Household Toxin Alternatives

In a lot of my recent reading (you will encounter this when you read Paul Hawken’s book The Ecology of Commerce) I am coming to understand what a large part organo chlorines (bleach, chlorines used in whitening TP, printer paper, paper towels, product packaging, etc) are playing in the decline of living systems on our planet. In fact the EPA says that 50% of ALL ILLNESSES comes from toxins in the house – of course these include other toxins but chlorine is a very common household toxin. I think we are ahead of the game at my house where we have a few tried and true recipes like our drain cleaner which is a blend of apple cider vinegar and baking soda. What’s more is that recipes like this are more economical and safe to mix at home – giving you the added enviro action of reusing the container (i.e. reducing the amount of spray bottles manufactured to support household cleaning needs – even if you recycle the methods of production for these petrochemical containers are very toxic). Here is a list (from LA County Dept of Public Works May01) of some more recipes – note in particular the disinfectant with Borax (which is a naturally occurring mineral) which seems to be a good sub for bleach in both laundry and disinfectant).

I have not tested these recipes nor worked with the stores listed as suppliers, so I can not endorse them all. A few of these recipes are similar to things we already use in the house and garden which makes me feel like this is a good list to start from in order to move away from the toxins that come in everyday household cleaners and products. Also I would caution you to really consider what you are doing when you are killing any part of your ecosystem - be it snail, ant or rat - all pests have a part to play in our ecosystems and while we are a part of the balancing force, we can also carelessly unbalance it (as humans are so good at doing) so think about the cycle you are part of and what the impacts of your actions will be. If you dont understand it, better to follow the Hippocratic oath - FIRST DO NO HARM.

In addition to the great recipes below, I have been going to a store in San Francisco called Spring http://www.astorecalledspring.com/ . There is a chance I might eb workign with them on an ecommerce solution too which means all of their amazing products will be available online.

KITCHEN

Spray Disinfectant Cleaner
½ cup borax
1 gallon hot water
Dissolve borax in hot water. Wipe down areas to be disinfected.

Abrasive Cleaner
Sprinkle baking soda or borax, add juice of ½ lemon and scrub.

Brass/Copper Tarnish Remover
Salt
Flour
White vinegar
Mix together equal parts salt and flour, then add white vinegar to make a paste. Rub into the stain. Repeat if necessary.

Metal Cleaner
Fresh squeezed juice of 2 lemons
a cup baking soda
1 teaspoon fine salt
6 tablespoons clay powder
Mix all ingredients together until pasty. Add water or more clay if needed. Rub paste onto metal with extremely fine steel wool and allow to sit for fifteen minutes. Wash off with a sponge and clear water. Polish metal with a soft cloth. Do not use on aluminum.

Silver Polish
Rub with paste of baking soda and water.
Glassware/Crystal Spot Removal
Dip spotted glassware into water to which a splash of vinegar has been added, dry with lint-free dishcloth.

Dishwasher Detergent
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons borax
Mix baking soda and borax and put mixture in dishwasher.

Window Cleaner
Option 1:
Juice from one fresh lemon
2 cups water or club soda
½ teaspoon peppermint essential oil (optional)
1 teaspoon cornstarch
Mix all ingredients and pour into plastic spray bottle. Shake well.

Option 2:
8 parts water
1 part vinegar
Mix ingredients, scrub and wipe with newspaper.

Drain Cleaner/Opener
¼ cup vinegar
¼ cup baking soda
Mix ingredients and pour mixture down drain. Let stand for a few minutes and rinse with boiling water.

Oven Cleaner
Mix equal parts of castille soap, borax and water. Apply mixture, let set for 20 minutes. Scrub with mixture of baking soda and salt.

BATHROOM

Bathtub/Sink Stains
Scrub with paste made from cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide.

Soap Film on Fiberglass Surface
Apply baking soda with damp cloth, rub and rinse off residue well.

Soap Film/Mildew on Shower Curtains
Pour full-strength vinegar on the shower curtain to remove soap film and mildew.

Shower-Door Track Cleaning
Pour full-strength vinegar into the track, let soak for a few minutes, rinse.

Toilet Lime Deposit Removal
Pour full strength white vinegar in the bowl, let sit for several hours. Scrub with sturdy brush.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner
½ teaspoon sodium lauryl sulfate
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 teaspoon orange essential oil or 1 teaspoon grapefruit essential oil (optional)
2 cups water
Mix all ingredients. Vinegar and baking soda will foam when mixed. Let mixture stand for 10 minutes before pouring into a spray bottle.

