions to suit your cleaning needs. You may be surprised at the difference they can make.
Environmentally-safe ingredients
Use the ingredients listed below when making your own alternative cleaners. Either combined, or on their own, they will produce safe, effective and cost-efficient cleaners.
| Baking soda: (sodium bicarbonate) |
An all-purpose, non-toxic cleaner. It cleans, deodorizes, scours, polishes and removes stains. |
|---|---|
| Borax: (sodium borate) |
It deodorizes, removes stains and boosts the cleaning power of soap. It also prevents mold and odours. |
| Cornstarch: | Cleans and deodorizes carpets and rugs. |
| Lemon juice: | Cuts through grease and stains on aluminum and porcelain. |
| Pure soap: | Cleans everything. |
| Table salt: (sodium chloride) |
A mild disinfectant and makes an abrasive, but gentle, scouring powder. |
| Vinegar: (dilute acetic acid) |
Removes mildew, stains, grease and wax buildup. Vinegar is a great glass cleaner. |
| Washing soda: (sodium carbonate) |
Cuts grease and disinfects. It will also increase the cleaning power of soap. |
Before you begin...
- Save time, make your cleaners in advance.
- Buy your ingredients in bulk. You'll save money and avoid excess packaging.
- Store your ingredients in reusable airtight containers.
- Make small batches of cleaners; store in durable, plastic containers and spray bottles.
- Label all of your ingredients and keep them out of reach of children.
- Wear rubber gloves when you clean. These alternative cleaners are environmentally-safe, but they may irritate the skin.