FURNITURE POLISH

Lemon Scented Polish
1 teaspoon lemon oil
2 cups mineral oil
Mix and apply with soft cloth.

Dark Wood Polish
1 teaspoon olive oil
Juice of one lemon
1 teaspoon brandy or whiskey
1 teaspoon water
Mix and apply with soft cloth. Must be made fresh each time.

Unscented Polish
3 parts olive oil
1 part vinegar
Mix and apply with soft cloth.

Oak Furniture Polish
1 quart of beer
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons beeswax
Boil beer with sugar and beeswax. When cool, wipe mixture on wood, allow to dry and polish with soft cloth.

Heat Blemish/Scratch Remover
Rub in mayonnaise and wipe off. Buff with clean cloth.

Water Spot Treatment Polish
Toothpaste (not gel)
Baking soda
Pecan
Apply equal parts toothpaste and baking soda with a soft, damp cloth. Rinse out the cloth and wipe off any residue. When the finish is smooth, buff with a clean soft cloth. Restore color and shine by rubbing the spot with the meat of half a pecan, then buff.

PAINTS/REMOVERS

Enamel Paint Drips/Spill Remover
Wipe up spills and drips with a soft wet towel lathered with pumice soap (the sooner the better).

Removing Paint from Skin
Rub with mineral oil. Wash with soap and water.

Arts and Crafts Paint
½ cup cornstarch
2 cups cold water
Food coloring
Mix cornstarch and water in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to boil and continue to boil until it thickens. Let cool slightly. Pour into jars and color each with food coloring.

SPOT REMOVERS

All-purpose Spot Remover
¼ cup borax
2 cups cold water
Dissolve borax in cold water. Sponge it on and let it sit until dry. Wash with soap and water to completely remove spot. Works well on blood, chocolate, coffee, mildew, mud and urine.

Club Soda
Pour club soda on fresh spots and stains to remove wine and foods from clothing, carpets and linens.

Ink Spot Remover
Cream of tartar
Lemon juice
Warm water
Put cream of tartar on the stain and squeeze a few drops of lemon juice on top. Rub into the stain for a minute, brush off the powder with a clean brush and sponge immediately with warm water. Repeat if needed.

PETS

Pet Stains
Soak stained area in warm soapy water. Sponge with equal parts of water and white vinegar. Blot dry.

Flea Shampoo
2 cups boiling water
½ cup sodium lauryl sulfate
¼ cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons peppermint essential oil
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons rosemary essential oil
2 tablespoons white cedar essential oil
¼ cup citronella essential oil
2 tablespoons eucalyptus essential oil
Mix water and sodium lauryl sulfate together until completely dissolved. Cool. Mix vinegar and remaining ingredients and add to sodium lauryl sulfate mixture.

Flea Collar
2 tablespoons peppermint essential oil
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons rosemary essential oil
2 tablespoons white cedar essential oil
¼ cup citronella essential oil
2 tablespoons eucalyptus essential oil
Soak a natural fiber rope in mixture and let dry for several hours. Tie around pet’s neck.
Dog House Flea Repellant
Wash dog houses with salt water. Scatter fresh pine needles or cedar shavings under your pet’s sleeping pad. Keep bedding clean.

PEST REPELLANT
Mouse Repellant
Stuff all cracks around gas and water pipes with steel wool to keep mice out.

Ant Repellant
Sprinkle red chili powder, cream of tartar powder, salt or sage near ant infestations.

Roach Repellant
Place bay leaves in cracks around room.

Insecticide
Mix dishwashing liquid and water, spray infected area.

Moth Ball Alternative
Place cedar chips or blocks in desired area.

Anti-Insect Air Spritzer
2 cups vodka
1 tablespoon citronella essential oil
1 tablespoon eucalyptus essential oil
1 teaspoon geranium essential oil
1 teaspoon rosemary essential oil
1 teaspoon orange essential oil
1 teaspoon lemon essential oil
Mix all ingredients and shake well. Mist into air to keep bugs away.

Bug Repellant, Body
2 tablespoons citronella essential oil
2 tablespoons rosemary essential oil
2 tablespoons geranium essential oil
2 tablespoons eucalyptus essential oil
½ cup olive oil
Mix all oils together. Dab on clothing and skin. Avoid eyes and mouth.

GARDEN

Chili-Vinegar Spray for Fruit Trees
4 jalapenos, habaneros or other hot chiles, seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic
1½ quarts water
2 oz. Beer
½ cup vinegar
Mix chopped chiles, garlic, water and beer. Cover and bring to a boil for 5 minutes, then let the mixture steep in the pot for 24 hours. Add the vinegar, strain well and pour into a sprayer. Spray leaves (but not blossoms). Will help keep birds away.

Aphids on Rose Bushes
Mulch banana peels into the soil at the base of the rose bushes. This will strengthen them and ward off disease-bearing aphids.

Cucumber Beetles
Make beetle traps from open cans or milk cartons baited with melon or other garden targets. Place the traps around the garden and check them early in the morning and discard.

Earwig Repellant
Option 1:
Make rolls out of newspaper, soak them in water then set them out overnight. First thing in the morning the rolls will be full earwigs. Put the rolls in a tightly sealed bag and out with the trash. Keep at this for a while and you will be rid of your problem.
Option 2:
Fill old tuna or petfood cans with ½ inch of vegetable oil; place several cans around the infested area. When fulljust dump bodies in trash and refill.

Fungus and Mildew
1 bulb of garlic (about 20 cloves), chopped
1 quart of hot water
Place chopped garlic in the water and let steep for at least 24 hours. Strain and spray on plants to eliminate fungus and mildew.

Pest Spray
1 cup grated castile soap
1 cup coarsely chopped tobacco leaves, fresh or cured
3 cups boiling water, divided
1 entire bulb garlic, peeled and crushed or chopped
1 cup of chopped fresh tansy (optional)
In a bowl, dissolve soap in 1 cup boiling water and set aside. In a blender, pour remainder of boiling water over tobacco leaves and let set for ten minutes or so. Add garlic and tansy (if available) and whirl until smooth. Strain through cheesecloth and discard solid materials. Add herbal liquid soap to mixture and stir; pour into a spray bottle. To use, spray the herbal liquid on insects and their environs at early morning and dusk for three days in a row. Because this mix drives most bugs away, but does not kill them, apply as needed.

Deer Repellant for Fruit Trees
To repel deer, roll several pounds of soft, scented herbal soap into balls. Tie the balls into small bundles, using cloth or net and string. Hang several bundles from each fruit tree. The deer won’t come near the trees. As a bonus, rain will eventually melt the soap bundles and lend a bit of alkalinity to the soil below.

Snail Repellants
Bury a small bowl or can flush with the ground and fill it with beer to atract and trap snails.

Fertilize Naturally
Use compost to return needed bacteria, enzymes and nutrients to the soil. Include clover or other nitrogen-fixing plants in the lawn to make it self-fertilizing.

Dry Out Lawn Fungus
Dethatch; add soil bacteria and re-seed. Fungus grows only in wet, thatchy, overfertilized lawns.

Beneficial Bugs
Lady Bugs (Ladybird Beetles) – eats Psyllids, aphids and eggs of the Colorado Potato Beetle.
Green Lacewings – eats aphids, mites, mealybugs and other small insects.
Ground Beetles (Carabid Beetles) – eats cutworms, grubs, root maggots and other soft-bodied pests.
Parasitic Wasps – kills whiteflies, moths and Mexican bean beetles.

Beneficial Plants
Basil – planted alongside tomato plants helps control tomato hornworms.
Thyme – planted with cabbage helps control flea beetles, cabbage worm and white cabbage butterflies.
Marigold – planted in vegetable gardens produces a scent that repels many garden pests.
Mint – repels mosquitoes and produces an odor that aphids and cabbage pests dislike.
Garlic – planted close to roses it can protect bushes from black spot, a fungus disease; can be grown in rings around a crop to repel aphids; spray garlic tea (see above) on plants to eliminate fungus and mildew.

BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Hair Dye Alternatives
Lighten hair:
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 gallon warm water
Rinse hair with mixture.

Red tones:
Rinse with strong tea of rosehips or cloves, or use strong black coffee.

Cover gray:
½ cup dried sage
2 cups water
Boil sage for thirty minutes, then steep for several hours. Apply tea to hair after it cools. Allow to dry, then rinse and dry hair again. Apply weekly until you have the shade you want and then monthly to maintain color.

Darken hair:
Rinse hair with a strong black tea or black coffee.
Hair Shampoo Alternatives

Everyday shampoo:
Castille bar soap
Water
¼ cup olive oil, almond oil or avocado oil
½ cup distilled water
Grate castille bar soap and mix it with water in a blender or food processor. Blend 1 cup of castille liquid with olive oil, avocado or almond oil and distilled water.

Dandruff remedy:
Wet hair and rub in a handful of dry baking soda, then rinse.

Hair Spray
1 chopped lemon (or 1 orange for dry hair)
2 cups pure hot water
1 ounce vodka
Place lemon and hot water in a pot, and boil until only half remains. Cool and strain. Place in a fine spray bottle and test on hair. If too sticky, add more water. Store in the refrigerator, or add 1 ounce vodka per cup of hair spray as a preservative (with vodka, hair spray may be stored unrefrigerated for up to two weeks).

Jewelry Cleaning
Rub a small amount of toothpaste on jewelry with finger, rinse well and polish with a soft cloth.

Skin Freshener/Soother
Add pulp-free aloe vera juice to water in a spray bottle and spritz arms, legs, back and face.

Skin Astringents
Option 1:
Lettuce leaves
Water
Boil green lettuce leaves for 10 minutes in enough water to cover. Let cool and strain.
Option 2:
Vodka
Strong chamomile or mint tea
Mix 1 part vodka with 9 parts strong chamomile or mint tea.
Option 3:
b (sic) cup pure water
2 tablespoons vodka
¾ cup borax
Combine ingredients in a blender until borax is dissolved.
Option 4:
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ cup lime juice
¼ cup pure water
c (sic) cup vodka
Blend ingredients. Strain to remove pulp.

Deodorant
Pat baking soda under arms after showering. Skin should be slightly damp, but not wet. If too abrasive, mix with cornstarch or white clay.

Talcum Powder
Use cornstarch, rice starch or oat flour on skin.

MISCELLANEOUS HOME MAINTENANCE
Homemade Glues
Option 1:
6 tablespoons gum arabic
1 cup water
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons natural glycerin
Dissolve gum arabic in water, add glycerin, and mix well. Apply to both surfaces with a toothpick or tongue depressor. Hold together for 5 minutes. Make fresh batch each time.
Option 2:
4 tablespoons wheat flour
6 tablespoons cold water
1 ½ cups boiling water
Blend flour into enough cold water to make a smooth paste. Boil water and stir into flour mixture until mixture is translucent. Use when cold.
Option 3:
3 tablespoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons cold water
2 cups boiling water
Blend cornstarch and cold water to make a smooth paste. Stir paste into boiling water, continue to stir until mixture becomes translucent. Use when cold.

Air Freshener
Set potpourri or fresh oranges with cloves in a dish.

Car Wash Soap
3 cups grated castille soap
½ cup sodium lauryl sulfate
3 cups boiling water
1 tablespoon borax
1 tablespoon balsam fir essential oil (optional)
Dissolve castille soap and sodium lauryl sulfate in boiling water; add borax and essential oil and mix well.

Upholstery Cleaner and Rug Shampoo
4 cups water
1 cup white vinegar
3 tablespoons sodium lauryl sulfate
2 teaspoons baking soda
c (sic) teaspoon lavender essential oil (optional)
c (sic) teaspoon ginger essential oil (optional)
Mix all ingredients together and fill a handheld rug/upholstery shampoo bottle half full. Shake the bottle vigorously and shampoo furniture using small circular motions. Scrub sudsy area well.

Laundry Soap
¼ cup clay powder
2-3 tablespoons essential oil of choice (optional)
13 cups borax
12 cups baking soda
4 cups sodium lauryl sulfate
Mix clay powder and essential oil. Add remaining ingredients and mix well in a 2-3 gallon pail. Use c cup of laundry powder per load.

Spray Starch
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 pint cold water
Dissolve cornstarch in cold water. Pour mixture into a spray bottle and squirt to apply (shake before each use).

Carpet Deodorizer
Baking soda
Sprinkle baking soda liberally on area for treatment. Wait fifteen minutes or longer, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary. Carpet should be completely dry before application. Please note: several pounds of baking soda are needed for a nine-by-twelve-foot room.

Removing Grease Spots from Walls
Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply thick paste to the grease stain and let it dry. Brush the residue off with a soft brush or cloth.

AUTOMOTIVE CARE

Windshield Cleaner
Club soda
Spray on the windshield and wipe dry. Not recommended for use in the vehicle’s windshield-spray reservoir because it could freeze.

Battery Cleaner (Removes built-up acid)
Baking soda
Water
Sprinkle baking soda onto battery terminals. Spritz with water to dampen. Let set for about one hour. Sponge off with water. Air dry.

Cleaning Polish (shiny, protective finish similar to wax)
½ cup flakes of grated hand soap
½ cup water
½ ounce beeswax
½ cup jojoba
Mix soap flakes and water in a bowl or jar and allow the soap to dissolve over night. Combine the beeswax and jojoba in a double boiler over medium heat until the wax is melted. Remove from the heat and add the soapy water. Mix with an electric hand mixer until creamy. Dab some onto a soft cloth, then buff to a shine with a soft cloth. Excess polish can be stored in a container for future use.

Vinyl Smell Reducer and Natural Engine Degreaser
¼ cup washing soda
1 gallon warm water
Dissolve washing soda in warm water. Saturate a sponge with the mixture and wash the vinyl or pour on engine areas that need degreasing. Rinse thoroughly. Excess should not be stored — discard all leftovers.

Leather Wash
¼ cup vodka
¼ cup distilled vinegar
3-4 drops of jojoba or olive oil
Combine all ingredients in container. Shake to blend. Pour mixture onto a soft rag and rub into leather. Do not rinse.

Bug Remover
½ cup baking soda
Liquid soap
Combine baking soda with enough liquid soap to make a paste. Scoop the paste onto a sponge and scrub over splattered bugs until they are loosened. Rinse well. Safe to use on painted surfaces and chrome.

RETAILERS OF UNCOMMON INGREDIENTS
The Chemistry Store
2640 NE 5th Avenue
Pompano Beach, FL 33064
888-816-4441 (8-5 M-F EST)
fax 954-946-4144
www.chemistrystore.com
KIC Chemicals
451 Main St.
P.O. Box 437
Armonk, NY 10504
914-273-6555
914-273-6760 FAX
E-mail: chem@kicgroup.com
www.kicgroup.com
SunFeather Natural Soap Co.
1551 Hwy 72
Potsdam NY 13676
315-265-3648 (9-5 M-F EST)
Fax: 315-265-2902
Email: sunsoap@slic.com
www.sunsoap.com
David Cookson & Co., Inc.
Large Quanitites Only
170 Kinnelon Road
Kinnelon, NJ 07405
973-283-1500
Fax: 973-283-1860
Email: info@cooksonco.com
www.cooksonco.com
Camden-Grey Essential Oils
7178-A SW 47 St.
Miami, FL 33155
Toll Free: 877-232-7662
Fax: 305-740-8242
Email: camdeng@bellsouth.net
www.essentialoil.net
OurPetsNet
Monmouth, IL
Email: info@our-pets.net
www.our-pets.net/store_primate3.htm
A Garden Eastward
Ludowici, GA 31316
912-545-0085 (8-5 M-F EST)
Email: brinkley@accessatc.net
http://addy.com/brinkley/supplies.htm
Rainbow Meadow Inc.
8433 South Ave., Suite 2
Poland, OH 44514
800-207-4047
Fax: 330-729-0685
Email: andy@rainbowmeadow.com
http://rainbowmeadow.com
Legend Gift Shop
3095 Jefferson Street
Napa CA 94558
707-224-7707
Email: legend@gateway.net
www.legendgiftshop.com
Tools-Plus
153 Meadow st
Waterbury Ct. USA 06702
800-222-6133(7-5 M-Sat,Th til 8 EST)
Fax: 203-753-9042
Email: seth@tools-plus.com
www.tools-plus.com
PETsMART
various locations
888-839-9638
Email: orderstatus@petsmart.com
www.petsmart.com
PETCO
various locations
858-453-7845
www.petopia.com
Go Herbal
800-823-9945
Fax: 602-832-0990
mail: meester@goherbal.com
www.goherbal.com
Essential Oils
1754 Central Park Drive
Okemos, MI 48864
888-387-3451(10-9 M-F, 10-6 Sat, 12-5 Sun EST)
Fax: 517-349-5473
Email: sales@ess-oils.com
www.ess-oils.com
Taste Of Britain
73 South Peachtree Street
Norcross, GA 30071
800-749-0739
Fax: 770-242-0551
Email: tob@tasteofbritain.com
www.tasteofbritain.com
Whole Foods Market
various locations
888-945-3637
www.wholepeople.com
Paint, home improvement or hardware stores
MotherNature.Com
360 Massachusetts Avenue
Suite 103
Acton, MA 01720
800-517-9020 (8am-11pm M-F EST)
Fax: 877-355-1144
www.mothernature.com
Chemron Corp.
93447 Paso Robles, CA
Tel: 805-239-1550
Fax: 805-239-8551
www.cosmos.com.mx/chem/chemron

I want to share this info with you as I come across it. I would like to move towards mixing these things myself for use in our household. If any of you who are local to me would be interested in buying some of these materials in bulk and sharing the cost – we could have a mixing party – what a greeny nerdy thing to do!!! At my house we garden organically and today I thought - it would be a shame to be so kind to our plants, and the critters on our property and then be so hard on ourselves (organo chlorines have been linked to birth defects and cancer) and the ecosystems these chlorines eventually go to – the ocean of course where it causes tumors and birth defects in whales, sea turtles etc.

Seems like easy stuff to do in the greater scheme of things. I will let you know how it goes.